Temporary Graduate Visa (485)
Work and Study in Australia
The 485 Temporary Graduate visa grants full work rights following completion of an Australian qualification, but it is a transitional visa, not an endpoint. It offers time and flexibility. What it doesn't offer is a guarantee of what comes next.
Too many graduates treat the 485 visa as a holding pattern, focusing only on finding work while their visa quietly counts down. By the time permanent residency is seriously considered, valuable time and sometimes valuable options have already been lost.
The real value of the 485 visa lies in how strategically it's used. With the right plan, every month of this visa can move you closer to permanent residency: building relevant work experience, meeting points-test requirements, and positioning yourself for the right skilled migration or sponsorship pathway.
I'm Sangeeta Mahajan, MARN 2518841, a registered migration agent helping recent graduates turn their 485 visa into a genuine pathway towards permanent residency, with planning that starts from day one, not in the final months before expiry.
Just Graduated? Here's What You Need to Qualify for the 485
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You must apply within 6 months of receiving formal notification that your course is complete
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Your qualification must be from a CRICOS-registered course
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You must meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria
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Standard health, character and English language requirements apply
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You must hold, or have recently held, a valid student visa
A detail that catches many graduates off guard: the 6-month application window starts from your official course completion notification, not your graduation ceremony date. These two dates can differ by weeks or even months, and missing the window means losing eligibility entirely.
It's also worth knowing that, under current rules, the 485 is generally a one-time visa per qualification level. So getting the timing of that single application right matters far more than it might first appear.
Professional Year Program: How It Boosts Your Points After Graduation
For graduates in accounting, IT, or engineering specifically, completing a Professional Year
program during your 485 visa period adds 5 points to your future skilled migration
application is often a meaningful contributor toward clearing the 189 or 190 invitation
thresholds. The program combines structured workplace training with formal coursework.
Typically, over 12 months, and is one of the most overlooked tools graduates have for
converting their 485 period into genuine points-test improvement rather than just general
work experience. Combined with strengthening your English test score and gaining
relevant work experience, the Professional Year is frequently the difference between a
borderline points score and a clear invitation.
Professional Year Program: How It Boosts Your Points After Graduation
For graduates in accounting, IT, or engineering specifically, completing a Professional Year
program during your 485 visa period adds 5 points to your future skilled migration
application is often a meaningful contributor toward clearing the 189 or 190 invitation
thresholds. The program combines structured workplace training with formal coursework.
Typically, over 12 months, and is one of the most overlooked tools graduates have for
converting their 485 period into genuine points-test improvement rather than just general
work experience. Combined with strengthening your English test score and gaining
relevant work experience, the Professional Year is frequently the difference between a
borderline points score and a clear invitation.
Temporary Graduate Visa (485)
Visa Streams
There are two streams under the Temporary Graduate Visa 485.
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
This visa is designed for international students who have recently completed an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification that aligns with an occupation Australia needs. It provides an opportunity to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily.
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Work Rights: You can work in Australia full-time.
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Family Inclusion: You can bring your family members with you.
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Relevant Qualifications: You must hold a qualification that matches your nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List.
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Eligibility: This stream is for graduates who meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement with an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This visa is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. It allows you to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily.
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Work Rights: You can work in Australia full-time.
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Family Inclusion: You can bring your family members with you.
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Eligible Qualifications: You need a recent degree from a CRICOS-registered course.
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Eligibility: This stream is for applicants who meet the Temporary Graduate Visa study requirement with a degree-level qualification or higher.
Duration of Stay
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Up to 18 months (for Post-Vocational Education Work Stream).
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Up to 2–3 years (for the Post-Higher Education Work Stream, depending on your qualification).
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Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for up to 5 years.
Ready to apply?
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Book a Free Consultation with us today. We will be able to assess your situation and provide initial advice on the visa.
