485 Temporary Graduate Visa 2026: Complete Application Guide

What Is the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa?

The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa allows international students who have recently completed an Australian qualification to live, work, and study in Australia for a temporary period after graduation. It is one of the most commonly granted visas in Australia and is specifically designed as a bridge between study and either ongoing work rights or permanent residency.

The 485 is particularly valuable because it grants unrestricted work rights from day one — no employer sponsorship required, no occupation restrictions, no cap on hours. You can work full time or part time, in any industry, for any employer, or as a self-employed contractor. This makes it one of the most flexible temporary visas available.

The Four Streams — Which One Applies to You?

The 485 visa is divided into four streams. Your stream is determined by the type and location of your Australian qualification. Most applicants fall under the first stream.

Eligibility Requirements

You must meet all of the following conditions to be eligible for the 485 visa. There are no discretionary exemptions on any of these points.

Core Conditions

• You must have graduated from an Australian institution with a qualification that counts for the stream you are applying under.
• You must have studied at least 2 academic years (92 weeks of full-time equivalent study) in Australia while holding a student visa.
• You must have been physically present in Australia when your first student visa was granted — or when you first arrived on a student visa. The intention is that this visa rewards people who actually studied in Australia, not those who transferred from offshore.
• You must be applying within 6 months of your course completion date — this is the single most critical deadline in the entire 485 process.

English Requirement

You must demonstrate at least competent English. The approved tests and minimum scores are:

Note: if you completed a full-time degree of at least 2 years taught and examined entirely in English at an Australian institution, you may be exempt from the English test requirement. Confirm your eligibility directly with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent before relying on this exemption.

Documents You Will Need

The 485 visa requires a straightforward document set. Unlike skilled migration visas, there is no skills assessment required. The VisaClarity 485 Planner generates a complete personalised checklist based on your specific situation — but the core documents for most applicants are:

• Valid passport (must be valid for at least the duration of the 485 grant)
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for all Australian study periods
• Academic transcript and degree completion letter or certificate
• English test results (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or OET) — not older than 3 years at time of application
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) maintained throughout study — or new health insurance for 485 period
• Character documentation (Australian Federal Police check, overseas police clearance if you lived overseas for 12+ months as an adult)
• Health examination results (completed by a Panel Physician approved by the Department)
• Passport photos (biometric)
• For partners and dependent children included in the application: passports, health insurance, health exams, and birth or marriage certificates

Application Costs

Additional costs to budget for:

• Health examination: approximately $300–$500 per person
• Police clearance (AFP): $42 online
• Overseas police clearances: $20–$200 per country depending on the issuing authority
• NAATI-certified translations if any documents are not in English: approximately $80–$200 per document

For a complete cost breakdown including skills assessments and later PR applications, see the Australian Immigration Costs 2026 guide.

Processing Times

As of early 2026, the Department of Home Affairs reports the following processing times for the 485 visa:

• 75% of applications: finalised within 7 months
• 90% of applications: finalised within 12 months

If you apply close to the 6-month deadline and your current student visa is about to expire, request a Bridging Visa A (BVA) at the time of lodgement. The BVA allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while your 485 application is being assessed, with the same work rights as your student visa until the 485 is granted.

Work Rights on the 485

The 485 visa grants full, unrestricted work rights. This means:

• Any employer, any occupation, any industry
• No limit on hours worked per week or fortnight
• Can change jobs freely at any time without notifying the Department
• Can work as a sole trader or contractor
• Can hold multiple jobs simultaneously

The only restriction is that the 485 is a temporary visa — you cannot use it to apply for a further 485 once it expires. It is a one-time grant per qualification level in most cases.

How to Use Your 485 Visa Strategically for PR

The 485 visa is most valuable not just as a right to work — but as a deliberate runway to build the points and documentation you need for a skilled migration visa. Most applicants who successfully transition to PR use their 485 time in the following ways:

Points Earned From Australian Work Experience (While on 485)

Australian skilled work experience is weighted more heavily than equivalent overseas experience in the points test. Working in your skilled occupation while on a 485 is not just about income — each year meaningfully improves your competitive position in SkillSelect.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing the 6-month application deadline

This is the single most common and most devastating mistake. Set a calendar reminder the moment your results are released. Apply as early as possible — there is no advantage to waiting and a catastrophic downside to missing the window. The Department of Home Affairs has repeatedly confirmed there are no exceptions.

Assuming a degree equals a skills assessment

The 485 does not require a skills assessment, but a 189/190/491 does. Many graduates are surprised to learn they need to apply separately to an assessing body — and are then further surprised to discover the process takes 4–12 weeks. Start your assessment as soon as the 485 is lodged, not after it is granted.

Not maintaining health insurance

OSHC coverage must be continuous throughout your Australian visa period. A gap in coverage between your student visa and 485 grant can complicate your health examination or raise questions during assessment. Check your OSHC expiry date when you apply.

Working beyond student visa hours before the 485 is granted

If you are waiting on a Bridging Visa A, you are still subject to your student visa work conditions — typically 48 hours per fortnight during term time. Working beyond this before the 485 is granted is a visa breach that can affect future applications.