After the excitement of getting admission to study in Australia, and you are towards the end of your studies, one question lingers among international students, and that is, ” Can I study and work in Australia after graduation”?
For many international students, earning a degree in Australia gives them hope that they can gain professional experience and build a successful career in the country over the long term.
Australia offers a variety of pathways that allow eligible graduates to study, to stay and work after completing their studies.
In this piece, we’ll guide you on how you can stay and study in Australia after graduation, explain the visa options available, and the steps you can take to improve your chances of living and working in Australia.
Understanding How The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Works
The Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, is a post-study visa option that many international students can use to work and study in Australia. It is divided into three streams, which are:
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This stream is primarily for international graduates, whether it’s a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a PhD. Applicants must be under 35 years old for bachelor’s programs and under 50 for master’s and doctoral programs.
They must also apply within the first 6months of completing their studies. The work stream permits graduates to work up to 2 years for bachelor’s and master’s degree holders or 3 years for PhD graduates.
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream is for graduates with a diploma, an associate degree, and trade qualifications in Australia. This work stream is for skilled workers who must be no more than 35 years old to stay and work in Australia for 18 months.
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This is for international graduates who must have applied and currently have the Subclass 485 visa. They must have completed their degrees in the regional areas of Australia and worked for at least 2 years before applying.
This permit allows graduates to stay and work in Australia for an extra 1 or 2 years. Also, graduates must not be older than 35 years when applying, except for PhD graduates and those from Hong Kong who are British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport holders, who must be under 50 years.
Read Also: How to Apply for a Postgraduate Program in Australia in 2026
Eligibility Requirements for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
- International graduates must meet the following criteria before they can apply for the post-study work visa in Australia.
- Graduates must be under 35 years for bachelor’s degree holders and 50 years for master’s and PhD graduates.
- They must currently hold an eligible student visa for at least 6 months before applying.
- International graduates must have completed a CRICOS-registered course before applying.
How to Apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Here are the basic steps on how to apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) to enable you to stay and work in Australia after graduation:
- Visit the Temporary Graduate visa Official Page to check your eligibility requirements before applying.
- Create your ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs Website to submit your application.
- Choose the work stream that suits your degree and qualifications.
- Prepare your documents, including your course completion letter, proof of English proficiency, health insurance, character evidence, and other documents.
- Apply within 6 months of completing your degree, and you must be physically present in Australia to do so.
- Pay the application fee depending on your work stream type. For the Post-Higher Education Work Stream and the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream, graduates will pay AUD4,600 in processing fees, while for the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream, the processing fee is AUD1,810.
- Complete your medical examination if requested.
- Await your visa decision, which may take between 1 and 5 months.
What Happens When My Student Visa Expires Before I Get the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)?
If your student visa expires before you transition to the Temporary Graduate Visa, you will be granted the Bridging Visa A (BVA). This allows you to continue living and working in Australia before you receive your visa decision. However, it is encouraged to adhere to the application within 6 months of your degree completion to avoid issues.
Read Also: Australia Student Visa Guide 2026: Requirements, Cost & Process
When My Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Expires, What’s Next?
Once the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is granted, it cannot be renewed or extended. You can explore other visa pathways that will allow you to remain in Australia legally. Some of the pathways you can explore include the following:
Sponsored Visa From An Australian Employer
An Australian employer can sponsor your visa through the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482). This allows you to stay in the country for 4 years or more, depending on the type of job.
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) is another employer-sponsored visa that allows you to legally stay and work in Australia after graduation. For this visa, your employer can nominate you for permanent residency. You must possess the work experience and relevant skills to get this nomination.
The Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494) is a visa for skilled workers in regional Australia. It allows employers to employ foreigners to work with them while sponsoring their visa for up to 5 years.
It may also lead to permanent residency in the long term. Applicants should not be more than 45 years old when applying and must have relevant qualifications.
Partner Visas
Another visa pathway to transition to permanent residency in Australia is the partner visa. For this Subclass 820/801 to apply, your partner or spouse must be an Australian citizen.
Finally,
Australia offers a vibrant economy and excellent opportunities for international graduates to build a valuable, long-term professional career. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows graduates to legally stay and work in Australia after graduation. Although once this expires, it cannot be renewed or extended. However, there are other visa pathways you can explore to build a successful career in Australia.
