Eligibility at a Glance
✓ Under 35 at the time of application
(under 50 for Master by research and PhD graduates)
✓ Apply within 6 months since graduation
✓ Studied full time for at least 92 wks
✓ IELTS 6.5 or equivalent
✓ Provisional skills assessment
(for post-vocational stream only)
✓ Health & character requirements
What You Can Do with the 485 Visa
With the Temporary Graduate visa, you can:
Stay, work and experience life in Austalia
Include family in your visa (partner & children)
Build local work experience after completing your course
Enhance your future migration options in Australia
What You Can Do with the 485 Visa
With the Temporary Graduate visa, you can:
Eligibility at a Glance
✓ Under 35 at the time of application
(under 50 for Master by research and PhD graduates)
✓ Apply within 6 months of course completion
✓ Studied full time for at least 92 wks
✓ IELTS 6.5 or equivalent
✓ Provisional skills assessment
(for post-vocational stream only)
✓ Health & character requirements
Stay, work and experience life in Australia
Include family in your visa (partner & children)
Build local work experience after completing your course
Enhance your future migration options in Australia
Visa Streams Explained
The 485 visa has three streams, each with different requirements and benefits. Learn more about each stream below:
For Hong Kong or BNO passport holders:
-
Under 50 years of age
-
IELTS 6 or equivalent
-
5 years with full work rights
Eligibility Overview
The 485 visa has three streams, each with different requirements and benefits.
Streams | Target | Age Limit | Required Level of Study | Skills Assessment | Duration | Visa Cost | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (PVEW) | Graduates with vocational skills (diploma/trade) on the MLTSSL list. | < 35 years old (50 for HK/BNO Passport holders) | Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Trade qualification. | Yes | Usually 18 months | AUD 2300 (Main applicant)
AUD 1150 (> 18 yrs old dependent)
AUD 580 (< 18 yrs old dependent) | Occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List |
Post-Higher Education Work Stream (PHEW) | Graduates with a Bachelor, Masters, or PhD. | < 35 years old
(50 for PhD/Masters Research and HK/BNO Passport holders) | Bachelor, Masters, or Doctoral degree. | No | 2–4 years (depending on qualification) | AUD 2300 (Main applicant)
AUD 1150 (> 18 yrs old dependent)
AUD 580 (< 18 yrs old dependent) | |
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream | Existing 485 holders who studied and have been living in a regional area. | First 485 must be in Post-Higher Education Work stream | No | 1–2 years (based on location) | AUD 905 (Main applicant)
AUD 455 (> 18 yrs old dependent)
AUD 230 (< 18 yrs old dependent) | Must hold a 485 already; have been living in regional area |
Post-Vocational Education Work (PVEW) stream
For international students who have recently graduated with at least a diploma or above that are relevant to an occupation Australia needs.
Who this stream is for:
Associate degree, diploma or trade qualifications (Certificate III and IV)
Core eligibility criteria:
-
must apply within six months since course completion
-
must be under 35 at the time of application
-
the occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
-
a valid skills assessment
-
studied full time for at least 92 weeks
-
IELTS 6.5 (nothing below 5.5) or equivalent
Duration:
-
Stay up to 18 months with full work rights
Special notes for Hong Kong or BNO passport holders:
-
Under 50 years of age
-
IELTS 6 (nothing below 5) or equivalent
-
Stay up to 5 years with full work rights
Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) stream
For international students who have recently graduated with at least a bachelor degree or above from an Australian Institution.
Who this stream is for:
Bachelor, Master (by coursework or by research), PhD
Core eligibility criteria:
-
must apply within six months since course completion
-
must be under 35 at the time of application (under 50 for Master by research and PhD graduates)
-
studied full time for at least 92 weeks
-
IELTS 6.5 (nothing below 5.5) or equivalent
Duration:
-
Stay up to 2 years with full work rights for Bachelor Degree, Bachelor with Honours, Masters by Coursework or Masters (Extended) graduates
-
Stay up to 3 years with full work rights for Masters by Research graduates
-
Stay up to 4 years with full work rights for PhD graduates
Special notes for Hong Kong or BNO passport holders:
-
Under 50 years of age
-
Only needs IELTS 6 (nothing below 5) or equivalent
-
Stay up to 5 years with full work rights
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream
The Australian Government categorised cities into Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 regions. International graduates who studied in Tier 2 or Tier 3 regional areas may be eligible for an extension of their Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) through the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream:
-
Tier 2 graduates can receive 1 extra year
-
Tier 3 graduates can receive 2 extra years
To qualify, students must:
-
Have completed their degree in a designated regional area (Tier 2 or Tier 3)
-
Have continuously lived, worked, or studied in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding their first Temporary Graduate visa
Case 1
After completing a 3-year bachelor’s degree in a Tier 2 city, Sarah is granted a 2-year Temporary Graduate visa. She continues to live and work in a regional area for the entire visa period.
Outcome: Eligible for a 1-year Second Post-Higher Education Work extension.
Case 2
Chris completes a 2-year master’s degree in a Tier 3 city and is granted a 2-year graduate visa. However, during this time, he moves to Melbourne (a Tier 1 city).
Outcome: Not eligible due to relocation to a Tier 1 city.
Examples
The Australian Government classifies all cities into metropolitan (Tier 1) and designated regional areas (Tier 2 and Tier 3) for migration purposes.
Tier 1 cities: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane - Not eligible for the second PHEW stream
Tier 2 cities: Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart
Tier 3 cities: Not a Tier 1 or Tier 2 cities
Checkout the designated regional area postcodes here.
Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 Classification
Visa Cost Breakdown
Visa Application Fee
Main applicant AUD $2332.2 (incl. credit card surcharge, 2026 indicative)
Visa Medical Examination Fee
Generally about AUD $400
Overseas Visitor Health Cover (Mandatory) - We provide multiple insurance quotes from insurance companies for you to choose from.
Ranging from AUD $70 to AUD $130 per month depending on individual needs.
Australian National Police Check Application Fee - Must get it done before lodgement.
$57 (rounded up to the closest dollar incl. credit card surcharge, 2026 indicative)
IELTS / PTE / Other English Test
Generally about AUD 475 (for IELTS and PTE)
Application Process
-
Confirm stream eligibility based on your qualification level
-
Gather documents (Check out the Required Documents list)
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English test (if required)
-
Skills assessment (if applicable)
-
AFP Police check (check out our AFP National Police Check guide)
-
Lodge visa
-
Health check
-
Await decision
Required Documents
Identity documents:
-
Birth Certificate
-
National ID card of your home country (front & back)
-
All pages of your current passport
Academic documents:
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Completion Letter (You may have to request one from your university)
-
Official qualification award
-
Official transcript
-
Provisional skills assessment
English evidence:
-
English Test Results
Character evidence:
-
AFP National Police Check
Residential address:
-
Proof of your current residential address (i.e. bank statement, mobile phone bill, internet bill)
DIY vs Professional Assistance: Which Path is Right for You?
Applying for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) can be straightforward for some applicants, while others may benefit from additional guidance. Understanding your situation clearly before lodging can help reduce stress and minimise risk.
Frequently asked questions
Why City Smart?
We bring the SPARK.
Because your journey deserves more than just paperwork — it deserves heart, clarity, and lifelong support.
S
Start with Care
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