Temporary Graduate Visa
The Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa lets recent graduates of CRICOS-registered Australian degrees remain in Australia to live, work and travel for two, three, four or six years depending on degree level and study location.
About Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows graduates of Australian degrees to remain in Australia after completing their studies. Most applicants stay between two and four years; graduates in regional areas can extend to six years.
Unlike the 482, the 485 does not require employer sponsorship — you may work in any field, change employers freely, or start your own business while it is active. The visa is a common bridge to skilled migration streams (189, 190, 491).
Post-study graduate stream
For graduates of Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees — 2 to 4 years depending on award level.
Second post-study stream
Additional 1–2 years available for graduates of regional study locations on top of the first 485.
Bring family
Spouse, partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants under your visa.
Onshore lodgement
Apply from within Australia within six months of finishing your degree. Bridging visa during processing.
What you will need.
Six core eligibility requirements. We audit each one during your first consultation and flag risks before lodgement.
Eligible Australian qualification
Two academic years of CRICOS study completed in the previous six months, leading to a Bachelor, Master or PhD.
Recent graduation
Apply within six months of completing your course. The completion date is the date the institution releases results.
Held a student visa
Must hold or have last held a Subclass 500 or eligible student visa in the six months preceding lodgement.
Health insurance
Maintain adequate Australian private health cover throughout the entire validity of the 485.
English proficiency
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.0), PTE 50, or equivalent. Some streams accept passport country evidence.
Skills assessment (Graduate Work stream)
Required if applying via the older Graduate Work stream — your occupation must be on the MLTSSL.
- 01Valid passport
- 02Australian academic transcripts & testamur
- 03Completion letter from institution
- 04Australian Federal Police clearance
- 05Police clearance from countries of residence
- 06Australian health cover policy
- 07English test result
- 08Form 80 (personal particulars)
- 09Form 1221 (additional personal particulars)
- 10Evidence of prior student visa
How we lodge your temporary graduate visa.
- 01Week 01
Course completion check
Confirm completion date with institution, request transcript and testamur for lodgement.
01 / 04 - 02Week 01–03
Document compilation
AFP and overseas police clearances ordered. English test booked if not already valid.
02 / 04 - 03Week 03
ImmiAccount lodgement
Application submitted before six-month cutoff. Bridging Visa A granted automatically.
03 / 04 - 04Week 04–16
Decision
Health, character and document verification by Home Affairs. Outcome typically within 90 days.
04 / 04
Ready to takethe first step?
Book a free session with our team. Tell us what you’re after and the right person will get back to you.
104 Bathurst Street
Town Hall NSW 2000
09:00 — 17:00 AEST
Sat by appointment
Recruitment
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