Subclass 485
The 485 Graduate Visa
The Subclass 485 visa is a temporary visa that allows international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution to live, study, and work in Australia. It serves as a critical bridge, allowing you to gain local work experience that can often lead to permanent residency pathways.
At Immilex, we focus on the facts. We audit your qualification, age, and English scores to ensure you apply for the correct stream, providing you with a clear roadmap for your post-graduate career.
Main Requirements Across All Streams:
- Age Limit: You must be 35 years of age or less at the time of application. (Note: Exceptions apply for Masters by Research/PhD graduates and Hong Kong/BNO passport holders, who can apply up to age 50).
- Recent Study: You must have held a Student visa within the 6 months before applying and meet the Australian Study Requirement (2 academic years).
- Character & Health: You must provide evidence that you have applied for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check and hold adequate health insurance (OVHC) at the time of lodgement.
- Limit: Can only apply for one stream per application.
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
What it is for: For graduates with associate degrees, diplomas, or trade qualifications closely related to a specific skilled occupation.
What it allows: Stay and work full-time anywhere in Australia; include eligible family members.
Key Requirements:
- Nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Hold a relevant qualification (Associate Degree, Diploma, or Trade) closely related to that occupation.
- Provide evidence that you have applied for a Skills Assessment in that occupation.
- You cannot change your nominated occupation once the application is lodged.
Length of Stay: Up to 18 months (up to 5 years for Hong Kong/BNO passport holders).
Qualifying Visa: Must hold or have held a Student visa in the 6 months prior to application.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
What it is for: For graduates who have completed a degree-level qualification (Bachelor, Masters, or Doctoral) in any field of study.
What it allows: Unlimited work and study rights anywhere in Australia; family inclusion.
Key Requirements:
- Must have completed a Bachelor, Masters, or Doctoral degree.
- The degree does not need to be on an occupation list (no skills assessment required).
- Must have met the Australian Study Requirement within the 6 months prior to applying.
Length of Stay:
- Bachelor Degree (including Honours): 2 years.
- Masters (Coursework and Extended): 2 years.
- Masters (Research) and Doctoral Degrees (PhD): 3 years.
- Note: Indian nationals (AI-ECTA) and HK/BNO passport holders receive specific extended durations (up to 4–5 years).
Qualifying Visa: Must hold or have held a Student visa in the 6 months prior to application.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
What it is for: For graduates who studied at a regional institution and have lived in a designated regional area while holding their first Post-Higher Education (or former Post-Study Work) visa.
What it allows: Extended full-time work and study rights, provided you and your family members continue to live, work, and study in a designated regional area.
Key Requirements:
- Must currently hold a Subclass 485 visa in the Post-Higher Education Work stream (or the former Post-Study Work stream).
- Your qualification that led to your first visa must have been completed at an educational institution campus located in a designated regional area.
- You must have lived, worked, and studied only in a designated regional area for at least two years immediately before applying.
Length of Stay:
- Category 2 (Cities and Major Regional Centres like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Hobart): 1 additional year.
- Category 3 (Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas): 2 additional years
Qualifying Visa: Must hold a Post-Higher Education Work stream or Post-Study Work stream visa.
Maintaining compliance
Maintaining your status on a 485 visa requires adherence to several mandatory conditions:
- 8501 (Health Insurance): You must maintain adequate health insurance (OVHC) for yourself and all family members for the entire duration of the visa.
- Notification of Changes: You must inform the Department of any change in your residential address or passport details within 14 days.
The 485 Application Process
Preparation
Obtain your completion letter from your university, arrange your AFP check, and renew your OVHC insurance to a "graduate" level.
English & Skills Assessment
Ensure your English test is current (within 1 year) and, if in the Post-Vocational stream, apply for your Skills Assessment.
Lodgement
Submit your application through ImmiAccount. For the Post-Vocational stream, you must nominate your occupation at this stage and cannot change it later.
For 485 Visa Applicants
The 485 visa is a one-time opportunity (except for the regional second-visa stream). Understanding your eligibility before lodging is the best way to avoid a refusal that would end your path to permanent residency. At Immilex, we provide detailed assessments to ensure your age, qualification, and English test dates align with the strict requirements.
We also assist in planning your long-term roadmap. The 485 visa is a valuable time-buffer to help you gain the local work experience needed for Subclass 186, 190, or 491 pathways. We ensure your 485 is a strategic stepping stone, not just a temporary stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the Post-Vocational stream, you only need to provide evidence that you have applied for the skills assessment. You do not need the final result at the time of lodgement.
No. Primary applicants must be in Australia at the time of application, though subsequent family members can be offshore.
If you are using a Masters by Research or a PhD to meet the study requirement, you can apply up to age 50. For a Masters by Coursework, you must be 35 or under.
Secure Your Post-Graduate Future
With the 2026 fee increase to $4,600, the cost of a mistake is high. Contact us at Immilex for a professional consultation and a technical review of your 485 eligibility to ensure your first step into the workforce is a successful one.