Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): A Complete Guide for International Students in Australia
13 Mar, 2026
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): A Complete Guide for International Students in Australia
Completing your studies in Australia is a major milestone, but for many international students it is only the beginning of a much bigger journey. After graduation, many students aim to gain professional experience, develop their careers, and explore long-term migration opportunities in Australia. One of the most important pathways available for graduates is the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).
The Temporary Graduate Visa allows eligible international students to remain in Australia after completing their studies. This visa offers an opportunity to gain valuable work experience, explore professional career options, and potentially move towards permanent residency pathways in the future.
What is the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)?
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is designed for international students who have recently completed their studies at an Australian educational institution. This visa allows graduates to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily after finishing their course.
The main objective of this visa is to provide graduates with the opportunity to gain Australian work experience that may support future skilled migration applications. Many international students use this visa as a stepping stone toward permanent residency pathways such as skilled migration or employer-sponsored visas.
Two Main Streams of the 485 Visa
Graduate Work Stream
The Graduate Work Stream is designed for students who have completed qualifications that relate to occupations on Australia's skilled occupation list.
Key features include:
• Allows graduates to stay in Australia for a temporary period
• Opportunity to gain work experience in a skilled occupation
• Helps build eligibility for skilled migration pathways
The Graduate Work Stream is designed for students who have completed qualifications that relate to occupations on Australia's skilled occupation list.
Key features include:
• Allows graduates to stay in Australia for a temporary period
• Opportunity to gain work experience in a skilled occupation
• Helps build eligibility for skilled migration pathways
Post-Study Work Stream
The Post-Study Work Stream is available to students who have completed higher education qualifications such as a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree from an Australian institution.
Benefits include:
• Ability to stay in Australia for a longer period depending on qualification level
• Opportunity to gain professional work experience
• Flexibility to work in any occupation
The Post-Study Work Stream is available to students who have completed higher education qualifications such as a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree from an Australian institution.
Benefits include:
• Ability to stay in Australia for a longer period depending on qualification level
• Opportunity to gain professional work experience
• Flexibility to work in any occupation
Benefits of the Temporary Graduate Visa
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) provides several advantages for international students who wish to remain in Australia after completing their studies.
• Gain Australian Work Experience - Employers often prefer candidates with local experience. This visa allows graduates to build professional skills within the Australian job market.
• Extend Your Stay in Australia - Graduates can remain in Australia longer after completing their course and explore new career opportunities.
• Explore PR Pathways - Many graduates prepare for skilled migration visas such as Subclass 189, 190, or 491 while holding this visa.
• Improve Career Opportunities - Working in Australia helps build professional networks, industry knowledge, and employability.
Important Eligibility Requirements
To apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), applicants generally need to meet several requirements.
• Completing an eligible course from an Australian institution
• Meeting the Australian study requirement
• Holding a valid student visa within the last six months
• Meeting English language requirements
• Holding appropriate health insurance
Preparing the correct documentation before submitting the application is extremely important to avoid delays or visa refusals.
Why Professional Guidance Matters
Although the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) application may appear simple, many applicants face challenges due to incorrect documentation, misunderstanding visa conditions, or choosing the wrong visa stream.
Professional migration advice can help ensure that the application is properly prepared, eligibility requirements are met, and the most suitable visa pathway is selected based on the applicant’s long-term goals.
Strategic planning can also help graduates use the 485 visa effectively as part of a broader migration strategy toward permanent residency in Australia.
