Subclass 485 visa – a privilege for international students after graduation

Temporary Graduate visa – Subclass 485 visa allows international students to continue to stay in Australia after their subclass 500 visa expires.
In 1.5 to 4 years of holding visa 485, is a valuable time for a Skilled visa preparation to live in Australia permanently. Make sure you meet all the requirements for this once-in-a-lifetime visa. Keep reading to get helpful advice from our qualified and experienced consultant!
Table of Contents
What is a Temporary Graduate visa
Which stream of a subclass 485 visa suits you?
The benefits of a subclass 485
The requirements of a subclass 485 visa
Changes in requirements of subclass 485
Required documents to apply for a subclass 485 visa
Steps to apply for a Australia 485 visa
The cost to apply for subclass 485 visa
What is a Temporary Graduate visa
A Temporary Graduate visa – Subclass 485 allows international students who have just graduated an eligible course in Australia to continue to live, study, and work in Australia.
While holding the Australia 485 visa, you can apply for another visa, for example a skilled visa if you meet the requirements.

Which stream of a subclass 485 visa suits you?
There are 2 streams of subclass 485: Graduate Work stream and Post-study Work stream
Graduate Work stream
The Graduate Work stream allows international students to stay in Australia for 24 months after their graduation. The applicants must have the skills and qualifications relevant to the specific occupations to meet the visa requirements.
For applications lodged between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023, skills assessment is not required. However, from July 1, 2023, it is compulsory.
Post-study Work stream
The applicants must be international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution (university or higher education institution).
You can apply for the Post-study Work stream visa to stay in Australia longer for at least another 2 years after graduation.

The benefits of a subclass 485
Residence benefits |
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Work and study | To work and study in Australia within the visa validity. |
Family members | Allow your eligible family members to apply for the visa together with you. |
Multiple entries | Travel to and from Australia within the visa validity. |
Holding a 485 visa gives you time to do skills assessment, improve your English to get higher points to apply for a skilled visa.

The requirements of a subclass 485 visa
Graduate Work stream | Post-study Work stream | |
Age requirements | Under 50 years of age. | |
Qualifications |
| Have graduated from an at least 2-year course in Australia. Must have one of the following degrees:
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Skill assessment | Required | Not required |
Study course / Job | Your study course/ occupation must be included in the (MLTSSL – Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List). | |
Visa | Must hold a student visa – subclass 500 and apply for the visa in 6 months after graduation. | |
English language requirements | Must provide the required English certificate. Details will be listed in the next section. | |
Health insurance requirements | Have health insurance at the time of making a visa application. | |
Health and character requirements | No criminal record proved by AFP – Australian Federal Police. |
There are 5 types of English certificates approved when applying for a Subclass 485:
Graduate Work Stream | Post-study Work Stream | |
IELTS | At least 6.0 overall band score. At least 5.0 in each of 4 parts. | At least 6.0 overall band score. At least 5.0 in each of 4 parts. |
TOEFL iBT | At least 64 total score Listening: 4 Reading: 4 Writing: 14 Speaking: 14 | |
PTE Academic | At least 50 total score. At least score 36 for each skill. | |
OET | At least score B in each of 4 parts. | |
Cambridge C1 Advanced test | At least 169 total score. At least score 154 in each of 4 parts. |
The English test result date must be within 3 years when lodging the subclass 485 visa application.
Changes in requirements of subclass 485
Currently, there are changes in the requirements for the subclass 485 visa (Graduate Work Stream). The 485 visa holders will gain more benefits as follows:
- Stay in Australia in 24 months (instead of 18 months as before).
- Not required skills assessment (for applications logged from July 1st, 2022 to 30 June 2023). From July 1, 2023, it is required.
Required documents to apply for a subclass 485 visa
Identification papers |
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Evidence | Academic performance |
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Health |
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Police certificate |
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Documents for additional applicant |
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Your application documents must be sufficient and accurate to get your visa granted in the earliest possible time.
Contact VEM. Our qualified and experienced migration consultant will help your visa application process go through smoothly.

Steps to apply for a Australia 485 visa
- Step 1: Check whether you meet the requirements and take skills assessment (if required).
- Step 2: Prepare the 485 visa required documents and apply for the visa.
- Step 3: Provide additional documents (if required).
- Step 4: Receive a subclass 485.

The cost to apply for subclass 485 visa
For the applicant | AUD1,895 |
For the additional applicant |
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Note: The fees listed above do not include a 1.4% surcharge.
This 485 visa cost tends to increase every financial year. Contact VEM to get the latest cost.

The processing times of a subclass 485 visa
Streams | Processing time |
Graduate Work stream | 75% of applications are processed in 32 days. 90% of applications are processed in 77 days. |
Post – Study Work stream | 75% of applications are processed in 42 days. 90% of applications are processed in 3 months. |
The subclass 485 processing time may be longer than the time frame if your provided documents are insufficient or inaccurate.
Contact VEM. Our consultant – Mr. Peter Cao, a registered migration agent (MARN: 1577877) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648) to ensure your visa application is well-prepared and legal.
Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately, no. You must provide your IELTS certificate at the time of making the visa application.
Yes, the extended course must be relevant to the previous course.
No, it is not required.
No. However, with this 485 visa, you can meet other requirements to apply for a Skilled visa, which can help you to live permanently in Australia.
Absolutely yes, as long as they meet the subclass 485 visa requirements for dependent applicants.
No, you must be onshore when applying for the visa.
You have to apply for the visa within 6 months from the date of graduation.
Yes, if you have never held a Subclass 485 or 476 visa before. You can also bring your husband as a dependent applicant.
No, you must have a positive skills assessment when lodging a graduate stream Subclass 485 visa application.
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VEM hopes this article gives you an overall understanding of the subclass 485 visa. If there’s any questions, don’t hesitate to comment below. We’ll contact you as soon as possible.
Find out more about other Australian visa: