Visa subclass 485 · Student · temporary
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate: 2026 eligibility, points and processing
The 485 is the post-study work visa for international graduates of Australian institutions. Three streams: Post-Higher Education Work (replaces Post-Study Work and Graduate Work from 1 July 2024), Replacement and Second Post-Higher Education Work for regional graduates.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate is a temporary visa for student applicants.
- ✓No points test – eligibility is sponsorship + skills assessment + work experience based.
- ✓Processing: 4 months median (source: Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026).
- ✓Primary VAC1: $2,235.
- ✓Path to PR: No direct PR.
At a glance
Stream
temporary, open for new applications
Age limit
Under 35 at time of application (down from 50 from 1 July 2024). Master’s by research and PhD graduates have age exemptions.
Work rights
Unrestricted full-time work rights for the duration of the visa.
Path to PR
No direct PR. Holders typically use the 485 period to gain Australian work experience and pursue skilled migration (189 / 190 / 491) or employer-sponsored (482 → 186).
Eligibility
Eligibility checklist
Every box below must tick before lodgement. Missing any one of them either makes the visa impossible or pushes the applicant into a different subclass.
- Hold or have held an eligible student visa within the last 6 months
- Completed a qualification from a CRICOS-registered Australian provider with at least 2 academic years of study (16 calendar months minimum, Australian Study Requirement)
- Under 35 years of age at time of application (was 50 until 1 July 2024; cap exemptions for Master’s by research and PhD)
- Competent English (IELTS 6 each band)
- Health insurance for the duration of the 485
- Meet health and character requirements
Processing time
How long does it take?
Published by Home Affairs as 25th, 50th and 90th percentile times. Individual processing can be faster or slower depending on documentation, country of passport and decision-ready status.
| 25% of applications | 50% (median) | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| 2 months | 4 months | 10 months |
Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026. See current processing times across all subclasses.
Cost
Visa Application Charge
| Applicant | VAC1 (lodgement) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $2,235 |
| Partner (secondary) | $1,115 |
| Child (secondary) | $560 |
VAC1 from 1 July 2024. No second instalment.
In depth
What you actually need to know
The 485 underwent major reforms on 1 July 2024. The old streams (Post-Study Work for higher education, Graduate Work for skilled trades) merged into a simplified Post-Higher Education Work stream. Visa lengths were rebalanced (2 years for Bachelor’s, 3 years for Master’s, 4 years for PhD; extra time for regional study).
The age cap dropped from 50 to 35 at the same time, with exemptions for Master’s by research and PhD graduates. The drop closed off the 485 to many mid-career international students who used to study a Master’s in Australia as a deliberate migration step.
Work rights on the 485 are unrestricted. Many holders use the 485 to accumulate the 12–24 months of Australian skilled work that scores well on the points test, while simultaneously running an EOI for skilled migration (189 / 190 / 491). The 485 is also a holding visa while waiting for a 482 / 186 nomination from a sponsoring employer.
Visa conditions to know
- No restriction on changing employer or course of study
- 8501: maintain health insurance
Occupations covered
Post-Higher Education Work stream is non-occupation-based – graduates of any field qualify provided the qualification meets the Australian Study Requirement. Regional second-stream concessions favour graduates with regional study.
Pathway to permanent residence
No direct PR. Holders typically use the 485 period to gain Australian work experience and pursue skilled migration (189 / 190 / 491) or employer-sponsored (482 → 186).
Common questions
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – common questions
How long is a 485 valid for?
Depends on the qualification. Bachelor’s degree: 2 years. Master’s by coursework: 2 years. Master’s by research: 3 years. PhD: 4 years (was 4 years pre-reform; remains 4 years). Regional study adds 1–2 extra years on the second Post-Higher Education Work stream.
Can I include my partner on a 485?
Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be added as secondary applicants and receive the same unrestricted work rights.
What changed on 1 July 2024?
Age cap dropped from 50 to 35 (exemptions for Master’s by research and PhD). Streams simplified to Post-Higher Education Work + Replacement + Second PHEW. Stream lengths rebalanced. The Graduate Work stream (which was the skilled-trades 485 with an occupation list) is closed; trades graduates now use the Post-Higher Education Work stream like everyone else.
Do I need to find a job before applying for a 485?
No. You can lodge a 485 before securing employment. The 485 provides 2–4 years of unrestricted work rights to give you time to find skilled work.
Source
Primary source for this page
Information on this page is summarised from the Department of Home Affairs visa listing for subclass 485. Always confirm details against the primary source before lodging.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485 →
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