485 Visa Requirements in Australia (Subclass 485): Complete Eligibility Guide

Core requirements include being 35 or under, meeting English benchmarks within the required validity window, applying under the correct stream, and lodging within 6 months of course completion while having held a Student visa in the last 6 months.

Always verify with the Department of Home Affairs for the latest rules.

Here are some general requirements you’ll have to meet if you are applying for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

Please note that specific requirements will vary depending on the stream you are applying for. 

Age

You must be 35 years old or under on the day you lodge your application.

Exceptions apply:

• Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders can be up to 50 years old.

• Research Master’s and PhD graduates may qualify for age exemptions under the Post-Higher Education Work stream.

Student visa and timing requirement

• You must have held a Student visa within the last six months.

• You must also lodge your 485 visa application within six months of your course completion date.

Australian study requirement

• Your qualification must be from a CRICOS-registered course.

• Your completed qualification must also match the correct stream:

  • Degree-level qualification for the Post-Higher Education Work stream

  • Vocational qualification for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream

English language requirement

• You meet the current minimum scores and validity window (a minimum overall IELTS (Academic or General Training) score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each of the four components (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).

• Your English test must have been taken within 12 months before you lodge your visa application.

• At-home or online test versions are often not accepted.

Health, character and insurance requirements

You must:

• Meet health and character requirements.

• Hold adequate Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC).

• Apply under the correct stream.

Once you lodge your application, you cannot switch streams.

The Temporary Graduate visa lets international students stay in Australia after finishing their studies.

It allows you to:

• Live in Australia temporarily.

• Work full-time.

• Gain local work experience.

• Strengthen your pathway toward permanent residency.

Before you check the detailed requirements, you must first identify your 485 visa stream. Each stream has different rules around qualifications, skills assessments, and length of stay. If you look at the wrong stream, you could misunderstand your eligibility or prepare the wrong documents.

Below, you’ll find the complete requirements you’ll have to meet depending on the stream you are applying for. 

The Post-Vocational Education Work stream under the Temporary Graduate visa is for graduates with a diploma, associate degree, or trade qualification that matches an occupation Australia needs.

Below is a clear, student-friendly breakdown of the full eligibility requirements.

Age

You must be 35 years old or younger when you apply.

You can be under 50 years old at the time of application if you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.

Visa status and timing requirement

You must be in Australia when you lodge your application.

You must also:

• Hold an eligible Student visa, or

• Have held a Student visa in the last 6 months and now hold a Bridging Visa A, Bridging Visa B, or another substantive visa.

You must apply within 6 months of completing your course. This deadline is strict.

If you previously held a 485 visa or subclass 476 visa as a primary applicant, you generally cannot be granted this stream again as a primary applicant.

Australian study requirement

You must have completed at least:

• An associate's degree

• A diploma

• Or a trade qualification

Your course must:

• Meet the two-year academic year study requirement

• Be completed in 6 months before you apply

• Be closely related to your nominated occupation

You can combine more than one course to meet the two-year requirement. Each course must relate to your nominated occupation.

Occupation and skills assessment requirement

 You must:

• Nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List

• Hold a qualification closely related to that occupation

• Obtain a positive skills assessment from the correct assessing authority

You must include your nominated occupation in your application. You cannot change it after you lodge.

Your skills assessment must be valid. Most are valid for up to 3 years.

If you do not yet have the assessment, you must show proof that you have applied for one.

English language requirement

You must meet the English requirement unless you hold a passport from:

• The UK

• The USA

• Canada

• New Zealand

• The Republic of Ireland

If required, your English test must be taken within 12 months before you apply.

For IELTS, this currently means:

• Overall score of 6.5

• At least 5.5 in each band

At-home versions are generally not accepted.

Health insurance requirement

You and your family must hold adequate health insurance while you stay in Australia.

Health requirement

You and any family members included in your application must meet Australia’s health requirements.

You must not have a medical condition that:

• Poses a public health risk, such as active tuberculosis

• Is likely to result in significant healthcare or community service costs

• Is likely to limit Australians’ access to services that are in short supply

A Medical Officer of the Commonwealth will assess your results and advise the Department.

Character requirement

You and any family members aged 16 or over must meet Australia’s character requirement. This is assessed under section 501 of the Migration Act.

The Department may ask you to provide:

• Police certificates (including an Australian Federal Police check if required)

• Military records

• Character assessment forms

• Other supporting documents

You may not meet the character requirement if you have a serious criminal record, have been involved in serious criminal conduct, or are considered a risk to the Australian community.

If you provide false or misleading information, your visa can be refused or cancelled.

The Post-Higher Education Work stream under the Temporary Graduate visa is for international students who recently completed a degree-level qualification in Australia.  

Below is a clear breakdown of the eligibility requirements.

Age requirement

You must be 35 or younger when you apply.

You can be under 50 if:

• You are using a Master’s (Research) or PhD to qualify, or

• You hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.

Visa status and timing requirement

You must be in Australia when you apply.

You must also:

• Hold an eligible Student visa, or

• Have held a Student visa in the last 6 months and now hold a Bridging Visa A, Bridging Visa B, or another valid visa.

You must apply within 6 months of finishing your course. This deadline is strict.

If you already held a 485 visa or subclass 476 visa as the main applicant before, you usually cannot be granted this stream again as the main applicant.

Qualification requirement

You must have completed an eligible degree-level qualification in the 6 months before you apply.

Eligible qualifications include:

• Bachelor degree

• Bachelor's Honours degree

• Master’s degree

• Doctoral degree

• Higher doctoral degree

A Graduate Diploma can count if:

• You completed it in the same or next academic year as your degree, and

• It is related to that degree.

Australian study requirement

Your qualification must meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement, including the two academic year rule.

Your course must have been completed at a CRICOS-registered Australian provider that offers degree-level programs.

Your eligibility is checked after you submit a valid application. 

English language requirement

You must meet the English requirement unless you hold a passport from:

• The UK

• The USA

• Canada

• New Zealand

• The Republic of Ireland

If required, your English test must be taken within 12 months before you apply.

For IELTS, this currently means:

• Overall score of 6.5

• At least 5.5 in each band

Accepted retake options, such as IELTS One Skill Retake, must be completed before lodging your application. At-home versions are generally not accepted.

Health insurance requirement

You and your family must hold adequate health insurance while you stay in Australia.

Health requirement

You and any family members included in your application must meet Australia’s health requirements.

Most applicants will need health examinations with approved panel doctors.

You must not have a medical condition that:

• Poses a public health risk

• Is likely to result in significant healthcare or community service costs

• Is likely to limit Australians’ access to services in short supply

A Medical Officer of the Commonwealth will assess your results. In some cases, you may be asked to sign a health undertaking.

Character requirement

You and any family members aged 16 or over must meet Australia’s character requirement.

You must declare any criminal charges or convictions in any country.

You may need to provide police checks or other documents.

The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream under the Temporary Graduate visa is for graduates who already hold a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or eligible Replacement stream visa and studied in a designated regional area.

It allows eligible graduates to stay in Australia longer.

Age requirement

You must be 35 or under when you apply.

You can be under 50 if you:

• Used a Master’s (Research) or PhD to qualify for your first 485 visa, or

• Hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.

Current visa requirement

You can only apply for this stream if you already hold a valid 485 visa under:

• The Post-Higher Education Work stream

• The Post-Study Work stream

• Or the Replacement stream (linked to a previous Post-Study Work visa)

You must still hold that valid visa when you apply.

You must be in Australia when you lodge your application.

You cannot apply if you were previously the main visa holder of:

• The Post-Vocational Education Work stream

• The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream

• The Skilled – Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa

If you were only a secondary visa holder before, you may still be able to apply as the main applicant.

Study location requirement

Your original degree must have been completed at a CRICOS-registered Australian provider.

Your campus must have been in a designated regional area.

Regional residence requirement

You must have lived only in a designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying.

You must provide evidence that your usual place of residence was in an eligible regional area during that time.

Your visa length depends on where you studied and lived:

• Living only in Category 2 areas usually gives 1 extra year.

• Living only in Category 3 areas usually gives 2 extra years.

• Special provisions apply for Tasmania, where eligible applicants may receive 2 extra years

If you moved between categories, you will generally be assessed for the shorter visa period.

Work and study in a regional area

If you worked or studied while holding your first 485 visa, this must also have been in a designated regional area.

The Department may request evidence of your employment or study history.

Eligibility is assessed only after you lodge a valid application. There are no pre-lodgement assessments.

Health requirement

You and any family members included must meet Australia’s health rules.

Most people will need a medical check with an approved doctor.

You must not have a condition that:

• Puts public health at risk

• Leads to very high healthcare or community service costs

• Reduces access to services that are already limited

Health insurance requirement

You and your family must hold adequate health insurance while you stay in Australia.

Character requirement

You and any family members aged 16 or over must meet Australia’s character requirement.

You must declare any criminal charges or convictions.

The Department may request police certificates or other supporting documents.

If you have a serious criminal record or are considered a risk to the Australian community, your visa may be refused or cancelled.

1. Is your highest Australian qualification a Bachelor, Master’s, or PhD?

• Yes → You are likely eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work stream. Your stay length depends on your qualification level.

• No → Go to Question 2.

2. Did you complete a diploma, associate degree, or trade qualification?

• Yes → You are likely eligible for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream. Your qualification must match an occupation on the list, and you must apply for a skills assessment.

3. Do you already hold a 485 visa and studied in regional Australia?

• Yes → You may be eligible for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream for extra stay.

Validate your eligibility for the 485 visa in 5 steps

1. Confirm your stream (degree vs vocational; regional history if applicable).

2. Check your age & timing (≤35; lodged within 6 months of completion; held a Student visa in last 6 months).

3. Verify English (thresholds + one‑sitting expectations; validity window; avoid at‑home test formats).

4. Collect documents (AFP before lodging; OVHC; transcripts; skills assessment if PVEWS).

5. Lodge under the correct stream (no post‑lodgement switching).

Missing the 6-month deadline after course completion

If you apply more than 6 months after your official completion date, you become ineligible.
What to do: Know your exact completion date. Prepare early. Lodge before the 6-month mark.

Not holding the right visa when you apply

You must be in Australia and hold an eligible Student visa, or have held one in the last 6 months and now hold a valid Bridging or other substantive visa.

 If not, your application may be refused.

What to do: Check your visa status before lodging.

English test problems

Using an old test, an unaccepted format, or completing a retake after lodging can cause refusal.

What to do: Take an approved in-centre test. Make sure it is within 12 months of lodgement. Complete any One Skill Retake before you apply.

Choosing the wrong stream

You cannot switch streams after you lodge your application.

What to do: Confirm your highest qualification and your visa history before applying.

Applying under the Post-Vocational stream without occupation match

If your qualification does not match an occupation on the list, or you do not apply for a skills assessment, your application may fail.

What to do: Check the occupation list first. Apply for your skills assessment early.

Source: Department of home affairs