The Temporary Graduate (485) visa: your window after graduation
Two to three years of open work rights, one six-month application deadline, and an age ceiling of 35. How to use the window instead of just holding it.
Reviewed MARN 0317382Jul 2026 published6 min read
The Temporary Graduate (485) visa gives eligible recent graduates full work rights, usually two years for bachelor's and master's coursework degrees and three for research degrees, under the Post-Higher Education Work stream. You must generally be 35 or under when you apply, hold recent English results, and, critically, apply within six months of completing your course. The charge is $5,750 from 1 July 2026, and the visa cannot normally be held twice.
The rules that end applications
- The six-month window from course completion is unforgiving; completion means the date results are released, not graduation day.
- Age 35 or under at application, with exceptions for research masters and PhD graduates.
- English evidence must be recent, within the accepted validity window at lodgement, so book the test before results week, not after.
- The qualifying study must meet the Australian study requirement: registered courses, minimum duration, in Australia.
The 485 is a runway, not a destination
The visa's whole value is what you convert it into. The graduates who leave it well use the time to: get skilled employment in their field (Australian experience earns points and credibility), line up an employer willing to sponsor a Skills in Demand (482) role, complete a professional year or NAATI credential for points, or relocate regionally for state nomination options. The graduates who struggle treat it as two more years of the student lifestyle and start planning in the final six months, when age, English validity and timing have all tightened.
Family and second visas
Partners and dependent children can usually be included with their own charges. A second 485 is generally unavailable, with limited exceptions tied to regional study, so the first one has to count.
General information only, current at 18 July 2026. Not immigration assistance or advice for your circumstances. Visacorp Pty Ltd — MARN 0317382 · 1799004 · 0104178.
Common questions
How long after graduating can I apply?
Within six months of course completion, measured from when your results are released. Missing it usually ends the pathway entirely.
How long does the 485 last?
Typically two years for bachelor's and master's by coursework, three for research degrees, in the Post-Higher Education Work stream. Passport-specific arrangements can vary it.
I'm 36. Is the 485 gone for me?
For standard streams, generally yes: the limit is 35 or under at application, with exceptions for research masters and PhD graduates and some passport-specific arrangements. Other pathways, like employer sponsorship, have different age math.
Can I include my partner?
Yes, partners and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants with their own charges, and they receive the same work rights.
Unsure where your situation fits?
Twenty minutes with a registered agent is the fastest way to a straight answer.