Learn key information about Australia's 485 Graduate visa, including eligibility requirements, visa streams, supporting documents, visa costs, processing times, and how to apply from inside Australia.
Turner-Rowe Migration can assist you throughout your entire visa application, with support available in both English and Spanish.
What do you need to know about the 485 Graduate visa?
What is the official visa name → Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).
What is the 485 Graduate visa → A temporary visa that allows eligible international students who have recently completed their studies in Australia to live, work and gain practical experience in Australia.
Who can apply to this visa → Eligible international students who have completed vocational education or higher education studies in Australia.
How long can you stay in Australia with this visa → Depending on your qualification level, you may be able to stay in Australia for between 2 and 5 years.
Can you work under this visa → Yes. You have temporary working rights in Australia.
Can you study under this visa → Yes. You have temporary studying rights in Australia.
Can you travel under this visa → Yes. You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you wish while your visa is valid.
Can I include family members in the visa application → Yes, you can include eligible family members in their application.
Does this visa lead to Permanent Residency → Potentially yes, through an Employer-Sponsored visa or Skilled Migration visa.
What are the 485 Graduate visa eligibility requirements?
Personal requirements:
Be 35 or under at lodgement (*Exceptions apply)
Visa status and immigration history:
Be in Australia when you apply for the Visa
Hold an eligible Visa
Have held a student visa in the last 6 months
Other visa requirements:
Have relevant qualifications to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (PVEW stream)
Have a relevant skills assessment (PVEW stream)
Hold adequate health insurance
A valid Australian Federal Police check
Meet English language requirements
Eligibility requirements may vary depending on your personal circumstances.
Official Eligibility Requirements → For detailed eligibility information, visit the Department of Home Affairs pages for the PVEW stream or PHEW stream eligibility page.
What are the Graduate visa streams?
The 485 Graduate visa currently includes two main streams for eligible graduates:
A) Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (PVEW):
The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream is designed for international students who completed vocational education qualifications in Australia.
Eligible qualifications may include:
Diploma
Advanced Diploma
Trade qualifications
Associate Degree
Applicants must nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) related to their qualification and obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority before applying.
This stream is popular among graduates in trade and vocational industries seeking Australian work experience.
B) Post-Higher Education Work Stream (PHEW):
The Post-Higher Education Work Stream is available to international students who completed higher education qualifications in Australia, including:
Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor Honours degree
Master’s degree
Doctoral degree (PhD)
This stream usually provides longer post-study work rights and does not generally require applicants to nominate an occupation or complete a skills assessment.
Some graduates may also qualify for additional post-study work rights depending on regional study or eligible qualifications
What documents do you need?
Identity documents:
Passport
National ID Card
Education and qualification documents:
English test results
Completion letter
Academic transcripts
Skills assessment documents (Post-Vocational Education Work stream)
Health and character documents:
Health insurance documents
Character requirement documents
Relationship documents:
Partner documents (if applicable)
Prepare your documents → Ensure all documents are translated into English and include both the original documents and their English translations with your application. Provide colour scans or photographs of all documents, including those in English and other languages.
Providing complete and accurate documentation may help reduce delays in visa processing.
Official Document Requirements → For detailed information on documents required, please visit the Department of Home Affairs pages for the PVEW stream or PHEW stream step by step page.
How much will the 485 Graduate visa cost you?
Primary Applicant → $5,750 AUD
Additional Applicant Charge 18+ → $2,875 AUD
Additional Applicant Charge U18 → $1,450 AUD
Costs are subject to change and may vary depending on your individual circumstances and any additional charges, such as our Registered Migration Agent Fees.
Official Visa Pricing → For detailed information on visa costs, please visit the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing estimator page.
What is the 485 Graduate visa processing time?
Post-Higher Education stream applications are processed within:
50% of applications are processed within 56 days
90% of applications are processed within 4 months
Post-Vocational Education stream applications are processed within:
50% of applications are processed within 80 days
90% of applications are processed within 3 months
Processing times are subject to change and may vary depending on individual circumstances and the completeness of your application.
Official Processing Times → For the latest information on Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) processing times, please visit the Department of Home Affairs visa processing times page.
How can Turner-Rowe Migration help you apply for a 485 Graduate visa?
1) Client consultation → Our Registered Migration Agent can assess your circumstances and help you evaluate whether you and your partner meet the visa eligibility requirements before applying. We offer consultations online via Zoom, by phone, or face-to-face (in Brisbane), with professional guidance in both English and Spanish. During your consultation, you can speak directly with our agent and discuss the visa process, eligibility requirements, and next steps. You are also welcome to ask questions throughout your consultation.
2) Sign our service agreement & form 956 → Our Service Agreement outlines the services we will provide, our professional fees, and the terms of our engagement. Form 956 confirms that we are representing you in your immigration matter and authorises us to communicate with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf.
3) Document gathering & review → We will advise you which documents and relationship evidence are required for your application. You will then gather and organise your documents and provide them to us for review. Our Registered Migration Agent will assess your documents and let you know if any improvements, additional information, or supporting documents may strengthen your application and ensure it is presented as thoroughly as possible.
4) Preparing visa application draft → Once your documents are ready, our Registered Migration Agent will prepare your visa application. We will carefully review the completed application before sending the draft to you, giving you the opportunity to review and approve your visa application before it is lodged.
5) Visa lodgement → Our Registered Migration Agent will lodge your visa application on your behalf.
6) Post lodgement support & requests → We keep you informed of important updates throughout the processing of your application and assist you in responding to any additional requests from the Department of Home Affairs. We are always happy to provide guidance and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
7) Visa application outcome → The Department of Home Affairs will provide us with your visa outcome, and we will promptly notify you as soon as it is received and explain your visa conditions. If your visa is granted, you will receive your visa grant number, commencement date, and any applicable visa conditions. If your application is refused, you will be informed of the reasons for refusal and any available review rights.
Important → The Department will not refund you the application fee if your visa is refused.
What happens after the 485 Graduate visa is granted?
Once your Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is granted, you can live, work and study in Australia temporarily. The length of your stay depends on the stream you applied for. The Post-Higher Education Work stream generally allows you to stay for two to three years, while the Post-Vocational Education Work stream allows you to stay for 18 months.
What happens next?
Live, work and study in Australia → You can live, work and study in Australia during your stay. You must find your own employment while holding this visa.
Travel in and out of Australia → You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you wish while your visa remains valid. Time spent outside Australia does not extend your visa.
Bring eligible family members → You can include eligible members of your family unit in your visa application. If your visa has already been granted, family members may be able to apply to join you as subsequent entrants.
Explore options to stay longer → If you hold a Post-Higher Education Work visa, you may be eligible for a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa if you meet the regional study and residence requirements. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream visa cannot be extended, but you may be eligible for other work visas.
Start Your Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Application
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general information purposes only and is based on information published by the Australian Government and the Department of Home Affairs. Australian visa requirements, policies, fees, processing times and eligibility criteria may change. For the latest and most accurate information, applicants should refer to the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant visa subclass requirements.