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Temporary Graduate Visa (485)
The Temporary Graduate visa program is intended to allow international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution to live and work in Australia temporarily while gaining valuable practical work experience. It can also be a useful way of gaining enough experience to apply for a further skilled visa in order to remain in Australia for a longer period.
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The Australian Migration Lawyers difference
Fixed price
There are no hidden costs for our services. Our fees are clearly set out in a fee agreement.
Deal direct with a lawyer
From the first same-day response to the granting of your visa, you’ll have direct access to a lawyer.
Clear communication
Our experienced lawyers will give you regular updates and clear explanations of visa pathways.
Satisfaction guarantee
We offer a client satisfaction guarantee in relation to our visa application services.
Installments available
3 - 6 months installment options available on some visa types.
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What is a Temporary Graduate 485 visa?
The 485 visa is divided into two streams which relate to different qualifications. The shorter term stream, called the Graduate Work Stream, relates to qualifications at the diploma or trade qualification level. This stream has additional requirements when compared to the longer term stream, including the requirement to nominate an occupation on the medium to long term skilled occupation list, and the requirement to have a skills assessment in order to apply. The nominated occupation must be closely related to the completed course. The maximum period for a visa in this stream is 18 months.
The longer term stream, called the Post Study Work stream, relates to qualifications at the bachelor degree level or higher, and does not require you to have a nominated skilled occupation or have a skills assessment. The visa in this stream can be granted for up to two years, or four years for select qualifications. It is also possible for an international student in both streams who are British National Overseas or Hong Kong passport holders to apply for a five year visa. A doctoral degree is also eligible for an extended graduate visa.
In either stream, the eligible qualification must meet the Australian study requirement. The basic eligibility criteria for the study requirement can be summarised as follows:
- The course is CRICOS registered
- All course requirements were successfully completed
- The study was in English
- The course was at least two academic years of study
- You held a valid student visa while studying
Eligibility requirements for Temporary Graduate visa subclass in Australia
The key criteria for a 485 Temporary Graduate visa can be briefly summarised as follows:
- You must hold a valid passport
- You must be onshore, and holding a substantive visa or bridging visa
- The applicant must have completed a CRICOS registered course of study with an Australian educational institution within the last six months that was for a minimum of two academic years of study (any online study undertaken will generally not count unless subject to a covid concession period)
- You must meet the relevant English test score
- You must meet the health and character requirements, and must ensure that you have adequate health insurance while in Australia
- You must have an occupation on the medium to long term occupation list and a relevant skill assessment if applying under the Graduate Work stream that is closely related to your course of study
- If applying for a second post-study work visa, you have lived and studied in a regional area for at least two years
Further information about Temporary Graduate visa requirements
Benefits of the Temporary Graduate 485 Visa
The 485 visa can provide a stepping stone toward a further skilled visa, such as the subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage or subclass 189/190 skilled visas. For example, the 482 requires a minimum of two years relevant work experience, so a graduate could apply for a two year 485 visa, gain the relevant work experience, apply for a 482 and continue on to permanent residence with the subclass 186 visa.
Further benefits for Temporary Graduate visa holders include:
- Access to the outstanding working and living conditions in Australia
- Unrestricted travel in and out of Australia
- Study without restriction
- The ability to include family members with full work and study rights
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485 visa checklist
The documents that you will need to provide for this visa are closely related to the qualifications that you have received from an Australian education provider. To support you, we have developed a comprehensive checklist to meet all the criteria. Here is a snapshot of some of the documents that you will be asked to provide:
- Passport
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of name change (if applicable)
- National identity card (if applicable)
- Birth certificate (for applicants under 18)
- Divorce/death certificate for previous spouse (if applicable)
- Current CV or resume
- Skill assessment outcome from the relevant authority (if applicable)
- Evidence of registration or licencing (if applicable)
- Completion letter from your education provider
- Certified copy of your course transcripts
- Military service record or discharge papers (if applicable)
- Medical examinations
- Police clearance certificates from former countries of residence
- Australian Federal Police check (Character requirements)
- English test results
- Evidence of adequate health insurance
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How the Temporary Graduate 485 visa works
International students will generally apply for the Temporary Graduate visa once they have completed their course and are still holding their student visa, however you do not need to be holding a student visa to apply. You need to be currently onshore and holding an eligible visa or bridging visa, and must have held a student visa within the previous six months. You must not have previously held a graduate visa if you are applying for your first temporary graduate visa.
The application for this visa is done online, during which time you will need to specify which stream you are looking to apply for. You will also need to attach all the required evidence and details of your qualification and, if applying under the Graduate Work stream, details of your nominated occupation and assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
Once the visa has been approved, you will be able to live, work and study in Australia for a period of 18 months or two years depending on the stream. You are also free to travel in and out of Australia while holding this visa.
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Future visa pathways after your Temporary Graduate 485 visa
There are no direct pathways to permanent residence from this visa, however it is possible to make an application for a further work visa subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. Some of the most common visas that Graduate visa holders will apply for include the 482, 494, 189 or 190 visas.
It is possible to apply for a second 485 visa in the post study work stream if your studies were completed in an Australian institution located in a regional area and you have lived in a regional area for at least two years before applying for the second visa. The second visa can be granted for between one to four years, depending on the area that you lived and studied in and the nature of your eligible degree.
Benefits of using an immigration lawyer for your 485 visa
The 485 visa can provide a stepping stone toward a further skilled visa, such as the subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage or subclass 189/190 skilled visas. For example, the 482 requires a minimum of two years relevant work experience, so a graduate could apply for a two year 485 visa, gain the relevant work experience, apply for a 482 and continue on to permanent residence with the subclass 186 visa.
- Our team of qualified Australian lawyers draw on their knowledge of legislation, case law, and policy, to give clear and accurate advice on all requirements and strategies relevant to your matter
- As lawyers, we have an obligation to ensure that your visa application meets all legislative requirements, which greatly improves your chance of success
- We assist in all stages of the process, including the preparation of all necessary applications all the way through to the grant of the visa, including working with you to action any additional requests from the Department of Home Affairs
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485 Temporary Graduate visa costs
There are two main costs associated with a 485 visa application.
Professional fees payable to Australian Migration Lawyers to prepare the application
Our fees will vary depending on the circumstances of your visa application. Some applications will be more complex than others and our fees will be quoted accordingly. We work on a fixed-fee basis rather than billing hourly to provide our clients with certainty about what the total costs associated with their visa application will be. We strive to be flexible, so we offer payment plans based on financial need.
Book a free consultation with one of our qualified lawyers to get a quote.
Department fees
The relevant fees for the Department of Home Affairs in relation to a Temporary Graduate visa application are as follows:
- Visa stage - visa charge $1,895
- Visa stage - second post-study work stream visa charge $745
Visa application process
Applying for a visa to Australia can be complex. With help from an Australian Migration Lawyer, we can untangle this complexity, and help you apply for the right visa.
1. Consultation and engagement
Organise a consultation time to speak with one of our lawyers. You can meet with us in person, via Zoom or telephone. Following this, we will send you paperwork that confirms our engagement to represent you.
2. Preparation and support
We will prepare written submissions in support of your visa application. This will be based on your individual circumstances, and supported by evidence where appropriate.
3. Submission and communication
We submit your application to the relevant body (Department of Home Affairs, courts or tribunal). We will continue to update you concerning the status of your application.
4. Representation and success
We will keep you informed about your application, and notify you of the outcome. If you receive an unfavourable outcome and we can reapply, we will!
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485 Visa Processing times
The processing time for a 485 visa can take between five to six months for the graduate work stream, and two to four months for the post-study work stream. Processing times are subject to the complexity of the case, the completeness of your visa application and the caseload being processed by the Department. At Australian Migration Lawyers, our goal is to submit high-standard, comprehensive applications that are as complete as possible to help reduce delays and to seek a successful outcome.
Temporary Graduate Visa Considerations
Our legal team at Australian Migration Lawyers are skilled lawyers practising in Australian migration law.
As lawyers, we cannot issue guarantees that your Graduate visa will be granted. The decision rests with the Department of Home Affairs, not any one representative, lawyer or migration agent. However, our sound understanding of the law means that we are able to put the best case forward to seek a successful outcome.
We strive to make ourselves as accessible as possible to you
- Most initial consultations are free and recurring services will incur a fixed-fee that we will discuss with you
- You can have a consultation with us from anywhere in Australia as our consultations are online
- We can assist you regardless of where you are in the 485 visa process
Meet your Australian Migration Lawyer
We’re a diverse team of professionals with decades of combined experience. We care about your situation and will make sure you always get the support and advice you need.
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We offer professional migration advice and support, no matter where you are based. Those located in Australia have the choice of meeting with us at one of our offices or online, and for those offshore, we are available to you online.
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Learn moreFrequently asked questions
Read our most frequently asked questions.
How long is the temporary graduate visa for?
This Temporary visa can be granted for a maximum period of two years for the post-study work stream, and 18 months for the graduate work stream. Applications made in the post-study work stream can be extended for select degrees contained in a list published by the Department of Education.
The below extract from the Department’s website outlines the visa grant period in different circumstances:
- Bachelor degree (including honours) - 2 years
- Bachelor degree (first class honours) in STEM including ICT for Indian passport holders - 3 years
- Bachelor degree (including honours) in select degree - 4 years
- Masters by research and masters by coursework - 3 years
- Masters by research and masters by coursework in select degree - 5 years
- Masters (extended) - 3 years
- Masters (extended) in select degree - 5 years
- Doctoral degree - 6 years
- Hong Kong and BNO passport holders who successfully complete a bachelor, masters or doctoral degree - 5 years
Can the 485 visa lead to permanent residency?
The 485 visa itself is a temporary visa that does not provide a pathway to permanent residency, however it is possible to apply for international students to apply for a further visa after the 485, such as a 482 or 494, in order to gain a PR pathway subject to meeting the requirements for those visas.
Is 485 visa extended for 3 years?
The Department have announced a two year extension for select qualifications which will automatically apply to eligible applications lodged after the first of July 2023. This applies in addition to the existing extensions that were available, meaning that a select bachelor degree can be extended from two years to four years, and select masters degrees will be extended from four years to six years.
About the content author
Perry Q Wood is National President of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law and one of Australia’s leading administrative and migration lawyers. To date, he has been involved in 1,000+ migration and refugee matters.
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