Graduate Visa 485: Eligibility & Application Guide

You studied hard, finished your degree, and now you want to stay in Australia and build your future here. The Graduate visa (subclass 485) is designed exactly for you.

This visa lets international students live, work, and study in Australia after they finish their degree. It gives you real, practical time in Australia — time to gain experience, explore career options, and decide what your next step looks like.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 485 visa in 2026: what it is, who qualifies, how to apply, and what to expect. No confusing government jargon — just clear, honest information.

What Is the Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)?

The Graduate visa subclass 485 is a temporary Australian visa for international students who have recently completed a qualification at an Australian educational institution. It allows you to stay in Australia temporarily after your studies end.

There are two streams under this visa:

• Graduate Work stream — for graduates with skills in an occupation on Australia's skilled occupation list.
• Post-Study Work stream — for graduates who hold a higher education degree (bachelor's, honours, master's, or doctoral).

Most international university graduates apply through the Post-Study Work stream, as it does not require your qualification to match a specific occupation list. We will cover both streams in detail below.

Who Is Eligible for the Graduate Visa 485?

To be eligible for the Graduate visa subclass 485, you must meet a number of requirements. Let us walk through each one clearly.

General Eligibility Requirements (Both Streams)

All applicants — regardless of which stream they apply under — must meet these general conditions:

• Age: You must be under 35 years of age at the time you apply.
• Study in Australia: You must have studied in Australia. Your qualification must have been completed while you were physically present in Australia for at least two academic years (for most visas) or specific study periods, depending on your course. (⚠️ Verify current study residency requirements with the Department of Home Affairs, as these can change.)
• Student visa holder: You must hold or have held a student visa (subclass 500) or certain other eligible visas during your study period.
• Application timing: You must apply within six months of receiving your final results or completing your course. This is a strict deadline — do not miss it.
• English language: You must demonstrate competent English. This generally means an IELTS score of 6 in each band, or equivalent in PTE, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge. (⚠️ Verify accepted tests and current minimum scores with the Department of Home Affairs.)
• Health and character requirements: You must meet Australia's standard health and character requirements, which include health examinations and police checks.

Graduate Work Stream — Eligibility

The Graduate Work stream is for graduates whose qualification is closely related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This is Australia's list of skilled occupations that are in demand.

Key requirements include:

• Your qualification must be in a field related to an occupation on the MLTSSL. (⚠️ Check the current MLTSSL on the Department of Home Affairs or Skills Match website, as lists are updated regularly.)
• You must have completed at least one year of study in Australia in a course relevant to that occupation.
• You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation before you apply.

How long does this visa last? The Graduate Work stream gives you 18 months in Australia.

This stream suits graduates in trades, engineering, accounting, IT, and other skilled areas that appear on the MLTSSL.

Post-Study Work Stream — Eligibility

This is the more popular stream and suits most university graduates.

Key requirements include:

• You must have completed a bachelor's degree, bachelor's (honours), master's, or doctoral degree at an Australian institution.
• Your qualification must have been completed in Australia while on a student visa.
• You do not need a skills assessment.
• You do not need to match your degree to an occupation list.

How Much Does the Graduate Visa 485 Cost in 2026?

The visa application charge (VAC) for the Graduate visa subclass 485 in 2026 is approximately AUD $4,600 for the main applicant. (⚠️ Fees are reviewed by the Australian Government periodically. Confirm the current fee on the Department of Home Affairs website before you apply, as fees may have changed.)

There are also additional charges if you include family members in your application:

• A secondary applicant aged 18 or over: approximately AUD $2,300
• A secondary applicant under 18: approximately AUD $1,160

You may also need to pay for:

• Health examinations (costs vary by provider and country)
• Police clearance certificates
• English language test fees (if you have not already completed one)

Budget carefully so you are not caught off guard. Total out-of-pocket costs including health checks and documentation can add up to AUD $2,500–$3,500 or more depending on your circumstances.

How to Apply for the Graduate Visa 485 — Step by Step

The application is submitted online through the ImmiAccount portal on the Department of Home Affairs website. Here is what the process looks like.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before you do anything else, confirm which stream applies to you and that you meet all the general requirements. Re-read the eligibility criteria above and cross-check with the Department of Home Affairs website.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

You will need to prepare and upload the following documents:

• Passport (valid and current)
• Evidence of qualification — your official academic transcript and completion letter from your Australian institution
• English language test results — IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge
• Health examination results — you will receive a referral through ImmiAccount after you apply
• Police clearance certificates — from Australia and any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
• Skills assessment (Graduate Work stream only)
• Proof of Australian study — including evidence you were physically in Australia during your studies

Step 3: Create or Log In to ImmiAccount

Go to the Department of Home Affairs website and log in to your ImmiAccount. If you do not already have one, you will need to create one. This is where you fill out and submit your application.

Step 4: Complete the Application Form

Fill out Form 1066, which is the online form for the subclass 485 visa. Answer all questions honestly and carefully. Any inconsistencies or errors can cause delays or refusals.

Step 5: Pay the Visa Application Charge

Once you submit your application, you will be prompted to pay the visa application charge. Keep your payment receipt.

Step 6: Complete Health Examinations

After submitting, you will receive instructions to complete a medical examination through an approved panel doctor. Do this promptly to avoid delays.

Step 7: Wait for a Decision

What Can You Do on a Graduate Visa 485?

Once you have your 485 visa, you have a great deal of freedom. Here is what you are allowed to do:

• Work full-time in any job, in any industry — there are no work hour restrictions on this visa
• Study any course at any institution
• Travel in and out of Australia freely during the visa period
• Include your family — your partner and dependent children can usually be included as secondary applicants

This is one of the most flexible temporary visas Australia offers. Use the time wisely.

Tips to Strengthen Your 485 Application

A few things you can do to make the process smoother:

• Apply as soon as your results are confirmed. You have six months from the date your final results are released — not the date of graduation ceremony.
• Keep copies of everything. Transcripts, enrolment letters, visa grant notices — keep physical and digital copies of all your documents throughout your study years.
• Book your health exam early. Panel doctors can have waiting times, especially in capital cities.
• Seek guidance from a registered migration agent if your situation is complicated — for example, if you have had gaps in your studies, visa conditions breaches, or health issues. (⚠️ Only use a registered migration agent — verify registration on the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) website.)
• Do not let your current visa expire while waiting for a decision. If you applied for the 485 before your student visa expired, you are usually protected by a bridging visa (Bridging Visa A), but confirm this with an OMARA-registered agent.
  

After Your 485 Visa — What Are Your Options?

The Graduate visa subclass 485 is a temporary visa. When it ends, you will need another pathway to stay in Australia. Many graduates use their 485 time to:

• Gain skilled work experience to qualify for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
• Receive employer sponsorship for a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)
• Apply for state or territory nomination through skills programs
• Qualify for a partner visa if in a relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident

Frequently Asked Questions About the Graduate Visa 485

Can I apply for the 485 if I studied online from outside Australia?

No. You must have been physically present in Australia for your study period to qualify. Online study completed outside Australia generally does not count toward the residency requirement. (⚠️ Confirm current rules with the Department of Home Affairs.)

Can I include my partner on the visa?

Yes. You can include a partner (spouse or de facto) and dependent children as secondary applicants. They will generally receive the same visa conditions.

Do I need a job offer to apply?

No. You do not need a job offer or employer sponsorship to apply for the 485 visa. It is a general temporary work visa.

What if my application is refused?

You may have the right to seek a review at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). Act quickly, as review timeframes are strict. Speak to a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer immediately.