485 Graduate Visa 2026: Streams, Age Limit & Fee

Overview

The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa lets recent international graduates of Australian institutions live, work and study in Australia temporarily after course completion. It has two streams — Post-Vocational Education Work and Post-Higher Education Work. Most applicants must be 35 or under at time of application, with higher age limits for research Masters and PhD graduates and certain Hong Kong/BNO passport holders.

The 485 is the bridge between finishing your Australian study and a longer-term visa. It gives recent graduates full work rights for a few years — the right time to gain experience and build toward skilled or employer-sponsored options.

The two streams

There are two streams. Post-Higher Education Work is for graduates of eligible degrees (Bachelor, Masters, PhD). Post-Vocational Education Work is for graduates of eligible trade and vocational qualifications in areas Australia needs. Your qualification determines which stream — and how long the visa lasts.

How long is the 485?

In the Post-Higher Education Work stream the length depends on your highest qualification: 2 years for a Bachelor or coursework Masters, 3 years for a research Masters or a PhD. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is shorter (around 18 months). Graduates who studied and live in regional Australia may be eligible for an additional stay, and some nationalities have specific arrangements.

Age, English and timing

Most applicants must be 35 or under at application (up to 50 for research Masters/PhD graduates and eligible Hong Kong/BNO holders). You generally need an overall IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) taken within the last year, must have held an eligible student visa, and must apply within 6 months of meeting your course requirements — usually while you’re in Australia.

Using the 485 to stay long-term

Treat the 485 as a runway, not a destination. Use it to gain skilled work experience, sit any required skills assessment, and build points for a Skilled Independent 189 or Skilled Nominated 190, or line up employer sponsorship. Planning this early — before the 485 clock runs down — is what turns a graduate visa into permanent residence.

Who is eligible for the Subclass 485 visa?

Hold an eligible recent qualification from an Australian institution
Generally be 35 years or under at time of application (up to 50 for research Masters/PhD and eligible HK/BNO holders)
Apply within 6 months of meeting your course requirements
Have held an eligible student visa
Meet the English requirement (minimum IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, test taken within 1 year)
Hold adequate health insurance and meet health and character requirements

How much does the Subclass 485 visa cost?

The base application charge is A$5,750. An additional A$2,875 applies per applicant aged 18 or over. Applies to the Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work streams; the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream is A$2,265. Checked against the official Home Affairs pricing table on 29 October 2026. See every Subclass 485 stream's charge and processing time, or compare every visa on our Australian visa fees table. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.

How long does the Subclass 485 visa take to process?

For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, around 75% of applications are finalised within 13 days, and 90% within 55 days.

Stream	75% finalised within	90% finalised within
Post-Vocation Education Work	4 months	5 months
Post-Higher Education Work	13 days	55 days

Official figures as at 29 September 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times. Compare all visas on our processing times tracker. Times are a guide only — complete, decision-ready applications are generally faster.

How do you apply for the Subclass 485 visa?

Confirm your stream. Post-Vocational Education Work (eligible trade/vocational qualifications) or Post-Higher Education Work (eligible degrees).
Gather evidence. Australian Federal Police check, health insurance, English test results and skills assessment if required.
Apply within 6 months. Lodge within 6 months of completing your course requirements while onshore.
Plan your next step. Use the 485 period to gain experience and prepare for a skilled or employer-sponsored pathway.

How it compares

Highest qualification used	Post-Higher Education Work length
Bachelor degree (incl. Honours)	2 years
Coursework Masters	2 years
Research Masters	3 years
Doctoral degree (PhD)	3 years

Frequently asked questions

What is the age limit for the 485 visa?

Most applicants must be 35 or under at the time of application. Graduates of a Masters by research or PhD, and certain Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders, can be older — up to 50.

How long is the 485 visa valid?

In the Post-Higher Education Work stream the length depends on your highest qualification: 2 years for a Bachelor or coursework Masters, 3 years for a research Masters or a PhD. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is shorter (around 18 months). Eligible graduates who studied and live in regional Australia may qualify for an additional stay, and some nationalities have specific arrangements.

When do I have to apply?

Within 6 months of meeting the requirements of your eligible Australian study, and you generally must be in Australia.

What English score do I need?

Generally an overall IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent in another accepted test), with the test taken within 1 year of applying. Some passport holders are exempt.

Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485)