Australia Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa Guide 2026

2026 Information Notice: This guide is based on official published information from the Australian Department of Home Affairs and relevant government bodies. Visa requirements, application fees, and statutory thresholds change periodically; applicants should verify current requirements on primary government portals before applying.

Comprehensive Statutory Overview

The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (Post-Higher Education Work stream) permits international students who have completed an eligible CRICOS-registered Australian degree to live, study, and work in Australia post-graduation. Governed by the Department of Home Affairs under the Migration Act 1958, updated 2026 regulations establish an application charge starting from AUD $1,900 for the main applicant, and a maximum age threshold of 35 years of age or under at the time of application submission. Exceptions up to age 50 apply to Masters by Research and Doctoral (PhD) graduates, as well as Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders. Under the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), Indian nationals receive specialized post-study work durations: 2 years for Bachelor's, 3 years for Bachelor's with 1st class honours in STEM/ICT, 3 years for Master's (Coursework or Research), and 4 years for Doctoral (PhD) graduates. Standard degree durations are 2 years for Bachelor's and Master's by Coursework, and 3 years for Master's by Research and PhDs. Applicants must have completed their degree within the 6-month period before applying, achieve an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band) or PTE Academic 55 (overall, for tests from 7 Aug 2025), provide evidence of having applied for an AFP police check, and maintain adequate health insurance for their stay.

Subclass 485 Age 35 Cap, PTE 55 & AI-ECTA Rules

AUD $1,900 Primary Charge

Subclass 485 Primary Application Fee

The primary applicant charge starts from AUD $1,900 for the Post-Higher Education Work stream. Exact total costs depend on stream and family members; verify with the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.

Age 35 Cap Rule

Strict Application Lodgement Age Cap

Must be 35 years of age or under on the exact date your application is submitted to Home Affairs (Masters by Research & PhD graduates capped at age 50).

PTE 55 / IELTS 6.5 Standard

English Proficiency Score Requirement

For tests taken on/after 7 August 2025: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 each band) or PTE Academic 55 overall (40 Listening, 42 Reading, 41 Writing, 39 Speaking).

AI-ECTA Indian Durations

Special Durations for Indian Graduates

Under AI-ECTA rules: Indian Bachelor's = 2 yrs; Indian Bachelor's 1st class honours in STEM/ICT = 3 yrs; Indian Master's = 3 yrs; Indian PhD = 4 yrs.

6-Month Completion Window

Course Completion Application Window

Applicant must have completed their eligible CRICOS course/degree within the 6-month period immediately before the date of visa application lodgement.

Adequate Health Insurance

Mandatory Health Coverage Requirement

Applicants and accompanying family members must maintain adequate health insurance coverage for the full duration of stay in Australia.

Post-Study Work Directives & Regional Extensions

Stream Durations (Standard): Bachelor's Degree: 2 years; Master's by Coursework: 2 years; Master's by Research: 3 years; Doctoral (PhD): 3 years.
Indian Nationals AI-ECTA Durations: Bachelor's: 2 years; Bachelor's 1st-class honours STEM/ICT: 3 years; Master's (Coursework/Research): 3 years; PhD: 4 years.
Hong Kong and BNO Passport Holders: Eligible for a 5-year Subclass 485 visa duration.
AFP Police Check Proof: Applicants aged 16+ must provide evidence that they have applied for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check at the time of visa application.
Work Authorization: The Subclass 485 visa permits work in Australia, with specific visa conditions verified through VEVO.
Second Regional Extension Stream: Requires holding the first 485 visa, graduating from a regional CRICOS campus, and residing in a designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying (Category 2 = +1 yr; Category 3 = +2 yrs).
Bridging Visa Work Rights: Work rights on a Bridging Visa (such as BVA) depend on the specific bridging visa granted and its attached conditions.
Skilled Migration Points: Time spent working on Subclass 485 may count toward skilled employment points for Subclass 189/190/491, subject to points rules.
Adequate Health Insurance: Must maintain continuous adequate health insurance (such as OVHC) from the date of visa grant.
6-Month Completion Window: The qualification must have been completed within the 6 months prior to lodging the visa application.

Frequently Asked Questions (Home Affairs FAQs)

For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, the primary applicant charge starts from AUD $1,900. Applicants should check the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for total costs including family members.

Applicants must be 35 years of age or under at the time of application submission. Masters by Research, Doctoral (PhD) graduates, and Hong Kong/BNO passport holders remain eligible up to age 50.

For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, Home Affairs requires an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component) or a PTE Academic score of 55 overall.

Under AI-ECTA: Indian Bachelor's graduates get 2 years; Indian Bachelor's with 1st-class honours in STEM/ICT get 3 years; Indian Master's (Coursework or Research) get 3 years; Indian PhD graduates get 4 years.

You must have completed your eligible course/degree within the 6-month period immediately before lodging your visa application.

Applicants must hold a first 485 visa, have completed their degree at a regional CRICOS institution, and have lived in a designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying.

Applicants aged 16+ must provide evidence that they have applied for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check at the time of lodging their visa application.

You must maintain adequate health insurance (such as Overseas Visitor Health Cover) for the duration of your stay in Australia.

The Subclass 485 visa permits work in Australia. Work entitlements should be verified through the Home Affairs VEVO system.

Time spent working in Australia on a Subclass 485 visa may count toward skilled work experience points for Subclass 189, 190, or 491 visas, subject to applicable points rules.

Subclass 485 Key Figures & Application Fees

Primary Application Charge (VAC)

AUD $1,900 (Post-Higher Ed Stream)

Maximum Age Threshold

35 Years of Age or Under (50 for PhD/BNO)

Standard Work Stream Duration

2 to 3 Years (5 yrs BNO)

Indian National (AI-ECTA) Duration

2 to 4 Years (3 yrs STEM/Master's; 4 yrs PhD)

English Requirement (from Aug 2025)

IELTS 6.5 (Min 5.5) / PTE Academic 55

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