International students completing their studies in Australia can apply for the Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 visa.

Depending on the student’s circumstances, it allows them to stay in Australia for 18 months to four years. They enjoy full working rights in Australia throughout this time.

Some of the most frequently asked questions about Subclass 485 visas are included here.

See how the most recent regional visa changes influence this visa.

see: International graduates from regional institutions are eligible for a one- or two-year extension of their visa.

COVID-19 & Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)

Due to COVID-19, the Department is examining solutions for affected students both in Australia and abroad. This will be consistent with the government’s efforts to support the international education sector. Please see the following link for more information: Changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa for International Students Studying Online are Possibly Coming.

Q. What are the various forms of Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 visas available?

The Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 visa has two “streams”:

Work Stream for Post-Study:

International students that receive a higher education degree from an Australian education provider, regardless of topic of study. Only students who applied for and were granted their first student visa to Australia on or after November 5, 2011 are eligible for this stream. Depending on the visa applicant’s qualifications, a visa in this stream can be issued for up to four years from the date of issuance.

Work Stream for Graduates:

For international students who graduate with skills and qualifications related to an eligible skilled occupation on the list of eligible skilled occupations. This type of visa is valid for 18 months from the date of issuance.

Q. What are the requirements for the Graduate Work Stream?

The following are the requirements for this visa:

On the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List, you nominate an occupation (MLTSSL).

Evidence indicating you applied for a skills assessment for your specified skilled occupation by an appropriate assessing authority was included in your immigration application.

A relevant assessing authority has determined that your skills are suitable for your specified skilled employment (‘suitable skills assessment’).

In the last six months, you’ve completed the Australian study requirement. Each degree, certificate, or trade qualification you’ve completed to complete the Australian study requirement is closely related to your nominated skilled vocation.

On the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List, you must nominate an occupation (MLTSSL). You can only propose one occupation, and once you’ve submitted your application, you won’t be able to change it.

Q. What are the requirements for a PSWV (Post-Study Work Stream)?

The following are the primary prerequisites for the PSWV (Post Study Work Stream):

On or after November 5, 2011, you applied for your first student visa.
Have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in Australia for at least two years.
Have recently completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree.
Have had a student visa in the previous 6 months and a substantive visa, bridging A or B visa at the time of application.

English: If you have a passport from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, or New Zealand, you will not be required to take an English test. Otherwise, you’ll have to take one of the following English tests: IELTS, OET, Pearson (PTE Academic), TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge are some of the tests available (CAE Advanced).

At the time of application, you must be under the age of 50.

Q. What is the duration of the Temporary Graduate Visa?

The Graduate Work Stream 485 visas are valid for 18 months from the date of issuance.

Depending on the type of qualification achieved, Post Study Work Stream (PSWV) visas might be valid for 2 to 4 years from the date of grant. The following are the validity periods:

2 years: completion of a bachelor’s degree, a bachelor’s degree with honors, a master’s degree by coursework, or a master’s degree by research (Extended)

3 years: Research Master’s

Doctorate in four years

Eligible qualifications:

The course(s) must have resulted in a degree, certificate, or trade qualification in order to apply for a subclass 485 under the Graduate Work stream. For example, a student may satisfy the Australian study requirement under the Graduate Work stream by completing two consecutive Diploma level courses, providing the other components of the requirement are met.

Qualifications must be closely relevant to the occupation being considered

The completed qualification(s) must be connected to the student’s chosen skilled vocation. The skills that support your qualification must be immediately transferrable to your specified occupation in order for it to be considered closely related to that occupation. This is true for both the subject matter and the qualifying level. A degree in physiotherapy, for example, might fit these criteria if you listed “physiotherapist” as your occupation, but a degree in commerce would not.

Example: The following are examples of acceptable study and nominated occupation combinations:

a candidate who declares ‘Physiotherapist’ as their skilled occupation and obtains a physiotherapy degree in Australia.
an applicant who has achieved a Certificate III in Plumbing and a Diploma of Plumbing and Services in Australia and nominates ‘Air-conditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber’ as their skilled occupation.

A combination of studies and a nominated occupation, for example, would be unacceptable:

The nominated occupation of a candidate is Registered Nurse, although they met the Australian study requirement by completing a Bachelor of Commerce.

Skills assessment

It is your obligation to schedule the skills evaluation. Because each evaluating authority has its unique evaluation procedures, deadlines, and fees, contact the relevant assessing authority well before you apply for this visa.

Assessing Authorities’ contact information is available on the department’s website.

Prior to submitting your application, you must apply to the appropriate assessing authority for a valid skills assessment.
Proof of your full medical registration is recognized as evidence of a skills assessment if your nominated occupation is “medical practitioner.” More information on medical practitioner migration can be found under the general skilled migration program.
Even if you are currently registered to work as a nurse in an Australian state or territory, you must get a skill assessment from the your nominated occupation is a Nurse, you must obtain a skills assessment from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)

A talent assessment is only valid for three years from the date of issue, or until the expiry date mentioned on the assessment.

Requirements for the Graduate Work Stream include:

Authority was included in your immigration application.
A relevant assessing authority has determined that your skills are suitable for your specified skilled employment (‘suitable skills assessment’).
In the last six months, you have completed the Australian study requirement,
Each degree, diploma, or trade qualification you use to satisfy the Australian study requirement is closely tied to the skilled career you’ve chosen.

On the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List, you must nominate an occupation (MLTSSL). You can only nominate one occupation, and once you’ve submitted your application, you won’t be able to change it.

Qualifications Required:

The course(s) must have resulted in a degree, certificate, or trade certification in order to apply for a subclass 485 under the Graduate Work stream. For example, a student may satisfy the Australian study requirement under the Graduate Work stream by completing two consecutive Diploma level courses, providing the other components of the requirement are met.

Qualifications must be closely relevant to the occupation being considered

The completed qualification(s) must be connected to the student’s chosen skilled vocation. The skills that support your qualification must be immediately transferrable to your specified occupation in order for it to be considered closely related to that occupation. This is true for both the subject matter and the qualifying level. A degree in physiotherapy, for example, might fit this criteria if you listed “physiotherapist” as your occupation, but a degree in commerce would not.

Examples of acceptable study and nominated occupation pairings include:

a candidate who declares ‘Physiotherapist’ as their skilled occupation and obtains a physiotherapy degree in Australia
an applicant who has achieved a Certificate III in Plumbing and a Diploma of Plumbing and Services in Australia and nominates ‘Air-conditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber’ as their skilled occupation

A combination of studies and a nominated occupation, for example, would be unacceptable:

The nominated occupation of a candidate is Registered Nurse, although they met the Australian study requirement by completing a Bachelor of Commerce.

Skills assessment

- Prior to submitting your application, you must apply to the appropriate assessing authority for a valid skills assessment.
- Proof of your full medical registration is recognized as evidence of a skills assessment if your nominated occupation is “medical practitioner.” More information about medical practitioner migration under the general skilled migration program can be found here.
Even if you are currently registered to work as a nurse in an Australian state or territory, you must get a skills assessment from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)

A skills assessment is only valid for three years from the date of issue, or until the expiry date mentioned on the assessment.