Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): The Complete Guide for International Graduates in 2025

Summary

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is an excellent opportunity for international graduates to gain skilled work experience in Australia and build a pathway to permanent residency. Given the significant changes to eligibility and duration in 2025, proactive legal guidance is more important than ever.

For legal guidance on your eligibility and strategic visa planning, contact Australian Migration Lawyers—our migration law specialists can help you secure the right visa for your future in Australia. Get expert help from Australian Migration Lawyers today to maximise your prospects.

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) allows international students who have recently completed eligible qualifications in Australia to live, study, and work temporarily after their studies.

This visa provides an important bridge between study and potential permanent residence—giving graduates valuable time to gain skilled work experience and, in some cases, qualify for other permanent visa options. It is a critical step for many international students looking to establish a long-term future in Australia.

This guide from Australian Migration Lawyers explains the key eligibility criteria, available visa streams, and the legal process for applying for the 485 visa in 2025. The criteria have been subject to recent and significant legislative reform, so understanding the latest rules is essential for a successful application.

What Is the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)?

The 485 visa is designed for recent international graduates who have completed an eligible Australian qualification. It allows you to:

• Remain in Australia temporarily after your studies
• Work full-time in any occupation, which is vital for building a career
• Travel freely in and out of Australia
• Gain skilled work experience to support a future permanent visa application

The Temporary Graduate Visa is a highly sought-after opportunity, but the application must be perfectly timed and correctly executed to avoid refusal. This is where expert advice from Australian Migration Lawyers becomes invaluable.

New Streams of the Subclass 485 Visa

As of July 2024, the Department of Home Affairs formally changed the names of the two main streams under the Subclass 485 visa to better reflect the type of qualification required. It is crucial to know which stream applies to your qualification before you begin preparing your application.

1. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (Formerly the Graduate Work Stream)

This stream is for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications that relate to an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, such as the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or a similar designated list. This stream typically caters to those with diploma or trade qualifications.

• Visa duration: Up to 18 months. For holders of Hong Kong or British National Overseas passports, the stay period is up to 5 years.
• Purpose: To allow skilled graduates to gain work experience relevant to their nominated occupation and to meet the demand for certain trades and vocations in the Australian labour market.
• Key Requirement: Applicants in this stream must apply for a skills assessment in their nominated occupation, which must be on the skilled occupation list.

2. Post-Higher Education Work Stream (Formerly the Post-Study Work Stream)

This stream is for graduates who have recently completed a higher education degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) from an Australian institution. Eligibility is tied to the qualification level, not a specific occupation list.

• Visa duration: The duration depends entirely on the qualification level:
  • Bachelor’s Degree (including Honours): Up to 2 years
  • Master’s Degree (Coursework or Extended): Up to 2 years
  • Master’s Degree (Research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD): Up to 3 years
  • Note: The previous two-year extension for graduates of courses in areas of verified skill shortage was discontinued in mid-2024. Graduates from India may have different stay periods under the AI-ECTA trade agreement.
• Eligible qualifications: Must be from a Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)-registered course. The course must have lasted at least 2 academic years.

3. Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

This is for holders of a first Post-Higher Education Work Stream visa who studied and lived in a designated regional area of Australia for at least two years.

• Visa duration: 1 to 2 additional years, depending on the regional location.
• Purpose: To encourage graduates to live and work in regional Australia and contribute to the local economy.

4. Replacement Stream

For those who previously held a Temporary Graduate Visa but lost time due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

• Visa duration: Same as the original visa period.
• Eligibility: Must have held or been granted a 485 visa between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021.

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Critical Eligibility Criteria for the 485 Visa in 2025

To be eligible for the 485 visa, you must meet several non-negotiable requirements, many of which have recently been updated by the Department of Home Affairs:

• Age Limit: You must be under 35 years of age at the time of application for most streams. There are exceptions, including for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, and those with a Masters (research) or Doctoral degree, who must be under 50.
• Hold an eligible student visa (or have held one in the past 6 months) at the time of application. You must be in Australia when you lodge the application.
• Have recently completed a CRICOS-registered course that lasted at least 2 academic years (the Australian study requirement).
• Meet English language requirements (The minimum IELTS score has increased to 6.5 overall, with no band score lower than 5.5, or equivalent scores from other accepted tests like PTE, TOEFL, or OET). Importantly, your English test result must be no more than one year old at the time of application, down from three years previously.
• Hold adequate health insurance for the entire duration of your application and stay.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• For the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream, you must also have:
  • Applied for a skills assessment relevant to an occupation on the current skilled occupation list.

These new criteria are strict. Even a small error or delay, such as having an English test result that is just over one year old, can lead to a visa refusal. Australian Migration Lawyers can provide professional oversight to ensure every detail is correct before lodgement.

The Strategic Application Process for the Subclass 485 Visa

The application window is narrow, requiring meticulous planning. The process, while straightforward in steps, is unforgiving on timing and documentation.

Step 1: Check Eligibility and Stream

Before applying, confirm that your course, qualifications, and visa status meet the requirements for your chosen stream. Pay particular attention to the new age limit and the English test validity period.

Step 2: Gather Documentation and Obtain Skills Assessment

You’ll need your passport, visa grant notice, academic transcripts, completion letter, English test results, and health insurance documents.

If you are applying for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream, the skills assessment application must be lodged before or concurrently with your 485 visa application.

Step 3: Lodge the Application Online

Submit your application via ImmiAccount within six months of completing your studies. You must be in Australia when you apply. Ensure you have paid the correct Visa Application Charge (VAC) as fees often increase on 1 July each year.

Step 4: Undertake Health and Character Checks

You’ll need to complete health examinations and provide police clearances from countries where you’ve lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16. These checks are a common cause of delay if not managed proactively.

Step 5: Await the Decision

Processing times vary depending on stream and caseload. Recent trends show most Post-Higher Education Work stream applications are finalised within 3–5 months, but this is a guide only. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream may take longer due to the complexity of the skills assessment process.

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Book a Consultation‍

If you are interested in getting more information about a visa, get in touch with Australian Migration Lawyers for a consultation.

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Common Issues and Legal Considerations

Applicants often face complications that could be easily avoided with professional advice. The Department of Home Affairs processes applications rigorously, and any deficiency can result in a refusal.

• Incorrect Timing: Applying after the six-month window from your course completion date is an immediate ground for refusal.
• Age Limit: Being just over the 35-year age limit for most streams now disqualifies many previous applicants. The exceptions must be clearly demonstrated.
• Incomplete Documentation: Missing evidence of study completion or a lapsed skills assessment application.
• English Test Validity: Using results older than one year from the date of application lodgement.
• Skills Assessment Delays: Especially for Post-Vocational Education Work Stream applicants, who must manage the timing of the skills assessment carefully with the overall visa application.

A migration lawyer can ensure your application is complete, compliant with the 2025 changes, and lodged on time, avoiding unnecessary refusals or delays. Do not risk your future in Australia by lodging a non-compliant application.

Pathways After the Subclass 485 Visa

The 485 visa is often used as a stepping stone to permanent residence. It grants the applicant time to gain the work experience and skills required to meet the high thresholds of other visas. Common follow-on options include:

• Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
• Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
• Employer-Sponsored Visas (subclass 482 or 186)
• Regional Visas (subclass 491 or 494)

Gaining skilled employment during your 485 visa period can significantly strengthen your eligibility for permanent migration pathways. The experience gained is crucial for meeting the criteria of employer-sponsored or points-tested skilled visas.

Why Seek Legal Advice from Australian Migration Lawyers?

The Temporary Graduate Visa application process can be complex—especially when navigating the correct stream, meeting time-sensitive requirements, and understanding the recent legislative changes. The stakes are high, as a refusal can severely impact your long-term migration prospects.

At Australian Migration Lawyers, we assist graduates across Australia with:

• Eligibility assessments and visa strategy planning in light of the 2025 rules.
• Preparing and lodging 485 visa applications and supporting documentation.
• Managing skills assessments and English test requirements to ensure compliance.
• Advising on post-485 permanent residency options.

Our experienced team ensures your application is lodged correctly and aligned with your long-term migration goals. We provide the clarity and confidence you need to make the right move after graduation. Contact Australian Migration Lawyers for tailored support.

FAQs About the Graduate Subclass 485 Visa

Can I include my family members in the application?

Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children in your application. They can also apply as a subsequent entrant after your visa is granted.

Do I need a skills assessment for the Post-Higher Education Work Stream?

No. Skills assessments are only required for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream where your qualification is related to a nominated skilled occupation.

Can I apply for another 485 visa after it expires?

Generally, no, unless you are eligible for the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream (for regional study) or the Replacement Stream (COVID-19 related).

Does the 485 visa lead to permanent residency?

Not directly, but it provides valuable skilled work experience and time to meet the requirements (such as points, state nomination, or employer sponsorship) that support future PR applications.

What is the Australian Study Requirement?

This is the rule that you must have completed at least two academic years of study in Australia in a CRICOS-registered course, completed in a minimum of 16 calendar months, while holding a student visa.