Student · Published 2026-03-18 · Updated 2026-10-05

485 Temporary Graduate visa in 2026: the rules and what changed

Reviewed by a registered migration agent · MARN 1795282
Updated 5 October 2026

In 2026 the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa gives recent graduates of Australian institutions full work rights for 2 years (Bachelor or coursework Masters), 3 years (research Masters or PhD) or 18 months (vocational qualifications). To qualify, most applicants must be 35 or under, hold an overall IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each band (or an equivalent score) from a test taken in the 12 months before applying, have finished their course in the 6 months before applying, and be in Australia when they lodge. The visa application charge rose to about A$5,750 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026.

The big tightening happened on 1 July 2024, and those settings still apply in 2026. Since then there have been changes to English test score tables (from 7 August 2025) and to fees (1 July 2026). Below are the current rules, what changed, and how to use the 485 as a step towards permanent residence. For the visa summary, see our Subclass 485 visa page.

What changed for the 485 — and when?

Setting	Before 1 July 2024	In 2026
Maximum age (most applicants)	Under 50	35 or under
Age exceptions	—	Under 50 for research Masters or PhD graduates and Hong Kong/BNO passport holders
Stream names	Graduate Work; Post-Study Work	Post-Vocational Education Work; Post-Higher Education Work
PhD stay	4 years	3 years (4 for Indian nationals under AI-ECTA)
Research Masters stay	3 years	3 years
Bachelor or coursework Masters stay	2 years (plus a “select degree” extension for some)	2 years; the select-degree extension has ended
Replacement stream	Open	Closed

Two later changes also matter in 2026:

English tests (7 August 2025): Home Affairs publishes separate score tables for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. It now accepts IELTS results that include a One Skill Retake, provided the retake is completed before you lodge.
Fees (1 July 2026): the main-applicant charge for the two main streams rose to about A$5,750. Check the current figure on our visa fees page.

Which 485 stream fits you?

The qualification you use to meet the study requirement decides your stream. Home Affairs will not consider your other qualifications, and you cannot change streams after you apply.

Stream	Who it is for	How long you can stay	Key extra requirement
Post-Higher Education Work	Graduates of a Bachelor, Masters or Doctoral degree (any field), or a related graduate diploma	2 years (Bachelor, coursework/extended Masters); 3 years (research Masters, PhD)	None beyond the core criteria; no skills assessment
Post-Vocational Education Work	Graduates of an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification	18 months	Qualification closely related to an occupation on the MLTSSL, plus a skills assessment (or proof you have applied for one)
Second Post-Higher Education Work	First 485 holders who studied at a regional campus and lived in a designated regional area	1 year (Category 2 areas; 2 years in Tasmania) or 2 years (Category 3 areas)	Lived, worked and studied only in the regional area for at least 2 years on the first 485

Hong Kong and BNO passport holders may stay up to 5 years in either main stream. Indian nationals keep longer Post-Higher Education Work stays under the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement: 3 years for a Bachelor with first-class Honours in STEM (including ICT), 3 years for any Masters, and 4 years for a PhD.

Who is eligible for a 485 in 2026?

You must:

be 35 or under when you apply (or under 50 if an exception applies);
be in Australia when you apply, and have held a Student visa in the last 6 months;
have completed your course in the 6 months before you apply, in a CRICOS-registered course that meets the Temporary Graduate study requirement (at least 2 academic years of study in Australia);
meet the English requirement, or hold an exempt passport;
have applied for an Australian Federal Police check in the 12 months before you lodge — and not on the same day as your visa application;
hold adequate health insurance and meet the health and character requirements.

If you have previously held a 485 (or the older 476) as the main applicant, you generally cannot be granted another one, apart from the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. Holding one as a secondary applicant does not stop you applying in your own right.

What English score do you need?

You need an overall IELTS score of 6.5, Academic or General Training, with at least 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent score in another test Home Affairs accepts, such as PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT. The test must have been taken in the 12 months immediately before you apply. That 12-month window catches many graduates out: a test sat for university admission is usually too old by the time you graduate.

Citizens holding a valid passport from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland do not need to provide a test result. Hong Kong and BNO passport holders have their own score table.

How much does it cost and how long does it take?

From 1 July 2026 the indicative visa application charge is about A$5,750 for the main applicant in either main stream, about A$2,875 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over, and about A$2,265 for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. Add the costs of your English test, police check, health checks and, for the vocational stream, the skills assessment.

As at 29 September 2026, Home Affairs reported that 75% of Post-Higher Education Work applications were decided within 13 days, against 4 months for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream. Current figures are on our processing times page.

How do you turn a 485 into permanent residence?

The 485 cannot be extended, so treat it as a runway. The main routes from a 485 are:

Employer sponsorship. An employer can sponsor you on the Skills in Demand (482) visa, which needs at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the last 5 years. Experience gained on your 485 can count. After 2 years of eligible sponsored employment, your employer can usually nominate you for the permanent 186 visa.
Points-tested skilled visas. The 189, 190 and 491 need a skills assessment, under-45 age, at least 65 points and an invitation. Australian study, a Professional Year, regional study and Australian work experience can all add points. Check your score with our points calculator.
Partner visa, if you are in a relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The 2026–27 Migration Program favours people already in Australia, with 129,590 of its 185,000 places going to onshore migrants and employer-sponsored places rising to 58,040. Start planning the next visa in the first months of your 485, not the last.

What are the most common 485 mistakes?

Missing the 6-month window. Your eligible qualification must have been completed in the 6 months before you lodge, so confirm the exact completion date with your provider early.
Using an English test more than 12 months old, or one that does not meet the 5.5 minimum in every band.
Choosing the wrong stream, which cannot be fixed after lodgement.
Applying for the AFP check on the same day as the visa, or more than 12 months before.
Turning 36 before lodging — the age test applies on the day you apply.
Leaving the vocational-stream skills assessment too late, or nominating an occupation that is not on the MLTSSL.

Is this general advice?

This is general information, not personal migration advice. Age limits, English scores, stay periods and fees can change, often on 1 July, and your eligibility depends on your qualification, passport and visa history. Before you lodge, confirm the current requirements or speak with a registered migration agent (MARN 1795282).

Sources & last checked: verified 5 October 2026 against the Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Vocational Education Work and Second Post-Higher Education Work stream pages (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485), “Changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program – from 1 July 2024”, Permanent Migration Program planning levels 2026–27 and global visa processing times (as at 29 September 2026). Fees are the indicative figures on our visa fees page, taken from the Home Affairs current visa pricing table.

Frequently asked questions

What is the age limit for the 485 visa in 2026?

You must be 35 or under when you apply. You can be under 50 if you use a Masters (research) or Doctoral degree to meet the study requirement, or if you hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport. The research Masters and PhD exception does not apply to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.

How long can I stay on a 485 visa?

In the Post-Higher Education Work stream: 2 years for a Bachelor (including Honours) or a coursework or extended Masters, and 3 years for a research Masters or Doctoral degree. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream gives 18 months. Hong Kong and BNO passport holders may stay up to 5 years, and Indian nationals have longer stays under the Australia–India trade agreement (AI-ECTA). Regional graduates may qualify for a second 485 of 1 or 2 years.

What English score do I need for the 485?

An overall IELTS (Academic or General Training) score of 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each of the four components, or an equivalent score in another accepted test, taken in the 12 months immediately before you apply. Citizens holding passports from the UK, the USA, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland do not need to provide a test.

Can I extend my 485 visa?

No. The 485 cannot be extended, and if you have already held a 485 as the main applicant you generally cannot be granted another one — except the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream for eligible regional graduates. Plan your next visa well before your 485 expires.

How much does the 485 visa cost?

About A$5,750 for the main applicant in the Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work streams, plus about A$2,875 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over, after the 1 July 2026 increase. The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream is about A$2,265. These are indicative figures — check the current charge on our visa fees page before you lodge.

Can I change streams after I apply for a 485?

No. Home Affairs says it is not possible to change streams after you apply, and in the vocational stream you also cannot change your nominated occupation after lodgement. Choosing the right stream before you lodge is critical.