The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is Australia's post-study work visa — one of the most generous in the world. It gives international graduates unrestricted work rights in Australia for 2–6 years, depending on their degree level and study location. This guide covers everything you need to know.
What Is the Subclass 485?
The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa allows recent international graduates to:
- Live and work anywhere in Australia without employer sponsorship
- Work full-time for any employer in any industry
- Build Australian work experience toward permanent residency
- Bring dependants to Australia
How Long Is the Subclass 485?
Duration depends on your qualification level and where you studied:
Graduate Work Stream (Skills-Based Jobs)
| Degree Level | Duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 2 years |
| Bachelor's honours degree | 2 years |
| Master's degree (coursework, 2 years) | 3 years |
| Master's degree (research) | 3 years |
| Doctoral degree (PhD) | 4 years |
Post-Study Work Stream
Similar durations apply — specific eligibility criteria differ slightly between streams.
The Regional Australia Bonus (+2 Years)
Graduates who completed at least 2 years of study in regional Australia receive an additional 2 years on their 485 visa:
| Location of Study | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Regional Australia (outside major cities) | +2 years |
| Major city campuses (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane CBD) | No bonus |
Regional university examples: Charles Darwin University (Darwin), Federation University (Ballarat), CQUniversity, James Cook University (Cairns/Townsville), University of Tasmania (Hobart).
Maximum possible 485 duration: 6 years (PhD + regional study).
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Subclass 485, you must:
- Graduate from a CRICOS-registered course in Australia
- Apply within 6 months of receiving your final results
- Be under 50 years old at time of application
- Hold a valid Student Visa (Subclass 500) or have held one recently
- Meet English language requirements — IELTS 6.0 or equivalent
- Meet health and character requirements
- Have Australian study — the degree must have been completed in Australia (not offshore)
English Language Requirement
The 485 visa has its own IELTS requirement:
| Stream | IELTS Minimum |
|---|---|
| Graduate Work Stream | IELTS 6.0 overall |
| Post-Study Work Stream | IELTS 6.0 overall |
This is the visa English requirement — your university's course IELTS requirement (typically 6.5–7.5) is separate and will have been met before graduation.
You can also use TOEFL (79 iBT), PTE (50), or Cambridge (169) as evidence.
Application Process
Step 1: Receive Your Final Results
You must have received your official results or graduation notice before applying.
Step 2: Apply Within 6 Months
This is critical — missing the 6-month window means you are permanently ineligible for the 485 based on that qualification.
Step 3: Apply Online Through ImmiAccount
| Visa Fee (2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | AUD 1,895 |
| Each secondary applicant | AUD 945 |
Step 4: Provide Supporting Documents
| Document | Detail |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid for visa period |
| Degree certificate or final transcript | Evidence of graduation |
| IELTS / TOEFL / PTE results | Meeting 485 English requirement |
| Health examination | Online referral through ImmiAccount |
| Police clearance | From countries you have lived in for 12+ months since age 16 |
| Evidence of Australian study | Academic transcripts showing study in Australia |
Step 5: Health Examination
You will be directed to a panel physician for a medical exam through ImmiAccount.
Step 6: Processing Time
| Application Type | Processing Time (2026) |
|---|---|
| Most applications | 75% processed within 5 months |
| Straightforward cases | 2–4 months |
Work Rights on Subclass 485
| Type | Rights |
|---|---|
| Employment | Any employer, any industry, any role |
| Hours | Unlimited (full-time permitted) |
| Location | Anywhere in Australia |
| Business | May operate a business |
There is no employer sponsorship requirement — this is the visa's major advantage over pathways in the USA (H-1B) and UK (Skilled Worker).
Pathway to Permanent Residency from 485
The 485 visa is primarily used to build toward Australian PR:
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS — Subclass 186)
After 2–3 years of relevant work experience with an Australian employer, you may be sponsored for PR directly through ENS.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) — SkillSelect
Points-based PR pathway:
| Factor | Points Available |
|---|---|
| Age (25–32) | 30 points |
| English (IELTS 8.0 / Superior) | 20 points |
| English (IELTS 7.0 / Proficient) | 10 points |
| Skilled employment in Australia (5–8 years) | 20 points |
| Australian bachelor's qualification | 15 points |
| Australian master's or PhD | 10–15 points |
| Australian study in regional area | 5 points |
Minimum requirement: 65 points. Most occupations in demand invite applicants with 80–90 points.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
State government nominates you — provides 5 extra points and opens additional occupations. Each state has different demand areas.
IELTS and the PR Pathway
Strong IELTS scores matter not just for the 485 visa (IELTS 6.0 minimum) but for the subsequent PR pathway:
| IELTS Score | Points Toward PR |
|---|---|
| Overall 8.0+ / each component 8.0 (Superior) | 20 points |
| Overall 7.0+ / each component 7.0 (Proficient) | 10 points |
| Overall 6.0+ (Competent) | 0 points |
Moving from IELTS 7.0 to IELTS 8.0 earns an additional 10 points toward PR — equivalent to 3 extra years of skilled work experience. This can be the difference between being invited to apply and waiting years in the SkillSelect pool.
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — meet the Subclass 485 minimum (IELTS 6.0) and work toward the PR-boosting scores (IELTS 7.0–8.0) with AI-powered speaking and writing feedback.