Temporary Graduate visa
Subclass 485 lets eligible international graduates live, work and study in Australia temporarily. It does not itself grant permanent residence, state nomination or employer sponsorship.
Choose before applying
The Department does not switch an application into another stream after lodgement. Associate degrees, diplomas and trade qualifications are assessed under the vocational stream; bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees generally sit under the higher-education stream.
For an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification closely related to a nominated MLTSSL occupation. A suitable provisional or final skills assessment is central to this stream.
For an eligible Australian bachelor, masters or doctoral degree. The field of study does not itself determine eligibility, but it can materially affect later migration options.
Different periods apply to eligible Indian, Hong Kong and BNO passport holders. A related graduate diploma completed in the same or next academic year may qualify under specific rules.
For eligible first higher-education 485 holders whose qualifying degree was studied in a designated regional area and who have continued to live in an eligible regional area for at least two years.
Common requirements
Usually 35 or under when applying. Applicants using a masters by research or doctoral degree, and Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders, may apply while under 50.
Meet the Australian study requirement with a recent CRICOS-registered qualification and apply within the applicable six-month period.
Hold an eligible visa and generally have held a Student visa in the six months before applying. Prior primary 485 or 476 history can restrict a further first-stream grant.
Unless exempt, provide an accepted English test taken within the required period. For tests from 7 August 2025, IELTS is overall 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each band, or an accepted equivalent.
Hold adequate health insurance for every applicant when applying and maintain cover during the stay.
Primary and adult applicants should arrange the required AFP check within the specified period and meet health, character and Australian values requirements.
Government charges
Amounts below are base charges for the primary applicant. Additional applicants, card or PayPal surcharges and other application costs are separate. Limited concessions apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
Use the visa deliberately
Choose the likely skilled, state-nominated, regional or employer-sponsored pathway. Check the occupation, assessing authority and gaps before taking the first convenient job.
Accumulate relevant skilled employment, obtain the correct skills assessment, improve English and collect payslips, contracts, duties and tax records as you go.
Track state nomination rules, points, employer readiness and visa deadlines. Lodge the next application only when the legal criteria and evidence are genuinely in place.
Possible next directions
We can map the correct stream, application timing and evidence, then test the most realistic post-study migration pathways against your occupation and circumstances.
General information only; it is not immigration advice or a decision by Home Affairs. Requirements and charges can change. Information checked 2 August 2026.
