Subclass 485 Visa Australia 2026 — Temporary Graduate Visa Requirements, Streams and Work Rights
The subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa in Australia is the most important visa for international students who have just completed their studies and want to stay, work, and build a career pathway toward permanent residency. In 2026, the visa has undergone significant changes including a fee increase, tighter age limits, and updated English requirements that every applicant must understand before lodging.
Here is a complete guide to the subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa in Australia for 2026, based on publicly available information from the Department of Home Affairs.
What Is the Subclass 485 Visa?
The subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa is a post-study work visa issued by the Department of Home Affairs that allows eligible international graduates to remain in Australia temporarily after completing their studies. It provides full unrestricted work rights — meaning holders can work in any occupation, for any employer, without needing sponsorship.
The visa is designed as a bridge between study and potential permanent residency. Time spent on the subclass 485 visa builds Australian work experience that strengthens eligibility for skilled migration pathways including the subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa and the subclass 482 Skills in Demand employer-sponsored visa.
The subclass 485 visa does not itself grant permanent residency — it is a temporary visa. But for most international graduates, it is the critical first step in a longer migration journey.
I navigated the subclass 485 process as an international graduate in Australia. The requirements look straightforward on paper — but the interaction between application timing, English test validity, and passport availability creates real pressure that the official guides do not fully explain. This article is written from both firsthand experience and a close reading of the Department of Home Affairs requirements.
Key Changes to the Subclass 485 Visa in 2026
Several significant changes took effect in 2024 and 2026 that applicants must be aware of.
Fee increase from 1 March 2026. The visa application charge for the subclass 485 increased substantially from 1 March 2026. The new fee for the primary applicant is $4,600 AUD — up from the previous $1,895. Secondary applicants over 18 pay $2,300 and those under 18 pay $1,160. This is one of the most significant fee increases in the recent history of Australia’s student migration pathway. A refused application does not attract a refund — getting the application right the first time now matters more than ever.
Age limit tightened to 35. From July 2024, the general age limit for most subclass 485 streams was reduced to under 35 years of age at the time of application. Previously the limit was 50 for most applicants. Exceptions apply for holders of Hong Kong and British National Overseas passports and for graduates with a Masters by Research or Doctoral degree — these applicants retain an age limit of under 50.
English requirements strengthened under LIN 25/089. From 7 August 2025, the minimum English score increased to IELTS 6.5 overall with no individual band below 6.0. The test validity window was also reduced from 3 years to 12 months — your test result must now have been obtained within 12 months before your application lodgement date. Additional tests were added to the accepted list, and IELTS Academic and General Training are both now accepted.
Extended work rights for shortage occupations. For graduates in verified skill shortage areas, post-study work rights have been extended. Select bachelor’s degrees now provide up to 4 years, select master’s degrees up to 5 years, and select PhDs up to 6 years of post-study work rights.
The Three Streams of the Subclass 485 Visa
The subclass 485 visa operates across three distinct streams. Your qualification level and study location determine which stream applies to you.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This is the most commonly used stream and applies to graduates who hold a degree-level qualification or higher — including bachelor degrees, graduate diplomas, graduate certificates, masters by coursework, masters by research, and doctoral degrees.
No skills assessment is required for this stream. You simply need to demonstrate that you hold the relevant qualification from a CRICOS-registered institution that satisfies the Australian Study Requirement.
Stay period:
- Bachelor degree: 2 years
- Masters by coursework: 2 years
- Masters by research: 3 years
- Doctoral degree (PhD): 3 years
- Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders: 5 years across all qualifications
For graduates in select shortage occupations, these periods can extend to 4, 5, or 6 years.
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
This stream applies to graduates who hold an associate degree, diploma, advanced diploma, or trade qualification. Unlike the Post-Higher Education stream, this stream requires the nominated occupation to be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List and a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
Stay period: 18 months for most applicants.
This stream is best suited to trade and vocational graduates who want to gain Australian work experience quickly. Given the skills assessment requirement, applicants should begin the assessment process well before completing their studies.
Regional Graduate Stream
This stream is for graduates who studied at an Australian institution located in a regional area and who are still living in that regional area at the time of application. It provides additional stay time on top of a previous subclass 485 grant.
Stay period: 1 to 2 additional years depending on the regional location of the institution.
This stream is designed to incentivise graduates to remain in regional Australia after their studies, supporting workforce needs outside major capital cities. As of 2026, Hobart has been aligned with regional centres, allowing graduates there to access the 2-year extension if they meet residence requirements.
Subclass 485 Visa Requirements in 2026
To be eligible for the subclass 485 visa, you must meet all of the following requirements.
Age. You must be under 35 years of age at the time of application for most streams. Exceptions apply for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, and Masters by Research and PhD graduates, who must be under 50.
Location. You must be in Australia when you lodge your subclass 485 application. You cannot apply from overseas.
Student visa history. You must hold an eligible student visa or have held one within the 6 months immediately before your application date.
Australian Study Requirement. You must have completed at least 2 academic years of study at a CRICOS-registered Australian institution. Your course must have been full-time and taught in English. Online study completed under special COVID arrangements does not count toward the requirement.
English language. For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, you must provide a valid English test result showing a minimum of IELTS 6.5 overall with no individual band below 6.0. For PTE Academic, the equivalent is an overall score of 55 with minimum component scores of 47 in Listening, 48 in Reading, 51 in Writing, and 54 in Speaking. The test must have been taken within 12 months before your application lodgement date. Citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland are exempt. Hong Kong and BNO passport holders have a lower threshold of 6.0 overall with 5.0 per band.
Health and character. You and all included family members must meet health and character requirements including health examinations and police clearance certificates.
Application timing. You must apply within 6 months of completing your studies. Missing this window means you become ineligible — there are no extensions to this deadline.
Subclass 485 Visa Fees in 2026
| Applicant | Fee |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $4,600 |
| Secondary applicant 18 or over | $2,300 |
| Secondary applicant under 18 | $1,160 |
The fee is non-refundable if the application is refused. Additional costs include health examinations, police clearance certificates, and migration agent fees if professional assistance is used. Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens are eligible for a reduced fee — check the Department of Home Affairs website for current rates.
Work Rights on the Subclass 485 Visa
The subclass 485 visa provides full unrestricted work rights — one of its most valuable features. There is no limit on hours worked, no restriction on occupation, and no requirement to have an employer sponsor you. You can work for any employer in any industry anywhere in Australia for the full duration of your visa.
Family members included in your application receive the same unrestricted work rights. Partners can work full-time in any occupation. Dependent children can study at Australian schools and universities.
The visa also allows multiple entry travel — you can leave and re-enter Australia freely during the visa period.
For international graduates, this period of unrestricted work is crucial. The Australian work experience gained on the subclass 485 directly contributes to points in the General Skilled Migration program — particularly the subclass 189 and 190 skilled visa pathways — and helps build the employer relationships that can lead to subclass 482 sponsorship.
How to Apply for the Subclass 485 Visa — Step by Step
Step 1 — Check your eligibility. Confirm your age, qualification level, student visa history, and English test validity before lodging. The age limit of 35 catches many applicants by surprise — verify this carefully if you are approaching that age.
Step 2 — Complete your English language test. Book and complete your English test if you have not already done so, or confirm your existing result is within the 12-month validity window. IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 is the minimum. Aim higher if you plan to later apply for skilled migration where stronger English earns additional points. Remember — the test cannot be sat without a valid passport. If your passport is currently held by a consulate for any reason, resolve that before booking your test.
Step 3 — Obtain a skills assessment if required. For the Post-Vocational Education Work stream only, lodge your skills assessment application with the relevant assessing authority before or at the same time as your visa application.
Step 4 — Gather your documents. Prepare your passport, visa grant notice, academic transcripts, course completion letter, English test results, AFP police clearance certificate, and Overseas Visitor Health Cover insurance documents. Ensure your completion letter is on official institution letterhead and signed by an authorised officer.
Step 5 — Lodge your application through ImmiAccount. Create or log in to your ImmiAccount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and complete the online subclass 485 application. Pay the $4,600 application fee. You must be in Australia at the time of lodgement.
Step 6 — Complete health checks if requested. The Department may request a health examination during processing. Arrange this with an approved panel physician promptly — delays in completing health checks are one of the most common causes of extended processing times.
Step 7 — Await visa grant. Processing times vary. If your student visa expires before the 485 is granted, you will be issued a Bridging Visa A which allows you to remain in Australia and continue working lawfully while the application is assessed.
What to Do If Your Subclass 485 Visa Application Is Refused
A refusal is not automatically the end of the road — but the window to act is short and the steps are specific.
If the Department of Home Affairs refuses your subclass 485 application, you have 21 days from the date of the refusal notification to lodge a merits review application at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). The ART can affirm the original decision, vary it, or set it aside entirely. At the merits review stage you can present new evidence and legal arguments that were not before the original decision-maker.
The most common refusal grounds are:
English language requirement (Regulation 485.212). The single most common refusal ground. Under LIN 25/089, effective 7 August 2025, the minimum is IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for tests taken on or after that date. The test must have been completed within 12 months before lodgement. One situation that affects many applicants is passport unavailability — every approved English test requires a valid passport at the test centre. If your passport was held by a consulate during your lodgement window, satisfying the English requirement may have been physically impossible through no fault of your own. This is a recognised ground for ART review. If this applies to your situation, document the timeline carefully — consulate booking confirmations, passport lodgement receipts, and collection dates — and seek advice from a registered migration agent about your review options.
Age limit exceeded. Applications from people aged 35 or over at the time of lodgement are refused unless an exception applies — Hong Kong and BNO passport holders, or Masters by Research and PhD graduates, retain an upper age limit of 50.
Six-month lodgement window missed. If you did not lodge within 6 months of completing your studies, the application will be refused. There is no discretion available on this deadline.
Qualification not meeting the Australian Study Requirement. If your course does not meet the full-time, CRICOS-registered, English-taught study requirement, the application will be refused.
If you receive a refusal notice, contact a registered migration agent as soon as possible. The 21-day deadline is strict — missing it extinguishes your ART review rights entirely. Find OMARA-registered agents at mara.gov.au.
Pathway from the 485 Visa to Permanent Residency
The subclass 485 visa is explicitly designed as a stepping stone toward permanent residency. Here is how the most common pathways work.
General Skilled Migration (subclass 189 or 190). Australian work experience earned on the 485 visa adds points to your skills migration score. One to two years of Australian work experience in your nominated occupation adds 5 to 10 points — which can be decisive in competitive occupation categories. For a full guide to the points-tested pathway, see our subclass 189 visa guide.
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 482 then 186). Many 485 visa holders secure employer sponsorship during their post-study work period, transitioning to a subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa. After 2 years on the 482 with the same employer, permanent residency through the subclass 186 becomes available. For a full guide to this pathway, see our subclass 482 visa guide.
Regional pathways (subclass 491 then 191). For graduates willing to live and work in regional Australia, the subclass 491 state or territory nominated regional visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 191 after 3 years. Time spent on a regional subclass 485 grant counts toward the regional work requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get the Subclass 485 visa approved?
Processing times vary by stream and how complete your application is at lodgement. The Department of Home Affairs estimates that 75% of applications are finalised within 5 to 7 months, and 90% within 9 to 12 months. The fastest applications are complete on day one — every missing document adds weeks. Lodge everything together, including health examinations if you can arrange them in advance.
Can I apply for the Subclass 485 visa if my student visa has expired?
No. You must hold a valid visa at the time you lodge. Most applicants lodge before their student visa expires — upon lodgement you are granted a Bridging Visa A which allows you to remain in Australia and continue working lawfully while the 485 is processed. If your student visa expires before you lodge, you lose eligibility entirely.
What English test do I need and what scores are required?
For applications lodged on or after 7 August 2025, the minimum under LIN 25/089 is IELTS 6.5 overall with no individual band below 6.0. For PTE Academic, the equivalent is 55 overall with minimum component scores of 47 Listening, 48 Reading, 51 Writing, and 54 Speaking. The test must be completed within 12 months before your application lodgement date. Accepted tests include IELTS (Academic or General Training), PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic, and MET. All tests must be sat at an approved secure test centre — online formats are not accepted. Citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland are exempt.
Can my partner work on the Subclass 485 visa?
Yes. Secondary applicants — including a spouse or de facto partner — receive the same unrestricted work rights as the primary applicant. They can work full-time for any employer in any occupation. Dependent children can attend Australian schools and universities. All secondary applicants must meet health and character requirements.
Does the Subclass 485 visa lead to permanent residency?
Not directly. The 485 is a temporary visa designed specifically as a bridge to permanent residency. Most holders use the time to build Australian work experience, accumulate points for the General Skilled Migration program, and secure employer sponsorship. Use the period intentionally — the work experience, skills assessments, and employer relationships you build during this time directly shape your permanent residency options.
What happens when the Subclass 485 visa expires?
You need to have lodged another visa application before expiry or depart Australia. There is no automatic extension and no grace period. The most common next steps are applying for a subclass 189 or 190 skilled visa if you have enough points, transitioning to employer sponsorship under the subclass 482, or applying for a partner visa if applicable. Start planning your next step at least 12 months before your 485 expiry date.
Key Takeaways — Subclass 485 Visa Australia 2026
The subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa provides international graduates with full unrestricted work rights for 18 months to 3 years depending on qualification level, with extensions available for shortage occupations and regional graduates. The 2026 changes are significant — the fee has increased to $4,600, the age limit is now 35 for most applicants, and the English requirement under LIN 25/089 is IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, valid for 12 months before lodgement. The visa does not grant permanent residency but is the critical first step for most international graduates pursuing a long-term future in Australia. If your application is refused, you have 21 days to apply for ART merits review — act immediately and seek registered migration advice.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa requirements, fees, and processing times are set by the Department of Home Affairs and change regularly. Always verify current requirements at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and consult a registered migration agent (OMARA) for advice specific to your circumstances.
