The Australian Government has made changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa 485, specifically the 485 Visa extension, for higher education students. This extension will allow eligible students for more than two years.
This extension can be helpful for those who are pursuing a PhD qualification in nursing, allied health, teaching veterinary, engineering and IT. Thus, this guide will present an in-depth analysis of 485 Visa extension requirements, along with discussing 485 visa processing time, 485 visa extension update and the role of an immigration consultant Perth.
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What is a 485 Visa?
The 485 Visa provides access to international students who have completed their academics in Australia for living, working and are taking the initiative to temporarily study more in their particular field to achieve their desired career or permanent residency in Australia. The 485 Visa is subdivided into two streams, which are:
- Post-Vocational Education Work stream: This workstream is available for those students with competencies in the Australian labour market.
- Post-Higher Education Work stream: For this workstream, officers can issue post-study work visas to those who have gained higher qualifications in Australia, for example, a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Meanwhile, the duration of this visa depends on the application process.
Also Read: 485 Visa: An Essential Guide For International Students!
What are the Extensions in the 485 Visa?
In order to reduce the shortage of labour in Australia and improve the talent headcount within the nation, the government has made some significant changes to the 485 visa extension.
The following updates have been made to the 485 visa extension list:
- For a bachelor’s degree holder, the 485 visa new rules 2025 have extended the previous permissible stay from 2 years to 4 years.
- 485 graduate visa extension has been made from 3 years to 5 years for a master’s degree.
- For PhD holders, they have increased the extension period from 4 years to 6 years.
Different Work Streams of 485 Visa
The different streams of this visa include the following points:
- Graduate Work Stream: It is a postgraduate work visa for those graduates whose skills and qualifications are related to an occupation on the 485 Visa Skill Occupation List
- Post-Study Work Stream: This one is for graduates of an Australian higher education institution in any field of study.
- Second post-study work stream: For holders of a previous work visa who studied in specified regional areas.
- Replacement Stream: This stream is for those whose original 485 visa time was lost due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
485 Visa Extension Eligibility
Students or applicants must meet certain criteria to qualify for the 485 visa extension, as outlined below.
- The current visa status of applicants should have a proper subclass 485 visa approaching its end date or meeting bridging visa requirements.
- Applicants must have a valid Passport.
- Previous 485 Visa Grant Notice
- Completetion Letter from an Australian Instituion
- Proof of Health Insurance
- Australian Federal Police Clearance Certificate
- English Language Proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL and PTE
Also Read: Ultimate Guide to 485 Visa Requirements: Secure Your Future in Australia
485 Visa New Rules 2025
In 2025, officials introduced seven key rules for the 485 Visa, outlined below.:
- Applicants must be under 35 years old, though some exceptions may apply in certain cases.
- Applicants should hold an eligible visa
- Applications should have held a student visa in the last 6 months
- Have a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course
- Application to the eligible streams, such as post-vocational education, post-higher education, and the second post-higher education work stream.
485 Visa Extension Eligible Occupations
There are five eligible occupations in the 485 Visa Extension. These are listed below:
- Healthcare and Nursing
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Education and Teaching
- Agriculture and Veterinary Science
485 Visa Processing Time
- The visa processing time for subclause 485 varies for post-higher education work and post-vocational education work.
- You may receive post higher education work rights within 40 days, depending on your eligibility.
- Post-vocational education work may take up to 4 months, depending on your eligibility.
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Role of an Immigration Consultant Perth for 485 Visa Extension
Immigration consultants in Perth have extensive knowledge of the Australian visa system and its extension criteria. These consultants assist applicants in collecting and organising all required documentation. The list of documents includes:
- Identity Proof
- Academic Transcripts
- Graduation Certificates
- English Proficiency Evidence
- Health Insurance Documentation
They also guide applicants through the online application via ImmiAccount. To seamlessly apply in this portal, they help in account creation, form completion, document uploading and payment of application fees. Immigration consultant Perth also tracks the application’s progress and responds clearly about additional requirements from the Department of Home Affairs.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Apply Early: Avoid the waiting period of your visa expiry. You are eligible for a bridging visa if you are able to submit your application on time and wait for the approval.
- Review Documents: Recheck your documents at least twice to ensure all the information is correctly entered.
- Consult an Immigration Consultant: If you have a complex case or are not sure whether you are eligible, consider speaking with an experienced migration agent.
- Stay Updated on Policy Changes: Visa policies can be changed based on the scenario, so visit the official Department of Home Affairs website for regular updates.
After the 485 Visa Expiry, What To Do?
- In case your Temporary Graduate visa, which is subclass 485, expires, you have the option to apply for another visa if you wish to stay longer. These visas are classified as skilled visa, employer-sponsored visa, student visa or partner visa. However, the accessibility of these visas depends on your situation and eligibility.
- If you apply for another visa before your 485 visa expires, the Department may grant you a bridging visa to let you stay in Australia while they process your new application.
- If you do not apply for another visa or your visa expires, you must leave Australia.
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Final Thoughts
485 Visa Extension is a valuable initiative for those who want to pursue higher studies in Australia. However, you have to meet some specific criteria mentioned on the 485 Visa Extension. You can also consult with an immigration agent Perth to ensure a smooth process for the application of the subclass 485 visa.
