Temporary Graduate visa

What this visa is for#

The Australian Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, in the Post-study work stream, lets a person live and work in Australia temporarily after finishing an Australian qualification.

This is a student category visa. It is used after study, not as a way to start a course.

A subclass 485 visa can also affect practical things like work rights, travel and how long a person can remain in Australia while they make later plans. The exact visa conditions and period of stay are set by the Department of Home Affairs at the time of grant.

Who it is generally for#

This visa is for people who have recently completed an Australian qualification and want to stay in Australia temporarily after study.

This visa is for people who are moving from a student-related stay in Australia to a temporary post-study period. In practice, that often includes recent graduates who want time to work, travel, or organise their next steps after finishing their course.

This visa is for people who need a lawful visa in place after study ends and who want a visa designed for graduates, rather than a visitor or further student visa. Family members can sometimes be included in an application, depending on the circumstances and the rules in force at the time of lodgement.

What it costs#

The government visa application charge for this visa is:

• Main applicant: $5,750
• Additional applicant 18 or over: $2,870
• Additional applicant under 18: $1,435

These are government charges. They are paid to the Department of Home Affairs, and the government charge is the same no matter who lodges the application.

A registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner may also charge professional fees for preparing, checking and lodging an application. Those fees are separate from the government charge and can vary a lot depending on the work involved, the number of applicants, and how complex the documents are.

Other out-of-pocket costs can also come up during the process, such as health examinations, police certificates, translations or new passport costs, if needed. The Department and outside providers set those charges separately.

Government charges are indexed and usually change on 1 July. Before lodgement, it is sensible to check the current figure on the Department's website or in the online application system.

How long it takes#

Published processing guidance: Commonly 3-9 months.

That is general guidance only. Actual processing times can move up or down depending on application volumes, whether documents are complete when lodged, and whether the Department asks for more information.

Processing can also take longer if checks are needed from other agencies or overseas authorities. A case with missing documents, expired documents, or inconsistent information can take longer than a case that is complete from the start.

What the process involves#

The process usually starts with checking the current Department rules for the Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, Post-study work stream, and gathering the documents needed for lodgement. This often includes identity documents, study completion evidence and documents for any family members included in the application.

The application is generally lodged online through ImmiAccount. The Department's online system steps through the form sections and document upload pages, and the application charge is usually paid at the end of lodgement.

After lodgement, the Department may issue requests for more information, health examination instructions, or other notices through ImmiAccount. It is important to read those notices carefully and respond within the time allowed.

If a person is in Australia when they lodge, a bridging visa may be granted automatically in connection with the application. A bridging visa is a separate visa with its own conditions, start date and travel limits. It does not simply copy the rights of the previous substantive visa.

During processing, the Department expects details to stay up to date. That includes contact details, passport details and changes to family composition, if relevant.

At the end of the process, the Department grants or refuses the application in writing. The notice usually sets out the visa grant details, conditions and period of stay, or the reasons for refusal.

Some people use a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner to prepare the documents and manage correspondence. Others lodge on their own. Either way, the application is decided by the Department, not by the person who lodges it.

What commonly goes wrong#

A very common problem is incomplete evidence at lodgement. The online form may be submitted, but key documents are missing, unclear, not translated, or uploaded in the wrong place. That can lead to delays, requests for more information, or a refusal if the Department is not satisfied by the deadline.

Another common issue is relying on documents that expire during processing. Passports, police certificates and some other records can create problems if they are outdated, close to expiry, or inconsistent with the details in the application. If a passport changes after lodgement, the new details usually need to be updated with the Department.

Study evidence also causes trouble when the documents do not clearly show what was completed and when. For example, a person may upload an enrolment record when the Department is expecting completion evidence, or the dates across the transcript, completion letter and form answers may not match.

Contact details are often overlooked. If a person moves house, changes email address or stops checking the email account linked to ImmiAccount, they can miss an important deadline. Not telling the Department about a change of address can mean requests and notices are missed even though the Department has technically sent them.

Family member details can also be a source of delay. Names, dates of birth, relationship documents and passport details need to match across all forms and uploads. Small differences in spelling or date format can trigger further questions.

People sometimes assume a bridging visa carries the same rights as the substantive one it follows. That assumption can cause real problems with work, study or travel. A bridging visa has its own conditions, and travel in particular should be checked carefully because leaving Australia can affect whether a bridging visa remains in effect.

Timing mistakes are another practical problem. Documents are sometimes left until the last minute, health examinations are booked late, or police certificates are requested too close to a deadline. When several time-sensitive tasks stack up at once, the application can become harder to manage.

A final issue is inconsistency. If the dates, addresses, travel history or personal details in the form do not match the supporting documents, the Department may ask questions. Even simple data entry errors can slow a case down, so many applicants use a checklist before pressing submit.

Frequently asked questions#

How much is the 485 visa application fee?#

The government charge is $5,750 for the main applicant. It is $2,870 for an additional applicant aged 18 or over, and $1,435 for an additional applicant under 18. These figures are government charges and are separate from any professional fee charged by a registered migration agent or lawyer.

How long does a 485 visa take to process?#

Published processing guidance: Commonly 3-9 months. That is a general guide, not a fixed deadline, and the actual timeframe can be shorter or longer depending on the application and Department workload.

Can family members be included in a 485 visa application?#

Family members can sometimes be included in an application, depending on the visa rules in force at the time and the application setup. If family members are included, extra government charges apply based on age, and extra identity and relationship documents are usually required.

Can I work on a 485 visa?#

The Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, Post-study work stream, is designed to let a person live and work in Australia temporarily after finishing an Australian qualification. The exact visa conditions are set out in the grant notice, so work and other rights are confirmed by the Department in that document.

Do I need a migration agent to apply for a 485 visa?#

No law says an application must be lodged by a migration agent or lawyer. Some people lodge their own application online, while others pay a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner for help with document preparation, form checking and correspondence.

About this page. This is general information about how the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) works. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you rely on it, and check any agent's registration on the OMARA register.