The Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) lets recent graduates of Australian institutions live, study, and work in Australia after their studies. It's a vital bridge between student life and skilled migration.
A 485 visa keeps you in Australia after graduation with full work rights — the perfect time to build experience for permanent residency.
Work full-time for any employer in any occupation.
No regional restriction (Post-Higher Education Work Stream).
Your spouse and dependent children can join you.
Take further courses while on your 485 visa.
Use your 485 time to qualify for skilled migration or sponsorship.
Stay duration depends on your qualification level.
A balanced view of what this visa offers and where its limits lie.
The 485 has three distinct streams. The right one depends on your qualification level and where you studied.
| Stream | Eligible Graduates | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
Post-Higher Ed.Bachelor / Masters / Doctoral | Bachelor degree or higher from an Australian institution | 2–3 years |
Post-VocationalTrade qualifications | Trade-related occupations on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) | 18 months |
Second 485Regional study graduates | Graduates who completed eligible higher-ed studies in regional Australia | 1–2 years |
Use your 485 visa years to gain skilled work experience, build your points score, or get employer sponsorship — the most reliable routes from 485 to permanent residency.
Most applicants must satisfy these criteria. Some streams have additional requirements that we will assess in your consultation.
Key things every recent Australian graduate should know.
The questions we hear most often. Need more detail? Book a consultation.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream: 2 years for Bachelor / Master by Coursework, 3 years for Master by Research, 4 years for Doctorate. Post-Vocational Stream: 18 months. Second 485 (regional graduates): 1–2 additional years.
Generally no. The visa requires you to have completed at least 2 academic years of CRICOS-registered study while physically in Australia. Some Covid-era exemptions have ended.
Yes — the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream is available to graduates who completed an eligible higher-ed qualification while studying in regional Australia.
Anything — work full-time for any employer in any occupation, study further, travel, and live anywhere in Australia. Use the time to build experience that supports your next visa application.
Yes. Family members are included as secondary applicants with full work and study rights.
Common pathways include the Subclass 189/190/491 skilled visas (using your Australian work experience for points), employer-sponsored 482/186, or partner visas. We help plan this transition early.
From your first call to visa grant, you have a registered migration agent guiding every step.
We assess your situation, identify the right pathway, and flag any risks before you commit. 100% refundable if you proceed with us.
We build your migration strategy, gather documentation, and prepare a strong, decision-ready application.
We lodge your application, manage all Department correspondence, and support you through to visa grant.
Book a consultation with our registered migration agents. 100% refundable when you proceed with us — so you can be confident in your investment.