Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) — Australia

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) allows you to stay in Australia temporarily after you complete your studies.

You apply through the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs).

This visa typically follows your Student Visa (subclass 500).

It gives you a lawful way to remain in Australia after graduation while you consider longer-term options.

Home Affairs requires you to submit the correct Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) form and supporting documents.

An incomplete application or uncertified documents can lead to refusal. Approval isn’t guaranteed.

You may also need to provide additional forms, such as Form Form 80, if requested by Home Affairs.

Typical Visa Pathway

Basic Eligibility Factors

To apply, you must generally:

• Be a recent graduate
• Hold or have held a Student Visa (subclass 500)
• Complete the correct subclass 485 application form
• Submit certified copies of required documents
• Provide any additional information requested by Home Affairs

Requirements can change, and you must follow the latest version from the Department of Home Affairs.

You lodge your Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) application online through your ImmiAccount with the Department of Home Affairs.

If you plan to pursue a skilled or employer-sponsored pathway later, you’ll need documents that also support those future applications.

Many graduates move from a Student Visa (subclass 500) to subclass 485, then position themselves for permanent options such as:

• Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
• Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482)
• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

This approach requires careful document planning from the start.

Core Application Components

You must pay the application fee at the time of lodgement.

Check the Home Affairs fee calculator for updated amounts before submitting.

Police certificates need close attention. They expire 12 months from the date of issue.

If processing extends beyond that period, you may need to obtain new ones.

Because document requirements vary by visa type, align your records early if you plan to transition from subclass 485 to subclass 189, 190, 482, or 186.

This can reduce delays and avoid duplicate document requests later.

You can include your spouse and dependent children in your Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) application.

The Department of Home Affairs assesses each family member as part of your overall application.

You must provide complete and consistent background information for every adult applicant.

Key forms and checks may include:

• Form Form 80 (personal particulars for assessment, including security checks)
• Form 1221, if requested
• Full 10‑year address and employment history
• Disclosure of all international travel, including travel to conflict‑affected regions

ASIO uses Form 80 for background assessments.

Inconsistencies between Form 80 and Form 1221 can delay processing.

Information You Must Account

For | Requirement | What You Must Do | | Address history | Cover every address for the last 10 years with no gaps | | Employment history | Include work, study, travel, volunteering, or caring duties | | Travel history | Declare all trips honestly, even short stays | | Form consistency | Ensure all forms contain matching details |

Unexplained gaps often cause delays.

Account for every period, even informal activities.

If your long‑term plan includes visas such as the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190), Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482), or Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), maintain accurate records from the start.

Future applications build on the information you provide now.

Home Affairs handles visa decisions.

The Australian Border Force manages entry at the border.

After your Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), you may look toward skilled or employer‑sponsored options.

You lodge these applications with the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs).

Common long‑term pathways include:

• Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
• Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482)
• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

Each visa has its own criteria and process.

When you apply, you may need to complete Form Form 80.

Home Affairs uses this form to assess personal history and character matters.

You must disclose all criminal history, including:

• Spent convictions
• Pending charges
• Past offenses, even if minor

Failure to disclose is treated more seriously than the offense itself and can lead to refusal.

Before lodging any application:

1. Review the visa criteria on the Home Affairs website.

2. Check the visa processing times guide for an indication of expected timeframes.

3. Ensure your information is complete and consistent with your previous Student Visa (subclass 500) and subclass 485 records.

Accuracy and full disclosure protect your long‑term migration plans.

You can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) if your eligibility comes from your education qualifications.

Your qualification needs to meet the standards set by the Department of Home Affairs.

The type and level of your completed study will determine whether you can move forward with an application.

To qualify, you generally need to:

• Have completed an eligible qualification
• Hold or have held a Student Visa (subclass 500)
• Meet the education criteria assessed by Home Affairs
• Provide accurate background information, which may include Form Form 80

Home Affairs evaluates whether your completed course meets the visa’s education requirements.

You must rely on the qualification you have already completed, not one you plan to finish later.

If your long-term goal is a permanent visa such as the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190), your education may later support those pathways.

If you plan to pursue employer-sponsored routes like the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) or the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), your qualification can also count toward that process.

Home Affairs decides whether your education meets subclass 485 requirements.

Home Affairs questions applications when your documents do not align or when you leave out required evidence.

Even small inconsistencies can delay assessment of your Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485).

One frequent issue involves Form Form 80 and Form 1221.

These forms collect detailed background information, and overlapping sections must match exactly.

If you list different travel dates or leave gaps in your address history, Home Affairs may question your credibility.

That scrutiny can slow processing.

You must also submit all required supporting evidence at the time of application.

Missing documents often trigger follow‑up requests.

Common risk areas include:

• Inconsistent dates between forms
• Unexplained gaps in employment or study
• Differences between your Student Visa (subclass 500) history and your Form 80 disclosures
• Errors carried forward from prior visa applications, such as the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190), Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482), or Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

Before you lodge, cross‑check every entry across your forms.

Review travel, work, and address timelines side by side and confirm they align word for word and date for date.

Accuracy reduces questions.

Consistency supports credibility.