Skip to content
Visa Subclass 485

Australia Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) — 2026

The subclass 485 lets recent graduates of Australian qualifications stay and work in Australia temporarily. From 1 July 2024 the streams were renamed and the age limit reduced — this guide covers the current rules and how to maximise your post-study work pathway.

Reviewed by MARA agent — MARN: 1808157
Last updated: April 2026

Subclass 485 — at a glance

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is a temporary work visa for international students who recently graduated from an eligible Australian qualification. It is a critical bridging step for many students who want to gain Australian work experience after their study, and is often a stepping stone toward permanent skilled migration.

The visa was reformed substantively on 1 July 2024 — the streams were renamed, the age limit was lowered, and the standard stay periods were updated. Throughout this page we use the post-July-2024 terminology.

PHEW and PVEW — the two streams

The 485 has two main streams as of 2026:

Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) stream

For applicants who have completed a CRICOS-registered bachelor, masters or doctoral degree and meet the Australian Study Requirement. There is generally no requirement that your field of study be on a skilled occupation list — any eligible Australian higher-education degree can qualify.

Post-Vocational Education Work (PVEW) stream

For applicants who have completed an eligible VET qualification (typically a Certificate III, IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma) and hold a positive skills assessment in an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list. The PVEW stream is therefore much narrower than PHEW.

Replacement Stream and Second Post-Higher Education stream

A Replacement Stream allows graduates of regional study to apply for a second 485 visa, with longer stay periods if you have lived and worked in regional Australia. This is a valuable option to consider when planning your post-study pathway from the start.

Eligibility checklist

To be granted a subclass 485 visa you must:

  • Be under 35 years of age at time of application (50 for select cohorts);
  • Hold or have held within the last 6 months an eligible substantive visa (most commonly a subclass 500 student visa);
  • Have completed an Australian qualification(s) that satisfy the Australian Study Requirement;
  • Apply within 6 months of completing the qualification;
  • Demonstrate Competent English (IELTS 6 in each band or equivalent), unless exempt;
  • Hold adequate health insurance;
  • Pass health and character checks;
  • For PVEW, hold a suitable skills assessment.

The Australian Study Requirement (ASR)

The ASR is the cornerstone of the 485. To meet it you must have completed one or more CRICOS-registered courses in a total of at least 92 weeks of study (16 calendar months), which were undertaken in English, while physically present in Australia. Courses studied wholly online may not count even if they are CRICOS-registered.

How long the visa lasts

QualificationStandard stay (PHEW)Regional bonus stream
Bachelor degree2 years+1 year possible
Masters by coursework / extended masters3 years+1-2 years possible
Masters by research4 years+1-2 years possible
Doctoral degree4 years+1-2 years possible
VET qualification (PVEW)2 years—

Fees, evidence and lodgement

The 485 visa application charge from 1 July 2024 is AUD 2,235 for the primary applicant, plus charges for partner and dependent children. Pay particular attention to:

  • Lodging within 6 months of completing your qualification;
  • Police clearances from any country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years;
  • Health examinations through a panel clinic;
  • Evidence of adequate health insurance from your visa-grant date.

After the 485 — what's next

The 485 is rarely an end in itself. Most graduates use it to:

  • Build the skilled work experience needed for a positive points-tested skilled visa (subclass 189, 190 or 491);
  • Be sponsored for a Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) by an Australian employer;
  • Apply for state nomination on the basis of regional study and work; or
  • Apply for a partner visa if eligible.

Choosing the right pathway depends on your occupation, the state you live in, the regional weighting of your study and your family situation. Our agent will map this out with you in a single consultation rather than treating each visa as a standalone application.

Subclass 485 — Common Questions

The Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) stream is for graduates of an eligible bachelor, masters or doctoral degree from an Australian institution. The Post-Vocational Education Work (PVEW) stream is for graduates of a qualifying VET qualification listed on the relevant occupation list.
Default stay is 2 years for PVEW; 2 years for a bachelor degree, 3 years for a masters by coursework or extended masters, and 4 years for a research masters or doctoral degree under PHEW. Longer stays may apply for graduates of regional Australian institutions in eligible study areas. Indian nationals also have specific arrangements under MATES.
Yes. From 1 July 2024 the maximum age was reduced to 35 years for most applicants at time of application. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, and certain masters by research / doctoral graduates, retain a higher age limit of 50.
Generally you must be in Australia at the time you apply. There are limited exceptions for COVID-affected cohorts that have largely now closed. Always confirm your specific situation before relying on a particular pathway.
A skills assessment is required for the PVEW stream. The PHEW stream does not require a skills assessment unless you are an applicant from a select country group.
Competent English is the standard requirement — equivalent to IELTS 6.0 in each band, PTE 50 in each, or other accepted tests at equivalent level. Some applicants are exempt (for example, passport holders of the UK, USA, Canada, NZ, or Ireland).