🇦🇺 Australia: Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Length Estimator

Estimate your Post-Higher Education Work stream stay (and any Second-stream regional extension) under the Department of Home Affairs rules in force since 1 July 2024.

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Passport Type

Standard

Hong Kong / BNO

Hong Kong SAR and British National (Overseas) passport holders receive a flat 5-year stay regardless of qualification.

Highest Australian Qualification Completed

Base stay since 1 July 2024: Bachelor & Master (coursework) = 2 yrs; Master (research) & PhD = 3 yrs.

Age at Application

Must be under 35 generally; under 50 for Master (research), PhD, or HK/BNO passport holders.

CRICOS Course Duration (weeks)

The Australian Study Requirement is a minimum of 2 academic years (92 calendar weeks of CRICOS study).

Held an Australian Student Visa in the Last 6 Months?

Yes

Study Location (where the CRICOS campus was)

Regional study location unlocks the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream extension (+1 or +2 years).

Intend to Live in Regional Australia During Initial 485?

Yes

To qualify for the Second stream you must both have studied AND continue to reside in the same regional category.

Total Estimated 485 Length

Fill in the form to see your estimate

Eligibility Outcome --

Initial Stream (Post-Higher Education Work) --

Second Stream (Regional Extension) --

% of Maximum 5-year Stay --

Complete the form to assess your Subclass 485 eligibility under the Department of Home Affairs rules.

How It Works

Base Stay (Post-Higher Education Work Stream)

• Bachelor degree (incl. Honours): 2 years
• Master's (coursework or extended): 2 years (reduced from 4 yrs in July 2024)
• Master's (by research): 3 years
• Doctoral (PhD): 3 years
• Hong Kong / BNO passport: 5 years regardless of qualification

Second-Stream Regional Extension

• Category 1 (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane): no extension
• Category 2 (major regional centres): +1 year
• Category 3 (other regional): +2 years
• You must have both studied and continued to live in that regional category to qualify.

Eligibility Gates Enforced

This estimator applies three hard gates from the legislative instrument: the 92-week Australian Study Requirement, the age cap (under 35 for Bachelor/Master-coursework, under 50 for Master-research, PhD or HK/BNO), and the 6-month rule requiring a recent student visa.

English proficiency, character/health checks, health insurance, and applying onshore are additional statutory requirements not modelled here — confirm them on the official pages below.

Home Affairs: Post-Higher Education Work Stream Home Affairs: Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream