Reward For Australian Study
The 485 visa recognises the time, fees and effort already invested in an Australian qualification with a dedicated post-study work visa pathway.
Post-Study Work Visa
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate.
The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa rewards the years you have already invested in Australian study. It gives recent graduates of Australian institutions a temporary visa to live, work and travel in Australia while they gain local experience, sit skills assessments and English tests, and plan their next move toward a skilled visa. Intel Migration helps you confirm you meet the Australian Study Requirement, choose between the Graduate Work and Post-Study Work streams, and build a 485 application that sets up your longer-term migration strategy.
Temporary work visa
2 streams to assess
Stepping stone to PR
MARA Agent #1688088
Why apply for a 485 visa
Turn your Australian qualification into Australian experience.
For most international graduates, the 485 visa is the natural next step after study - a temporary, full work-rights visa that buys time to build the experience, test results and points profile that future skilled visas reward.
Full Work Rights
485 visa holders generally have unrestricted work rights, allowing you to gain the relevant, recent skilled employment many points-tested visas require.
Pathway To Skilled Visas
Time on a 485 visa can be used to complete a skills assessment, sit English tests and accumulate skilled employment for the 189, 190, 491 or 482 visas.
Family Inclusion
Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can generally be included as secondary applicants on your 485 application.
Multiple Entry Travel
485 visa holders generally hold multiple entry permission, allowing travel in and out of Australia for the life of the visa.
Time To Plan Your Strategy
Rather than rushing into the first available option, the 485 gives you breathing room to plan a genuinely competitive long-term migration pathway.
From graduation to your next visa
Built for recent graduates with a plan.
The 485 visa works best when it is treated as a strategic stage, not just an extension of your stay. We help you map out which skills assessment, English test and work experience milestones to target during your 485 period.
Eligibility essentials
Six benchmarks every 485 applicant must clear.
The 485 visa has firm timing and study requirements that can be easy to miss if you are juggling the end of your course with work and life plans. We check each of these benchmarks against your CoE, academic transcript and visa expiry date.
Australian Study Requirement
You must have recently completed a CRICOS registered course of study that meets the Australian Study Requirement, generally around two academic years.
Age Requirement
Primary applicants must be under the maximum age limit at the time of application. This limit has been reduced in recent program years, so we confirm the current threshold.
Correct Stream
Graduate Work stream applicants need a qualification and occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list; Post-Study Work stream applicants need an eligible higher education award.
Health Insurance
You must hold adequate health insurance, generally Overseas Student Health Cover or equivalent, for the period of your visa application and stay.
English Language
A minimum English language result from an accepted test is required, generally Competent English or equivalent, taken within the required timeframe.
Health & Character
You and any family members included must meet health examination standards and provide police clearances covering relevant countries of residence.
Strategic roadmap
The 485 visa journey, step by step.
Timing is everything with the 485 visa. We work backward from your student visa expiry and course completion letter to make sure every step - insurance, English tests, applications - happens within the required windows.
Study Requirement Check
We review your enrolment history and CoEs to confirm your course meets the Australian Study Requirement.
Stream Selection
We help you choose between the Graduate Work and Post-Study Work streams based on your qualification and occupation.
Health Insurance Arranged
Confirming adequate health insurance is in place for the period covered by your application and intended stay.
English Language Evidence
Booking and sitting an accepted English test if your results are not already valid and current.
Visa Lodgement
Preparation and submission of your application within the required timeframe after your final results are released.
Health, Character & Grant
Completion of health examinations and police clearances for all applicants, followed by final assessment and visa grant.
Build Your Profile
Using your 485 period to gain skilled work experience, complete a skills assessment and sit further English tests if needed.
Plan Your Next Visa
Reviewing your points score and occupation options ahead of your 485 expiry to apply for a 189, 190, 491 or 482 visa.
Apply before your current visa expires
The 485 visa generally must be applied for within a set window after you receive your final results and course completion letter, and before your current student visa expires. Age limits and visa durations for the 485 have changed in recent program years, so we confirm the current settings against your date of birth and qualification before you proceed.
Choosing your stream
Graduate Work vs Post-Study Work vs Second Post-Study Work.
Most university graduates apply under the Post-Study Work stream, but the Graduate Work stream and the Second Post-Study Work stream for regional study may suit certain qualifications and study locations better. We confirm which stream matches your award before lodging.
| Feature | Graduate Work Stream | Post-Study Work Stream | Second Post-Study Work (Regional) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | Graduates with a qualification and occupation on the relevant skilled list | Graduates of an eligible bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree | Eligible Post-Study Work stream graduates who studied in a designated regional area |
| Occupation requirement | Qualification must relate to an occupation on the relevant list | No occupation requirement | No occupation requirement |
| Visa length | Generally the shortest of the streams | Varies by qualification level - longer for higher qualifications | An additional period on top of the standard Post-Study Work duration |
| Location condition | None specific to this stream | None specific to this stream | Tied to having studied at a campus in a designated regional area |
| Typical use case | Vocational or skills-assessed qualifications aligned to a listed occupation | The most common stream for higher education graduates | Graduates who completed their studies regionally and want extra time |
Official resources
Useful links before you start.
These official Home Affairs pages are a useful starting point for understanding the 485 visa and the Australian Study Requirement. We help interpret the rules against your actual course, campus location and timeline.
Common 485 risks
- Applying outside the required window after final results and course completion.
- Assuming a course meets the Australian Study Requirement without checking enrolment dates.
- Missing the age limit cut-off because of an outdated assumption about the maximum age.
- Letting health insurance lapse between visas, breaching visa conditions.
- Choosing the Graduate Work stream without confirming the occupation list match.
- Treating the 485 as an end goal rather than planning the next skilled visa step.
FAQ
Before you lodge a 485 visa.
Practical answers for international students nearing course completion and planning their next visa.
01Is the subclass 485 visa permanent residency?
No. The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa is a temporary visa. It gives recent graduates time to gain Australian work experience and explore pathways to skilled visas such as the 189, 190, 491 or 482, but it does not itself lead directly to permanent residency.
02What is the difference between the Graduate Work stream and the Post-Study Work stream?
The Graduate Work stream is for graduates whose qualification and nominated occupation are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, generally resulting in a shorter visa. The Post-Study Work stream is for graduates of an eligible higher education qualification such as a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree and does not require a listed occupation, with visa length generally varying by qualification level.
03How long can I stay in Australia on a 485 visa?
Visa length depends on your stream and qualification level, and settings have changed in recent program years. We confirm the current duration that applies to your specific qualification and stream before you apply.
04Can the 485 visa lead to permanent residency?
Not directly, but it is a common stepping stone. Many graduates use the 485 period to gain skilled work experience, complete a skills assessment, sit English tests and build their points score toward a 189, 190, 491 or 482 visa.
05What is the age limit for a 485 visa?
There is a maximum age limit for primary applicants, and this limit has been reduced in recent program years. We confirm the current age requirement against your date of birth before you commit to an application strategy.
06Do I need a job offer to apply for a 485 visa?
No. The 485 visa is not employer sponsored. It is based on your recently completed Australian study, so you do not need a job offer to apply, although the Graduate Work stream requires your qualification to relate to an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
Graduate. Work. Progress.
Ready to map your 485 pathway?
Send us your qualification, course completion date, current visa expiry and English test status. We will confirm which stream fits your circumstances and help you plan the experience and assessments you will need for your next skilled visa.
Book a 485 consultation
MARA Registered Agent #1688088
Intel Migration Pty Ltd
West End, Brisbane QLD
