Finishing your studies in Australia and not ready to say goodbye? ✨ The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa is your golden ticket to stay longer, gain work experience, and kickstart your career in Australia.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Whether you want to work full-time, gain international experience, or even apply for permanent residency later — this visa can open the door to endless opportunities.
Here’s a complete 2025 guide to help you understand how it works, who’s eligible, and how to apply successfully.
🎓 What Is the Subclass 485 Graduate Visa?
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international students who have completed their studies in Australia to live, study, and work in the country temporarily after graduation.
It’s designed to help students gain real-world experience and transition into skilled employment.
There are two main streams under this visa:
- Post-Study Work Stream – For students who completed a bachelor’s degree or higher from an Australian institution.
- Graduate Work Stream – For students who completed a diploma or trade qualification that is closely related to an occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List.
📋 Eligibility Requirements (2025 Update)
To apply for a Subclass 485 Visa in 2025, you must meet these key requirements:
✅ Age Limit: Under 50 years old
✅ Study Requirement: Completed a CRICOS-registered course (minimum 2 academic years)
✅ Visa Status: Hold an eligible student visa at the time of application
✅ English Proficiency: Must provide valid IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE results
✅ Health & Character: Must have valid health insurance and police clearance certificates
✅ Recent Graduate: Application must be lodged within 6 months of course completion
💡 Tip: If your degree was earned in a regional area, you may be eligible for an additional stay of up to 2 years under the post-study work stream.
⏳ Duration of Stay
The duration of your stay depends on your qualification level:
| Qualification | Stay Period (Approx.) |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 2 years |
| Master’s (Coursework) | 3 years |
| Master’s (Research) | 3–4 years |
| PhD | 4 years |
| Regional Study Graduates | Additional 1–2 years |
💼 Benefits of the Subclass 485 Visa
The 485 visa offers many opportunities to shape your career:
- Full Work Rights: You can work unlimited hours in any field.
- Gain Local Experience: Build your Australian resume and network.
- Pathway to PR: Experience gained under this visa can support Skilled Migration (PR) applications later.
- Travel Freedom: You can travel in and out of Australia as often as you like while your visa is valid.
- Include Family Members: You can bring your partner and dependent children under the same application.
🧾 Documents Required
Here’s a quick checklist to get your visa ready:
- Valid passport
- Academic transcripts and completion letter
- English test results (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE)
- Health insurance (Overseas Visitor Health Cover)
- AFP (Australian Federal Police) check
- Passport-size photographs
- Evidence of health examination
- Proof of relationship (if applying with dependents)
📌 Make sure all documents are certified and translated (if not in English).
🧭 Application Process (Step-by-Step)
- Check eligibility and gather required documents.
- Take an English test (if not already done).
- Apply online via the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Pay the application fee.
- Complete your medical examination.
- Wait for visa processing — usually 3 to 6 months depending on workload.
- Receive your visa grant letter and start your post-study journey!
🌟 Tips to Build Your Career After Study
- Update your resume for the Australian job market.
- Network through LinkedIn and professional events.
- Apply for internships or entry-level roles to gain local experience.
- Explore regional work options for higher PR points.
- Stay informed about migration updates and skill shortage lists.
✈️ Ready to Start Your Australian Journey?
The Subclass 485 Graduate Visa is more than just a temporary stay — it’s your bridge to professional growth and future residency in Australia.
With the right preparation, strong documentation, and a career-focused mindset, your Australian dream doesn’t have to end at graduation — it can just be the beginning!
