The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows recent graduates of Australian institutions to live and work in Australia after completing their studies. There are two main streams: the Graduate Work stream (for graduates whose qualification relates to a skilled occupation, requiring a skills assessment) and the Post-Study Work stream (for Bachelor, Masters, or Doctoral graduates generally, the more common pathway). Eligibility criteria including age limits and visa duration by qualification level are periodically reviewed — always confirm the current settings on the Department of Home Affairs website before relying on figures from an older guide.
Australian qualification evidence
You must apply within the window specified by the Department after receiving your final results, generally while you still hold a student visa or shortly after its expiry — check the current timeframe before assuming an exact number of months.
- Australian qualification certificate (testamur / certificate of award)
- Academic transcripts covering all completed units
- A completion letter from your institution confirming your course has finished
Student visa history
You need to demonstrate your study was genuinely completed in Australia on a student visa, not just that you hold a qualification from an Australian institution.
- Your Student Visa (Subclass 500) grant notice, or a VEVO printout confirming your visa history
- Evidence you met the minimum study period required for the 485
- Evidence of your onshore study period in Australia
- Proof of your Australian residential address during study, if requested
English language evidence
- IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge English results at Competent level or above
- Confirm your test result is still within its validity window at the time of application
- Studying your course in English doesn't automatically satisfy this requirement — check whether your specific nationality or passport qualifies for an exemption rather than assuming it does
Graduate Work stream: skills assessment
If you're applying under the Graduate Work stream, your qualification needs to relate to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), and you'll need a positive skills assessment in addition to your study evidence.
- Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation
- Evidence your nominated occupation is currently on the MLTSSL — occupation lists are reviewed periodically, so confirm against the current list
Health and character
- Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) — arranged before lodging, similar to OSHC for student visas
- Health examination through an approved panel physician
- Police clearance certificate(s) from every country you've lived in for 12 months or more since turning 16
- Form 80 — Personal Particulars
- Form 1221 — Additional Personal Particulars Information
Identity documents
- Passport bio-data page
- Birth certificate
- Change of name document, if applicable
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the application window after final results are released — there's typically no extension once it closes
- Assuming a course taught in English automatically satisfies the English language requirement
- Applying under the Graduate Work stream without first confirming the occupation is still on the current MLTSSL
- Missing Form 80 or Form 1221 as part of the character assessment
- Forgetting OVHC, since it's easy to confuse with the OSHC required during the student visa itself
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Graduate Work and Post-Study Work streams?
The Graduate Work stream is for graduates whose qualification relates to a skilled occupation and requires a skills assessment. The Post-Study Work stream is generally available to Bachelor, Masters, and Doctoral graduates without needing a skills assessment, and is the more commonly used pathway. Visa duration and eligibility differ between the two — confirm the current settings for your qualification level before choosing a stream.
Can I apply for the 485 more than once?
Generally the 485 is intended as a one-time post-study visa per qualification level, though settings have changed over time. Check current eligibility rules for your specific situation rather than assuming a previous 485 grant does or doesn't affect a new application.
The 485 is commonly used as a bridge toward permanent residency — many holders use the time to build points or secure employer sponsorship for a skilled visa. Plan your next step well before the 485 expires, since there's typically no extension or automatic fallback visa once it ends.