Post-Study Work Visa in Australia | IDP Vietnam

Australia is already one of the top study destinations for international students — and the opportunity to stay and work after graduation makes it even more appealing. If you hold a Student visa (subclass 500), you may be eligible to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) once your studies are complete. This post-study work (PSW) visa pathway in Australia gives you time to gain professional experience, explore career opportunities, and even work towards permanent residency. In this guide, we'll cover what the visa is, who can apply, how long it lasts, and how to get started.

*Please note that IDP does not provide post-study work visas for students.

The Temporary Graduate visa is issued by the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs. It's a temporary post-study work visa designed for international students who have recently graduated from a CRICOS-registered course at an Australian institution.

Once granted, it allows you to live, study, and work in Australia — with full, unrestricted work rights. That means you can take on employment in any industry, with any employer, and without a cap on your hours. This Australia PSW for international students is available through different streams depending on the qualification you've completed.

The duration of the Australia post-study work visa depends on your qualification level and the stream you apply under. Here's a breakdown:

Graduates from regional Australian institutions may also be eligible for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream, which can extend your stay by an additional 1 to 2 years depending on the location of your institution and where you live as a visa holder.

Now that you know how long the post-study work visa in Australia lasts, let's look at what you need to qualify. Eligibility falls across a few key areas.

Study requirements

You must have completed a qualification from a CRICOS-registered course at an Australian institution. The course needs to be at least two academic years of study, and your qualification must have been obtained no more than six months before you apply.

You'll also need to apply for the correct stream — Post-Vocational Education Work for diplomas and trade qualifications, or Post-Higher Education Work for bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees. Keep in mind that you cannot change streams once your application has been submitted.

Visa and enrollment conditions

You must be in Australia and hold an eligible visa at the time of application. You also need to have held a Student visa (subclass 500) within the last six months. All required evidence, including proof of your qualification and course completion, must be attached when you apply. You'll also need to meet Australia's health and character requirements and hold adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay.

Language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate English language proficiency as part of your application. For IELTS, the minimum scores for the Post-Higher Education Work stream are an overall band score of 6.5, with no individual section below 5.5. Your test result must be from within the 12 months before you apply. Other accepted tests include PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge C1 Advanced. Your IDP counsellor can help you understand the score you need and how to prepare.

Once your Temporary Graduate visa is granted, the Australia post-study work rights you receive are extensive. You can:

• Work for any employer in Australia, in any industry or role.

• Work full-time, part-time, or casual — with no cap on your weekly hours.

• Switch jobs freely without needing to notify the Department of Home Affairs.

• Freelance or be self-employed.

• Bring eligible family members with you — your partner and dependants can also live, work, and study in Australia on this visa.

With eligibility and work rights covered, here's how to actually lodge your application. The entire process is done online through the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility

Before anything else, make sure you meet all the requirements for your chosen stream. Check that your qualification is from a CRICOS-registered course, that you're within the six-month application window, and that you hold an eligible visa.

Step 2: Gather your documents

Prepare your supporting documents, including proof of your qualification, your course completion letter, evidence of English language proficiency (such as an IELTS score), health insurance, your passport, and any other evidence required for your stream. Having everything ready before you start will make the process much smoother.

Step 3: Submit your application

Lodge your application through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal. Make sure all your documents are uploaded and your details are accurate — you won't be able to change your stream after submitting.

Step 4: Wait for a decision

Processing times vary, so check the Department of Home Affairs visa processing time guide for the most current estimates. While you're waiting, you may be granted a bridging visa that allows you to stay in Australia and continue working.

Step 5: Receive your visa and start working

Once your post-study work visa is granted, you're free to work in Australia under the full work rights of your stream. There are no restrictions on the type of work or the number of hours, so you can hit the ground running.

The application fee for the Temporary Graduate visa is AUD 4,600 for the Post-Vocational Education Work and Post-Higher Education Work streams. The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream costs AUD 1,810.

As of 1 March 2026, visa application charges have increased. Lower visa costs apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. You may also need to budget for additional costs such as a health examination, police clearance, or biometrics fee.

Your Temporary Graduate visa is a stepping stone, not a dead end. When it comes to an end, there are several pathways you can explore to continue living and working in Australia.

Apply for permanent residency

If you've gained skilled work experience during your time on the Temporary Graduate visa, you may be eligible for permanent residency through Australia's skilled migration program. Options include the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) or the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), depending on your occupation and circumstances. Time spent working on your graduate visa can strengthen your application.

Employer-sponsored route

If you've built a strong relationship with your employer, they may be willing to sponsor you for a work visa such as the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) or the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186). This is a common pathway for graduates who have proven their value in the workplace.

Further study in Australia

You can also choose to return to study by applying for a new Student visa and enrolling in a higher-level qualification in Australia such as a postgraduate degree. For example, completing a master's or doctoral program after your bachelor's could also open the door to a longer post-study work visa down the track.

Your post-study career in Australia starts with choosing the right course at one of the top universities in Australia. IDP offers free counselling to help you make that decision — our expert counsellors can guide you from course selection and student accommodation in Australia through to applying for your place and understanding key intake dates.

Book an appointment with us now to take the first step.

Source: Australia’s Department of Education and Department of Home Affairs