From Student to Resident: Post-Study Work Visas in Australia
19 September 2025

From Student to Resident: Post-Study Work Visas in Australia

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If you are a student about to complete your studies in Australia and want to apply for a post-study work visa after graduation, this comprehensive guide is for you. Australian universities encourage freedom of thought, creativity, and innovation to students and Australia also offers a wide range of employment opportunities for international students. The country has a growing demand for skilled workers, and therefore, it attracts and engages international students by offering attractive post-study work permits. At ImmigrationBrisbane you will get complete information about work visa after study in Australia and will be assisted with the process and steps.

Types of Post-Study Work Visa in Australia

Immigration and residence matters are managed by the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs. It welcomes students with a variety of work visas to help them realize their potential and choose satisfying professions. Temporary Graduate Visa 485 is a program designed to accommodate those international students who have just graduated from an Australian institution. It provides a temporary opportunity to live, study, and work in Australia. This visa gives an opportunity to gain good work experience in Australia after graduation.

I. Temporary Graduate 485 Visa for Graduate Workflow

This post-study visa is perfect for foreign students who have qualifications and abilities from reputable Australian institutions. These are the qualifications and skills that are strongly associated with the job that will be required in the medium-long term Australian labour market. Under this visa, you are allowed to be in the country for not more than 18 months and even bring your family with you. Students have to apply for this visa within six months of their studies. To obtain this category of post-study employment visa in Australia, the applicants have to fulfill the following requirements:

  • The candidate has to be a fresh graduate and should be less than 35 years of age.
  • The skills and qualifications of the applicant have to be demanded in Australia to be incorporated in the Australian skilled occupation list.
  • The applicant needs to have an Australian study visa, and the language of study must be English.
  • The candidate must have passed IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced test results to show proficiency in English.
  • During the past six months, the candidate should have successfully received at least one certificate or degree in a CRICOS registered program.
  • The applicant must successfully meet all physical and moral requirements.
  • They must not hold a subclass 476 visa or a subclass 485 visa.
  • If the applicant's visa has ever been cancelled or refused, the application will be considered invalid.

II. Temporary Graduate Visa 485 for Post-Study Workflow:

Most students who wish to work in Australia after completing their studies prefer this type of post-study work visa. International students who have recently received degrees from reputable Australian educational institutions and meet the eligibility requirements are the most suitable candidates for this visa (regardless of their field of study). The duration of this post-study employment visa in Australia ranges from two to four years. If students have this visa, they can also bring their family members with them. In addition, students must apply for this visa within six months of completing their studies. See below the requirements for this type of visa.

  • The candidate must be under the age of 35 years.
  • The candidate must have a bachelor's degree from a CRICOS-registered program.
  • The candidate must currently hold a student visa. If candidates have had a student visa during the last six months, they will still be considered eligible.
  • The applicant must not hold a visa 485 or 476.
  • The applicant must successfully meet all requirements for Australian study.
  • The applicant must have at least one of these listed degrees: Bachelor's degree, Bachelor's degree with Honours, Master's degree by subject/course, Master's degree (extended), Master of Research degree, Doctoral degree.
  • This type of work visa is not available to students with diplomas or trade certification.
  • The candidate must have passed IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced test results to show proficiency in English.
  • The candidate must successfully meet all medical and ethical standards.

What is a 485 Visa

The 485 Post Study Work Visa is a temporary visa which enables international students who have finished their studies in Australia to reside and work in Australia up to 2-4 years and attain professional experience in their career.

Introduced July 1, 2024, this visa is meant to bring in skilled overseas graduates and assist Australia in its labour market requirements. It is open to those students who have received a bachelor's degree or higher qualification in an Australian university.

With this visa, graduates can:

  • Full-time in any occupation.
  • Improve their professional opportunities.
  • Get a good work experience.
  • Establish professional contacts.
  • Resettlement.

This visa offers an opportunity to begin a career in Australia, which gives a competitive advantage in the labor market and a prospect of permanent residency.

Benefits of a Post-study Work Visa in Australia

There are many benefits of a post-work visa after studying in Australia. Still, you should be aware of the recent changes implemented by the Australian government:

  • As mentioned earlier, from July 1, 2023, Indian students who complete their studies at a recognized university in Australia will be allowed to work in the country for up to 8 years without any sponsorship visa. This will help Indian students establish their careers.
  • Also, from July 1, 2023, international students studying in Australia who are studying in the country under the 2-year extension 485 visa can work at least 8 additional hours per week after graduation.
  • The change is applicable to all international students regardless of their area of study. Students are able to look up the official announcement to get further details.
  • The Australian government has also introduced temporary 408 visas to help Indian and international students handle their skill shortages in critical work sectors. Once these new changes come into effect, students at Australian universities will be able to work more than 40 hours per fortnight while they are at school.

Conclusion

As we have discussed above, a post-study work visa in Australia is an excellent opportunity for international students who want to remain in Australia after study and develop their careers. The 485 visa enables graduates to receive good working experience, learn about job prospects, and even lead to permanent residency. The visa has only become more tempting with the recent government changes, which have added the extended work rights of Indian and international students. Whichever is your choice between Graduate Work Stream and the Post-Study Work Stream, either way, this visa will give you the flexibility and the chance to establish a professional life and experience the multicultural life and the Australian lifestyle.

FAQ’s

Q. What is an Australian post-study work visa?

A post-study work visa in Australia, also known as temporary graduate visa 485, is a visa that allows foreign students to temporarily stay in Australia after study and allows them to work and gain experience in Australia.

How many years do I have in a 485 visa in Australia?

The visa will allow you to remain between 2 to 4 years depending on your qualification. The latest amendments enable Indian students to remain for up to 8 years.

Q. Who is eligible for the 485 post-study work visa?

Until now, you must have a course registered by CRICOS, have a student visa (or have had a student visa within the past six months), be less than 35 years old, and have passed an English language test, as well as passed health and character assessments.

Q. Can I bring my family on a 485 visa?

Yes, your applications can include immediate family members (partner and children) in your 485 visa application.

Q. Does a 485 visa result in permanent residency in Australia?

Although the 485 visa is temporary, it gives you experience of working in Australia and this work experience will increase your likelihood of being successful when you apply later in life to a skills migration visa and permanent residence.

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