485 Graduate Work Stream

This is an onshore provisional visa specifically designed for overseas students who have completed their studies in Australia but do not as yet meet requirements for the permanent visas. By applying for the 485 visa as an interim measure, it may give them a chance to gain working experience, attend a professional year, or improve their English language skills before applying for a permanent visa.

Benefits of this visa:

Stay in Australia, usually for 18 months
Travel, work or study in Australia during your stay
You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply.
Family members who apply for the visa must meet the Department's health and character requirements.

Stay conditions

You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa

Travel

You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid

485 Post-Study Work Stream

The 485 visa in the Post-Study Work stream is available to international students who graduate with a higher education degree from an Australian education provider following at least 2 academic years of study, regardless of their field of study. Applicants under this stream are not subject to the skilled occupations lists.

Benefits of this visa:

Stay in Australia for between 2 to 4 years after you have finished your studies
Travel, work or study in Australia during your stay
You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply.
Family members who apply for the visa must meet the Department's health and character requirement

Stay conditions

Usually, the length of stay in Australia will depend on the level of your Australian study qualification ie.

Bachelor degree (including honours): 2 years
Masters by coursework: 2 years
Masters by research: 3 years
Doctoral degree: 4 years
Overseas students studying at Regional universities will get an extra year

Travel

You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.

485 Graduate Work Stream

Must be under 45 years of age
Hold eligible student visa for the past 6 months
Must meet Australian Study requirement:

In the past 6 months before you applied for this visa you must have met the Australian study requirement.

You will meet this if you are awarded at least one degree, diploma or trade qualification and:

- your course was a CRICOS-registered course

- you successfully completed all course requirements

- your study was in English

- you completed your course as a result of at least two academic years (92 weeks) study

- you were physically in Australia for at least 16 calendar months to complete the study

- you held an Australian study visa that allowed you to study

Must have qualification under the MLTSSL
You must nominate the occupation when you apply and you can't change the occupation you nominate after you apply
Must have applied for assessment of their qualifications by a relevant assessing body for that nominated occupation
The assessing body must have completed assessment of the applicant’s qualifications to be suitable for the nominated occupation
Compentent English Language (NB. No points test)
Adequate health Insurance
Meet the Departments's health and character requirements
Have valid Federal Australian police clearance (less than 12 months)
No EOI or Invitation to apply

485 Post-Study Work Stream

This stream is only available if you were granted your first student visa to Australia on or after 5 November 2011
Must be under 45 years of age
Must meet Australian Study requirement:
In the past 6 months before you applied for this visa you must have met the Australian study requirement. You will meet this if you are awarded at least one degree qualification and above:
- your course was a CRICOS-registered course
- you successfully completed all course requirements
- your study was in English
- you completed your course as a result of at least two academic years (92 weeks) study
- you were physically in Australia for at least 16 calendar months to complete the study
- you held an Australian study visa that allowed you to study

The prescribed qualification that you have completed must be an eligible degree and above
Compentent English Language (NB. No points test)
Applicants under this stream are not subject to the skilled occupations lists.
At least 1 year work experience
Adequate health Insurance
Meet the Departments's health and character requirements
Have valid Federal Australian police clearance (less than 12 months)