Australia Temporary Graduate Visa 485: What It Allows After Your Degree

TL;DR: The Australia Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets you live and work in Australia after you finish your studies. In the Post-Higher Education Work stream, a bachelor's or coursework master's usually gives two years and a research master's or PhD gives three. You must apply within six months of finishing, meet the English score, generally be 35 or younger, and have completed at least two academic years of study in Australia. That last rule means a one-year master's on its own will not qualify.

Many students choose Australia for what comes after the degree as much as the degree itself. The Australia Temporary Graduate visa 485 is the visa that makes work after study possible. But eligibility is decided by choices you make before you even apply: the length of your course, where you study and how long you take. This guide explains what the visa allows and how to choose a course that keeps the option open.

Want to know which Australian courses keep your post-study options open? Check your eligibility with Prosper.

What the Temporary Graduate visa 485 allows

The Temporary Graduate visa is a temporary visa for recent graduates of Australian institutions. While you hold it you can:

• live in Australia
• work full-time, in any job, for any employer
• study further
• travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid

It is not tied to a sponsor, and in the higher education stream your occupation does not need to match your degree. It is a temporary visa with a fixed end date.

The two main streams

The stay periods above apply to most passport holders under the settings in place since 1 July 2024. A small number of nationalities have different periods under specific agreements, and graduates who studied at a regional campus may be eligible for a second visa. Home Affairs lists the current periods on the visa page.

Planning a course in Australia and want to make sure it meets these rules from the start?

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The rules that decide eligibility

Home Affairs sets several conditions. The ones that most often trip up applicants are:

1. The Australian study requirement. You must have completed at least two academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia, in CRICOS-registered courses, over at least 16 calendar months.
2. The six-month window. You must apply within six months of completing your course.
3. A recent student visa. You must have held a student visa in the six months before you apply.
4. English. The standard is an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each part, or an equivalent score in another accepted test.
5. Age. Most applicants must be 35 or younger when they apply. Some groups have exceptions, which Home Affairs lists.
6. Health insurance. You need adequate health insurance for your stay.

Why your course length matters

The two-academic-year rule is where course choice and post-study work meet. Some examples:

• A three-year bachelor's in Australia meets the requirement.
• A two-year master's meets it.
• A one-year master's (often open to graduates with an honours degree or relevant experience) does not meet it on its own. Unless you have other eligible Australian study, it will not lead to a Temporary Graduate visa.
• A diploma followed by a degree can count together, if both are CRICOS-registered and you study for at least 16 months.

So, before you accept an offer, check two things: the duration in weeks and the CRICOS code. You can confirm both on the CRICOS course register. If a shorter course saves money but rules out the 485, that is a trade-off worth making on purpose, not by accident.

Your first course choice matters on the student visa side too. Our guide to Australia student visa course progression explains why.

What to plan from your first semester

• Keep your English score in mind. If your entry score was below 6.5, plan to retake the test before you finish.
• Track your completion date. The six months start from when your course is completed, not your graduation ceremony.
• Keep your student visa valid until you apply.
• Budget for the visa charge and health insurance. Home Affairs publishes the current charge on the visa page.

Applying from Sri Lanka

• If you plan to study in Australia after a diploma or foundation programme in Sri Lanka, that local study does not count toward the 92 weeks. Only CRICOS-registered study in Australia counts.
• Keep certified copies of your completion letter and academic transcript ready before you leave Australia for any trip home near the end of your course.

FAQ

How long is the 485 visa after a master's degree? For most passport holders, two years after a coursework master's and three years after a research master's.

Does a one-year master's in Australia qualify for the 485? Not on its own. You need at least two academic years of Australian study over at least 16 months.

What English score do I need for the 485 visa? IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each part, or an equivalent score in another accepted test.

Is there an age limit for the Temporary Graduate visa? Most applicants must be 35 or younger when they apply. Some groups have exceptions.

Can I apply for the 485 from Sri Lanka after returning home? Check the current location rules on the Home Affairs page before you leave Australia. Applying while your student visa is still valid is the safest plan.

PS: The time to protect your post-study options is before you accept an offer, not after you graduate. If you want help choosing an Australian course that fits both your career plans and the 485 rules, check your eligibility with Prosper.

Check your eligibility ›