Temporary Graduate visa
The Subclass 485 visa lets recent graduates of eligible Australian qualifications stay temporarily after their studies to live, work, study, and travel. It has two main streams — the Post-Higher Education Work stream (formerly Graduate Work and Post-Study Work) for bachelors and higher, and the Post-Vocational Education Work stream for trade qualifications. The visa is not points-tested and does not require any sponsor.
At a glance
- Points test
- Not points-tested
- Sponsor
- No sponsor required
- Base application charge
- from $2,235 (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
- Processing time
- ~4-12 months (median)
- Eligibility list
- No specific occupation list
- Pathway
- Does not directly grant PR but lets graduates build the local work experience, English, and skills assessment needed for a points-tested or employer-sponsored visa.
Recent updates
See all updates →- infoOSCA launched as ABS classification standard
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA), progressively replacing the long-standing ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations). OSCA preserves a similar 6-digit structure but introduces revised major groups, updated occupation definitions, and new entries for emerging roles. The Department of Home Affairs is adopting OSCA progressively across 2025-2026 — most skilled-visa occupation lists still reference ANZSCO codes during the transition. Always cross-check the live occupation list on home affairs at application time.
- infoDirection 110 replaces Direction 99 for s501 character decisions
Ministerial Direction 110 issued under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958, providing the framework decision-makers must apply when refusing or cancelling visas on character grounds under section 501. Direction 110 replaces Direction 99 and re-emphasises Australia's expectations of non-citizens. Affects character considerations across all visa subclasses, including skilled visas at the application and post-grant stage.
Key requirements
High-level eligibility criteria. Each criterion has further sub-rules; verify with immi.gov.au before applying.
- Under 35 years of age at application (with exemptions for select fields)
- Recent graduate of an eligible Australian qualification (CRICOS-registered)
- Held a valid student visa in the last six months
- Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Positive skills assessment (Post-Vocational Education Work stream only)
- Health, character, and Australian Health Insurance
Skills assessment
No occupation-list eligibility — any qualification recognised by the AQF is in scope, with skills assessment only required for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
Eligible occupations
ANZSCO occupations currently flagged for Subclass 485 in our latest dataset.
No occupations matched this subclass in our latest sync. Occupation list updates frequently — check immi.gov.au for the current list.
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