485 Visa: Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
If you’ve recently completed, or are about to complete, an Australian course of study while holding a student visa, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).
This visa provides opportunities for international students to stay in Australia temporarily and gain work experience. There are two key streams for this visa:
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
This stream is designed for individuals who have completed a trade qualification, associate degree, or diploma that aligns with an occupation on the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
To apply under this stream, you must meet the following criteria:
- Age: Applicants must be 35 years or younger, except for passport holders from the UK and Hong Kong, who may be eligible up to the age of 50.
- Duration: For most applicants, the visa is granted for 18 months. However, UK and Hong Kong passport holders may be eligible for a stay of up to five years.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This stream is tailored for those who have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree (PhD) in Australia, meeting the Australian Study Requirement.
Key eligibility points for this stream include:
- Age: Applicants must be 35 years or younger, except for passport holders from the UK and Hong Kong, who can apply up to age 50 if they meet the study requirement with a Master’s (research) or Doctoral degree (PhD).
Stay Periods:
- Bachelor’s degree (including honours): Up to 2 years.
- Master’s degree (coursework or extended): Up to 2 years.
- Master’s (research) and PhD: Up to 3 years.
- Applicants from UK and Hong Kong may be eligible for a five-year stay.
Stay Periods for Indian Nationals
Under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), Indian nationals benefit from extended stay periods:
- Bachelor’s degree (including honours): Up to 2 years.
- Bachelor’s degree (with first-class honours in STEM fields such as ICT): Up to 3 years.
- Master’s degree (coursework, extended, and research): Up to 3 years.
- PhD: Up to 4 years.
