--- title: "Australia Graduate visa 485 requirements 2026: 4-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/temporary-graduate-485/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- Australia · Work # Australia Graduate visa 485 **First stay:** 4 yrs Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 4 yrs (2 years for a Bachelor or coursework Masters, 3 years for a research Masters or doctorate; Indian nationals get 2 to 4 years under AI-ECTA and Hong Kong or BN(O) passport holders up to 5 years. The second stream adds 1 to 2 years. The visa cannot be extended.) - **Renewal:** Not renewable - **Who can apply:** Any passport (Open to all nationalities; Indian nationals receive longer stays under the Australia-India trade agreement.) - **Work:** Yes (Unrestricted work and study; the holder finds their own employer.) - **Family:** Family can join (Family unit members in Australia can be included when applying, and children can be added until the decision; others can apply later as subsequent entrants.) - **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income: Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable.) ## Key facts Graduate visa 485 is a work route for Australia. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source. - **Government fees:** AUD 5,750 ≈ $4,000 · +4 more - **First stay:** 4 yrs ## Cost, time and long term **Government fees: AUD 5,750 ≈ $4,000 · +4 more** - AUD 5,750 (≈ $4,000) Base application charge, Post-Higher Education Work stream, main applicant. - AUD 2,265 (≈ $1,580) Base application charge when the applicant already holds a Post-Higher Education Work visa (Second Post-Higher Education Work stream). - AUD 2,360 (≈ $1,640) Base application charge for a primary applicant with a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026). - AUD 2,875 (≈ $2,000) Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over. - AUD 1,450 (≈ $1,010) Additional applicant charge for each family member under 18. **Citizenship: After 4 years of residence** Time lawfully in Australia counts toward the 4 years, but you still need 12 months as a permanent resident immediately before applying. Citizenship by conferral needs 4 years lawfully in Australia, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, with no more than 12 months' total absence in the 4 years and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. [Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2007A00020/2026-06-04/2026-06-04/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html) **Where to apply: Abroad or in-country** You can be inside or outside Australia when the visa is granted, as long as you are not in immigration clearance. [Federal Register of Legislation](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_2/document_2.html) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Can't be renewed - Needs earlier residence or an existing status in Australia - Only up to age 49 ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The applicant is 35 or under; up to 49 for Masters (research) or doctorate holders and Hong Kong or BN(O) passport holders. - The applicant was awarded an eligible degree in the 6 months before applying and meets the study requirement. - The course was at a CRICOS-registered Australian provider offering degree-level programs. - The applicant holds an eligible Student visa or a bridging visa and is in Australia when applying. - The applicant passed an approved English test, for example IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, in the last 12 months. - Second stream: the applicant lived, studied and worked only in a designated regional area for 2 years on the first visa. #### What you must show - The base application charge is AUD 5,750 (≈ $4,000) for the Post-Higher Education Work stream. - The base application charge is AUD 2,265 (≈ $1,580) for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. #### Documents - Adequate health insurance is held for the whole stay. #### After you arrive - The holder must find their own employment and can work, study and travel during the stay. ## When you become tax resident How Australia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **Up to 4 years in total** - **Tax residence:** Residence is determined by the resides, domicile, 183-day and Commonwealth superannuation tests. - **Foreign-source income:** **Temporary residents** Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable. - **Special regime:** **Temporary resident exemption** · Tax relief [All tax rules for Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Post-study work visa for international students aged 35 or under who recently graduated from a CRICOS-registered Australian degree course. (sources 1, 2, 3) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of AUD 5,750 (≈ $4,000) · Base application charge, Post-Higher Education Work stream, main applicant. (source 3) - A fee of AUD 2,265 (≈ $1,580) · Base application charge when the applicant already holds a Post-Higher Education Work visa (Second Post-Higher Education Work stream). (source 3) - A fee of AUD 2,360 (≈ $1,640) · Base application charge for a primary applicant with a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026). (source 3) - A fee of AUD 2,875 (≈ $2,000) · Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over. (source 3) - A fee of AUD 1,450 (≈ $1,010) · Additional applicant charge for each family member under 18. (source 3) #### Requirements - The applicant is 35 or under; up to 49 for Masters (research) or doctorate holders and Hong Kong or BN(O) passport holders. (source 1) - The applicant was awarded an eligible degree in the 6 months before applying and meets the study requirement. (source 1) - The course was at a CRICOS-registered Australian provider offering degree-level programs. (source 1) - The applicant holds an eligible Student visa or a bridging visa and is in Australia when applying. (source 1) - The applicant passed an approved English test, for example IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, in the last 12 months. (source 1) - Second stream: the applicant lived, studied and worked only in a designated regional area for 2 years on the first visa. (source 2) - The base application charge is AUD 5,750 (≈ $4,000) for the Post-Higher Education Work stream. (source 3) - The base application charge is AUD 2,265 (≈ $1,580) for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. (source 3) - Adequate health insurance is held for the whole stay. (source 1) - The holder must find their own employment and can work, study and travel during the stay. (source 1) #### Stay - 2 years for a Bachelor or coursework Masters, 3 years for a research Masters or doctorate; Indian nationals get 2 to 4 years under AI-ECTA and Hong Kong or BN(O) passport holders up to 5 years. The second stream adds 1 to 2 years. The visa cannot be extended. - First stay: 24 to 48 months, decided case by case. - Not renewable according to our source. #### Nationality Open to all nationalities; Indian nationals receive longer stays under the Australia-India trade agreement. #### Work Unrestricted work and study; the holder finds their own employer. #### Family Family unit members in Australia can be included when applying, and children can be added until the decision; others can apply later as subsequent entrants. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): Post-Higher Education Work stream](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/post-higher-education-work) · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): Second Post-Higher Education Work stream](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/second-post-higher-education-work) · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Part 1 definitions, Schedule 1 visa application charges](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 4. [Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2 (points system notes: pass marks set by ministerial instrument under section 96)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_2/document_2.html) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-07-01 5. [Australian Citizenship Act 2007, section 22 (general residence requirement)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2007A00020/2026-06-04/2026-06-04/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html) · Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government · checked 2026-10-11 ## Graduate visa 485 and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Graduate visa 485 | – | 4 yr | Yes | | [Employer Nomination 186](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/employer-nomination-186/) | Needs income of AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k | – | – | | [Employer Regional 494](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/employer-sponsored-regional-494/) | Needs income of AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k | 5 yr | Limited | | [Skills in Demand · Core](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skills-in-demand-482-core/) | Needs income of AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k | 4 yr, renewable | Yes | | [Skills in Demand · Labour deal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skills-in-demand-482-labour-agreement/) | – | 4 yr, renewable | Yes | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Graduate visa 485? A fee of AUD 5,750 (≈ $4,000). Base application charge, Post-Higher Education Work stream, main applicant. A fee of AUD 2,265 (≈ $1,580). Base application charge when the applicant already holds a Post-Higher Education Work visa (Second Post-Higher Education Work stream). A fee of AUD 2,360 (≈ $1,640). Base application charge for a primary applicant with a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026). A fee of AUD 2,875 (≈ $2,000). Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over. ### How long can I stay on the Graduate visa 485? 2 years for a Bachelor or coursework Masters, 3 years for a research Masters or doctorate; Indian nationals get 2 to 4 years under AI-ECTA and Hong Kong or BN(O) passport holders up to 5 years. ### Can I work on the Graduate visa 485? Yes. Unrestricted work and study; the holder finds their own employer. ### Can I bring my family on the Graduate visa 485? Family unit members in Australia can be included when applying, and children can be added until the decision; others can apply later as subsequent entrants. ### Is there a tax break for Graduate visa 485 holders in Australia? Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income: Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Tax Special regime ### [Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/tax/#tax-au-temporary-resident-foreign-income) Tax relief Foreign-source income: Temporary residents **Details** - On: Most foreign-source income (exempt) - Who: Hold a temporary visa Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable. #### Taxed on Most foreign-source income (exempt); Australian-source income and capital gains on taxable Australian property remain taxable. #### Who it applies to - Hold a temporary visa. - Neither the individual nor their spouse (if any) is an Australian resident under the Social Security Act 1991 (not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or protected Special Category visa holder). #### Exclusions - Income from employment or services performed overseas while a temporary resident can still be taxed in Australia, depending on facts and any tax treaty. - Not available to someone who has at any time after 6 April 2006 been an Australian resident without a temporary visa and with an Australian-resident spouse. #### Tax residence A temporary resident can be an Australian resident or a foreign resident for tax purposes; the four statutory residency tests (resides, domicile, 183-day, Commonwealth superannuation) decide residence separately. #### Visas Requires a temporary visa; no particular subclass carries the exemption itself. #### Other taxes Foreign tax paid on income declared may qualify for a foreign-source income tax offset; foreign-source income and deductions are converted to AUD. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/tax/) ## More in Australia [National Innovation 858](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/national-innovation-858/) [Skilled Independent 189](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skilled-independent-189/) [Skilled Nominated 190](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skilled-nominated-190/) [Skilled Regional 491](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skilled-work-regional-491/) [Work and Holiday 462](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/work-holiday-462/) [Working Holiday 417](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/working-holiday-417/) [Skills in Demand · Specialist](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skills-in-demand-482-specialist/) [Student visa 500](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/student-500/) ## Work visas elsewhere [🇹🇭 LTR · Highly Skilled](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/ltr-highly-skilled-professional/) [🇯🇵 Highly Skilled Professional](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/highly-skilled-professional/) [🇮🇩 Special talent visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/e33a-special-talent-sponsored/) [🇦🇪 Golden · Senior specialist](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-specialised-professional/) [🇸🇬 Employment Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/employment-pass/) [🇲🇾 Residence Pass-Talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/rp-t/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 5 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): Post-Higher Education Work stream](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/post-higher-education-work) · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): Second Post-Higher Education Work stream](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/second-post-higher-education-work) · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Part 1 definitions, Schedule 1 visa application charges](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 4. [Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2 (points system notes: pass marks set by ministerial instrument under section 96)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_2/document_2.html) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 5. [Australian Citizenship Act 2007, section 22 (general residence requirement)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2007A00020/2026-06-04/2026-06-04/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html) · Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.