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Subclass 485 Post-Study Work Visa: Eligibility, Duration and How to Apply

Visa Pathways

Subclass 485 Post-Study Work Visa: Eligibility, Duration and How to Apply

The Subclass 485 is the critical bridge between finishing your degree and qualifying for skilled migration. This guide covers who qualifies, how long it lasts, and what to do while you hold it.

Visa Pathways7 min readActive Study Australia

The Subclass 485 Post-Study Work (PSW) visa is one of the most strategically important visas in the Australian migration system for international graduates. It gives you the time to gain skilled work experience, complete your skills assessment, and build toward the points score you need for permanent residency.

What Is the Subclass 485?

The 485 is a temporary graduate visa that allows international students who have recently completed an Australian degree to live, study, and work in Australia for a period after graduation. It has two streams:

  • Graduate stream - for recent graduates who completed a Bachelor's degree or above
  • Post-Vocational Education Work stream - for those who completed a VET qualification at Certificate IV level or above

Eligibility Requirements

  • Have applied for your first 485 within 6 months of completing your degree
  • Have studied in Australia for at least 2 years (cumulative)
  • Have completed a degree at Bachelor's level or above at an Australian institution
  • Be under 50 years of age
  • Meet health and character requirements

How Long Does the 485 Last?

  • Bachelor's degree: 2 years (4 years regional)
  • Master's by coursework: 3 years (5 years regional)
  • Master's by research: 3 years
  • PhD: 4 years (6 years regional)

The regional bonus is significant - studying at a regional campus can effectively double the length of your 485.

Not sure which visa pathway is right for you?

Talk to our Registered Migration Agent and get your 485 strategy mapped out.

What Can You Do on a 485?

The 485 grants full work rights - there is no restriction on hours, employer type, or industry. You can also study on a 485 and travel freely in and out of Australia.

How to Use Your 485 Time Strategically

Gain skilled work experience in your nominated occupation

Every year of work experience in a skilled role relevant to your nominated ANZSCO occupation adds points to your SkillSelect score. Three years adds 5 points; five years adds 10. Make sure your role matches your nominated occupation closely.

Lodge your skills assessment early

Do not wait until your 485 is about to expire to begin your skills assessment. Many assessing bodies take 3-6 months to process applications. Lodge as soon as you have completed your degree and gathered the required documents.

Sit your English test and submit your EOI

If you have not already achieved Proficient or Superior English scores, use your 485 time to prepare and resit. The difference between Competent and Superior English is 20 points. As soon as you have a positive skills assessment and a qualifying English result, submit your Expression of Interest in SkillSelect.

Make every month of your 485 count toward permanent residency.

Book a free consultation and we'll build your 485 strategy from day one.

Can You Apply for Another 485?

Generally, no. The 485 is a once-per-lifetime visa. Some exceptions apply for applicants who held a 485 before certain policy changes, but in most cases, you cannot apply for a second one. This makes it critical to use your 485 time well.

What If Your 485 Expires Before You Receive a PR Invitation?

Your options are limited:

  • Apply for a bridging visa if you have already lodged a substantive visa application
  • Apply for employer sponsorship (482 visa) if you have an employer willing to sponsor you
  • Apply for a student visa to undertake further study that strengthens your application

The best strategy is always to have your EOI lodged and to be competitive for invitations well before your 485 expires. Our migration agents help you map this timeline from day one so you are never caught out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to start your journey to Australian PR?

Book a free consultation with our MARA-registered migration agents and get a personalised study and PR pathway mapped for you.

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We are a licensed Migration Agent. Our License details can be found here.

You can find more information about migration agents at the Migration Agent Registration Authority www.mara.gov.au