The Post study work visa is called the Temporary Graduate Visa or Subclass 485 in Australia. It allows international students in Australia to stay and work after completing their studies. The Temporary Graduate Visa has two major streams- Post Vocational Education Work Stream and Post Higher Education Work Stream; depending on your qualification and eligibility. There is also a third stream- Second Post- Higher Education Work Stream which you can get after the Post Higher Education Work Stream. Read about these in detail below. You’ll also get to know the eligiblity, application procedure and post- visa expiration process.
How long is the Post Study Work Visa in Australia?
The Post Study Work Visa in Australia usually allows you to stay between 18 months to up to 2- 3 years, depending on your qualification. However, some Hong Kong and British National Overseas students may stay up to 5 years. You can read the exact details below.
Changes to the Post Study Work Visa in Australia From mid 2024
From 1 July 2024, Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) program underwent significant changes. The visa streams were renamed to better reflect educational qualifications:
- The Graduate Work stream became the Post-Vocational Education Work stream
- The Post-Study Work stream was renamed the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
- The Second Post- Study Work stream became the Second Post- Higher Education Work Stream.
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Temporary Graduate Visa Streams
Post Vocational, Post Higher Education and Second Post Higher Education work streams are all different streamsTemporary Graduate Visa- Subclass 485. Meaning, based on your eligibility, you could apply for one of them. Each of this category has a different stay duration and processing time as well. Read the details below to have a clear picture of the Post study work visa in Australia.
| Streams/ Details | Post Vocational Education Work Stream | Post Higher Education Work Stream | Second Post- Higher Education Work Stream |
| Who is it for? | 1. International students recently graduated with specific qualifications for occupational needs in Australia. 2. Are under 50 years of age at the time of application. 3. Obtained a positive skills assessment in an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) | 1. International students recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. 2. Are under 35 years of age when applying. 3. Hold an eligible visa and have held a student visa in the last 6 months. | 1. Temporary Graduate students holding a Post-Higher Education Work stream visa. 2. Be under 50 years of age at the time of application. 3. Have completed a higher education degree from an Australian institution based in an eligible designated regional area |
| Stay | Up to 18 months/ 5 years for Hong Kong & British Nationals | 2- 3 years/ 5 years for Hong Kong & British Nationals | 1-2 years depending on your educational institution & Post Higher Education Work stream TG Visa |
| Cost | From A$ 2,235.00 | From A$ 2,235.00 | From A$ 880.00 |
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Which Temporary Graduate stream should you apply for?
To simplify this, you should apply for:
- Post Vocational Education Work Stream- If you hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification.
- Post Higher Education Work Stream- If you hold a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.
- Second Post- Higher Education Work Stream- After your Post Higher Education Work Stream is over you will move forward with the Second Post- Higher Education Work stream.
How to get Post study Work Visa in Australia: Basic Eligibility
- You must be under 35 years of age for bachelor’s and under 50 for Master’s or PhD courses
- You must hold an eligible degree from a CRICOS registered course.
- You have held a Australia student visa in the past 6 months
- You are currently on an eligible visa
Documents Required for Temporary Graduate Visa
- Passport (valid and scanned copy)
- Completion letter from your institution
- Academic transcripts
- English language proficiency test results
- Health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover – OSHC or equivalent)
- Australian Federal Police (AFP) Check (Apply online at AFP Website)
- Health Examination Report (if required)
How to apply for Australia Post Study Work Visa online
- Visit the Australian Home Affairs website: ImmiAccount
- Create an ImmiAccount and log in.
- Select Visa Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate Visa.
- Fill out your personal details, educational background, and work history.
- Upload all required documents.
- Pay securely via credit card, PayPal, or BPAY.
- Submit your application.
- If requested, schedule a biometric appointment at a nearby Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC).
- Wait for Processing and track your application status via ImmiAccount.
- After you apply, you can always go back to your Immi Account to check messages, application status, update details or even withdraw your application (if needed).
Temporary Graduate Visa Processing time
The Temporary Graduate Visa or the Post-Study Work Visa in Australia usually takes up 4 to 6 months to process, but the timeline can vary. If your documents are complete and there are no additional checks needed, it might be quicker. However, delays can happen due to health assessments, security clearances, or a high number of applications. You can track your progress through ImmiAccount, and if anything extra is required, immigration will notify you.You can read complete details on Processing times and most possible reasons for delays in this article.
You can also check the Visa Processing time using this Visa Processing Time Guide.
From mid 2024, the extension of the Post Study Work Visa (Subclass 500) has been halted by the Australian Government. Students with degrees in select areas of verified skill shortage who were earlier given two years on their Temporary Graduate Visa will no longer be eligible to apply for extension.
What to do after a Temporary Graduate Visa expires?
When your Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) expires in Australia, you have several options depending on your career goals and eligibility.
- Apply for Permanent Residency (PR) – If eligible, apply for PR through Subclass 189, 190, or 491 based on skilled migration points or state nomination.
- Apply for a Work Visa – Secure employer sponsorship for Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa) or Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme PR).
- Enroll in Further Studies (Student Visa – Subclass 500) – Extend your stay by studying a course aligned with high-demand skilled occupations.
- Apply for Another Temporary Visa – If eligible, extend your stay with a Second 485 Visa (for regional graduates) or a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600).
- Return to Your Home Country & Apply Later – Gain work experience abroad and apply for PR or a skilled work visa in the future.
FAQs
No, the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) cannot be extended. You may need to apply for another visa if you wish to stay longer.
Yes, applicants must be under 50 years old to qualify for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).
If your visa is rejected, you may appeal the decision through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) or apply for another visa if eligible.