Updates to Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa settings
Article Updated February 2024
The Australian Government has announced changes that will take effect in 2024 which will affect the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa.
Some of the recent announcements include:
English language requirements for student and graduate visas will be increasing . For the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa, the IELTS requirement will be increased from 6 to 6.5.
The Government seeks to stop 'visa hopping' and they are considering restricting 485 visa holders and other temporary visa holders from applying for student visas onshore. There will be further announcements early in 2024.
The Government is looking to restructure graduate visas in mid-2024 which will help align post-study work rights with actual career prospects. As such, international higher education graduates will no longer be able to apply for the extension, based on the qualification list from mid-2024.
Changes to the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa, under the proposed new setting include:
The maximum eligible age for a Temporary Graduate visa will be reduced to 35
Visa duration changes for 485 visas:
2 years for a Bachelor Degree
2 years for Masters by coursework
3 years for Masters by research
3 years for PhD
Additional 1-2 years for regional students
Faster processing times
We will update this page again, once the proposed changes are formally announced by the Australian Government.
International students may need to consider regional study options more than ever, given the continued availability of the regional extension for the Temporary Graduate 485 visa, not to mention the unique opportunities offered by the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) 491 visa, which is exclusively available in regional areas. -- Alice Guan (MARN1909953) , IDP registered MARA agent
Changes to international student work hours
From 1 July 2023, the working hour cap for international students will be increased from 40 to 48 hours per fortnight.
Read more about this announcement on the Department of Education 's website
Do you want to work in Australia after graduating?
Congratulations! If you're graduating soon or have just graduated, you might be wondering what’s next for you. Want to gain work experience and develop your skills? You can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). It’s important to note that the 485 visa has three different streams:
Graduate Work stream
Post-Study Work stream, and
Second Post-Study Work stream
The cost of the visa and the length of your stay will depend on which stream you apply for. To help you discover more about the 485 visa, processing time, eligibility, and estimated fees, here’s an overview of each stream, an international students’ post study journey in Australia and answers to some frequently asked questions.
Book IELTS for migration
Post-Study Work stream
Overview
If you have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution, you can work and live in Australia temporarily with this visa. You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply.
Stay
This visa allows you to stay in Australia usually for 18 months - 6 years, depending on your qualifications and streams.
You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid and the time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa. Current and future temporary graduate visa holders from Hong Kong will also have a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years.
For other applicants, you might be eligible for other skilled work visas. Try the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ visa finder to find out options for work .
Cost and processing times
The visa costs AUD $1895 for the main applicant but there is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator . Processing time is approximately 8- 10 months.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for the temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) - Post-Study Work stream you must:
be under 50 years of age
have applied for and been granted your first student visa on or after 5 November 2011
hold an eligible visa
have held a student visa in the last 6 months
have a recent degree in a CRICOS-registered course
provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply
provide evidence you have applied for an AFP check when you apply
provide evidence of the required level of English with the application
For more details about the stream, click here .
IELTS Requirement
You need an overall score of at least 6 with a minimum score of 5 for each of the 4 parts.
Note: In early 2024, the Government will increase English language requirements for the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa. The IELTS requirement will increase from 6 to 6.5.
Second Post-Study Work stream
Overview
This visa is for holders of a first Temporary Graduate visa in the post-study work stream who graduated with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area. It lets you live, work and study in Australia, temporarily. You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply. However, accompanying dependents must be in Australia to apply for a second Temporary Graduate post-study work stream visa.
Stay
The length of your stay in Australia will depend on:
where you studied and graduated from as the holder of a student visa and
where you live as the holder of your first Temporary Graduate visa in the post-study work stream. If you:
studied and live in Category 2 area (1 year)
studied and live in Category 3 area (2 years)
You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. Additionally, you can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while your visa is valid.
Cost
The visa costs AUD $745 for the primary applicant but there is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator .
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for the temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) – Second Post-Study Work stream you must:
be under 50 years of age
be in Australia when you apply for this visa
hold a Temporary Graduate visa in the post-study work stream as the main applicant
have a recent degree in a CRICOS-registered course from an education institution based in an eligible designated regional area, that led to the grant of your first Temporary Graduate visa in the post-study work stream
have lived in an eligible designated regional area for at least 2 years before applying for the second Temporary Graduate visa in the post-study work stream
provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply
For more details about the stream, click here .
Graduate Work stream
Overview
If you have recently graduated from a course relating to an occupation where there is a skill shortage in Australia. This visa allows international students to live, work and study in Australia and include members of the family unit in your application when you apply.
Stay
Temporarily increased to 24 months for visas granted from 1 December 2021. However, Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years. It’s granted with multiple entries so you can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid. Important to note that the time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa. Also, you can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. But, you might be eligible for other skilled work visas so use the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ visa finder to find out options for work .
Cost and processing times
The visa costs AUD $1,895 for the primary applicant but there is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator . Processing time is approximately 9 - 13 months
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for the temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) - Graduate Work stream you must:
be under 50 years of age
have an eligible visa
have held a student visa in the last 6 months
have a qualification relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list
have applied for a skills assessment in your nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list
provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply
provide evidence you have applied for an AFP check when you apply
provide evidence of the required level of English with the application
For more details about the stream, click here .
IELTS Requirement
You need an overall score of at least 6 with a minimum score of 5 for each of the 4 parts.
Note: In early 2024, the Government will increase English language requirements for the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa. The IELTS requirement will increase from 6 to 6.5.
Hear from a migration agent
We sat down with Alice Guan (MARN1909953), IDP's in-house migration agent to hear what she thinks of these changes:
”Whenever there is a challenge, opportunities arise alongside it. International students may need to consider regional study options more than ever, given the continued availability of the regional extension for the Temporary Graduate 485 visa, not to mention the unique opportunities offered by the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) 491 visa, which is exclusively available in regional areas, "she advised.
She added, "I cannot emphasise the importance of employability enough, as the migration strategy indicates that the work experience requirement for a Temporary Skills Shortage 482 visa (and future Skills in Demand visa, employer-sponsored) will be changed to provide Temporary Graduate 485 visa holders with more opportunities to transition to a skilled visa. Proposed reforms to the points test will also offer graduates working in skilled jobs faster pathways to permanent residency.”
If you’re an international student interested in migrating to Australia, get personalised visa advice from one of IDP's friendly and experienced Migration Services agents.
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An international student's post study journey and FAQs
International student, Alex started her Australian journey back in 2018. She shares why she chose to move to Australia and describes her post study journey and job search.
We have also gathered all the answers to the questions we get asked the most about applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). Click on the link below to discover more.
Immigration and the law
Legislation about immigration changes frequently. For example, in June 2021 Australia added 22 new occupations to its priority migration list . So, it’s important to check the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for changes that may apply to you. And, if you are interested in Australian student visas , work visas, or looking to migrate permanently, you need to lodge an application with the Australian Government. You may want to consider getting support from a lawyer or migration agent.