How to Get Post-Study Work Rights in Australia: A Guide for International Graduates

What Is the Temporary Graduate Visa?

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is a work visa designed for international students who completed a degree at an Australian CRICOS-registered institution . The visa allows you to stay and work in Australia after graduation. You receive full work rights, meaning you are entitled to work full-time in any occupation or industry without needing an employer to sponsor you.

Visa Duration by Qualification Type

Duration depends on your degree and study location. Use the Subclass 485 Length Estimator to estimate your stay, and the Australia Skilled Migration Points Tracker to model your long-term skilled migration score.

The automatic two-year extension for select qualifications ended on July 1, 2024 .

Who Is Eligible?

You must meet all of these criteria:

• Complete a CRICOS-registered course from an Australian education provider
• Be under 35 years of age at the time of application (research-based master's and doctoral graduates are exempt and remain eligible up to age 50)
• Demonstrate English language proficiency at IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.0 per band
• Lodge your application within 6 months of graduating
• Meet health insurance and character requirements
• Have a valid student visa when you apply

Application Costs and Timeline

The Temporary Graduate visa application costs AUD 4,600 as of March 1, 2026 . Processing takes approximately 83 days on average, though this varies depending on your application completeness and the visa stream you apply under.

You should start collecting documents as soon as your education provider confirms course completion. Submit your application within two to three months after graduation to allow time for any missing documents.

Application Steps

Prepare Your Documents

Gather a current passport, official transcripts, English test results (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent), and evidence of course completion. You will also need an Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) certificate or equivalent insurance. Student health cover (OSHC) does not cover work visa holders.

Obtain Health Insurance

Switch from student health cover to Overseas Visitor Health Cover before or immediately after submitting your application. Student insurance becomes invalid once your student visa expires.

Submit Your Application Online

Complete your application through ImmiAccount , the official Department of Home Affairs portal. Upload all required documents with your application.

Pay the Application Fee

Submit the AUD 4,600 fee online to finalize your application. You must pay before your application will be processed.

Wait for a Decision

Processing typically takes 83 days. You are permitted to be inside or outside Australia when your decision is issued, but you must not be in immigration clearance status.

Recent Changes in 2024-2025

From July 1, 2024, the Australian government made significant changes to work visa eligibility:

• The automatic two-year extension for select qualifications no longer applies
• Extensions now focus on qualifications and employment aligned with Australia's skills shortages
• Age limits tightened to 35 years for most applicants (up from 50)
• English language requirements were raised on March 23, 2024
• Application fees increased to AUD 4,600

Financial capacity requirements for student visas also increased to AUD 29,710 as of May 10, 2024 , which affects your ability to apply for a student visa before graduating.

Job Market Conditions for International Graduates

The Australian graduate job market cooled in 2024 after strong growth. Graduate job postings fell 24% in 2024 compared to 2023, and early 2025 shows further weakness with postings down 16% compared to the same period in 2024 . Despite the slowdown, opportunities remain robust: graduate postings in 2024 were 1.7 times higher than in 2019 , indicating the market remains healthy relative to pre-pandemic levels.

Engineering dominates graduate hiring. Electrical engineering accounts for 5.4% of graduate job postings, followed by civil engineering at 5.2% . Healthcare, construction, and IT remain strong sectors for skilled international talent.

Entry-Level Salary Benchmarks

Graduate starting salaries vary by field, employer type, and location. According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey published by Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) , undergraduate domestic graduates in full-time work reported a median starting salary of AUD 70,000 in recent reporting cycles, with international graduates often earning slightly less on average. Engineering, IT, and health science fields tend to sit at the higher end of the range, while creative arts and humanities sit lower. Listings on SEEK and Indeed provide live snapshots of advertised graduate salary ranges by role and city.

Finding Job Listings and Building Your CV

Search for vacancies on LinkedIn , SEEK , Indeed , and Jora . Tailor your CV to each role, highlighting skills which match the job description.

Your CV should include your degree, university name, graduation date, relevant coursework, internships, part-time work experience during your studies, and technical skills. Highlight any local Australian work experience from on-campus jobs or internships.

Include a professional cover letter explaining your interest in the specific role and company. Reference any connections you have within the organization.

Networking Strategies for International Graduates

Join professional associations in your field. Engineers Australia, the Australian Computer Society, CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) all host regular events and provide access to industry professionals.

Attend industry-specific events, tech meetups, conferences, and career fairs in your city. These events help you meet recruiters and potential mentors.

Build your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo, summary, education details, and work history. Search for and connect with professionals in your field, personalizing each message. Follow companies where you want to work.

Leverage your university's alumni network and career services. Many institutions offer networking events, professional development workshops, and connections with employers. Related: job search in Australia and Australia visa risk ratings.

Real Example: The Job Search Experience of an International Graduate

Gerardo H. Maravilla pursued studies as an international student requiring employment sponsorship. He faced significant barriers during his job search, including interview cancellations after recruiters discovered his visa sponsorship needs and rejections citing company hiring restrictions. Despite consistent networking, professional development, and multiple rejections over three years, he secured a full-time position at EY (Ernst & Young) . His success demonstrates how persistence through networking, attending career fairs, acquiring leadership positions, and staying informed about target industries remains viable, though the path is demanding.

Employer Expectations and Interview Formats

Employers typically expect you to demonstrate your understanding of Australian workplace culture, reliability, and commitment to the role. Standard interview formats include phone screenings, one-to-one interviews, panel interviews, and technical assessments for IT and engineering roles. Browse all universities in Australia.

Be prepared to discuss your visa status and work rights. Employers in Australia are accustomed to hiring international graduates on work visas and understand the 485 visa process. Having clarity on your eligibility and timeline reduces employer concerns.

Visa Pathways to Permanent Residency

Work experience gained on a Temporary Graduate visa strengthens your application for a skilled migration visa, such as the General Skilled Migration visa. These points-based visas assess your age, English proficiency, education, and work experience. Many graduates leverage 485 work experience to qualify for permanent residency. Related: Australia SSVF student visa guide and Australia visa risk ratings.

Sources

• Department of Home Affairs: Post-Higher Education Work stream
• Department of Home Affairs: Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485
• Department of Education: End of Extended Post-Study Work Rights
• IR Legal: 485 Visa Australia Explained 2025
• IDP: Temporary Graduate Visa 485 Guide 2026
• Study Australia: Student and Temporary Graduate Visa Changes 2024
• Indeed Hiring Lab: Australia Graduate Hiring Slows 2025
• QILT: Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS)
• Eduvouchers: Post Study Work Visa Application Process
• LinkedIn: From International to Full-Time Job Search Journey