Looking to launch your career down under after finishing your studies? The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is your golden ticket to living and working full-time in Australia post-graduation. However, sweeping immigration overhauls have introduced strict new rules that international graduates must follow. From the newly capped 35-year age limit and shortened 12-month English test validity to the updated July 2026 application fees, staying compliant is more critical than ever. Whether you qualify for the Post-Higher Education or Post-Vocational stream, this up-to-date guide breaks down the essential Subclass 485 requirements, costs, and pathways to secure your Australian work rights in 2026.
Note: The content of this post is meant solely as information, and is subject to change as policies are updated. For current and official guidance, please check the Government of Australia's website.
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Overview
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international students to remain in Australia to live and work full-time after completing their studies. This visa operates under three distinct streams depending on your qualification tier, your study location, and your long-term regional residency.
Universal Criteria for Initial Streams
To lodge a valid application for your first graduate visa, you must meet the following baseline requirements:
The 6-Month Window: You must apply online through ImmiAccount within exactly six months of your official course completion date.
The 35-Year Age Limit: Applicants for standard qualification streams must be 35 years of age or under at the time of application.
The Mature Student Exception: If you are over the age of 35, you remain eligible to apply up to the age of 49 if you are graduating with a Master’s by Research or a Doctoral Degree (PhD). Hong Kong or British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders are also exempt and can apply up to the age of 49 across all streams.
Tightened English Benchmarks: You must provide an in-person English test score (such as IELTS or PTE) taken no more than 12 months prior to your visa application date. The minimum entry score is an overall IELTS 6.5 (with no individual band below 5.5) or a PTE Academic score of 55. Online or at-home test formats are strictly invalid.
Onshore Location Rule: For both initial streams, you must be physically located inside Australia when you lodge the application. Applying from your home country after your student visa expires will result in an immediate refusal.
The Three Active Visa Streams
1. Post-Higher Education Work Stream
The Temporary Graduate Visa – Post-Higher Education Work Stream is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree in a CRICOS-registered course from an Australian institution.
Key Eligibility Frameworks
- The Application Window: To be considered for this visa, the student must apply within six months of their official date of course (program) completion.
- No Skills Barriers: Unlike vocational tracks, this stream does not require a formal skills assessment or a specific occupation target on a skilled list.
Stay Durations by Qualification Level
2. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream targets international students graduating with an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification that directly links to industries facing systemic shortages in the Australian economy.
Key Rules & Requirements
- The Application Window: You must apply online within exactly 6 months of your official course completion date.
- Occupation & Skills Alignment: Unlike the higher education track, you must nominate an active occupation found on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Mandatory Skills Assessment: You are required to pass and submit a formal provisional skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (e.g., TRA or VETASSESS) at the time of lodging your application.
Visa Privileges
- Allowed Length of Stay: Approved applicants are granted a fixed stay of 18 months. (Note: Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders are granted an extended stay of up to 5 years).
- Work Freedom: This visa grants unrestricted, full-time work and study rights anywhere in Australia.
3. Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream (Regional Extension)
The Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream allows existing Post-Higher Education Work stream holders to extend their stay by an additional 1 to 2 extra years by choosing to live, study, and work in regional Australia.
Mandatory Regional Criteria
To qualify for this subsequent visa, you must fulfill the following regional criteria:
- Regional Graduation: Your original qualifying degree must have been completed at a university campus located entirely within an eligible designated regional area.
- The 2-Year Continuous Rule: You must have lived, studied, and worked continuously in a designated regional area for at least two years immediately before submitting this second visa application.
- The English Exemption: You do not need to sit a new English test or provide a recent score report, provided you currently hold a valid first 485 visa.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Application Fees
The Australian Department of Home Affairs applies different Visa Application Charges (VAC) depending on the specific stream you are eligible for. Below are the official government fees effective for all applications lodged on or after July 1, 2026:
Note on Non-Refundable Fees: These processing charges are paid upfront through ImmiAccount at the time of your online lodgement. Because these fees are non-refundable regardless of the visa decision, ensuring your age limits, English certificates, and health checks are entirely accurate before pressing submit is critical.
Subclass 485 Submission Checklist
Ensure you have attached the following documents to avoid a costly refusal:
- Official Completion Letter: Showing the exact course start and end dates (not your graduation ceremony certificate).
- Australian Federal Police (AFP) Check: Evidence that you have at least applied for your character check before hitting submit.
- Health Insurance Proof: Confirmation of Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) starting the day your student visa expires.
- In-Person English Test Results: Taken within the tight 12-month window.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The standard age limit is 35 years of age or under at the time you lodge your application.
- However, a mature student exception allows graduates of a Master’s by Research or Doctoral Degree (PhD) to apply up to the age of 49.
- Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders are also exempt from the lower age cap and can apply up to the age of 49 across all streams.
- Your English language test score (such as IELTS or PTE) must be taken no more than 12 months prior to your visa application date.
- The minimum entry score is an overall IELTS 6.5 (with no individual band below 5.5) or a PTE Academic score of 55.
- Online, indicator, or "at-home" test formats are strictly invalid; you must complete an in-person exam.
- The base application charge for the primary applicant under both the Post-Higher Education and Post-Vocational Education streams is $5,750 AUD.
- An additional applicant aged 18 or over costs $2,875 AUD, while dependents under the age of 18 cost $1,450 AUD.
- These upfront processing fees are completely non-refundable regardless of the final visa decision.
- No, the Post-Higher Education Work Stream does not require a formal skills assessment or a specific target occupation to lodge an application.
- Conversely, the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream strictly requires you to nominate an active occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and clear a provisional skills assessment.
Conclusion: Securing Your Australian Work Rights
Navigating the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) in 2026 requires careful planning and absolute precision. With the newly enforced 35-year age limit, strict 12-month English test validity, and the updated July 2026 application fees of $5,750 AUD, international graduates must ensure their applications are flawless before hitting submit.
Whether you are launching your career through the Post-Higher Education Work Stream or matching your trade qualifications to the Post-Vocational track, the Subclass 485 visa remains the ultimate pathway to maximizing your educational investment down under. Double-check your timeline, verify your regional postcodes if applying for an extension, and step into the Australian workforce with confidence.
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