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485 Post-Higher Education Work Stream Visa

485 Post-Higher Education Work Stream Visa

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) – Post-Higher Education Work Stream

The Post Study Work stream of the 485 subclass visa, now called the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream, is a work visa that lasts between 2 and 3 years. To be eligible, students must complete studies at the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor, Masters, or Doctorate level, with a course duration of at least 2 academic years.

This visa is a great option for students wishing to extend their stay in Australia after their studies and can also benefit those aiming to stay permanently through General Skilled Migration or employer sponsorship.

Key Points:

  • No Occupations List: The field of study is irrelevant as long as it meets the required education level.
  • No Skills Assessment: A skills assessment is not required for this visa.
  • Full Work and Study Rights: This visa allows full work and study rights and permits unrestricted travel to and from Australia during its validity.

Processing Time: A complete application typically takes 2-6 months to process.

Recent Updates to the 485 Visa:

  • Additional 1 or 2-year visa for international graduates from regional institutions.
  • Age limit extended to 35 years.
  • Secondary applicants are not excluded.
  • Changes affecting students and skilled migrants.
  • Processing time updates.
  • New streams such as the Second Post-Study Work stream (extension) and visa replacement stream.

End of Two-Year Extension: The extended post-study work rights, which provided an additional two years for select degrees, will no longer be available from mid-2024. The Department of Education has not set an exact end date but will update their website with more information.

Visa Validity: The length of stay depends on the level of your Australian study qualification:

  • Bachelor’s Degree (including honours): 2 years
  • Master’s Degree (coursework and extended): 2 years
  • Master’s Degree (research): 3 years
  • Doctoral Degree: 3 years

For Indian nationals under the Australia India – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA):

  • Bachelor’s Degree (including honours): 2 years
  • Bachelor’s Degree (with first-class honours in STEM, including ICT): 3 years
  • Master’s Degree (coursework, extended, and research): 3 years
  • Doctoral Degree (PhD): 4 years

Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders: Up to 5 years.

The visa starts on the date it is granted, and you can travel in and out of Australia while it remains valid.

Eligibility: You may apply for a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa.

First Student Visa Requirement: You must have applied for and been granted your first student visa on or after 5 November 2011 to qualify. If you held a student visa applied for before this date, you are ineligible, even if you have since returned to your home country or held a visa to study non-award or English courses.

Australian Study Requirements: You must complete a course or series of courses in Australia that takes at least 2 academic years. Requirements include:

  • Only studies at the Bachelor, Masters, or Doctorate level count towards the 2 years requirement.
  • The studies must be registered on CRICOS, with a total registered study period of at least 92 weeks.
  • Overseas study exemptions may affect the 92-week requirement.
  • You can count more than one course, as long as each meets the requirements and results in 2 academic years of study.
  • Breaks between studies are allowed.

English Language Requirements: You must prove your English language ability when applying. Acceptable methods include:

  • Holding a passport from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, or New Zealand.
  • IELTS (Academic or General Training): Overall average of 6 and at least 5 in each band.
  • Occupational English Test (OET): B Pass in each band.
  • Pearson (PTE Academic): Overall average of 50 with at least 36 in each band.
  • TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test): Total score of 64, with at least 4 in Listening and Reading, and at least 14 in Writing and Speaking.
  • Cambridge (CAE): Overall average of 169 with at least 154 in each band.

Health Insurance Requirements: You must have adequate health insurance coverage when your 485 visa is granted. While OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is acceptable at the time of application, Working Visa cover is required for approval and must be maintained throughout the validity of your 485 visa.

Health Check: A medical examination is generally required, though recent student visa medicals may be reused.

Police Checks: An Australian Federal Police (AFP) check is required for yourself and any family members aged 16 or over. This must be applied for before lodging your 485 visa.

Time Limits: You must apply for your 485 visa within 6 months of completing your Australian studies. At the time of application, you must either hold a student visa, have held a student visa within the last 6 months, or be on a bridging A or B visa if your student visa has expired.

Bridging Visa: Upon applying for your 485 visa, you will generally receive a Bridging A visa, allowing you to remain in Australia while your application is processed. The Bridging A visa has full work rights, which take effect after your substantive visa expires. The Bridging A visa may cease if you leave Australia, so you may need to apply for a Bridging Visa B if you wish to travel while waiting for a decision.

COVID Concession Period: From 25 November 2023, online study requirements have reverted to pre-COVID settings. However, online study completed during the COVID concession period (1 February 2020 to 25 November 2023) will still count toward the Australian Study Requirement (ASR).

All students were required to return to in-person study by July 2023. As a result, the reversion should not disadvantage students and provides a clear end date to the previous government’s announcement in November 2021.

New Subclass 485 Grant Rules: From 25 November 2023, the subclass 485 visa can be granted regardless of the applicant’s location at the time of grant