Australia Graduate Visa Guide for Nepali Students explains the Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485, including its two main qualification-based streams, the general age limit, six-month timing rules, English evidence, AFP check, health insurance and current stay periods. This is a temporary work visa for eligible Australian graduates, not an automatic job, permanent residence or migration pathway.
Information checked on 24 July 2026 using current Department of Home Affairs and Study Australia guidance. Visa criteria, charges and evidence rules can change, so check the selected stream immediately before lodgement.
Temporary Graduate visa facts at a glance
| Item | Current official rule |
|---|---|
| Main visa | Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 |
| General age limit | 35 years or under at application, with limited exceptions |
| Application location | Primary applicant must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance |
| Recent Student visa | Must hold an eligible visa and have held a Student visa in the last six months |
| Higher education stay | Usually two or three years depending on the degree |
| Vocational stay | Up to 18 months under the current stream |
| Work rights | Unlimited hours in any sector after the visa is granted |
Subclass 485 is a temporary graduate visa
The visa allows an eligible recent graduate to live, study and work temporarily in Australia. It can also include eligible family members.
It does not provide employment. Home Affairs states that the visa holder must find their own job, and the visa starts on the date it is granted.
Choose the correct stream
The qualification used to meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement determines the stream. Home Affairs warns that the selected stream cannot be changed after application.
Check the award level, course completion evidence and stream rules before opening the form. Holding another qualification does not automatically let an applicant choose the more favourable stream.
Post-Higher Education Work stream
This stream is for eligible graduates using a bachelor degree, bachelor honours, master’s degree or doctorate from a CRICOS-registered Australian course.
An eligible graduate diploma can qualify only under specified conditions, including completion in the same or next academic year as a related eligible degree.
Post-Vocational Education Work stream
This stream is for an eligible associate degree, diploma or trade qualification related to an occupation Australia needs. The applicant must nominate an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
The qualification must be closely related to that occupation, and the applicant must provide a valid skills assessment or evidence of applying for one under the current rules.
Current Post-Higher Education stay periods
Home Affairs lists two years for a bachelor degree, including honours, and two years for a master’s by coursework or extended master’s degree.
A master’s by research and doctoral degree currently receive three years. The default graduate-diploma period is two years but can be longer where the qualifying previous study would have attracted a longer period.
Current vocational stream stay
The Post-Vocational Education Work stream allows a stay of up to 18 months. The qualification, nominated occupation and skills-assessment connection are central.
Do not assume that every Australian diploma qualifies. Check the live occupation list, assessing authority and course relationship before relying on this option.
General age limit and exceptions
The general subclass 485 maximum is 35 years of age or under when applying. Limited exceptions allow some applicants to be under 50.
For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, an applicant using a master’s by research or doctorate can fall within the under-50 exception. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport exceptions do not apply merely because a Nepali applicant studied in those places.
Be in Australia when applying
The primary applicant must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, at the time of application. Subsequent-entrant family members have separate location rules.
Do not travel close to lodgement without checking location, visa and bridging-visa consequences.
Recent Student visa rule
An applicant must hold an eligible visa and have held a Student visa within the previous six months. Home Affairs lists certain Bridging Visa A, Bridging Visa B and substantive-visa situations.
Visa history is individual. Confirm the exact eligibility path rather than assuming any bridging visa preserves the option.
Complete the qualification within six months
Home Affairs says the eligible course or qualification must have been completed within six months before application. The relevant completion evidence can differ from a graduation-ceremony date.
Request the official completion letter and final transcript promptly. Work backwards from the legal application deadline and allow time for every mandatory attachment.
Meet the Australian study requirement
The qualification must come from eligible CRICOS-registered study and satisfy the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement. Course registration, study duration, completion and delivery history matter.
Home Affairs does not provide a pre-lodgement assessment. Keep CoEs, transcripts, completion evidence and information about any credit or online study.
English evidence after 7 August 2025
For ordinary Post-Higher Education applicants using tests from 7 August 2025, the Home Affairs table lists IELTS Academic or General 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each skill.
The same table lists PTE Academic 55 overall with separate minimums for listening, reading, writing and speaking, and TOEFL iBT 81 with separate sub-scores. Use the exact current table for the chosen test.
English test timing and delivery
Unless an exempt passport rule applies, the result must generally be achieved within the 12 months immediately before application. A Nepali passport is not in the listed English-passport exemption group.
Check test mode, retake rules and every component score. An overall score alone is not enough when one skill falls below its minimum.
Australian Federal Police check
The application must include evidence that every applicant aged 16 or older has applied for the required Australian Federal Police check. Use the Home Affairs instructions for the correct purpose and disclosure type.
Timing matters: provide evidence of application when lodging rather than waiting for an avoidable late request.
Maintain adequate health insurance
Every applicant must provide evidence of adequate health insurance and maintain appropriate cover during the stay. Student OSHC may not be the correct ongoing policy after the Student visa period.
Compare compliant visitor or graduate cover dates before the visa transition and avoid any insurance gap.
Include eligible family members
Eligible family can be included when applying if they are in Australia under the stream rules. Children may be added before a decision, while restrictions apply to adding other family members during processing.
After grant, eligible family can apply as subsequent entrants from inside or outside Australia. Each applicant must meet health, character and charge requirements.
Work rights after grant
Study Australia says subclass 485 holders have unrestricted work hours and can work in any sector, regardless of study field. Australian workplace laws still apply.
Check VEVO before starting and give an employer permission to verify work rights. A pending application or bridging visa can have different conditions.
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream
An eligible first graduate-visa holder with a qualifying degree from a regional institution may seek a second Post-Higher Education Work visa. Study Australia describes an additional one or two years depending on study and residence locations.
Regional eligibility involves where the institution was located and where the graduate lived, worked or studied while holding the first eligible visa. Keep address and activity records.
Current application charge
The Home Affairs Post-Higher Education page lists a base charge from AUD 5,750 after the 1 March 2026 increase, with limited concessions. Family charges and other expenses can raise the total.
Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator on the day of lodgement. Do not rely on an old blog or last year’s receipt.
No automatic extension or permanent residence
A first subclass 485 cannot simply be extended. An eligible graduate may qualify for the regional second stream or another visa, but each has separate criteria.
Graduate work experience can be useful, yet subclass 485 does not guarantee employer sponsorship, skilled migration points or permanent residence.
Graduate visa scam warnings
- A guaranteed 485 or permanent visa package
- A claim that every diploma qualifies for the vocational stream
- An application placed in the wrong stream to gain more time
- A fake skills assessment or AFP certificate
- An English score altered to hide a low component
- A promise that late applications can be backdated
- An unregistered person providing paid immigration assistance
Step-by-step subclass 485 checklist
- Identify the stream. Use the qualification that meets the study rule.
- Check age and location. Confirm any exception before relying on it.
- Calculate six months. Use official completion and visa history.
- Prepare English. Meet overall, component and 12-month rules.
- Apply for the AFP check. Keep the required evidence.
- Arrange insurance. Cover every applicant without a gap.
- Attach complete records. Add course, visa and family evidence.
- Review before paying. The stream cannot be changed after lodgement.
Common graduate visa mistakes
- Choosing a stream from career preference rather than qualification
- Missing the six-month application window
- Counting the graduation ceremony as completion
- Ignoring an English component score
- Ordering the wrong police check
- Letting health insurance lapse
- Assuming a degree gives the Indian-national stay period
- Treating subclass 485 as guaranteed permanent residence
Frequently asked questions
What is the general age limit for subclass 485?
It is 35 years or under when applying, with limited under-50 exceptions including eligible research master’s and doctoral applicants.
How long can a bachelor graduate stay?
The current Post-Higher Education Work period for a bachelor degree, including honours, is two years.
How long can a research master’s or PhD graduate stay?
The current period is three years under the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
Can a subclass 485 holder work unlimited hours?
Yes, after grant the visa allows unrestricted work hours in any sector, subject to the individual grant and Australian law.
Does subclass 485 guarantee permanent residence?
No. It is temporary, and any later skilled, employer or family visa has separate requirements.
Official sources
- Home Affairs: Temporary Graduate visa overview
- Home Affairs: Post-Higher Education Work stream
- Home Affairs: Post-Vocational Education Work stream
- Home Affairs: regional second stream
- Study Australia: subclass 485 guide
Graduate planning support for Nepali students
For a visible review of course level, completion timing, regional study records and post-study planning, use MKS Education study in Australia guidance. For the IELTS or PTE score required by the current subclass 485 table, compare structured preparation at MKS Prep. Home Affairs and a properly authorised immigration professional remain the final visa authorities.