Who needs the 485 Graduate Visa Post-Higher Education Work Stream?

This visa is for international students who have completed one of the following eligible degrees:

• Bachelor degree
• Bachelor honours degree
• Graduate certificate
• Graduate diploma
• Masters (coursework) degree
• Masters (extended) degree
• Masters (research) degree
• Doctoral degree (research)
• Doctoral degree (professional)
• Higher doctoral degree

What does this visa allow you to do?

This is a temporary visa that allows holders to live, study or work in Australia.

How long will this visa be granted for?

The Post-Higher Education Work Stream allows you to stay in Australia for 2 or 3 years, depending on your qualifications.

Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for up to 5 years.

You cannot extend this visa. You may be eligible to apply for a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa.

485 Graduate Visa Post-Higher Education Work Stream requirements

• Be aged 35 years or under when you apply. *Exceptions apply
• Be in Australia when you apply for this visa
• Have held a Student visa in the last 6 months
• Have a recent degree from a CRICOS-registered course
• Have at least Competent English. The minimum requirement is an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each module. For tests taken on or after August 7, 2025, the new scores are as follows:
  • IELTS: An overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
  • PTE Academic: An overall score of 55, with a minimum of 40 in Listening, 42 in Reading, 41 in Writing, and 39 in Speaking.
  • TOEFL iBT: A total score of 81, with a minimum of 12 in Listening, 12 in Reading, 14 in Writing, and 17 in Speaking.
  • OET: An overall score of 1310, with a minimum of 260 in Listening, 280 in Reading, 260 in Writing, and 310 in Speaking.
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced: An overall score of 176.
  • CELPIP General: An overall score of 8, with a minimum of 6 in each component.
  • LANGUAGECERT Academic: An overall score of 67, with a minimum of 49 in Listening, 54 in Reading, 56 in Writing, and 62 in Speaking.
  • MET: An overall score of 58, with a minimum of 53 in Listening, 51 in Reading, 51 in Writing, and 43 in Speaking.

• You may be exempt from the English test if you hold a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland.

• For the Graduate Visa, English test results are valid if taken in the 12 months before the visa application date.

• Have an eligible qualification that requires at least 2 academic years study, or more than 1 qualification that results in a total of at least 2 academic years study
• You must have completed your study in Australia, in a total of no less than 16 calendar months

Post-Higher Education Work Stream visa cost

The Department of Home Affairs periodically updates its visa application fees. The current fees are as follows:

• Primary Applicant: AU$ 2,300
• Secondary Applicant (18+ years): AU$ 1,150
• Secondary Applicant (under 18): AU$ 580

Note: The total cost will vary depending on the number and age of the family members included in the application. You may also incur additional costs for health checks and police certificates. These fees are subject to change by the Department of Home Affairs.

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Work Visa Lawyers is highly experienced in Skilled Graduate Subclass 485 visas application process. We are able to assist with all aspects of the application, and can also advise on complications and upcoming deadlines which may affect your eligibility, such as age or expiring documents. We prepare your application efficiently to enable your visa application to be submitted as quickly as possible.

Work Visa Lawyers will provide an eligibility assessment before advising you to proceed with a visa application.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

Contact us on +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Book an appointment with one of our experienced Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents here.