Changes to the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa: What You Need to Know
As part of the government’s Migration Strategy, the government flagged a number of changes to the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa program.
The Department of Home Affairs has now confirmed that the following changes will be taking place as of 1 July 2024:
Graduate Work Stream
- The Graduate Work stream is being renamed to the ‘Post-Vocational Education Work‘ stream
- The maximum age for this stream will reduce to 35 years of age or under at time of application
- Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders will continue to be eligible for this stream up until 50 years of age at time of application
- Applicants in the ‘Post-Vocational Education Work’ stream must hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification closely related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Applicants who have completed a degree level qualification or above will no longer be able to apply in this stream and must apply through the ‘Post-Higher Education Work’ stream
- Eligible applicants who are granted this visa, will be granted a visa for a period of 18 months with the exception of Hong Kong or British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders who will be granted a visa for a period of 5 years
Post-Study Work Stream
- The Post Study Work stream will be renamed to the ‘Post-Higher Education Work‘ stream
- The maximum age for this stream will reduce to 35 years of age or under at time of application
- Students studying a Masters by Research or a Doctoral Degree (PhD), Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders will all continue to be eligible for this stream up until 50 years of age at time of application.
Visa grant periods will be as follows:
| Qualification | Visa Grant Period |
| Bachelor degree (including honours) | 2 Years |
| Masters (coursework and extended) | 2 Years |
| Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) | 3 Years |
Note: Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders will be granted a visa for five years regardless of their course of study.
Visa grant periods for Indian nationals in the Post-Higher Education Work stream – pursuant with the Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) will remain as follows:
| Qualification | Visa Grant Period |
| Bachelor degree (including honours) | 2 Years |
| Bachelor degree (with first class honours in STEM, including ICT) | 3 Years |
| Masters (coursework, extended and research) | 3 Years |
| Doctoral degrees (PhD) | 4 Years |
Second Post-Study Work Stream
- The Second Post-Study Work stream will be renamed to the ‘Second Post-Higher Education Work‘ stream
No further changes will be made to this stream and the requirements will stay are they currently are.
Replacement Stream
- The Replacement Stream which was used for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions will cease on 1 July 2024.
More Information
If you wish to discuss the changes to the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa, or have any questions, please contact our office on 1300 083 843 or submit an online enquiry.