Know before you go · Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Finish your degree.Then build your career here.
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) can let eligible graduates stay in Australia after study and work without the Student visa work-hour limit. It isn't automatic — your age, qualification, Australian study history, English evidence and other requirements all matter.
- First 485, by qualification
- 2–3 yrsFirst 485, by qualification
- Possible regional second 485
- +1–2 yrsPossible regional second 485
- Age limit — standard / research
- 35 / <50Age limit — standard / research
The visa
What is the post-study work visa?
What students call a “Post-Study Work Visa” is the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). For degree-level or higher graduates, the relevant stream is generally the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
Important terminology: older articles may still say “PSW” or “Post-Study Work stream”. The current name for degree-level graduates is the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
- Temporary time in Australia after completing qualifying study.
- Work, study and travel while the visa is valid, subject to its conditions.
- A temporary visa — it does not automatically lead to permanent residency.
- Eligibility is assessed when you apply; finishing a course alone doesn't guarantee it.
How long can you stay?
Plan your post-study stay
Choose your qualification and where you studied to see the standard first 485 and any possible regional second 485.
Possible total stay
2 years first 485 1 year possible second 485
Category 2 study plus eligible Category 2/3 residence generally gives 1 extra year.
Indicative only. The second 485 needs regional residence and other conditions to be met. Different arrangements apply to some passport holders, including Indian nationals under the Australia-India ECTA and Hong Kong / BN(O) passport holders. If you move between regional categories, the shorter period may apply.
Who can apply?
What you need to understand before planning
Exact requirements depend on your circumstances, but these are the key areas.
Qualification
Degree-level or higher qualifications are generally used for the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
Age
Most applicants must be 35 or younger when applying. Master by Research and PhD graduates can generally be under 50. Special rules apply to some passport holders.
Recent Australian study
Your qualifying study must meet the subclass 485 study requirement and be recent enough for the application.
Student visa history
You generally need to hold, or have recently held, an eligible Student visa within the required period.
English
Unless exempt, acceptable English test evidence meeting the current subclass 485 standard.
Health insurance
Appropriate health insurance for the relevant period.
Health & character
Normal health, character and other immigration requirements also apply.
Plan before the course starts
Don't ask “how old am I when the course starts?” Ask “how old will I be when I finish and lodge my 485?”
A long course can change your eligibility if you're close to the age limit.
The part students often misunderstand
The Australian study requirement
Finishing a course advertised as “2 years” doesn't automatically satisfy the 485 study requirement — Home Affairs looks at the qualifying study itself.
- 1
At least 2 academic years
Your qualifying registered Australian study must represent at least two academic years.
- 2
At least 16 calendar months
The qualifying study must be completed over at least 16 calendar months.
- 3
CRICOS-registered study
The course(s) used must be registered for international students.
- 4
Study in Australia
Undertaken in Australia while holding a visa that allowed study.
- 5
English as the language of instruction
The course must satisfy the applicable English-language teaching requirement.
Credit, RPL & advanced standing
Credit can reduce the study you need to complete — convenient academically, but it can also reduce the qualifying Australian study available for your 485.
- Before accepting large amounts of credit or RPL, check how much qualifying Australian study will remain.
- Don't assume a shortened Master's still satisfies the study requirement because the original program is marketed as two years.
- Keep completion letters, transcripts and CoE/CRICOS information — they show what you actually completed.
Simple rule before accepting credit — check
Course durationCRICOS durationCredits grantedMonths you'll actually study in Australia
Timing after course completion
Academic completion is not your graduation ceremony.
- Prepare as soon as your provider confirms you've met the academic requirements.
- Your qualification and Student visa history must fall within the 485 time limits.
- Waiting too long after completion can create avoidable eligibility problems.
Tip: start preparing English evidence, health insurance, ID, police checks (where required) and completion evidence before the final weeks of your course.
English requirement
The 485 English standard — tests from 7 August 2025
Unless you qualify for a passport-based exemption, you need an approved English test that meets the subclass 485 requirement and is valid for the application.
IELTS Academic / General
- Each component
- 5.5
PTE Academic
- Listening
- 40
- Reading
- 42
- Writing
- 41
- Speaking
- 39
Don't make this mistake: a test your university accepted for admission isn't automatically enough for the 485. Check the immigration test type, score and validity separately. Other tests are approved, and transitional rules can apply to some tests taken before 7 August 2025.
Can you work full-time on a 485?
Yes — without the Student visa's 48-hours-per-fortnight limit. But the visa doesn't guarantee a job, you find your own employment, and it isn't employer sponsorship or PR.
Regional Australia
More than “rural Australia”
For migration purposes, several large cities are officially designated regional — which matters because eligible graduates may later qualify for a second Temporary Graduate visa.
Category 1
Major cities
Sydney · Melbourne · Brisbane
No regional incentive
Category 2
Cities & Major Regional Centres
Perth · Adelaide · Gold Coast · Sunshine Coast · Canberra · Newcastle/Lake Macquarie · Wollongong/Illawarra · Geelong · Hobart
Generally +1 year
Category 3
Regional Centres & Other Regional Areas
Other locations on the designated regional postcode list
Generally +2 years
Key point: Perth, Adelaide and Canberra are “regional” for these incentives even though they are major cities. Always check the exact campus postcode rather than assuming from the city name or university brand.
Second Post-Higher Education Work visa
How the extra regional time works
Regional studyRegional residence after graduationOther visa requirements=Possible second 485
- You must generally have lived only in a designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying.
- Work or study on your first Temporary Graduate visa must meet the applicable designated regional-area requirement.
- Short holidays or work trips away from your usual regional residence don't necessarily change how residence is assessed.
- Home Affairs may ask for evidence of where you lived, worked or studied.
Easy examples
- Category 2
Master by Coursework in Adelaide
Standard first 485 generally 2 years. If the graduate later meets the regional second-visa requirements, possibly 1 additional year.
- Category 1
Bachelor in Melbourne
Standard first 485 generally 2 years. The regional second 485 isn't available on that study and residence basis.
- Category 3
Eligible degree in a Category 3 location
After the first 485, a graduate who meets the Category 3 residence conditions may be eligible for 2 additional years.
- Check the postcode
Regional campus of a metropolitan university
The university name doesn't decide regional eligibility — the actual campus postcode and study rules do.
Proving regional residence
Keep a folder from day one
Don't wait until the end of the two years to collect evidence. Consistent records are easier to explain than rebuilding two years of history just before applying.
Lease + bills + bank statements + employment and study records
- Residential lease or tenancy records
- Utility bills or other address evidence
- Bank statements showing your address and activity
- Driver licence or other government records
- Employment records showing your work location
- Study records for any further study
- Other documents Home Affairs requests
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They are Category 1 major cities.
No. The extra period depends on the regional category and whether you meet the required study, residence and other visa conditions.
Most applicants must be 35 or younger when they apply. Graduates relying on a Master by Research or PhD can generally apply while under 50. Because course length changes your age at completion, check this against your intended course duration before enrolling.
No. Academic completion and the ceremony are not the same thing. Prepare your application as soon as your provider confirms you've met the academic requirements — waiting too long can create avoidable eligibility problems.
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