How Long Can I Stay In Australia On A 485 Visa?

How long can you stay in Australia on a 485 visa? See 2026 durations by stream and qualification, key eligibility changes, and how Australian Immigration Consultants can guide your next visa step.

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The Short Answer: It Depends on Your Stream and Qualification

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) doesn't have one fixed length — your stay depends entirely on which stream you're granted under and the level of qualification you completed. Durations currently range from 18 months up to 5 years, and getting the stream wrong at application stage can cost you years of eligible stay. If you're asking "how long can I stay in Australia on a 485 visa," the real question is: which 485 stream applies to you?

The Three Streams of the Subclass 485 Visa

The Temporary Graduate visa currently runs under three main streams:

Post-Vocational Education Work stream — for diploma, associate degree, or trade-qualified graduates whose occupation appears on the skilled occupation list; requires a positive skills assessment
Post-Higher Education Work stream — for Bachelor, Master by coursework, Master by Research, or Doctorate graduates; no occupation list or skills assessment required
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream — for eligible graduates who studied and lived in a designated regional area, allowing a further stay period

How Long Each Stream Actually Lasts

Visa length is tied to your highest completed qualification, not just your visa stream:

Qualification / Stream	Length of Stay
Post-Vocational Education Work (diploma/trade)	18 months
Bachelor degree or Master by coursework	2 years
Master by Research or PhD	3 years
Hong Kong SAR / BNO passport holders	5 years
Second Post-Higher Education (regional bonus)	Additional stay period on top of base grant

What Changed ?

A key eligibility trap catches many applicants off guard: since 14 December 2024, Graduate Certificates no longer meet the legal definition of "degree" for 485 purposes under the Migration Amendment (Graduate Visas No. 2) Regulations 2024. If your highest award is a Graduate Certificate rather than a full Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate, you may not qualify for the Post-Higher Education Work stream at all. This single detail has led to a growing number of avoidable refusals.

English, Timing, and Study Requirements You Can't Skip

Your study must total at least 92 weeks (roughly two academic years) over a minimum of 16 calendar months in Australia, taught entirely in English at a CRICOS-registered provider. You must also apply within six months of completing your course and hold (or have held) an eligible student visa in the six months before lodgement. English test score thresholds were updated for tests taken from 7 August 2025 onward — online and at-home test formats are not accepted for this visa.

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Getting Your Stream Selection Right the First Time

Choosing the wrong stream, or assuming a Graduate Certificate qualifies you for a longer stay, are among the most common — and most expensive — mistakes graduates make. Since the Post-Higher Education Work stream requires no nominated occupation and no skills assessment, many applicants skip proper eligibility checking altogether and lodge based on assumptions rather than the current rules.

How Australian Immigration Consultants Helps 485 Applicants

Australian Immigration Consultants, led by MARA-registered agent Fahad Shamim (MARN 2619225), works with international graduates across Melbourne and beyond to confirm the correct 485 stream, verify degree eligibility against the current regulations, and map out what comes next — whether that's employer sponsorship, regional skilled migration, or a General Skilled Migration pathway. Since the 485 is rarely the final visa, AIC also helps clients use their stay period productively toward permanent residency.

Not sure which 485 stream fits your qualification?

Want a second opinion before you lodge? Book a visa strategy session with Australian Immigration Consultants or call +61 424 295 050 — a short review now can save months of processing delay later.

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What Happens When Your 485 Visa Is About to Expire

There is no direct extension of a 485 visa. As your visa nears its end, your realistic options are lodging a skilled visa (189/190/491), securing employer sponsorship (482/186), or, for eligible graduates, a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream application if you meet the regional study and residence requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend my 485 visa?

No — you must transition to a new visa before your 485 expires; there's no in-visa extension mechanism.

Do I need a skills assessment for the 485 visa?

Only for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream; the Post-Higher Education Work stream does not require one.

Can my family join me on a 485 visa?

Yes, partners and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants, subject to health and character checks.