About Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485):
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allowing recent international graduates from an Australian educational institution (registered on CRICOS) to live, study and work in Australia for usually between 18 months to 3 years, depending on your qualification. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years. Applicants must have completed their studies on a student visa which is not supported by the Defense or Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister. Applicants must have completed their eligible course of study and hold hold an eligible Student visa within 6 months of applying this visa. Applicants must be in Australia at the time of Application and decision, exceptions apply for the family members. At the time of application, applicants must provide AFP check, health cover (OVHC) and proof of coures completeion (course completion certificate/etc).
There are 3 eligibility streams:
- Post-Vocational Education Work stream (Previously know as - Graduate Work stream)
- Post-Higher Education Work stream (Previously known as - Post-Study Work stream)
- Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (Previously known as - Second Post-Study Work stream)
New English language requirements extension of the Temporary Graduate Visa (485):
From 23 March 2024, Temporary Graduate visas (TGV) English requirements has been increased to minimum IELTS score 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent), with a minimum score of 5.5 for each component of the test (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). English test score validity reduced to 1 year immediately before the date of the visa application.
COVID-19 Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) replacement stream
This stream closed for new applicant since 1 July 2024.
Post-Vocational Education Work stream:
Post-Vocational Education Work stream visa is for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications (Trade/VET courses) that are relevant to specific occupations in Australia. This visa usually let you live, study and work in Australia temporarily usually for up to 18 months. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.
Eligibility of Post-Vocational Education Work stream:
To be Eligible for this visa you must have the followings:
- Under 35 years of age (Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders under 50 years).
- You held an Australian study visa that allowed you to study (but not one supported by the Defense or Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister).
- You held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now have a Bridging Visa A /B granted on the basis of a valid application for a visa. or
- You held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now hold a substantive visa.
- Successfully completed at least one degree, diploma or trade qualification (CRICOS-registered course) within 6 months before you lodge your application.
- Meet the Australian study requirement.
- Nominate 1 occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Have a degree, diploma or trade qualification closely related to that occupation.
- Suitable skills assessed by a relevant assessing authority for that occupation/ at least applied for a skills assessment.
- Have adequate health insurance in Australia (OVHC designed for subclass 485).
- Achieved English Test Score (IELTS overall 6.5 with no less than 5.5 on each band or equivalent). Exceptions apply
- Achieved the English test score within one year immediately before the date of the visa application.
- Have not previously granted a subclass 485 or a subclass 476 visa as a primary visa holder.
- Have no debt to the Australian Government.
- Meet the health and character requirements of the Australian government.
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
- Your study was in English.
Post-Higher Education Work stream?
Post Study Work Stream is for international students who have recently graduated with one of the following degree from an Australian institution. This visa usually let you live, study and work in Australia temporarily between 2 to 3 years depending on your qualification. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.
- Bachelor degree
- Bachelor hon's degree
- Graduate certificate
- Graduate diploma
- Masters (coursework) degree
- Masters (extended) degree
- Masters (research) degree
- Doctoral degree (research)
- Doctoral degree (professional)
- Higher doctoral degree
Eligibility of Post-Higher Education Work stream:
To be Eligible for this visa you must have the followings:
- Under 35 years of age. Under 50 If you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport or completed Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree.
- Successfully completed your course of study within 6 months before you lodge your application.
- Meet the Australian study requirement.
- You held an Australian study visa that allowed you to study (but not one supported by the Defense or Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister).
- You held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now have a Bridging A /B visa. or
- You held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now hold a substantive visa.
- Have not previously granted a subclass 485 or a subclass 476 visa as a primary visa holder
- Have adequate health insurance in Australia (OVHC designed for subclass 485).
- Achieved English Test Score (IELTS overall 6.5 with no less than 5.5 on each band or equivalent). Exceptions apply
- Achieved the English test score within one year immediately before the date of the visa application.
- Have not previously granted a subclass 485 or a subclass 476 visa as a primary visa holder.
- Have no debt to the Australian Government.
- Meet the health and character requirements of the Australian government.
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
- Your study was in English.
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream:
Second Post - Study Work Stream visa is only available for First/Replacement Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) holders in the Post-Higher Education or Post-Study Work stream. This visa is usually granted for 1 or 2 years, depending on the categories of designated regional areas you resided in for at least 2 years immediately before applying for this visa + Study location while on your student visa.
This stream is only available for first Temporary Graduate visa / Replacement (subclass 485) holders in the Post-Higher Education or Post-Study Work stream stream. Applicant must continue to hold a valid Temporary Graduate visa when applying for the second Temporary Graduate visa.
Applicants with a select degree may be eligible for an extended 2 years on their visa. See Eligibility
Designated regional areas:
Most locations of Australia outside major cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane)are classed as designated regional areas for migration purposes. Designated regional areas included two categories.
Category 2 – ‘Cities and Major Regional Centers' of Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, and Hobart.
International students residing + graduated with a bachelor or higher qualification from a category 2 regional campus of a registered institution will be eligible to access an additional 1 year in Australia on a post-study work visa.
Category 3 –Regional Centre's and Other Regional Areas.
International students residing + graduated with a bachelor or higher qualification from a category 3 regional campus of a registered institution will be eligible to access an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa.
You may check the list of postcodes that specify designated regional areas for migration purposes.
Eligibility of Second Post - Study Work Stream:
To be eligible for this visa you must have the followings:
- Under 35 years of age. Under 50 If you completed Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree.
- Hold a valid first/replacement Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) in the Post-Higher Education or Post-Study Work stream.
- Must have lived only in a designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying for this visa.
- Have no debt to the Australian Government.
- Have adequate health insurance in Australia (OVHC designed for subclass 485).
- Meet the health and character requirements of the Australian government.
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
You can include your partner and dependent children with your visa application if they are in Australia on a valid visa at the time of application Your offshore members of the family unit can also apply (Temporary Graduate Subsequent Entrant) join you in Australia after your visa is granted.
You can add your children to the application until a decision on your application is made. You can't add any other member of the family unit to your application during that period.