Finishing a degree in Australia is a big milestone, and for most international students, the next question is simple: how do I stay and gain work experience? The Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 is built exactly for this. It lets eligible graduates live and work in Australia after their course ends, but only if specific 485 visa requirements for international students are met.
This guide breaks down the eligibility rules, documents, streams, and stay periods straightforwardly, so you know exactly where you stand before applying.
What Is the 485 Visa for International Students?
The Subclass 485 visa is a temporary visa that allows recent graduates of an Australian institution to remain in the country after completing their course. It is not a study visa extension – it is a work and stay visa aimed at helping graduates build local experience, which can later support a skilled migration pathway.
Also Read: Student Visa Expiring? 485 Visa and What You Can Do Next
Who Is Eligible? Core 485 Visa Requirements for International Students
To qualify, international students generally need to meet the following conditions.
Age Limit
Applicants must usually be under 35 years of age at the time of lodging the application. A small number of exceptions apply depending on nationality and specific bilateral arrangements, so this should always be checked against current Department of Home Affairs rules.
Australian Study Requirement
Your qualification must have been completed at a CRICOS-registered institution, taught in English, and completed within the required duration (generally at least two years of study, known as the CRICOS-registered course requirement). Degrees, diplomas, and eligible trade qualifications can all count, depending on the stream.
Valid Visa at Time of Application
International students must apply for the 485 visa while still holding a valid Student Visa, or shortly after it expires, within the permitted window. Delaying the application even by a few weeks past the cut-off can mean losing eligibility altogether.
English Language Requirement
A recognised English test result – IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge English – is required unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption (for example, passport holders from specific countries). Score validity periods matter, so international students should not wait until the test result is close to expiring.
Health and Character Checks
Applicants must pass health examinations, which may include a medical check and chest X-ray, and meet Australia’s character requirements through police clearance certificates from every country lived in for 12 months or more.
Which 485 Visa Stream Applies to International Students?
There are two main streams relevant to international students:
- Post-Study Work stream – for graduates of a higher education qualification (bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD) who applied for their first Student Visa on or after a specific cut-off date.
- Graduate Work stream – for graduates whose qualification relates to an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
Choosing the correct stream is one of the most common points of confusion, and applying under the wrong one is a leading cause of refusals. The stream also determines how long the visa is granted for, which typically ranges from two to four years depending on the qualification level.
Documents International Students Need for the 485 Visa
- Valid passport and identity documents
- Course completion letter and official academic transcript
- Evidence of the English language test result
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) or equivalent health insurance
- Police clearance certificates
- CV, if requested to demonstrate relevant occupation alignment (Graduate Work stream)
Incomplete documentation is the single biggest reason applications get delayed, so international students should prepare these well before their Student Visa expiry date.
Latest Update: Skilled Visa Income Threshold Update: July 2026
How Long Can International Students Stay?
Stay periods depend on the qualification and stream:
- Bachelor’s degree graduates: typically two years
- Master’s (coursework) graduates: typically three years
- Master’s (research) and PhD graduates: typically three to four years
These durations are reviewed periodically as part of broader migration policy changes, so international students should confirm current settings before planning long-term.
Common Mistakes International Students Should Avoid
- Applying after the Student Visa has already lapsed
- Selecting the wrong 485 stream for their qualification
- Submitting an expired English test result
- Missing supporting documents for included family members
- Assuming eligibility rules haven’t changed since a friend’s application
How an Immigration Agent Perth Can Help
Because eligibility criteria, streams, and documentation requirements change regularly, many international students choose to work with a registered Immigration Agent in Perth rather than navigate the process alone. A MARA-registered agent can confirm which stream fits your qualifications, review your documents before lodgement, and reduce the risk of delays caused by avoidable errors.
Final Word
Meeting the 485 visa requirements for international students takes careful planning — from timing your application correctly to choosing the right stream and gathering complete documents. If your situation feels complicated, speaking with a registered migration agent early can help you avoid costly mistakes.
