The subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa is the bridge between finishing your studies in Australia and either staying on to build work experience or finding a pathway to permanent residence. It is a popular visa and a genuinely useful one if you understand how it works.
Here is everything you need to know.
What Is the 485 Visa?
The 485 visa lets recent graduates of Australian higher education institutions live and work in Australia on a temporary basis after they finish their course. It is specifically designed for people who have studied in Australia and want to gain work experience here.
The visa does not require employer sponsorship and there is no occupation list requirement. You can work in any occupation, for any employer, or be self-employed.
The Two Streams
The Graduate Work stream is for graduates whose qualification relates to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This stream gives you 18 months in Australia.
The Post-Study Work stream is for graduates of Australian bachelor degrees, bachelor honours degrees, masters degrees, or doctoral degrees. The length of the visa depends on where you studied. Graduates from most metropolitan areas receive two years. Graduates from regional areas (as defined by the Department) can receive three or four years under recent policy changes designed to encourage regional study and work.
Most applicants use the Post-Study Work stream because it does not require their qualification to relate to a specific occupation list.
Eligibility Requirements
You must have held a student visa while studying in Australia (with some limited exceptions). You must have completed your qualification within six months of applying. You must be under 50 years of age at the time of application. You must have competent English (IELTS 6 in each band or equivalent, or a recognised superior English test result).
You must apply within six months of completing your course and you can only be granted one 485 visa in your lifetime. Using it well matters.
What Documents Do You Need?
The key documents include your passport, evidence of your qualifications (testamur and academic transcript), evidence of study in Australia (usually a letter from your institution confirming dates of study), OSHC or evidence that you meet the health insurance requirement, and health examination results.
Depending on your country of origin, you may also need police clearances.
Health and Character Requirements
All 485 applicants must meet health and character requirements. Health examinations are arranged through panel physicians approved by the Department. Character requirements include providing police clearances from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more since turning 16.
How Long Does It Take to Process?
Processing times have varied considerably in recent years. Straightforward applications are generally processed within a few months, but applications requiring additional checks or manual processing can take longer. Lodge as early as possible after completing your qualification to avoid working on an expired student visa.
If you lodge your 485 application before your student visa expires, you will receive a Bridging Visa with full work rights while your application is being processed.
After the 485: What Are Your Options?
The 485 is not a permanent visa. It is a platform for building the Australian work experience and sometimes the points score needed for other pathways. While on your 485 you can:
Work in your nominated field to build experience toward a skilled migration application. Complete a Professional Year program (available in accounting, IT, and engineering) to add points to your skilled migration score. Seek employer sponsorship for a 482 visa. Explore state nomination pathways if your occupation is in demand in Queensland or another state.
The most strategic use of your 485 time depends on your occupation, your points score, and your long-term residency goals. A migration agent can help you model the different pathways and figure out the most efficient route.
Common Mistakes
Applying after the six-month window from completion is the most common avoidable error. Letting your student visa expire before lodging is a serious problem because it affects your lawful status.
Not meeting the English requirement is another issue. The test must be from a recognised test taken within the past three years in most cases.
Assuming one 485 visa can be followed by another is a misconception. You get one. Plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include my partner and children on my 485 visa?
Yes. Secondary applicants can be included in your application and will have similar visa conditions to the primary holder.
Can I leave Australia while my 485 application is being processed?
A Bridging Visa B allows travel while your application is pending, but you need to apply for it specifically. If you leave Australia on a Bridging Visa A without a Bridging Visa B, your bridging visa ceases and your 485 application may be affected.
Do I need to have studied full time to be eligible?
You need to have completed the course. Full-time study is required during your student visa, but the 485 assesses completion of the qualification, not the study mode.