Australia’s Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485): Latest Updates

The Australian government has made some modifications to streamline the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa program in its recent Migration Strategy which will be effective from 1 July 2024. This visa allows students to live, study and work in Australia after completing their studies. 
 

Graduate Work Stream 

Revised Age Limit: The maximum eligible age for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream, formerly known as the Graduate Work Stream, has been reduced to 35 years of age or under. However, Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders are eligible for up to 50 years of age. 

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants with an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) are eligible for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream. However, applicants with a degree level or higher-level qualification can directly apply through the Post-Higher Education Work Stream.

VISA Duration: Eligible applicants can stay in Australia for up to 18 months whereas the Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders can stay for up to 5 years.

Post-Study Work Stream

Revised Age Limit: The maximum eligible age for the Post-Higher Education Work Stream, formerly known as the Post-Study Work Stream, is reduced to 35 years of age or under. For the Hong Kong and British National Overseas Passport holders, it continues to be under 50 years of age. 

Stay Periods Change

• Bachelor’s Degree - up to 2 years, Including Honors
• Master’s Degree - Coursework & Extended: up to 2 years 
• Master’s Degree - Research and Doctoral Degree - PhD: up to 3 years
• For British National Overseas Passport and Hong Kong holders: up to 5 years

Stay Period Change for Indian Nationals as agreed in the Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA): 

• Bachelor’s Degree - up to 2 years, Including Honors
• Bachelor’s Degree - up to 3 years, With First Class Honors in STEM, including ICT
• Master’s Degree - Coursework, Extended & Research: up to 3 years 
• Doctoral Degree - Ph.D.: up to 4 years
   

Second Post-Study Work Stream

Apart from being renamed as the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream, there are no changes in this work stream. 

Replacement Stream

It is estimated that the replacement stream will be discontinued from July 2025 onwards.

So, these were the latest developments in the Australia’s Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa program. For those who are aspiring to study in Australia, it is essential for them to know about the upcoming changes in the post study work visa in Australia and to be prepared beforehand. In order to get complete assistance, right from the application to the VISA processing, students can connect to KC’s Australia Experts.