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3 Types of Post Study Work Visa in Australia
The post study work visa allows international students to stay, work or look for a job in Australia after they graduate. Depending on their qualification and region of study, the stay durations are from 18 months and up to 6 years.
There are three types of post study work visa options that may be available to you.
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Post-Study Work Stream is the most common post study work visa. This visa is for international students who have recently graduated with an eligible qualification from an Australian educational institution, regardless of their field of study. They must apply for this visa within 6 months of completing their course, depending on the qualification, the stay duration is between 2 to 4 years.
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Graduate Work Stream is for international students who graduated with skills and qualifications to occupations specified in the skilled occupation list. The skills and qualifications usually are closely related to an occupation identified as being in need in the medium to long-term in the Australian labour market. The stay duration is up to 18 months, and students must apply for this visa within 6 months of completing their course.
- Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa (Subclass 476) is for international students who have engineering qualifications from a specified educational institution in the last 2 years. The stay duration is up to 18 months.
Below table gives a good overview of key restrictions and conditions for different post study work visas
Australia Post Study Work Visa Requirements
| Name of Visa | Key Restriction | Maximum Staying | Age Requirement | Dependents Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) - Post Study Work Stream | Bachelor degree and above qualification, a registered course for at least 2 Academic years but not less than 16 calendar months | 2 to 4 years* | Under 50 years of age | Yes |
| Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) - Graduate Work stream | Skills and qualifications to occupations specified in the skilled occupation list | Up to 18 months | Under 50 years of age | Yes |
| Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa (Subclass 476) | Engineering qualifications from a specified educational institution in the last 2 years | Up to 18 months | Under 31 years of age | Yes |
*Depending on the qualification, the stay duration for Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Post Study Work Stream is:
- Bachelor Degree, Bachelor Degree with Honours, Masters by Coursework – 2 years
- Masters by Research Degree – 3 years
- Doctoral Degree – 4 years
Latest Updates
In November 2019, Australian Government Department of Home Affairs has announced an additional post-study work arrangement. From 2021, international students studying at all locations outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will have a one or two years extension on the current two years Post study work stream of the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485).
The purpose of this additional post study work arrangements is for international students to study and live in regional areas, boosting diversity and prosperity in regional Australia. (Source: Australian GovernmentDepartment of Home Affairs)
Below is the summary of post study work visa durations based on Australian qualification and region of study
| Region of Study | Locations | Bachelor Degree; Bachelor Degree (with Honours); Masters by Coursework | Masters by Research Degree | Doctoral Degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major cities | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane | 2 years | 3 years | 4 years |
| Cities and major regional centres | Perth, Adelaide Gold Coast Sunshine Coast, Canberra Newcastle/Lake Macquarie Wollongong/Illawarra Geelong Hobart | 2 years + 1 year | 3 years + 1 year | 4 years + 1 years |
| Regional centres and other regional areas | All other locations** | 2 years + 2 years | 3 years + 2 years | 4 years +2 years |
**Here is the list of All Other Locations.
Related Questions
How to apply for Australian post study work visas?
You can apply all post study work visas online in ImmiAccount. Besides the required documents, you should also take note:
– For both streams of Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), you must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance when you apply and the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs decide on your visa application. You must apply for the visa within 6 months of completing your course.
– For Skilled—Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476), you can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa. But you must be outside Australia when the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs decide on your visa application. You must apply for this visa within 2 years of completing your course.
What is the processing time for Australian post study work visas?
– Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) both streams – 4 to 5 months
– Skilled—Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476) – not available
How much does it cost for Australian post study work visas?
– Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) both streams – AUD$1,650
– Skilled—Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476) – AUD$405
