Post-Study Work Visa Australia (Subclass 485) — Everything You Need to Know in 2026

One of Australia's most attractive features for international students is the post-study work visa — officially known as the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Post-Study Work stream. This visa allows you to live and work in Australia after completing your studies, giving you the opportunity to gain professional experience, explore career options, and potentially transition to a longer-term visa.

The subclass 485 is a major differentiator when comparing Australia to other study destinations. While countries like the UK and Canada also offer post-study work rights, Australia's offering is particularly generous — especially for graduates from regional institutions.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the post-study work visa in 2026, including eligibility, duration, regional advantages, the application process, and how to make the most of your time on the visa.

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) has two main streams:

• Graduate Work stream: For graduates with qualifications related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This stream requires a skills assessment and is typically used by graduates of VET (vocational) programs.
• Post-Study Work stream: For graduates with a higher education degree (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree) from an Australian institution. This is the stream most international university graduates apply for, and it does not require a skills assessment.

There is also a Second Post-Study Work stream (also called the replacement 485 stream) for graduates who studied and lived in a designated regional area — more on this below.

The visa gives you full work rights with no restrictions on hours or type of employment. You can work for any employer in any industry, start a business, or freelance.

To be eligible for the Post-Study Work stream of the subclass 485, you must meet the following criteria:

• Age: You must be under 50 years of age at the time of application.
• Qualification: You must have completed a qualifying Australian higher education degree (bachelor's, master's by coursework, master's by research, or doctoral degree) from a CRICOS-registered institution.
• Study requirement: You must have held a student visa and studied in Australia for at least two academic years (92 weeks of study in a CRICOS-registered course). This is known as the "Australian Study Requirement."
• English proficiency: You must demonstrate competent English — IELTS Overall 6.0 with no band below 5.0 (or equivalent PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge score).
• Time limit: You must apply within six months of your course completion date (the date your results are finalised, not your graduation ceremony).
• Health and character: You must meet standard health and character requirements, including police checks and a medical examination.
• OSHC: You must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover until your 485 visa is granted (after which you can switch to private health insurance or rely on other arrangements).

Importantly, you do not need a job offer to apply for the Post-Study Work stream. The visa is designed to give you time to find employment after graduation.

The duration of the post-study work visa depends on the level of your completed qualification. As of 2026, the standard durations are:

• Bachelor's degree: 2 years
• Master's by coursework: 3 years
• Master's by research: 3 years
• Doctoral degree (PhD): 4 years

These durations were updated in recent policy changes. Previously, bachelor's graduates received 4 years and master's coursework graduates received 5 years, but these were reduced in late 2024 as part of the government's migration reform agenda. However, additional years may be available for graduates of certain fields and those who studied in regional areas.

Extended duration for skills-shortage fields:

Graduates with qualifications in designated skills-shortage areas may be eligible for an additional two years. Eligible fields include:

• Health and medical sciences (including nursing)
• Engineering
• IT and cybersecurity
• Teaching and education
• Agriculture and food sciences

Check the Department of Home Affairs website for the most current list of eligible fields, as this is subject to policy updates. Choosing a course aligned with skills-shortage fields can significantly extend your post-study work rights — see our guide on best courses for PR in Australia.

Graduates who studied and lived in a designated regional area of Australia may be eligible for additional post-study work rights. This is one of the most significant benefits of choosing a regional university.

How regional advantages work:

• If you studied in a Category 2 regional area (cities and major regional centres like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, and Geelong), you may be eligible for an additional one year on top of the standard duration.
• If you studied in a Category 3 regional area (all other regional and remote areas), you may be eligible for an additional two years.

This means a bachelor's graduate who studied in a Category 3 regional area could receive up to 4 years of post-study work rights, while a doctoral graduate could receive up to 6 years.

To access these regional benefits, you must have lived and studied in the regional area for the required period (typically the duration of your course). Simply being enrolled at a regional campus while living in a metropolitan area is not sufficient.

The regional advantage, combined with lower tuition fees and lower living costs, makes regional universities an increasingly attractive option for international students planning to build a career in Australia after graduation.

Here is how to apply for the subclass 485 Post-Study Work stream:

1. Check your eligibility timing. You must apply within 6 months of your course completion date. The completion date is when your results are officially finalised by your institution — not your graduation ceremony date. Check your completion letter or academic record for the exact date.

2. Gather your documents. You will need:

• Passport (valid for the duration of the visa you are requesting)
• Completion letter from your Australian institution (confirming you have met all course requirements)
• Academic transcript
• English proficiency evidence (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge — taken within the past 12 months for visa purposes)
• Police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
• Health examination (arrange through the Bupa Medical Visa Services panel)
• Proof of health insurance (OSHC until visa grant; health insurance for the visa period after grant)

3. Lodge your application online. Apply through your ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. Pay the visa application charge (AUD 1,895 for the primary applicant as of 2026).

4. Receive a bridging visa. Once you lodge your 485 application, you will be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) that allows you to remain in Australia and work with full work rights while your application is processed.

5. Wait for processing. Processing times vary but are typically 3 to 6 months. You can continue working on your bridging visa during this period.

The subclass 485 visa provides full, unrestricted work rights. Unlike the student visa, which limits you to 48 hours per fortnight during semester, the 485 visa allows you to:

• Work unlimited hours for any employer.
• Work in any industry or occupation.
• Start your own business or freelance.
• Change employers as many times as you want.
• Work in multiple jobs simultaneously.

This makes the 485 visa one of the most flexible work visas available in Australia. It is designed to give you time to gain professional experience relevant to your qualification, which can then support applications for employer-sponsored visas (subclass 482 or 494) or skilled migration (subclass 189 or 190).

Tips for making the most of your 485 visa:

• Start your job search before you graduate — many employers recruit final-year students for graduate programs.
• Target employers who sponsor visas if you are hoping to transition to a longer-term visa.
• Build your professional network through industry events, LinkedIn, and university career services.
• Consider regional employment for additional migration points and visa options.
• Get your skills assessed by the relevant professional body if your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List.

The 485 visa is not a direct path to permanent residency, but it is one of the most important stepping stones. During your time on the 485, you can:

• Gain skilled work experience that counts towards points-based skilled migration visas (subclass 189 and 190).
• Obtain employer sponsorship through the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), which can lead to permanent residency after 2 to 3 years.
• Improve your English score for higher migration points (e.g., IELTS 8.0+ in all bands = 20 points).
• Accumulate Australian work experience — 1 year of skilled Australian work experience adds 5 points; 3 years adds 10 points.
• Explore state nomination — many states offer 190 or 491 visa nominations to graduates working in their jurisdiction.

The key is to use your 485 visa strategically. Do not treat it as simply an extension of your student experience. Plan your career moves to maximise your migration points and visa options. For guidance on choosing courses that align with PR pathways, see our guide on best courses for permanent residency.

Ready to plan your study-to-career pathway in Australia? Create a free Tilt SAMS account and connect with an advisor who can help you choose the right course and institution for your long-term goals.