Official Home Affairs guidance states that the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is a temporary visa that allows eligible international students to live, study and work in Australia after finishing their studies.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is one of the most searched post-study visa pathways in Australia because it can allow recent graduates to remain in the country after completing eligible studies. A strong 485 application usually depends on more than simply finishing a course. It often involves correct stream selection, meeting the Australia study requirement, timing the application properly, preparing English evidence where required, and understanding whether extra requirements such as a skills assessment apply to the chosen stream.

At CG Migration Services, we help graduates approach Subclass 485 with better structure and clearer planning. Many people searching for the Best Immigration Agent in Melbourne want practical help understanding which 485 stream matches their qualification, what documents need attention, and how the application may fit into longer-term visa planning. Our Melbourne team supports applicants with organised advice, cleaner documents, and a more careful post-study visa strategy.

Post-Study Work Option

Subclass 485 can let eligible graduates live, study and work in Australia temporarily after they complete their studies.

Stream Selection

Home Affairs states that the qualification used to meet the study requirement determines which 485 stream you can apply for.

Study Requirement

Current guidance says applicants must complete study in Australia in a total of at least 16 calendar months to meet the study requirement.

Age and Timing

Home Affairs states applicants generally need to be 35 or under and usually apply within the relevant 6 month period after study.

Current Subclass 485 Structure

Current Home Affairs settings recognise the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, the Post-Higher Education Work stream, and the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream for eligible applicants. Since 1 July 2024, the older Graduate Work and Post-Study Work stream names were realigned to the current stream names. In practice, this means applicants need to be careful not only about their qualification level, but also about whether their completed course and overall profile fit the correct stream under the current rules.

Official Home Affairs material indicates that under current settings the Post-Vocational Education Work stream may continue to allow stay for 18 months, while the Post-Higher Education Work stream stay period varies by qualification level. Based on official program changes, bachelor and masters coursework applicants commonly have shorter stays than research masters or PhD graduates. Some eligible graduates may also later explore the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream depending on their circumstances.

How CG Migration Supports Temporary Graduate Visa 485 Applications

01
Eligibility Review

We assess your study history, visa position, age, course outcome, and timing so the application starts on the correct footing.

02
Correct Stream Planning

We help identify whether your profile better aligns with the Post-Vocational, Post-Higher Education, or a later second-stream pathway.

03
Document Preparation

Our team helps organise academic completion records, identity documents, English evidence, and other supporting material for lodgement.

04
Post-Study Strategy

We provide practical guidance on how the 485 application may connect with future skilled, employer-sponsored, or regional planning.

Common Temporary Graduate 485 Preparation Areas

  • Evidence that the Australia study requirement has been met, including course completion records and timing of study in Australia.
  • Documents showing the correct stream for the qualification used in the 485 application under current Home Affairs settings.
  • English language evidence and identity records prepared in line with the visa subclass requirements at the time of lodgement.
  • Skills assessment planning where the applicant is applying in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.

Why Graduates Seek Professional Guidance

Subclass 485 issues commonly arise when the wrong stream is chosen, the study requirement is misunderstood, the 6 month timing window is missed, or documents do not clearly support eligibility. Graduates often speak with a Registered Migration Agent in Melbourne because they want a clearer understanding of stream rules, current Home Affairs changes, and how the 485 visa can fit within a broader migration plan.

If you need help with Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) planning, CG Migration Services can help you prepare the application more clearly and move forward with a more organised post-study visa strategy in Australia.

Subclass 485 FAQs

Common Questions About Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

These are some of the most common questions graduates ask when planning a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) application for Australia.

It is a temporary Australia visa for eligible international students that can allow them to live, study and work in Australia after finishing their studies.

Current Home Affairs settings refer to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, the Post-Higher Education Work stream, and the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream for eligible applicants.

Home Affairs states that applicants must have completed study in Australia in a total of at least 16 calendar months and usually within the relevant 6 month application period.

Home Affairs states that a skills assessment is required when applying in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.

The stay period depends on the stream and qualification used in the application. Under current settings, the Post-Vocational Education Work stream may continue to allow stay for 18 months, while Post-Higher Education Work stream grants vary by qualification level.

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