Temporary Graduate Visa
Finished your degree in Australia? Extend your stay in Australia after graduation and gain valuable work rights through the Temporary Graduate 485 visa.Turn your Australian qualification into a career opportunity — stay, work, and take the next step toward permanent residency.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) –
Work in Australia
A post-study work visa for international graduates who have completed at least 2 academic years in Australia. This visa allows you to remain in Australia temporarily to gain valuable work experience — and potentially meet the requirements for a skilled or permanent visa in the future.
There are two main streams under this visa:
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Post-Study Education Work (PVEW) Stream: For graduates with skills and qualifications that relate to occupations on Australia’s skilled occupation list. This stream generally applies to diploma-level or trade qualifications.
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Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) Stream: For international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. This is the most common stream.
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.
Qualifications:
Associate degree, diploma or trade qualifications (Certificate III and IV)
Criteria:
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must apply within six months since graduation
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must be under 35 at the time of application
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the occupation is on on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
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a valid skills assessment
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studied full time for at least 92 weeks
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IELTS 6.5 (nothing below 5.5) or equivalent
Outcome:
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Stay up to 18 months with full work rights
For Hong Kong or BNO passport holders:
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Under 50 years of age
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Only needs IELTS 6 (nothing below 5) or equivalent
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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.
Qualifications:
Bachelor, Master (by coursework or by research), PhD
Criteria:
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must apply within six months since graduation
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must be under 35 at the time of application (under 50 for Master by research and PhD graduates)
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studied full time for at least 92 weeks
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IELTS 6.5 (nothing below 5.5) or equivalent
Outcome:
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Stay up to 2 years with full work rights for Bachelor Degree, Bachelor with Honours, Masters by Coursework or Masters (Extended) graduates
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Stay up to 3 years with full work rights for Masters by Research graduates
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Stay up to 4 years with full work rights for PhD graduates
For Hong Kong or BNO passport holders:
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Under 50 years of age
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Only needs IELTS 6 (nothing below 5) or equivalent
-
Stay up to 5 years with full work rights
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.
Qualifications:
Associate degree, diploma or trade qualifications (Certificate III and IV)
Criteria:
-
must apply within six months since graduation
-
must be under 35 at the time of application
-
the occupation is on 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
Outcome:
-
Stay up to 18 months with full work rights
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
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.
Qualifications:
Bachelor, Master (by coursework or by research), PhD
Criteria:
-
must apply within six months since graduation
-
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
Outcome:
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Stay up to 2 years with full work rights for Bachelor Degree, Bachelor with Honours, Masters by Coursework or Masters (Extended) graduates
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Stay up to 3 years with full work rights for Masters by Research graduates
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Stay up to 4 years with full work rights for PhD graduates
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:
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Tier 2 graduates can receive 1 extra year
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Tier 3 graduates can receive 2 extra years
To qualify, students must:
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Have completed their degree in a designated regional area (Tier 2 or Tier 3)
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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
Documents Required:
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Birth Certificate
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English Test Results
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AFP National Police Check
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National ID card of your home country (front & back)
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Completion Letter (You may have to request one from your university)
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Offical qualification award
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Official transcript
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Proof of your current residential address (i.e. bank statement, mobile phone bill, internet bill)
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All pages of your current passport
Want to do it yourself but don't know where to start?
485 Visa DIY Guide
485 Visa Costs 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)
485 Visa - City Smart Service
City Smart 485 Visa Application Service includes:
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Consultation to confirm eligibility
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Provide document checklist
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AFP application service
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Quote and arrange for OVHC
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485 visa required document quality check
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Visa application service
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Follow up DHA health check and all visa-related request until the visa is granted
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Free Bridging Visa B application service if the applicant needs to leave Australia after visa lodgement
City Smart current service fee starts from:
Basic (no visa refusal history, single applicant) service fee are listed below:
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for current City Smart's students: $660 AUD
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for new clients: $880 AUD
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please contact us for a quote if you have a slightly complex case :)
Applicants basically just need to provide their passport, course completion evidence and English requirement. Then, we will do the rest and support
all visa application-related matters. If an applicant has planned to leave Australia during the application period, we also provide free Bridging B Visa application service. We provide additional Provisional Skills Assessment Application Service for VET Stream Applicants for $220 AUD if needed.
DIY vs Getting Us to Help?
It is critical that you submit your visa application accurately and avoid any visa refusal by the Department of Home Affairs. If your visa application is refused by the Department, you are likely to be subject to section 48 bar which will restrict you from lodging most visa applications while you are in Australia.
For DIYers, if you are a person with high attention to detail, have enough time (very important! don't rush it!), don't have visa refusal history, no dependents, then I would say go for it. We have this most-comprehensive-ultimate 485 DIY guide available to walk you through the process, there are hundreds of videos on youtube that guides you through the process of 485.
If you are just looking for a bit of reassurance, we can check through your visa application form and documents to ensure everything is in order from AUD $165 (no visa refusal history and no dependents).
Many students tell us the stress of “getting it wrong” is worse than the visa fee itself — that’s where we come in. If you have a complex case (i.e. visa refusal history, have dependants), do not have time, are just feeling anxious with DIY and want to have this taken care of, please speak to us!
City Smart is a Registered Migration Agency (MARA 1568570) with over 25 years of experience and more than 9,000 successful visa applications. We understand how important it is to get things right the first time. Our experienced team provides personalised advice, double-checks all documents, and ensures your application is lodged correctly — improving your chances of approval and giving you peace of mind.
Preferred Education Agent in Australia
City Smart is the preferred education agent of Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council in Australia.
We help students from the 60+ schools under the HKDSSSC umbrella to study in Australia to achieve their academic goals.
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
We begin with the whole family. We listen deeply — to both students and parents — making sure everyone is aligned before such a big step. Studying abroad is a shared journey, and we’re here to help you start strong and stay united.
P
Plan Honestly
We guide with knowledge and integrity. With deep ties to both the Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese systems, we know how to match students with the right course — not the fanciest one, but the one they can thrive in and complete successfully.
A
Always There
We’re here whenever students (or their parents) need us — for visa advice, driving instructors, a pep talk, or even tourist tips. Because sometimes, all you need is someone who truly cares and listens without judgement.
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Real Connections
We’re proud to be the preferred partner of HK DSSSC and work with 30+ Aussie institutions. But we go beyond enrolments — advocating for scholarships, career opportunities, and connecting students with mentors through our growing alumni network.
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Keep Growing
We help students think long term — from study choices to PR pathways, career planning, and beyond. Our mission is to see students graduate with the clarity and confidence to take on the world — not just start a course, but finish strong.