If you are a recent graduate seeking international work experience in Australia, the Graduate visa Australia is your pathway in 2025. Through this visa, eligible recent graduates are allowed to stay and work in Australia.
Know all about Graduate visa Australia
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
The Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) allows eligible recent International graduates from a CRICOS-registered Australian program to work and stay in Australia. This visa must be applied for by the student visa holder while holding or within six months of course completion. The visa holder can bring their dependents, such as a spouse and children, when they meet the requirements.
Purpose and benefits of the visa
This post-study work visa in Australia allows the holder to work without being restricted to a specific sector. This visa provides flexible post-study work in Australia, making it ideal for students to transition into the Australian work sector. Through this pathway, the holder gets valuable International work experience and which can eventually lead to permanent residency.
Types of Graduate visa Australia ( Subclass 485)
This visa pathway is divided into different categories according to the nature of the work.
Graduate work stream (Post-Vocational Education work stream)
The graduate work stream is also known as the Post-Vocational Education work stream. This visa is provided to students with vocational-level qualifications, which aligns with any skilled occupations relevant to their studies. The visa holder is granted an 18-month visa stay period, which can later be extended to 24 months if they have fulfilled certain requirements.
Post-Study Work Stream (Post-Higher Education Work Stream)
This visa is drafted for degree-level graduates, the visa duration period depending upon the qualification. The visa duration varies with master's/bachelor's degree holders and Master's/PhD holders, ranging from 2 to 3 years, respectively.
Second Post-Study Work Stream
Graduates who have already studied, lived and worked in regional Australia. They should already hold a post-higher-education visa to be eligible for an additional extension of the visa period.
Our Croyez team will help students select the right graduate visa stream based on their qualifications, work nature, and long-term career goals.
Post study work visa Australia eligibility
Graduate visa Australia age limit
The maximum age to apply for a Graduate visa Australia is 35 or less than that. While research master’s and PhD graduates can apply up to the age of 50.
English Language Proficiency
The applicant must meet the language requirements, such as scoring IELTS of 6.5, with a minimum band score of 5.5. This result must be furnished within 12 months of the date of the visa application.
Australian Study Requirement
The applicant must have completed at least 16 months of course study in Australia. They should have previously held the subclass 500 and must apply for the graduate visa while holding the student visa.
Skills Assessment (Graduate Work Stream only)
If the applicant is opting to apply for the Graduate work stream, they must select an occupation under the skilled occupation list. They must also provide evidence to support the skills assessment for the occupation.
In Croyez Immigration, we assess the student’s age, educational qualifications, work nature, and language proficiency to meet visa requirements.
Documentation checklist
Valid Passport and Academic Transcripts
The applicant must provide their valid passport and education credentials that meet the Australian standard.
English Test Scores
The applicant must submit language proficiency test results, such as fulfilling the requirement by scoring IELTS 6.5 and submit within 12 months.
Health and Character Documents
The applicant must submit police and medical certificates from an authorised body under Australian standards.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
The applicant must purchase Overseas Student Health insurance to cover any medical emergencies during their stay in Australia. And also, Overseas visitor health cover must be purchased before applying for the subclass 485.
If you are confused about the complex procedure and worried about what are the requirements for a 485 visa in Australia, Croyez Immigration lifts the huge weight of organising the documents accurately to meet the requirements of the Australian Standards.
List of steps to apply for Graduate visa Australia
Complete Required Studies in Australia
The student must have completed a CRICOS-registered course in Australia for two years under a valid student visa.
Gather Essential Documents
Prepare and organise all the documents, like a valid passport, educational certificates, English language test results, insurance and police and medical documents.
Apply Online, book Biometrics and Health Checks
Apply for the graduate visa application online through the official website. Apply for a health examination if a biometric is required.
Await Processing and Results
The accurately completed may receive automatic grants fast, and the manual processing may take months or weeks, depending on circumstances.
Although it appears to be a straightforward process, the standard rules and immigration terms make it complex to apply accurately. A common DIY method leads to errors and eventually rejections.
Processing time and validity of the visa
Duration Based on Stream and Qualifications
The validity of the visa varies with the selected stream, where the post-vocational graduate work visa is provided for 18 months and can be extended up to 24 months when some criteria are fulfilled. Applicants with a bachelor's or master's degree are eligible for a 2-year visa period, whereas those holding a Master’s or PhD are eligible for a 4-year visa period.
Average Processing Times in 2025
The post-higher education stream visas are processed from 12 to 45 days, while the graduate stream visa processing takes up to 3 months.
Croyez Immigration keeps track of the updated 485 visa processing time and provides realistic expectations for the visa application.
Work and Stay Benefits of the Graduate Visa
Croyez Immigration ensures you fully understand how to use your 485 visa benefits—from working without limits to exploring migration pathways.
Full Work Rights
Visa holders enjoy the benefit of unlimited working hours. They can also explore other sectors beyond their current focus.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
The graduate visa holder is eligible to apply for permanent residency or other employer-sponsored visas if they fulfil the required Australian requirements.
How Croyez Immigration guides for subclass 485
Assessment of Eligibility & Documentation
Croyez immigration has decades of experience in the Immigration consultancy field, where we have processed thousands of successful applications. Our expert team will accurately review all necessary eligibility and documents.
Visa Application Preparation
Croyez will provide a smooth visa processing experience by gathering all the necessary evidence and checking the accuracy of the document. We ensure every criteria is met and finally upload the documents.
Expert Guidance throughout the Process
We provide end-to-end personalised services from application preparation to fulfilling document requests from authorities. We are your trusted visa partner even after the visa grant.
FAQs on Graduate Visa Australia
Can I bring dependents on a Graduate Visa?
Yes, the visa holder can bring their dependent, such as a spouse and children, under subclass 485. They are also required to meet character and dependency requirements.
What if my visa is refused?
If your visa was refused, call our Croyez expert to appeal the visa refusal or submit a new application with assurance of accurate documentation.
Can I apply for PR after Graduate Visa?
Yes, the visa holder can transition into PR before that; they have to apply for a skilled or employer-sponsored visa.
If you are a recent graduate in Australia, and want to calculate how long can I stay in Australia after graduation? And also wonder, can international students get work visa in Australia? The Graduate visa Australia is your dedicated pathway to kickstart your career.
If you are wondering, How do I apply for Graduate Visa Australia? Book your first free consultation call with Croyez! Join hands with us for your successful future in Australia.
