Basic Eligibility

To be eligible for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be under 50 years of age
• Hold an eligible visa
• Have held a student visa in the last 6 months
• Have a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course
• Nominate one stream only, as it is not possible to change visa streams after applying
• Attach specified evidence when applying

Extension of Post Study Work Rights

From 1 July 2023, the Australian government will increase the duration of stay for some Temporary Graduate visas (subclass 485). Graduates with a Bachelor, Honours, or Masters degree will be eligible for a visa with a further two-year validity if their qualification is listed on the Department of Education’s ‘Eligible Qualifications List (EQL)’. All doctoral graduates will also be eligible for a further two-year validity. More details on eligibility and how to apply for the extended Temporary Graduate Visa will be provided closer to 1 July 2023.

Transitional Arrangements

Temporary Graduate visa holders in Australia whose visas expired or will expire between 1 September 2022 and 1 July 2023, or Temporary Graduate visa holders who were in Australia throughout the pandemic period and are therefore not eligible for the TGV Replacement stream, may be eligible for the COVID-19 Pandemic Event (subclass 408) visa with a 2-year stay period. Applicants must be working in Australia or have an offer of employment. Applications must be made 90 days before the TGV expires or 28 days after the TGV expires to be eligible for a Pandemic event visa. If granted a 408 Pandemic Event visa, applicants will not be eligible to apply separately for an extended TGV.

Removal of Occupation Nomination and Skills Assessment Requirements

The requirement to nominate an occupation from the skilled occupation list and obtain a skills assessment for Temporary Graduate visa Graduate Work stream applications has been removed. This applies to applications lodged between 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

Streamlined Requirements

The Australian Government is streamlining requirements for temporary visa applicants in Australia. The systems will be updated to reflect the new policy, and ImmiAccount will be updated soon. Applicants should check if they still need to undertake a medical examination and chest x-ray.

Temporary Graduate Visa Streams

There are four streams under the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) program:

1. Graduate Work Stream – for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications relevant to specific occupations Australia needs. The visa allows them to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily. The usual stay period is up to 18 months, which was temporarily increased to 24 months for visas granted from 1 December 2021. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.

2. Post-Study Work Stream – for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. The visa allows them to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily. The usual stay period is between 2 and 4 years, depending on the qualification. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.

3. Second Post-Study Work Stream – for holders of a Temporary Graduate visa (first Post-Study Work stream or Replacement stream) who graduated with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area. The visa allows them to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily. The usual stay period is between 1 and 2 years, depending on the regional location of the educational institution that led to the grant of the first Temporary Graduate visa in the post-study work stream and the regional area that the applicant lives in as the holder of their first Temporary Graduate visa or the Temporary Graduate visa in the replacement stream. The cost of this visa starts from AUD680, and processing times are currently not available.

4. Replacement Stream – for current and former Temporary Graduate visa holders who lost time on their original visa due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The visa allows them to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily. The usual stay period is between 18 months and 5 years, with the grant period being the same as the previous visa, except for specific circumstances. The cost of this visa starts from AUD1,730, and processing times are currently not available.
   
   

Applicants can work in Australia with a qualification relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list, except for applications lodged between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. Applicants can also bring their family with them.

Graduates affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions are now able to apply for and be granted a Temporary Graduate visa outside Australia, provided they hold or have held an eligible Student visa.

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) program provides international students with the opportunity to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily after completing their studies. The Australian government has made some changes to the eligibility requirements and duration of stay for this visa program, with the aim of supporting key industries and rebuilding the international education sector. Applicants should carefully evaluate their options before applying and ensure they meet the eligibility requirements for the specific stream they are applying for.