Australia Post Study Work Visa Guide 2026

The Post Study Work Permit in Australia,  officially known as the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa, is a critical pathway for all eligible international students who have completed a full-time educational qualification in the country. This visa allows international graduates to temporarily stay back in the country, find work relevant to their field of study, and gain valuable professional experience.

The length of stay back on your Australia Post Study Work Visa ranges from 18 months up to 4 years, depending on your qualification level and nationality, provided that the course is CRICOS-registered (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students). This includes PR courses in Australia often preferred by international students.

Australia's immigration policy targets those whose qualifications align with national skills shortages and streamlines pathways in sectors such as construction, healthcare, and technology. The Subclass 485 Australia Visa has three streams, and the course you complete must align with an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List to meet eligibility requirements. Keep on reading to explore details on duration, cost, age, eligibility, and other requirements and benefits of the Post Study Work Permit in Australia.

Key Updates on Australia Post Study Work Visa (2025-2026)

Here’s a list of new changes to the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa for post study work permit in Australia:

1. Reduced Visa Durations and Ended Extensions

The Australian government's focus on visa integrity and permanent skilled migration has resulted in shorter post study work periods for most international graduates, effectively ending the previously offered 2-year temporary extension for certain degrees.

Here’s an outline of the current maximum stay periods on an Australia Post Study Work Visa in based on your qualification level and nationality:

2. Lowered Age Limit

• Age Cap: The maximum age for most applicants for the Post Study Work Permit in Australia was reduced from 50 to 35 years, which varies with Subclass 485 visa streams.
• Exception: Graduates of a Master's (Research) or Doctoral (PhD) degree remain eligible until they are under 50 years old.

3. Increased English Requirements

• IELTS Score: The minimum required score for the Subclass 485 Visa Australia increased to an overall IELTS Academic 6.5 bands (or equivalent), with a minimum of 5.5 bands in each section.
• Score Validity: The validity of English test results has been reduced from three years to one year before application lodgement.

Subclass 485: Overview, Eligibility & Key Benefits 2026

The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa is the official name of the Post Study Work Permit in Australia, which is a crucial visa permitting international graduates to remain in the country after completing their studies. It helps retain talented graduates and enables them to gain valuable professional experience, a key step toward securing permanent residency in Australia.

Benefits of Australia Post Study Work Visa

With the Subclass 485 Visa Australia, graduates can:

• Work full-time in any occupation without restriction
• Enhance career prospects and build professional networks
• Transition to permanent residency through skilled migration pathways

Most importantly, this visa provides a pathway to launch a career in Australia, offering a competitive edge in the job market and potential long-term residency.

Australia Post Study Work Visa Eligibility

To be eligible for any stream of the Subclass 485 Visa Australia, you must satisfy these core requirements:

• Age Limit: Under 35 years old when you apply (exceptions apply for PhD/Research graduates and HK/BNO passport holders)
• Location: Must be in Australia when you lodge your application
• Previous Visa: Have held an eligible visa and have held an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) in the last 6 months
• Study Requirement: Have completed the Australian Study Requirement (CRICOS-registered course, 92 weeks of study, completed within the last six months)
• Basic Requirements: Meet all basic requirements, such as adequate health insurance, having applied for an Australian Federal Police check, and demonstrating English proficiency

Types of Australia Post Study Work Visa

There are three types of Subclass 485 Visa Australia, viz.

1. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
2. Post-Higher Education Work Stream
3. Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

International graduates holding either of these three types of Temporary Graduate Visa are allowed not only to live and work, but also to study in the country temporarily. Holders of this Australia Post Study Work Visa can also bring their family members to the country.

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream Visa

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream Visa is granted to international graduates of associate degrees, diplomas or trade qualifications. This Post Study Work Permit in Australia was earlier called the Graduate Work Stream.

Cost & Duration

• Visa Filing Cost: AU $2,300
• Duration: Up to 18 months
• Exception: Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders may be granted up to 5 years

Eligibility

• Be 35 years or under when you apply (Exception: HK/BNO passport holders may be granted up to 50 years)
• Be in Australia when you apply
• Hold an eligible visa and have held a Student visa in the last 6 months
• Qualify relevant to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
• Applied for a skills assessment in your nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list
• Provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants, applying for an Australian Federal Police check, and the required level of English with your application

Post-Higher Education Work Stream Visa

International graduates of full-fledged degree courses can apply for this Australia Post Study Work Visa, formerly known as the Post-Study Work Stream.

Cost & Duration

• Visa Filing Cost: AU $2,300 (Primary Applicant)
• Duration (General): Between 2 and 3 years, depending on your qualification:
  • Bachelor's/Master's (Coursework & Extended): Up to 2 years
  • Master's (Research)/Doctoral (PhD): Up to 3 years
• Exception (Duration): Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be granted up to 5 years

Eligibility

• Be 35 years or under when you apply (Exception: Research/PhD graduates eligible until under 50)
• Must have completed the Australian Study Requirement
• Must provide adequate health insurance for all applicants
• Must submit the application for an Australian Federal Police check
• Required level of English with application

Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

The Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream Visa is an extension for holders of Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement Visa. Only the international graduates who have a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area can apply for this extension.

Cost & Duration

• Visa Filing Cost: AU $905
• Duration: Between 1 and 2 years, depending on the regional category (Category 2 or 3) of the educational institution you graduated from and where you lived while holding your first Post Study Work Permit in Australia

Eligibility

• Be 35 years or under when you apply (Exceptions: Research/PhD graduates and HK/BNO passport holders eligible until under 50)
• Must hold a Subclass 485 in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream, and have held it as the main applicant
• Must have studied in an eligible designated regional area for the first visa
• Must have lived in an eligible designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying
• Provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants

How to Apply for a Post Study Work Permit in Australia?

The application process is standardised across all streams of Subclass 485. Here is step-by-step instruction on how to apply for the different types of Australia Post Study Work Visa.

Step 1: Before Application: Start these steps as soon as your education provider confirms you have completed your course (ideally within six months of course completion). For the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream, ensure you meet the two-year regional residency requirement.

Step 2: Gather Documents: Collect all necessary documents to support your application. Provide as much information as possible to avoid delays. Some documents might take time to obtain, so have them ready when you apply.

Step 3: Apply for the Visa: Submit an online application for the Post Study Work Permit in Australia. If you encounter any issues or error messages, refer to the common problems section for assistance.

Step 4: After Application: The officials will notify you when they receive your application and documents. Follow the instructions for what to do next after applying.

Step 5: Visa Outcome: You can be either inside or outside Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when officials decide on your application. If you are applying as a family member, you can also be inside or outside Australia at the time of the decision.

Before you move forward with your Australia Post Study Work Visa application, it is vital to note that visa rules and application fees disclosed above are subject to change by the Department of Home Affairs.

Australia Post Study Work Visa Rejection

The application process of a Post Study Work Permit in Australia can be overwhelming, and rejections can happen due to multiple reasons. Common reasons include health-related issues, immigration violations, past criminal convictions, or security concerns. Applicants must be able to provide any other requirements requested by the Department of Home Affairs, failing which would lead to a Subclass 485 refusal.

To conclude, the Australia Post Study Work Visa offers international graduates a vital opportunity to live and work in Australia, with full work rights and unlimited travel during the visa term. Eligible applicants must apply within six months of course completion under the correct stream. Stays range from 18 months to 3 years.

Looking to explore study and work opportunities in Australia? Our experts can guide you through the process of securing your Post Study Work Permit in Australia and help you make the most of your international experience. Contact AECC today to start your journey.