The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international students to work full-time in Australia after completing their studies. Learn the updated Post-Higher Education Work stream durations, the 35-year age limit rule, the +1 to +2 extra years in regional cities, and permanent residency (PR) migration pathways.
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is an open work visa designed for international students who have completed at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia.
It provides unrestricted work and study rights anywhere in Australia, enabling graduates to acquire critical local work experience, build professional networks, and qualify for skilled migration or employer sponsorship.
Under the Australian Government’s updated Migration Strategy, Post-Study Work stream durations have been calibrated to align with skilled workforce demands:
| Qualification Completed | New Standard Duration | With Category 2 Regional (+1 Yr) | With Category 3 Regional (+2 Yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 2 Years | 3 Years | 4 Years |
| Master’s by Coursework | 2 Years | 3 Years | 4 Years |
| Master’s by Research | 3 Years | 4 Years | 5 Years |
| Doctoral Degree (PhD) | 3 Years | 4 Years | 5 Years |
Applicants for the Post-Higher Education Work stream must be aged 35 or under at the time of application (reduced from the previous 50-year limit). However, Master’s by Research and Doctoral (PhD) graduates remain eligible up to 50 years of age.
Australia actively incentivizes international students to study, live, and work outside the major metropolitan cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane:
To lodge a valid application via ImmiAccount, you must satisfy:
Your Subclass 485 visa is the optimal window to build your points score and secure Australian permanent residency:
ScholrGo’s Australian education advisors help you select high-demand Go8 or regional programs that maximize your Subclass 485 stay-back and PR points.
Clear answers to the most common queries regarding Subclass 485 durations, age rules, and regional bonuses.
As a primary applicant, you can generally only hold the Post-Higher Education Work stream once. The only exception is if you completed your qualification in a designated regional area and lived there, in which case you can apply for a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream to receive an additional 1 or 2 years.
Under current regulations, applicants for the Post-Higher Education Work stream (Bachelor’s and Master’s by Coursework) must be 35 years or younger on the date of application. If you turn 36, you are not eligible for this stream unless you are enrolled in a Master’s by Research or PhD program, where the age limit remains 50 years.
No. The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa is an open work permit. You do not need an employer sponsor, a job offer, or a minimum salary threshold to apply. You can work for any employer in any role across Australia.
Yes! You can include your spouse (or de facto partner) and dependent children as secondary applicants in your Subclass 485 application. Your spouse receives unrestricted full-time work rights across Australia for the entire duration of your visa.
Yes. The Subclass 485 visa has multiple-entry travel rights. You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you wish while the visa remains valid.
Yes! Skilled work experience completed in Australia during your Subclass 485 visa counts toward the General Skilled Migration points test: 1 year of skilled Australian work experience awards 5 points, and 3 years awards 10 points.
