Temporary Graduate SC 485 visa changes from 1 July 2024

The Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa will have two streams:

• the Post-Vocational Education Work (former Graduate Work) stream and

• the Post-Higher Education Work (former Post-Study Work) stream post 1 July 2024.

The ‘Select degree’ 2 year extension and the Replacement stream of the subclass 485 visa visa will cease.

Determining the visa stream to apply for will be based on the Australian qualifications only, which the international students rely on to meet the Australian study requirement. Any other qualifications the international student completed will not be considered in determining eligiblity.

Post 1 July 2024, reaching the age of 35 years will be the cut off for accessing the Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa. PhD and Masters (by research) students, as well as Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will be able to apply for the Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa until they reach 50 years of age. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.

For all other international students applying for the Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa the periods of stay will change:

• Bachelor degree (including honours) – up to 2 years

• Masters (coursework and extended) – up to 2 years

• Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) – up to 3 years.

Indian nationals will continue to enjoy a period of stay on the Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa as per the Australia India – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA):

• Bachelor degree (including honours) – up to 2 years

• Bachelor degree (with first class honours in STEM, including ICT) – up to 3 years

• Masters (coursework, extended and research) – up to 3 years

• Doctoral degrees (PhD) – up to 4 years.