Useful information about the Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa is especially important for international students who have recently completed their studies at an Australian institution and are not quite ready to leave yet. After graduation, many students hope to gain hands-on work experience in their field, while others simply want the time to travel around Australia and enjoy the places they couldn’t explore during busy study schedules.
To make this possible, graduates can apply for the Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa. This visa allows eligible international students to remain in Australia temporarily after completing their studies, enabling them to work, travel, and gain valuable workplace experience.
This article provides useful information about the Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa, also known as the TR visa, and highlights the key points you should understand before applying.
The Subclass 485 visa is divided into four streams, depending on your qualifications, previous visa history, and your intention to remain in Australia.
Types of Streams Under the Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa
The Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa has three main streams:
- Post-Vocational Education Work Stream – for graduates with vocational or trade qualifications related to skilled occupations.
- Post-Higher Education Work Stream – for graduates with higher education degrees such as Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD.
- Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream – for eligible graduates who studied and lived in designated regional areas and want to extend their stay.
On the other hand, the Replacement stream was a temporary COVID-19 measure and is now closed to new applications.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
If you are a new student, you should go for a student visa 500 but when your student visa expires, you need subclass 485 visa.
This stream is designed for international students who have recently completed a higher education degree at an Australian institution and want to take the next step after graduation. After years of studying, many graduates are eager to put their knowledge into practice, gain real-world experience, and build confidence in the Australian workforce.
With this visa, graduates are given the freedom to truly experience life in Australia after completing their studies. Instead of rushing home straight after graduation, you can stay in Australia for between 2 and 3 years, using this time to work, travel, or even continue studying. It’s important to note that while the visa gives you full work rights, you must find your own employment during your stay.
Your Stay Period on the Temporary Graduate Visa
The Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa is a temporary visa, and the length of stay depends on the level of qualification you completed in Australia.
Standard stay periods include:
- Bachelor’s degree (including honours): 2 years
- Master’s (coursework or extended): 2 years
- Master’s (research): 3 years
- Doctoral degree (PhD): 3 years
For Graduate Diploma holders, the usual stay period is 2 years, though it may be longer if earlier studies would have qualified you for an extended stay.
Some passport holders are eligible for longer stay periods under special arrangements:
For Indian nationals (AI-ECTA agreement):
- Bachelor’s degree (including honours): 2 years
- Bachelor’s with first-class honours in STEM (including ICT): 3 years
- Master’s (coursework, extended, or research): 3 years
- Doctoral degree (PhD): 4 years
Other special arrangements:
- Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders: up to 5 years
The visa starts on the date it is granted, and while it is valid, you can travel in and out of Australia freely, giving you flexibility to manage work, travel, and personal commitments.
Staying Longer in Australia
The Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa cannot be extended. However, some graduates may be eligible to apply for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream to extend their stay.
You may also qualify for other skilled work visas after gaining relevant work experience. For current and future Temporary Graduate visa holders from Hong Kong, there may be a pathway to permanent residency after five years, offering long-term settlement opportunities in Australia.
Conclusion
Having useful information about the Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa is essential for international graduates planning their future in Australia. This visa offers a valuable opportunity to gain work experience and explore career pathways after graduation. At ImmiVisa, our team is committed to guiding graduates through the 485 visa process, helping them make informed decisions and take confident steps toward their long-term goals in Australia.
