Current Visa Streams
Your original information is outdated. The current Subclass 485 streams are:
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
This stream is generally for graduates with an eligible associate degree, diploma or trade qualification related to an occupation Australia needs.
Visa holders may usually stay for up to 18 months.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This stream is for graduates who have completed an eligible bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral qualification from an Australian institution.
The stay period is generally between two and three years, depending on the qualification and individual circumstances. Special stay periods may apply to certain Indian, Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders.
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This stream may be available to eligible graduates who completed their qualification at an Australian institution in a designated regional area and continued to live in an eligible regional location.
It can provide an additional stay of one or two years, depending on where the applicant studied and lived.
01
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Applicants generally need to:
Be 35 years of age or under when applying, unless an exception applies
Hold an eligible visa
Have held a Student Visa within the previous six months
Have recently completed an eligible CRICOS-registered course
Meet the Australian study requirement
Meet Australian health and character requirements
Applicants using a master’s degree by research or doctoral degree may qualify for an age limit of under 50 under certain streams. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may also qualify for age concessions.
Applicants must select the correct stream when applying because the stream cannot normally be changed after lodgement.
02
Can Family Members Be Included?
Eligible members of the family unit may be included in the application. Family members must meet the relevant health and character requirements.
Eligible family members may also be able to apply later as subsequent entrants after the primary applicant receives the visa.
03
Where Must You Be When Applying?
For the Post-Vocational Education Work and Post-Higher Education Work streams, the primary applicant generally needs to be in Australia when submitting the application.
Applicants for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream must also be in Australia when applying. Subsequent entrant family members may be inside or outside Australia, subject to the applicable requirements.
Australia
Start Your Australian Graduate Journey
Open Path Immigration can assist with:
✓ Initial Subclass 485 eligibility assessment
✓ Selection of the appropriate visa stream
✓ Review of Australian study requirements
✓ Document checklist and application guidance
✓ Family-member application support
✓ Guidance on possible future migration pathways
Important Notice
Subclass 485 eligibility, age limits, English requirements, stay periods and visa charges may change. Completing an Australian qualification does not automatically guarantee visa approval or permanent residence. Final decisions are made solely by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
