Australia made significant changes to its post-study work rights in 2023, extending the period graduates can remain in Australia on a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) after completing their studies.
Understanding the current arrangements — and the conditions attached to them — is useful for anyone currently planning to study in Australia or already enrolled.
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
The subclass 485 visa allows recent international graduates to live and work in Australia for a defined period after completing their studies. There are two streams: the Graduate Work stream (for those with skills related to an occupation in demand) and the Post-Study Work stream (for those who completed a degree at an Australian institution).
The Post-Study Work stream is the one most students use.
The extended periods
Following changes announced in 2023, the post-study work period has been extended for eligible graduates:
- Bachelor degree, Honours or Graduate Certificate/Diploma holders can now remain for two years (up from two years in most cases)
- Masters degree holders can remain for three years
- PhD graduates can remain for four years
- There are additional extensions available for graduates of qualifications completed in regional Australia
The exact periods applicable to an individual depend on when they began their studies, where they studied and which qualification they completed.
Working conditions under the 485
While on the 485, there are no restrictions on the type of work you can undertake. You can work full-time for any employer in any occupation. This makes it a valuable period for building experience that may contribute to a subsequent skilled migration application.
The pathway to permanent residency
The 485 visa is not permanent residency, but it is commonly used as a bridge toward it. Australian work experience gained on the 485 can contribute to:
- Expression of Interest scores under SkillSelect
- State and territory nomination programmes
- Some direct employer-sponsored pathways
Whether this pathway is realistic depends significantly on the individual's occupation, location and English language ability.
What has not changed
The fundamental requirements for the 485 remain: you must have completed a qualifying qualification at an Australian institution as a student visa holder, within the required time before applying. The application must be made from within Australia.
The practical implication
If you are planning to study in Australia with post-study work rights in mind, the qualification level and study location remain important factors to consider alongside the choice of institution and course content.
An advisor can help clarify what the current arrangements look like for your specific circumstances.
