Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): Complete Guide for Africans

What Is the Subclass 485 Graduate Visa?

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is one of the most valuable visas in Australia's migration system, and for many Africans it is the bridge between finishing their studies and getting permanent residency. After you complete an eligible Australian qualification, the 485 visa lets you stay in Australia and work full-time, build local experience, and position yourself for skilled migration.

Most Nigerian and African students treat the 485 as an afterthought - something to think about after graduation. That is a mistake. The choices you make before you even apply for your student visa (your course, your institution, your location) directly affect how strong your 485 application will be. Treat the 485 as part of your migration strategy from day one, and you set yourself up for a much smoother path to PR.

The Two Main Streams of the 485 Visa

The 485 visa has been restructured several times, and as of 2026 there are two main streams you need to understand. Each one suits a different type of graduate.

Post-Higher Education Work Stream - For graduates of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from Australian universities. This stream is what most international students from Africa use.

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream - For graduates of certain vocational education and training (VET) qualifications linked to occupations on Australia's skilled list. This is narrower but useful for graduates of trade qualifications like nursing, early childhood education, and certain technical fields.

There is also a separate Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream that lets you extend your stay if you studied or worked in regional Australia, which we explain below.

How Long Can You Stay on a 485 Visa?

This is the most important practical question, because the length of your 485 visa decides how much time you have to gain experience and apply for PR. From 1 July 2024 the temporary "extended" post-study work rights (which used to add two extra years for select degrees) were wound back, so the current durations on your first 485 are:

Regional study still pays off, but now through a second 485 (an extra 1 to 2 years) rather than a longer first visa. That is why many serious migrants still choose places like Adelaide, Hobart, Wollongong, Newcastle, Geelong, the Gold Coast, and Perth - the extra time can be the difference between getting PR and going home.

If you want to understand the wider impact of choosing regional, read our guide on why regional Australia is the smartest migration move.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Requirements

The 485 is generous compared to other skilled visas, but it is not automatic. You must meet every requirement below.

• •Age - Under 35 years at the time you apply. There are limited exceptions for masters by research and PhD graduates (up to 50).
• •Australian study requirement - At least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia in CRICOS-registered courses, completed within the last 6 months.
• •Qualification - Your award must be at the right level for your chosen stream (bachelor's or higher for the Post-Higher Education stream).
• •English - IELTS overall 6.5 with no band below 5.5 (raised from 6.0 in March 2024), or equivalent PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge results. For the 485, test results are valid for 1 year, not 3.
• •Health and character - Standard medical examination and police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
• •Health insurance - Adequate Australian health insurance from the day your 485 visa starts.
• •No previous 485 visa - You can usually only hold a primary 485 visa once, with the exception of the Second Post-Higher Education stream for regional graduates.

If you are unsure whether your specific course or institution qualifies, this is exactly the kind of question to bring to a paid consultation before you commit to enrolling.

What the 485 Costs

This is a big one to plan for. The main application charge for the subclass 485 visa is AUD $4,600 for the primary applicant (from 1 March 2026, a sharp increase from previous years), plus AUD $2,300 for an adult partner and AUD $1,160 per dependent child. On top of the visa fee, budget for Australian health insurance, police clearances, and any required medical examinations. The fee is paid up front when you apply and is not refunded if the application is unsuccessful, so it is worth getting your application right the first time.

The Second 485 Visa for Regional Graduates

This is the part most students miss. If you study and then live and work in a designated regional area on your first 485 visa, you can apply for a second 485 visa to stay even longer.

The second 485 adds another 1-2 years on top of your first one. For a master's by research or PhD graduate (a 3-year first 485) who then qualifies for a second 485 in a regional area, that can mean roughly 4 to 5 years of total work rights before you even need to think about PR. That is enough time to work toward state nomination, an employer sponsor, or 491 nomination through skilled work experience.

What You Can Do on a 485 Visa

The 485 is one of the most flexible visas Australia issues. While you hold it, you can:

• •Work full-time in any occupation, for any employer, anywhere in Australia
• •Study (you do not need a separate student visa for short courses)
• •Travel in and out of Australia freely
• •Bring eligible family members (spouse and dependent children)
• •Apply for permanent residency from within Australia

That last point is the whole game. The 485 buys you time on Australian soil to gain skilled work experience, pass a skills assessment, and lodge a permanent residency application without leaving the country.