Finishing Your Course? Turn It Into Real Australian Work Experience
The Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) lets you stay, live, and work in Australia after you graduate, often the bridge between your studies and a longer-term migration pathway.
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Quick Facts on the Temporary Graduate Visa (485)
The essentials, at a glance. Everything else we'll walk you through at your consultation.
What Is the Temporary Graduate Visa (485)?
The Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) is a temporary visa that lets recent graduates of an eligible Australian course live, work, and in some cases study in Australia after finishing their studies. For many international students, it's the bridge between a Student Visa (500) and a longer-term pathway, whether that's gaining local work experience, building toward employer sponsorship, or working toward General Skilled Migration.
Unlike your original student visa, this one comes with full work rights and no study-load requirements holding you to a course. It's designed specifically to let you build a genuine career foothold in Australia. The catch is timing and eligibility: you need to apply while still in Australia, generally within a defined window after your course finishes, and the stream you qualify for depends on what and where you studied.
Book Your Free ConsultationWhich Stream Applies to You?
The 485 has three streams, and which one applies depends on your qualification and where you studied.
| Post-Vocational Education Work | Post-Higher Education Work | Second Post-Higher Education Work | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Graduates of an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification linked to Australia's skilled occupation list | Graduates of a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a CRICOS-registered course | Applicants who already hold (or held) a Post-Higher Education Work stream visa and studied in a designated regional area |
| Duration | Up to 18 months | 2 to 3 years, depending on qualification level | A further 1 to 2 years |
| Occupation-list requirement? | Yes, your qualification generally needs to link to the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List | No | No |
Eligibility: What's Required
Across all three streams, you'll generally need to show the following.
You're in Australia at the time of application
This visa cannot be applied for from outside Australia, under any stream.
You're 35 years old or younger when you apply
Unless a specific exception applies to you.
You've completed an eligible CRICOS-registered course
Generally requiring a minimum of two years of study in Australia.
You're applying within the required window after your course finishes
Leaving this too late is one of the most common and entirely avoidable reasons applicants miss out.
English language proficiency
Generally demonstrated through an approved test (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or equivalent).
Health and character requirements
Including a police clearance certificate from any country you've lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Appropriate health insurance
Cover that is appropriate for your visa period.
What's Included in Ignite's Temporary Graduate Visa Service
What you're actually paying for, versus doing it alone or via a cheaper, less accountable "fixer."
Stream identification: confirming which of the three streams genuinely fits your qualification and study history
Timeline planning: around your course completion date, so your application window isn't missed
Full application preparation and lodgement
Guidance on including your spouse/partner and dependent children
Strategic advice: on how the 485 fits into your longer-term plans, whether that's building experience toward employer sponsorship, or working toward General Skilled Migration
Direct liaison with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf
Ready to check your 485 eligibility?
Get a free, honest eligibility check before your course finishes, so your application window isn't missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. Do I need to already be in Australia to apply for the 485?+-
Yes, this is a strict requirement across all three streams. You cannot apply for this visa from outside Australia.
02. Which stream is right for my qualification?+-
It depends on your course level: vocational/trade qualifications generally fall under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream (and need to link to a specific skilled occupation list), while bachelor's, master's, and doctoral graduates generally fall under the Post-Higher Education Work stream. We'll confirm which applies to you.
03. How long can I stay on a 485 visa?+-
This depends on your stream and qualification, anywhere from up to 18 months (Post-Vocational Education Work) to 2 to 3 years (Post-Higher Education Work), with some regional study pathways adding further time through the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream.
04. How soon after finishing my course do I need to apply?+-
There's a defined application window after course completion, and missing it is one of the most common, entirely avoidable reasons applicants become ineligible. Talk to us as your course is finishing, not after, so this is planned around your actual completion date.
05. Can the 485 lead to permanent residency?+-
Not directly, it's a temporary visa. But it's commonly used to build the Australian work experience, references, and industry connections that strengthen a later employer-sponsored or General Skilled Migration application.
06. Can my family come with me on a 485 visa?+-
In many cases, yes, eligible partners and dependent children can generally be included. We'll confirm what applies to your specific situation.
07. What if I studied in a regional area?+-
Regional study can open up the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (additional time on this visa) and can also matter for skilled migration points, so it's worth raising at your consultation if this applies to you.
Don't Let Your Student Visa Expire Without a Plan
Book a free consultation before your course finishes, and let's confirm exactly which stream you qualify for and when to apply.
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