Life after graduation: making the most of the 485 visa

The Temporary Graduate visa, known as the subclass 485, gives international graduates the right to live and work in Australia after their studies. It's a powerful visa, but only if you treat it as a launchpad rather than a holiday.

Two streams, two strategies

The 485 has two streams: the Post-Higher Education Work stream for graduates of bachelor and masters programs, and the Post-Vocational Education Work stream for graduates of qualifying VET courses. The length of stay varies by qualification level and, in some cases, by where you studied.

Recent changes have tightened age limits and adjusted some stay durations, so always check the most current settings on the Home Affairs website before making long-term plans.

The first six months matter most

Graduates who make the most of the 485 almost always treat the first six months like a job search sprint. That means building an Australian-style resume, getting on LinkedIn properly, attending industry events, and applying broadly rather than waiting for the perfect role.

• Localise your resume to Australian conventions — short, achievement-focused, no photo.
• Use your university's career service while you still have access to it.
• Look at adjacent roles, not just the exact title from your degree.
• Consider regional roles, which can also support longer-term migration pathways.

Linking the 485 to permanent residency

The 485 is most valuable when you use it to build the work experience and English scores you'll need for skilled migration later. Some occupations have clear pathways through the Skilled Independent or Employer Sponsored streams. Others require more planning, including state nomination.

We genuinely recommend a planning session before you finish your studies, not after. The earlier you understand which pathway fits your profession, the more deliberate your job search and skills assessment can be.

Common mistakes during the 485

• Drifting through the first year in casual work that doesn't count toward skilled migration.
• Letting English test scores expire just before they're needed.
• Missing skills assessment timelines, which can take longer than people expect.
• Assuming the rules will stay the same for the full length of the visa.

None of this is meant to scare you. The 485 is a generous visa and Australia rewards graduates who use it intentionally. If you'd like a clear plan for your two or three years post-graduation, that's exactly the kind of work we do with students every week.