Australia Subclass 485 Graduate Visa 2026 Guide: Eligibility, Documents & PR Pathways

What Is the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa?

The Subclass 485 visa is Australia’s main post‑study work right. It allows international students who have finished an Australian CRICOS‑registered course to stay, work without restriction, and prepare for a permanent visa pathway. In 2026, it remains the most common bridge between a student visa and skilled or employer‑sponsored permanent residency.

You need to satisfy the Australian study requirement: at least 92 weeks of CRICOS‑registered study completed in no less than 16 calendar months, on a campus in Australia (temporary COVID‑19 concessions for online study are no longer available after 30 June 2026).

2026 Quick Facts

• Age cap: under 36 at time of application (exemptions for PhD and Hong Kong/BNO holders up to 50).
• English: IELTS overall 6.5, no band below 5.5 (or equivalent PTE/TOEFL iBT/Cambridge).
• Application cost: from AUD 1,945 for the primary applicant.
• Processing time: 90% of applications finalised within 4–6 months for Post‑Study Work stream (Home Affairs data, Q1 2026).
• Condition: no condition 8503 (no further stay) on current visa; you must hold a student visa in the last 6 months (or a COVID‑19 replacement 485 Bridging visa, if applicable).

Subclass 485 Streams & Duration (2026 Update)

There are two main streams in 2026. The Replacement stream and the COVID‑19 Pandemic Event stream closed to new applications on 1 July 2025.

Post‑Study Work (PSW) stream – for graduates with a Bachelor, Masters, or Doctoral degree, regardless of field.

Graduate Work (GW) stream – for graduates with a diploma or trade qualification, but only when the occupation is on the Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and you hold a positive skills assessment.

Visa grant periods under PSW stream (2026)

Note: Hong Kong and BNO passport holders continue to receive a 5‑year visa under PSW stream regardless of study location.

Eligibility Requirements in Detail

To lodge a valid 485 visa in 2026, you must tick every box:

1. Age – under 36 years old at time of application. PhD graduates and Hong Kong/BNO passport holders can apply up to age 50.
2. Visa history – you held a valid student visa within the last 6 months. If you are on a Bridging Visa A/B, you must have held a student visa when you submitted a valid application that resulted in that bridging visa.
3. Australian study requirement – completed a single CRICOS‑registered qualification (or a package of courses) that lasted at least 92 weeks and was finished in a minimum of 16 calendar months of physical enrolment in Australia.
4. English language – test must be taken within 1 year before applying. Accepted tests and 2026 scores:
   • IELTS: overall 6.5, no band below 5.5
   • PTE Academic: overall 57, no communicative skill below 43
   • TOEFL iBT: overall 83, with listening 7, reading 8, writing 18, speaking 16
   • Cambridge C1 Advanced: overall 176, no component below 162
5. Health & character – undergo a medical exam (BUPA Medical Visa Services) and provide police certificates for every country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years.
6. Health insurance (OVHC) – you must hold appropriate Overseas Visitor Health Cover from the date you apply.

Special requirements for Graduate Work stream

• Your qualification must relate to an occupation on the MLTSSL.
• You need a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (e.g., Trades Recognition Australia for trade occupations, ACS for IT, Engineers Australia). The assessment must be dated within the validity period specified by the authority.

Document Checklist for a 485 Application

Missing documents are the number one reason for 485 refusals. Use this checklist before you hit submit:

Identity & status

• Passport bio-page scan
• Birth certificate (and official English translation if needed)
• Student visa grant notice and any bridging visa grant notices
• Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Police Check – apply for one as soon as you decide to lodge; it must be less than 12 months old at decision time.

Study & English

• Completion letter and official academic transcript from your Australian education provider
• English test report form (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL/Cambridge)

Health & insurance

• HAP ID (generated when you initiate My Health Declarations in ImmiAccount)
• OVHC policy certificate that starts on the day of visa application

GW stream extra

• Valid skills assessment outcome letter
• Evidence the qualification is closely related to the nominated occupation

Relationship documents (if including family)

• Marriage certificate or registered relationship certificate for a partner
• Evidence of de‑facto relationship (at least 12 months living together): joint lease, utility bills, bank accounts, relationship statements
• Dependent children: birth certificates, school enrolment records

Pathways from Subclass 485 to Permanent Residency

The 485 visa itself is temporary, but it is engineered to give you enough time to qualify for a permanent visa. In 2026, the three most efficient PR pathways are:

1. Points‑Tested Skilled Migration (subclass 189, 190, 491)

This is the most common route. To submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) you need at least 65 points. Work experience gained on a 485 visa counts:

• 1 year of Australian work experience in a nominated occupation = 5 points
• 3 years = 10 points
• 5 years = 15 points

Points table snapshot for an onshore applicant:

Tip: Aim for 85+ points for 189 invites in 2026 (based on January 2026 invitation rounds for accountants, IT, and engineers). State nomination (190/491) adds 5 or 15 points and often targets regional graduates.

2. Employer‑Sponsored PR (subclass 186, 494)

If you gain employment during your 485, your employer can sponsor you for a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) and later transition to a 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa after two years with the same employer. Occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) are eligible. The 2026 Temporary Residence Transition stream requires:

• Holding a 482 (or 457) visa for 2 years out of the last 3.
• Competent English (IELTS 6.0) – lower than 485 requirements.
• Under 45 at time of PR application.

3. Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) to 191

If you studied and live in a designated regional area, a 491 visa adds 15 points to your EOI. After holding a 491 for 3 years and meeting a taxable income threshold (currently AUD 53,900), you can apply for the permanent 191 visa. The 485 gives you time to consolidate regional connections.

Cost and Processing Times (2026)

• 485 visa application fee: AUD 1,945 (primary applicant); AUD 975 for each family member over 18; AUD 490 per child under 18.
• Skills assessment (GW stream only): AUD 300–1,500 depending on occupation.
• English test: AUD 410–450 for IELTS/PTE.
• Medical exam: approximately AUD 350–450.
• OVHC: from AUD 90 per month for singles.

Processing times (median, Q1 2026, Department of Home Affairs):

• Post‑Study Work stream: 75% in 34 days, 90% in 57 days.
• Graduate Work stream: 75% in 51 days, 90% in 87 days.

Common Mistakes That Lead to 485 Refusal

Avoid these expensive errors:

• Applying without a valid AFP check – the AFP certificate must be requested before you lodge and uploaded with the application.
• Wrong visa subclass – Graduate Work stream applicants often attempt to apply without a ready skills assessment; the system will accept it, but the case officer will refuse it.
• English test expired – tests older than 12 months at the time of lodgement are automatically invalid.
• Miscalculating the Australian study requirement – the 92 weeks refer to CRICOS‑registered duration, not calendar weeks you spent enrolled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply for a second 485 visa after the first one finishes?

Generally, no. A person can only be granted one 485 visa as a primary applicant, except for those who held a 485 in the Graduate Work stream and later complete a higher‑level degree and apply for the PSW stream post‑2026. Hong Kong and BNO passport holders may also apply for subsequent 485s under special arrangements. Recent policy discussions indicate a potential “485 ladder” for regional graduates, but no legislation has passed as of July 2026.

Q: Does my 485 visa allow me to travel outside Australia?

Yes, the Subclass 485 visa has unrestricted travel facilities. You can leave and re‑enter Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid. Keep in mind that time spent overseas still counts toward the visa expiry date.

Q: Can I study on a 485 visa?

You can study, but you remain subject to the original visa conditions: you must maintain adequate health insurance, and the visa does not extend based on a new course. If you plan to start another degree, you might need to apply for a new student visa.

Q: What if my 485 expires before I get an invitation for skilled migration?

If your 485 is about to expire and you haven’t received a 189/190 invitation, you can consider:

• Student visa for a higher degree (e.g., a Master by Research after a Bachelor, enabling another PSW stream visa later).
• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (482) if you have an employer sponsor.
• Master of Professional Year programs (accounting, IT, engineering) to earn 5 extra points and potentially extend your stay via student visa.
• Bridging visa A – only available if you lodge a valid onshore visa application before the 485 expiry.

References

• Department of Home Affairs – Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485 – Official government page with eligibility, document lists, and current application fees.
• Legislative Instrument – Migration Amendment (Graduate Visas) 2025: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2025L00585 – Federal Register of Legislation; sets out age limit, English score, and stream changes effective 2025–2026.
• Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list – Current MLTSSL and CSOL, updated March 2026.
• SkillSelect – EOI points table: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/points-table – Official points breakdown relevant for 189/190/491 invitations.