Subclass 485 Visa – Temporary Graduate Visa for Australia

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Take the Next Step After Graduation – Stay, Work, and Build Your Future in Australia

Have you recently completed your studies in Australia?

The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa allows international graduates to stay back, gain local work experience, and prepare for permanent residency pathways.

This visa bridges your student life to your professional career in Australia, giving you valuable time to grow, upskill, and explore PR opportunities.

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Why Choose the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa?

The Subclass 485 Visa is designed for international students who have recently completed a CRICOS-registered course. It enables you to stay in Australia temporarily to live, study, or work — depending on your stream.

There are two main streams under this visa:

Graduate Work Stream – For graduates with skills related to occupations on the Skilled Occupation List.
Post-Study Work Stream – For graduates who completed a higher education degree in Australia (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD).

A new Second Post-Study Work Stream is also available for graduates who studied in a regional area of Australia.

Key Benefits of the Subclass 485 Visa

Stay in Australia for 18 months to 4 years, depending on the stream and qualification
Work full-time and gain local professional experience
Explore options for employer sponsorship or skilled PR
Bring eligible family members
No job offer required to apply
Access free career planning and resume support from BFES Global

Streams Under Subclass 485

Graduate Work Stream:

For international students with an eligible diploma or trade qualification, and with a nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

Post-Study Work Stream:

For graduates who hold an Australian higher education degree (Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral), regardless of occupation.

Second Post-Study Work Stream

Available for those who studied in a regional institution and continued living in regional Australia.

To apply for the 485 visa, you must:

Be under 50 years of age
Hold an eligible student visa in the past 6 months
Have completed a CRICOS-registered course of at least 92 weeks
Meet the English language requirement
Have adequate health insurance (OVHC)
Meet the Australian Study Requirement
Provide skills assessment (for Graduate Work Stream)
Meet health and character criteria

Applicants must provide evidence of English proficiency through any of the following:

IELTS – Minimum score of 6.0 overall and 5.0 in each component
PTE Academic – Minimum score of 50 overall, with no less than 36 in each component
TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge (CAE) – Equivalent accepted scores
Results must be no more than 3 years old at the time of application

You must maintain Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) during the entire duration of your 485 visa. BFES Global partners with approved OVHC providers and can help you select a suitable plan.

You can include:

Spouse or de facto partner
Dependent children (under 18 or dependent full-time students)

All family members must meet visa and health requirements.

How BFES Global Supports You

Our visa consultants provide full support including:

Determining the right stream and duration
Guiding you through documentation and eligibility
Organizing English test bookings and insurance
Helping with your skills assessment (for Graduate Work Stream)
Submitting your application and tracking progress
Advising on next steps like PR visas (189, 190, or 491)