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Temporary Graduate Visa

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Post-Study Pathways: The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

If you want to transition from international student to professional, the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is your most important next step. This visa grants you full post-study work rights, allowing you to live, study, and work full-time in Australia after completing your course. For many, it is the ultimate bridge to building a career and earning points toward permanent Australian skilled migration.

To match your unique educational background, the Subclass 485 visa is divided into two distinct streams:

Stream 01

Post-Higher Education Work Stream

Designed for graduates of an Australian Bachelor’s degree, Master’s, or PhD.

Best suited for higher education graduates seeking post-study work rights in Australia.
Stream 02

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

Tailored for graduates holding diplomas or trade qualifications. This stream requires your qualification to align closely with an eligible job on Australia's medium and long-term skills list, alongside a successful skills assessment.

Ideal for vocational and trade-qualified applicants progressing toward skilled migration pathways.

FAQs

1. When should I apply for my Temporary Graduate Visa?
You must lodge your application within 6 months of your official course completion date. You must also hold (or have held within the last 6 months) a valid Australian Student Visa.
2. What is the age limit for the Subclass 485 visa?
To eligible for either stream, most applicants must be 35 years of age or under at the time of application. However, exceptions apply to Masters by Research, Doctoral graduates, and specific passport holders (such as Hong Kong and British National Overseas).
3. What are the English language requirements?
Applicants must show evidence of English proficiency taken within 12 months prior to applying.
4. Can I include my family on a Subclass 485 visa?
Yes. You can include your spouse, de facto partner, and dependent children in your initial application, or they can join you later as subsequent entrants.
5. Do I need to buy health insurance for the Temporary Graduate Visa?
Yes. As an international student, your current Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is acceptable at the exact time you apply. However, before your visa can be approved, you must officially switch to a compliant Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) policy. Unlike student health cover, OVHC does not need to be paid in full upfront; you can set up flexible monthly installments.

Temporary Graduate Visa

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is crucial for international students seeking to transition from study to skilled work experience in Australia. It allows graduates of eligible Australian qualifications to live, work, and study temporarily after completing their course. This visa has two streams: the Graduate Work Stream (for certain trades qualifications) and the more common Post-Study Work Stream (for Bachelor’s degrees or higher). This visa is highly valuable as it provides the time needed to gain professional experience or accumulate points for a subsequent skilled migration application.

Full Work Rights
Grants unrestricted work rights, allowing you to gain professional experience in your field of study.
Stay Duration
The length of the visa varies, typically 2 to 4 years, based on your qualification level and the location where you studied (regional study often grants longer periods).
Skilled Migration Bridge
Provides the critical time needed to undergo a Skills Assessment and obtain the necessary work experience required for subsequent skilled visas (e.g., Subclass 189/190).
Study in Australia
The course completed must be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and meet the Australian Study Requirement.
What is the Australian Study Requirement?
You must have completed one or more eligible degrees, diplomas, or trade qualifications in Australia, taught in English, and lasting at least 92 weeks of registered study.
When must I apply for the 485 visa?
You must apply within six months of completing your course (the date your educational provider officially notified you of your completion).
Do I need a skills assessment for the Post-Study Work Stream?
No. The Post-Study Work Stream (for Bachelor's or higher) does not require a skills assessment at the time of application, but you will need one later for PR. The Graduate Work Stream requires a skills assessment.
Is my English test result accepted?
You must provide evidence of meeting the English language requirement (e.g., IELTS, PTE). The test must have been taken within three years of the visa application lodgement date.

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