When do I have to apply for the 485 visa?

You must apply within six months of your course results being officially released — not from your graduation ceremony date, which is often months later. Results release is typically the date your institution formally notifies you of your academic results, not the conferral date. Check your institution's records and academic transcript for the earliest documented results date.

Does the six months start from graduation or results?

Results — not the graduation ceremony. This is one of the most common misunderstandings about the 485 deadline. Graduation ceremonies can happen 3–6 months after results are released. If you calculate your 6-month window from the ceremony, you may have already missed the real deadline. Use the calculator above: enter the date your institution released your results (usually visible in your student portal).

What is the 485 age limit?

For the PHEW (Post-Higher Education Work) and PVEW (Post-Vocational Education Work) streams, you must be under 35 at the time you apply. For the Second PHEW stream, the limit is under 50. Exemptions exist for: doctoral (PhD) graduates from any institution; research masters graduates; and holders of Hong Kong BNO passports. The age test applies at lodgement — if you turn 35 the day before you apply, you are ineligible (subject to exemptions).

Can I get a second 485 visa?

Yes — if you qualify for the Second Post-Higher Education Work (2PHEW) stream. You must have previously held a 485 PHEW visa, completed a further Australian bachelor or higher degree in a field relating to designated regional area needs, and intend to live in a regional area. The age limit is 50 (not 35). This is specifically designed to encourage graduates to regional Australia and build toward a 491 or 191.

What English do I need for the 485?

Competent English — IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.0, or equivalent in PTE Academic (50), TOEFL iBT (36), OET (B), or Cambridge (169). The 485 does not require Proficient or Superior English. However, if your PR strategy involves a points-tested visa, investing in Superior English (IELTS 8+) during the 485 runway is worth +10 extra points compared to Proficient.

Does studying in a regional area help my 485 application?

Regional study does not affect the 485 itself — the grant conditions are the same. Where it helps is the Second PHEW stream (you need a regionally relevant further qualification) and the PR pathway: a degree from a regional campus adds +5 points to a skilled visa application, and regional study opens the 491 pathway with state/territory nomination. Plan the region at enrolment, not at the 485 stage.

I am on a student visa. Will I have a bridging visa while my 485 is processed?

Yes — if you lodge your 485 application before your student visa expires and within the six-month results window, a Bridging Visa A activates and allows you to remain in Australia while DHA assesses the 485. The BVA generally carries the same work rights as the student visa (post-completion). Once the 485 is granted, you move to full 485 work rights.

Can I work full-time on the 485?

Yes — the 485 grants unlimited work rights. There are no restrictions on hours, employer, industry or location (except the 2PHEW stream which intends regional living). This is a significant upgrade from student visa work-hour limits. Medicare access is also typically available from 485 grant day.

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Streams renamed mid-2024 — PHEW, PVEW and 2PHEW replace the old Graduate Work / Post-Study Work names.See 2026 Streams →

Skilled Migration · Post-Study Work

Temporary Graduate Visa
Subclass 485

A post-study work visa for international graduates of Australian institutions, providing 2–4 years of work rights to gain Australian experience.

General information current as at August 2026. Requirements are subject to change — verify with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

Book a Consultation Check your stream

At a Glance — 2026

Subclass 485 Key Facts

Visa typeTemporary Graduate (work rights)

Streams (from mid-2024)PHEW · PVEW · 2PHEW

Application window6 months from results release

Age limit (PHEW / PVEW)Under 35 at time of application

Age limit (2PHEW)Under 50

Duration — Bachelor / Honours2 years

Duration — Master's by coursework3 years

Duration — PhD / Doctoral4 years

Work rightsUnlimited — any employer, any hours

English requirementCompetent (IELTS 6 or equivalent)

MedicareYes (from grant)

PhD age exemptionNo age limit for PhD graduates

Quick Answer

The Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa lets eligible graduates who held a student visa (subclass 500) live and work in Australia after study, as Nanak Migration Group, a registered migration agent (MARN 2619467), explains. Many graduates later seek a skills assessment and skilled migration options such as Skilled Independent (subclass 189), or follow a planned student to PR pathway.

Reviewed by Navpreet Aulakh, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2619467)

Last reviewed: July 2026

The Format Edge

Your Double Deadline Calculator

Two clocks run at once. Your true deadline is whichever expires first. No competitor computes both simultaneously.

Date of birth *

Results release date (not graduation ceremony)

Check your student portal or academic transcript for the official results date

Degree level (determines 485 duration)

I'm applying for the Second 485 (2PHEW) — age limit 50

Results Clock

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Enter results date above

Age Clock

—

Enter date of birth above

Enter your details on the left to see both deadlines

Book a 485 Strategy Session — MARN 2619467

Updated mid-2024

The Three 485 Streams

The old stream names were replaced in mid-2024. Select your stream to see requirements and duration.

Previously: Post-Study Work stream

Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW)

Age limit: 35

The most common stream. Duration varies by degree level — a bachelor gives 2 years, a PhD gives 4.

Requirements

Australian bachelor, bachelor honours, master by coursework, or doctoral degree

Degree from an Australian institution in Australia (not offshore delivery)

Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)

Genuine student throughout enrolment (GSR)

Apply within 6 months of results release

Under 35 at time of application (exemptions apply)

Duration by Degree

bachelor2 yrs

honours2 yrs

masters3 yrs

phd4 yrs

PR Pathways

189 / 190 / 491 skilled visas482 → 186 employer sponsorship

From mid-2024

The 485 Age Limit: 35, With Exemptions

The age limit of 35 was introduced in mid-2024 for the PHEW and PVEW streams. It is tested at the time of application — not at grant. If you turn 35 on the day before you lodge, you are ineligible (subject to exemptions below).

PHEW stream

Under 35 at application date

Under 35

PVEW stream

Under 35 at application date

Under 35

2PHEW (Second 485)

Under 50 — higher limit for regional pathway

Under 50

PhD / doctoral graduates

No age limit — applies regardless of age

No limit

Hong Kong / BNO passport holders

Special arrangements — check DHA guidelines

Under 45

Practitioner note — first-hand

The age test is at lodgement, not grant

There can be months between lodgement and grant. If you lodge the day before your 35th birthday, you have lodged in time — even if the 485 is granted after your birthday. The critical date is lodgement.

The PhD exemption is categorical

Doctoral graduates have no age limit on the PHEW stream. If you completed a PhD in Australia, the age test does not apply — this is one of the more useful exemptions and is often misunderstood.

Age and results: both must pass

Meeting the age limit is necessary but not sufficient. You must also be within 6 months of results release. Candidates sometimes focus on one clock and forget the other.

Enrolment date vs results date confusion

Results release is the date your institution formally releases results — often 1–4 weeks before graduation. It appears on your academic transcript. The graduation ceremony date is not the relevant date.

Using the 485 Well

Your 485 Runway — What to Do When

The 485 is not a waiting room. It is your PR preparation window. Here is how to use every month of it.

critical

Before 485 is granted

Get your skills assessed

Most assessing authorities take 4–16 weeks. Starting after the 485 is granted costs you runway time.

high

First 3 months on 485

Re-sit English if below Superior

IELTS 8+ gives +20 pts (vs +10 for Proficient). One re-sit can decide how many rounds you wait in SkillSelect.

high

First 6 months on 485

Lodge your EOI in SkillSelect

Tie-breaking favours earliest submission at equal scores. Lodge as soon as your score is competitive.

medium

Months 12–24

Build Australian work experience

1–2 yrs = +5 pts. 3–4 yrs = +10 pts. Work in your occupation from day one — every month counts.

medium

Ongoing

Consider a Professional Year

+5 pts and employer networks. Only available in ICT, accounting and engineering. Runs 12 months.

critical

Before 485 expires

Have a lodged PR application

Don't ride the 485 to expiry without a submitted PR application or an employer sponsorship in place.

Questions

485 Visa FAQ

Also Useful

Planning your post-study work path?

Navpreet Aulakh (MARN 2619467) can advise on which 485 stream applies to your degree, confirm your application window, and manage your application end-to-end.

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Book a Consultation Student to PR Pathways →

MARA-registered · MARN 2619467 · General information only

General information only — not immigration advice

About this information

This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.

No outcome representation

Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.

Get personal advice

Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

Information current as at August 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.

Temporary Graduate Visa
Subclass 485

A post-study work visa for international graduates of Australian institutions, providing 2–4 years of work rights to gain Australian experience.

General information current as at August 2026. Requirements are subject to change — verify with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

Temporary Graduate Visa
Subclass 485

Your Double Deadline Calculator

The Three 485 Streams

Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW)

The 485 Age Limit: 35, With Exemptions

Your 485 Runway — What to Do When

485 Visa FAQ

Related Pages

Planning your post-study work path?

Temporary Graduate Visa
Subclass 485

Your Double Deadline Calculator

The Three 485 Streams

Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW)

The 485 Age Limit: 35, With Exemptions

Your 485 Runway — What to Do When

485 Visa FAQ

Related Pages

Planning your post-study work path?