Post Study Work Permit in Australia: Who Can Apply & Stay Duration
You cleared every exam, completed your degree, and now stand on the other side of graduation. What happens next? If staying back in Australia to build a real career is the plan, the Post Study Work Permit in Australia, officially called the “ Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)”.
This allows eligible graduates to stay and work in Australia after completing their studies.
No job offer or employer sponsorship is required, but you must meet all eligibility criteria and provide the correct supporting documents at the time of application.
This guide breaks down every eligibility condition, all three streams, nationality-specific benefits, stay durations, the health cover switch most graduates miss, and the exact reasons applications get refused.
What Exactly Is the Post-Study Work Permit in Australia?
The Subclass 485 is a temporary visa that allows recent international graduates to live, work, and study in Australia after completing an eligible course at a CRICOS-registered institution.
It is not points-tested and requires no job offer, making it one of the most accessible post-graduation pathways available.
(Source: Department of Home Affairs)
Are You Actually Eligible? Here's How to Find Out
Before choosing a stream, every applicant must clear these core requirements:
1. Age:
Under 35 at the time of application for most applicants, although this may vary depending on the visa stream, qualification level, and nationality.
Higher age limits may apply for certain qualifications, such as Master’s by research and PhD, as well as for specific nationalities.
2. Visa Status:
Must currently hold or have held a Student Visa (Subclass 500) within the past 6 months.
3. Location:
Must be physically in Australia when the application is lodged.
4. Australian Study Requirement:
Must have completed a CRICOS-registered course of at least 92 weeks (2 academic years) of full-time study, completed in no less than 16 calendar months.
5. English Language:
Applicants must meet the required English language criteria, which may vary by visa stream and nationality. Always check the latest accepted test scores and validity requirements before applying.
6. Application Window:
Must apply within 6 months of your institution formally confirming course completion, not your graduation ceremony date.
7. Police Check:
Evidence of an AFP (Australian Federal Police) check application must be lodged at the time of visa application.
The 3 Streams of the Post Study Work Permit - Which One Is Yours?
Picking the wrong stream is one of the most common and preventable reasons for refusal. Once lodged, you generally cannot switch. Here is how each stream works:
Stream 1 - Post-Higher Education Work Stream (University Graduates)
For graduates who have completed a bachelor’s degree (including honours), a master’s degree (coursework, extended, or research), or a doctoral (PhD) degree from a CRICOS-registered Australian institution.
No skills assessment or occupation nomination is required; eligibility is tied directly to your qualification level.
(Source: Study Australia – Subclass 485)
Stream 2 - Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (VET/Diploma Graduates)
This stream is designed for students who have completed a diploma, trade qualification, or associate-level course in Australia.
A key difference: your qualification must relate to an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list. You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority submitted concurrently with or before your visa application.
Failing to provide a valid skills assessment at the time of application is a common reason for refusal. The stay duration under this stream is typically up to 18 months for most applicants.
Stream 3 - Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream (Regional Graduates)
For graduates who already held a first Subclass 485 visa under Stream 1 and lived and studied in a designated regional area of Australia for at least 2 years.
This includes all locations outside Greater Metropolitan Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, covering Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, and regional campuses.
Depending on the specific regional location, this stream grants an additional 1–2 years of stay.
(Source: Study Australia – Subclass 485)
Special Rules Based on Your Nationality - Does Your Passport Change Everything?
Yes – your nationality directly affects your age limit, stay duration, and English requirement. Here is a clear breakdown:
General (Most Countries)
- Age Limit: Under 35
- Stay Duration: 2–3 years (depending on qualification)
- English Requirement: IELTS 6.5 overall, with no band below 5.5
India (AI-ECTA Agreement)
- Age Limit: Under 35 (standard)
- Stay Duration:
- Bachelor’s: 2 years
- Master’s: 3 years
- PhD: 4 years
- English Requirement: IELTS 6.5 overall (standard)
Note: In some cases, Indian graduates in eligible STEM or ICT fields may be eligible for extended post-study work rights, depending on the latest government updates and the specific qualification completed.
How Long Will Your Post Study Work Permit Last?
Stay length depends on your stream and qualification. The following applies to Stream 1 (Post-Higher Education Work Stream) for non-exempt nationalities.
(Source: DoHA):
| Qualification | Maximum Stay |
|---|---|
|
Bachelor’s degree (including honours) |
2 years |
|
Master’s by coursework / extended |
3 years |
|
Master’s by research |
3 years |
|
Doctoral degree (PhD) |
3 to 4 years |
|
Diploma/trade qualification (Stream 2) |
Up to 18 months |
What Can You Actually Do on a Post-Study Work Permit?
The Subclass 485 comes with full, unrestricted work rights. There is no cap on working hours, no requirement to stay in a specific role, and no employer sponsorship is needed. Here is what you are permitted to do:
- Work in most industries – full-time, part-time, or casual roles without restriction
- Continue your studies – you can enrol in further education if you choose
- Travel freely – enter and exit Australia multiple times while your visa remains valid
- Include family members – your spouse and dependent children can be added, with the same work and study rights
- Gain skilled work experience – relevant Australian work experience may contribute toward eligibility for points-based PR pathways such as Subclass 189, 190, or 491, subject to meeting all criteria.
The OSHC to OVHC Switch - The Step Most Graduates Get Wrong
When you held a Student Visa (Subclass 500), you were required to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Once you transition to the Subclass 485, OSHC may no longer meet visa requirements once your student visa ends, and you will generally need to transition to OVHC. Visa Condition 8501 requires you to hold Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) for the full duration of your 485 stay.
Here is where graduates go wrong:
- Cancelling OSHC before the 485 visa is granted – a gap in cover can breach Condition 8501 and jeopardise the application
- Not switching to OVHC once on a Bridging Visa A (BVA) – OSHC does not cover BVA holders once the student visa expires
- Switching more than 30 days after OSHC ends – waiting periods on your new OVHC policy may restart, leaving you temporarily unprotected for certain treatments
The correct sequence is to keep your OSHC active until your 485 is granted, then switch to OVHC within 30 days to carry over any waiting periods already served.
OVHC is available from major providers such as Bupa, nib, Medibank, and Allianz Care Australia. You can apply for a pro-rata refund on unused OSHC months after your 485 is granted, not before.
Why Do Some 485 Applications Get Refused? (And How to Avoid It)
Approval of the Subclass 485 visa is not guaranteed and depends on meeting all eligibility and documentation requirements. Here are the most common, verified refusal triggers and how to avoid each one:
1. Wrong Stream Selected:
Choosing a stream that doesn’t match your qualification type is a leading cause of refusal. Once lodged, stream changes are generally not permitted.
2. English Test Missing or Expired:
Your test result must be submitted at lodgement – not added later. As per the current rule, results must be no older than 12 months
3. Six-Month Deadline Missed:
Your application must be lodged within 6 months of your institution confirming course completion. Confusing this with the graduation ceremony date is a common and costly mistake.
4. AFP Check Missing:
All applicants and dependants over 16 must have applied for an AFP check, and evidence must be submitted at lodgement. An overseas police check is not a substitute for the AFP check.
5. Unofficial Academic Transcripts:
Only institution-issued official transcripts are accepted. Documents downloaded from a student portal are often rejected.
6. Wrong Health Insurance Type:
Submitting OSHC evidence instead of OVHC when required is a documented cause of both refusals and post-grant visa cancellations.
7. Australian Study Requirement not Met:
Your CRICOS course must have been completed over at least 92 weeks (full-time), with a minimum of 16 calendar months spent studying in Australia. Course deferrals or transfers can affect this – verify your study history carefully before lodging.
Given the strict timelines and documentation requirements of the Subclass 485, one small error can close the door on your Australian career pathway.
Always verify your eligibility directly with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent before lodging your application.
Note:- Visa rules may change, so always refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website or consult a registered migration agent before making any application.
FAQs
No, you can only apply for the Subclass 485 after your institution has officially confirmed that you have met all course requirements, and you must lodge within six months of that date.
No – the Subclass 485 requires no job offer or employer sponsorship; it grants you open work rights to work in any occupation, for any employer, without restriction.
Yes – if you have review rights (stated in your refusal letter), you can lodge an application with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), which replaced the AAT in October 2024, and which independently reassesses whether the Department’s decision was correct.
Yes – paid, skilled Australian work experience in your nominated occupation gained on the 485 visa counts toward points in the General Skilled Migration points test.
The 485 is a self-sponsored graduate visa requiring no employer – you apply on the strength of your Australian degree alone – while the 482 (Skills in Demand) is an employer-sponsored visa where an approved Australian business must nominate you for a specific skilled occupation and meet a minimum salary threshold.