Australia Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily. It’s an ideal pathway for gaining valuable post-study work experience and potentially transitioning to permanent residency.

Key Features:

Two main streams: 

1. Graduate Work Stream – for graduates with skills in demand (18 months validity)
2. Post-Study Work Stream – for degree holders from Australian institutions (2 to 4 years validity)

• Full work and study rights

• Opportunity to gain Australian work experience

• Family members (partner and dependents) can be included

• Pathway to Skilled Migration (PR)

Eligibility & Requirements

To qualify for the Subclass 485 visa, applicants must:

• Be under 50 years of age

• Hold an eligible student visa within the past 6 months

• Meet the Australian study requirement (minimum 2 years of study)

• Apply to the correct stream (Graduate Work or Post-Study Work)

• Meet English language requirements

• Have arranged health insurance (OVHC)

• Have applied for or obtained AFP police clearance

• Meet character and health requirement

Required Documents for 485 Visa Application

General Documents:

• Valid passport

• Visa application form

• 2 recent passport-sized photographs

• Confirmation of completion of study (Completion Letter & Academic Transcript)

• Evidence of English proficiency (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL or passport from exempt country)

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC/OVHC)

For Graduate Work Stream:

• Positive skill assessment for an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

• Relevant qualifications and transcripts

• Evidence of meeting Australian Study Requirement (ASR)

For Post-Study Work Stream:

• Bachelor, Master’s, or Doctoral degree from an Australian institution

• Completion letter clearly stating course duration and CRICOS registration

Additional (All Applicants):

• AFP Police Check (must be applied before visa lodgement)

• Health exam (if requested by the Department)

• Statement of Purpose (recommended if prior visa issues exist

Important Notes:

• This is a once-in-a-lifetime visa. You can only be granted a 485 visa once.

• Application must be submitted within 6 months of holding a valid student visa.

• If your visa is refused or delayed, you may not be eligible to apply again, so professional guidance is critical.