Eligible qualification
Bachelor, Masters (coursework or research), or Doctoral degree from a CRICOS-registered Australian institution.
Bachelor to Doctoral · 2-6 Years · Post-Study Work
The PSW stream is the mainstream 485.
Our education team Vishal Sharma and Sourabh Aggarwal handles 485 PSW applications from Brisbane, Darwin, and Gold Coast. Most Australian graduates apply under the Post-Study Work stream. Duration depends on qualification level. Here are the eligibility requirements, the duration bands, and how PSW differs from the narrower Graduate Work stream.
Core eligibility
Four requirements.
Every PSW 485 application is assessed against these four.
Completed course
Course completion within the past 6 months. Completion date set by the institution governs.
Australian study requirement
Minimum 2 academic years (92 weeks) of study completed in Australia. See ASR guide.
Age, English, health, character
Under 35 (up to 50 for Hong Kong passport holders). Competent English. Health and character requirements.
Duration by qualification
How long you can stay.
PSW stream duration is tied to qualification level.
Bachelor degree: 2 yearsBase PSW duration. Can extend with regional extension.
Masters degree: 3 yearsBoth coursework and research Masters qualify for 3 years.
Doctoral degree: 4 yearsPhD graduates receive the longest standard PSW period.
Regional institution bonusAdditional 1-2 years PSW for graduates of regional Australian institutions.
PSW vs Graduate Work
Two different streams.
Most graduates apply PSW. Graduate Work stream is narrower.
PSW stream
Bachelor+ graduates. No occupation list requirement. No skills assessment needed.
Graduate Work stream
Trade and vocational graduates. Occupation list required. Skills assessment required.
Which applies
Bachelor = PSW. Masters = PSW. PhD = PSW. Vocational trade = Graduate Work stream.
PSW does not require occupation list or skills assessment.
Unlike Graduate Work stream or the skilled visas, PSW has no occupation list requirement and no skills assessment. Eligibility is based on qualification completion and other non-occupation criteria. This is a significant strength of the PSW pathway.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For PSW 485 applications, book with Vishal Sharma.
Can I apply PSW with a Graduate Certificate or Diploma?
No. PSW requires a Bachelor, Masters, or Doctoral degree. Certificates and Diplomas do not qualify.
Can I work in any field on PSW?
Yes. PSW gives unrestricted work rights. Your graduation field does not limit employment choice.
Does the 6-month completion window start from graduation ceremony?
No. From the completion date set by the institution, which is usually earlier than ceremony.
Can I apply PSW from outside Australia?
Yes. PSW can be lodged onshore or offshore. Both possible.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.