Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

Overview

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily.

This visa provides valuable time to gain post-study work experience, improve your skills, and prepare for a Permanent Residency (PR) pathway.

There are two main streams:

• Graduate Work Stream: For those who completed studies related to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

• Post-Study Work Stream: For graduates who completed a Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral degree in Australia.

Key Benefits

• Stay in Australia up to 4 years depending on qualification

• Work full-time without restrictions

• Include family members in the same application

• Gain valuable Australian work experience

• Build a pathway to Skilled Migration (189/190/491)

Eligibility

To be eligible for a 485 Graduate Visa, you must:

• Hold an eligible Student Visa (Subclass 500) within the last 6 months

• Have completed at least 2 years of study in Australia

• Meet English language and health insurance (OSHC) requirements

• Have a qualification relevant to your stream

• Meet age and character criteria

Application Process

1. Complete your eligible qualification in Australia

2. Gather required documents (COE, transcript, OSHC, IELTS, etc.)

3. Apply for Australian Federal Police (AFP) check

4. Lodge your visa application via ImmiAccount

5. Wait for your visa outcome

Cost and Duration

• Application Fee: from AUD $1,895

• Duration:

  • Graduate Work Stream: up to 18 months

  • Post-Study Work Stream: up to 4 years

  • Hong Kong/Taiwan passport holders: up to 5 years

Pathway to PR

After gaining work experience under the 485 visa, you may be eligible for:

• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

• State Nomination Visa (Subclass 190)

• Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

• Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 or 186)

Why Apply Through

Norris Chau Migration&Education?

At Norris Chau Migration & Education Centre, our team of Registered Migration Agents (MARN) provides personalised guidance to design your PR-focused study and visa plan.We analyse your course, background, and occupation to build the best PR strategy from study to settlement.