About Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485):
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allowing recent international graduates from an Australian educational institution who have completed higher studies in Australia to live, study and work in Australia for a period varying 18 months to 6 years, depending on the type of studies that have been completed. The applicant needs to be onshore at the time of application and visa decision.
There are 3 eligibility streams:
New English language requirementsxtension of the Temporary Graduate Visa (485):
From 23 March 2024, Temporary Graduate visas (TGV) English requiremetns has been increased to minimum IELTS score 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent), with a minimum score of 5.5 for each component of the test (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). English test score validity reduced to 1 year immediately before the date of the visa application.
Extension of the Temporary Graduate Visa (485) Post Study Work Rights for Higher Education Students
From 1 July 2023 Graduates with a Bachelor, Honours or Masters degree will be eligible for a visa with a further two year validity if their qualification is listed on the Department of Education’s ‘Eligible Qualifications List (EQL)’. All doctoral graduates will be eligible for a further two year validity.
COVID-19 Concession: Offshore Appplicant
Eligible prospective subclass 485 visa applicants can make their visa application outside Australia during the concession period and be granted the visa while they are outside Australia.
COVID-19 Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) replacement stream visa
This stream will be available for new applications from mid-2022. Continue to check back for updates. See more about the COVID-19 Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) replacement stream visa.
What is Graduate Work Stream?
Graduate Work stream visa is for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications that are relevant to specific occupations in Australia needs. This visa usually let you live, study and work in Australia temporarily usually for up to 18 months.
Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.
Eligibility of Graduate Work Stream:
To be Eligible for this visa you must have the followings:
- Under 50 years of age.
- You granted your first student visa to Australia on or after 5 November 2011.
- Successfully completed at least one degree, diploma or trade qualification (CRICOS-registered course) within 6 months before you lodge your application.
- Meet the Australian study requirement.
- Nominate 1 occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Have a degree, diploma or trade qualification closely related to that occupation.
- Suitable skills assessed by a relevant assessing authority for that occupation/ at least applied for a skills assessment.
- You held an Australian study visa that allowed you to study (but not one supported by the Defence or Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister).
- If you are in Australia, You held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now have a Bridging Visa A /B granted on the basis of a valid application for a visa.
- If you are in Australia, you held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now hold a substantive visa.
- If you are outside Australia and you hold or have held an eligible student visa (but not one supported by the Defence or Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister).
- Have not previously granted a subclass 485 or a subclass 476 visa as a primary visa holder.
- Your study was in English.
- English language requirement (IELTS overall 6.5 with no less than 5.5 on each band or equivalent score in other acceptable English test). The test validity only one year immediately before the date of the visa application.
- Have no debt to the Australian Government.
- Have adequate health insurance in Australia.
- Meet the health and character requirements of the Australian government.
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
What is Post-Study Work stream?
Post Study Work Stream is for international students who have recently graduated with a Bachelor, Masters degree or PHD from an Australian institution. This visa usually let you live, study and work in Australia temporarily between 2 and 6 years, depending on your qualification.
- From 1 July 2023 Graduates with listed qualifications (‘Eligible Qualifications List (EQL)’) will be eligible for 2 years extra visa validity.
- All doctoral graduates will be eligible for a 6 year validity.
- From 1 December 2021, Masters by course work graduates will be granted with a 3 years visa "Source".
- Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.
Eligibility of Post-Study Work stream ?
To be Eligible for this visa you must have the followings:
- Under 50 years of age.
- Successfully completed a Bachelor/Masters or Doctoral Degree (CRICOS-registered) course within 6 months before you lodge your application.
- Meet the Australian study requirement.
- You held an Australian study visa that allowed you to study (but not one supported by the Defence or Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister).
- If you are in Australia, you held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now have a Bridging Visa A/B granted on the basis of a valid application for a visa.
- If you are in Australia, you held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now hold a substantive visa.
- If you are outside Australia and you hold or have held an eligible student visa (but not one supported by the Defence or Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister).
- Have not previously granted a subclass 485 or a subclass 476 visa as a primary visa holder
- Your study was in English.
- English language requirement (IELTS overall 6.5 with no less than 5.5 on each band or equivalent score in other acceptable English test). The test validity only one year immediately before the date of the visa application.
- Have no debt to the Australian Government.
- Have adequate health insurance in Australia.
- Meet the health and character requirements of the Australian government.
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
What is Second Post-Study Work stream?
Second Post - Study Work Stream visa is only available for First Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) holders in the post-study work stream. This visa is usually granted for 1 or 2 years, depending on the categories of designated regional areas you resided in for at least 2 years immediately before applying for this visa + Study location while on your student visa.
This stream is only available for first Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) holders in the post-study work stream. Applicant must continue to hold a valid first Temporary Graduate visa in the post-study work stream when applying for the second Temporary Graduate post-study work stream visa.
Applicants with a select degree may be eligible for an extended 2 years on their visa. See Eligibility
Designated regional areas:
Most locations of Australia outside major cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane)are classed as designated regional areas for migration purposes. Designated regional areas included two categories.
Category 2 – ‘Cities and Major Regional Centers' of Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, and Hobart.
International students residing + graduated with a bachelor or higher qualification from a category 2 regional campus of a registered institution will be eligible to access an additional 1 year in Australia on a post-study work visa.
Category 3 –Regional Centre's and Other Regional Areas.
International students residing + graduated with a bachelor or higher qualification from a category 3 regional campus of a registered institution will be eligible to access an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa.
You may check the list of postcodes that specify designated regional areas for migration purposes.
Eligibility of Second Post - Study Work Stream:
To be eligible for this visa you must have the followings:
- Under 50 years of age.
- Hold a valid first Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) in the post-study work stream.
- Must have lived only in a designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying for this visa.
- Have no debt to the Australian Government.
- Have adequate health insurance in Australia.
- Meet the health and character requirements of the Australian government.
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
You can include your partner and dependent children with your visa application if they are in Australia on a valid visa at the time of application (Covid – 19 concessions apply). Your offshore members of the family unit can also apply to join you in Australia after your visa is granted.
You can add your children to the application until a decision on your application is made. You can't add any other member of the family unit to your application during that period.