The Ultimate Guide to the 485 Visa in Australia: Who Qualifies and How It Leads to Permanent Residency

Introduction

You’ve finished your studies in Australia. What’s next?

Many international students aim to stay longer in Australia to gain work experience and potentially qualify for PR. The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) provides that transition window.

In this guide, you’ll learn: who qualifies, what’s changed in 2024–2025, how long you can stay, costs, and whether/how it can lead to PR.

Why the 485 Visa Still Matters (but with caveats)?

Why is the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) important for international students in Australia?

• It allows graduates to live, work, and study temporarily after completing CRICOS registered studies.
• It gives you a chance to gain Australian work experience, build networks, and explore PR pathways.
• However, recent changes (2024–2025) have tightened eligibility, reduced stays, and removed concessions.

👉 The 485 visa remains valuable, but planning and timing matter more than ever.

Streams of the 485 Visa (2025)

What Changed in 2024–2025?

• Age cap lowered: Must be 35 or under at time of application (exceptions for Hong Kong/BNO holders, PhD/master by research).
• Graduate Certificates not accepted; Graduate Diplomas must be closely related.
• Extra 2-year extensions for specific skills (shortage degrees) removed.
• English requirements updated (higher scores as of Aug 2025).
• Visa fees increased (see below).

Eligibility Requirements (2025)

General Criteria

• Hold (or recently held) a Subclass 500 Student Visa (within last 6 months).
• Be under 35 (limited exceptions apply).
• Apply within 6 months of final academic results.
• Course must be CRICOS-registered and meet the Australian study requirement (minimum 92 weeks + 16 months in Australia).
• Meet English language test requirements: IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL (minimum overall scores now higher, e.g., IELTS 6.5). – check our ptetutorials.online
• Meet health and character checks.
• Maintain OVHC (Condition 8501) – compare with GetMyPolicy.online.

Stream-Specific

• Graduate Work: Qualification must match a skilled occupation list; positive skills assessment may be required.
• PHW: Bachelor, Master, or PhD degree required.
• Second PHW: Must have completed studies in a regional area + held first PHW.

How Long Can You Stay?

• Bachelor/Master coursework → 2 years.
• Master by research/PhD → 3 years.
• Graduate Work (Vocational/Trade) → up to 18 months.
• Second PHW (regional extension) → +1 to 2 years. Depends on regional area classification

Costs & Processing Times (2025 update)

DHA adjusts fees periodically. The amount you pay depends on the date DHA receives your application. Check the official Fees and charges page just before you pay (expect that fees since 2024–25 have been higher than prior years). Also budget for biometrics, health checks, English tests and police certificates.

Processing time: They vary by stream and case complexity. DHA publishes indicative times; plan for several months and avoid last-minute lodgement.

Can the 485 Lead to PR?

Yes – but strategy matters more now.

Skilled Migration Pathways

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) → based on points (work experience + English + age).
• Subclass 190 (State Nominated) → state/territory sponsorship.
• Subclass 491 (Regional Provisional) → 3-year regional stay → PR.

Employer-Sponsored Pathways

• Subclass 482 (TSS) → employer sponsorship in skilled role.
• Subclass 186 (ENS) → permanent sponsorship option.

Regional Pathways

• Extra PR points for regional work & study.
• Access to Second PHW (extra 1–2 years).

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)?

1. Check eligibility.
2. Prepare documents (passport, completion letter, transcripts, police checks, OVHC, English results).
3. Choose correct stream (cannot change later).
4. Apply online via ImmiAccount.
5. Maintain bridging visa if your 500 expires.
6. Wait for processing (be responsive to requests).
7. Use 485 period to gain work & plan PR strategy.

Including Dependents

• Partners and children can be added in initial application or later as subsequent entrants.
• Must meet health & character requirements.
• Their rights mirror the main applicant’s visa conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)?
A post-study visa allowing eligible graduates to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily.

Who qualifies now?
Subclass 500 holders with recent CRICOS qualifications, under 35 (with limited exceptions), meeting English, health, and character requirements.

What are the current costs?

As of 1 July 2025, revised visa application fees apply. 

• Primary applicant (standard 485 application): AUD 2,300 
• Secondary applicant (18 or over): AUD 1,150 
• Secondary applicant under 18: AUD 580 
• Second Post-Higher Education (extension) stream for main applicant: AUD 905 

Additionally, you will incur costs for health checks, police certificates, biometrics, and English tests.

Can I include family?
Yes, partners and dependent children can be included.

How long does processing take?
Processing times vary by stream and by case complexity. 

• The Department publishes recent processing times; an estimate for the Post-Study Work stream is several months (often between 4–6 or more).
• The Graduate Work stream often is processed similarly, though variability is high depending on assessment complexity.
• For extension (2nd PHW) applications, processing tends to be a bit faster than initial lodgments in many cases. 

Can the 485 lead to PR?
Yes – via skilled, state-nominated, regional, or employer-sponsored visas.

If I studied in a regional area, does that help?
Yes – it makes you eligible for the Second PHW (extension) and strengthens your points for PR.

Conclusion

The 485 visa remains a critical post-study option, but shorter durations and stricter rules mean you need proactive planning. With 180k+ visas granted, Aussizz Group can guide you step-by-step from student to PR.

👉 Book a Free 485 Visa Consultation with Aussizz Group