Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows international students who have completed higher education in Australia to stay back temporarily to work, study, or travel. The visa acts as a post-study bridge between education and skilled employment, with the length of stay depending on the qualification earned. For Indian students, special provisions under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) offer longer visa durations, making it a key pathway for early career exposure in Australia.
What the visa offers
The visa permits graduates to live and work in Australia for two to three years, based on the level of their completed degree. It does not guarantee employment, and graduates must find their own jobs. The stay duration varies as follows:
Graduate Diploma holders generally receive a 2-year stay, with some flexibility depending on individual circumstances.
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Extended stay for Indians
Eligibility requirements
To qualify, applicants must:
Costs and processing
The base application fee is AU $2,300, with additional charges for dependents. Extra costs may apply for health exams, police certificates, and biometrics. Processing times vary depending on the completeness of the application and document verification.
Stay extension and future pathways
While the Temporary Graduate visa cannot be extended, visa holders can later apply for a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa or other skilled work visas. Certain passport holders, including those from Hong Kong and British Nationals (Overseas), can stay up to five years and may access pathways to permanent residency.
Travel conditions
Visa holders can enter and exit Australia freely while their visa remains valid, but any time spent abroad is counted within the visa period. The visa is electronically linked to the passport and does not have a physical label.
For Indian students, this visa opens doors to post-study employment and skilled migration opportunities, offering extended stays under AI-ECTA. It represents a practical route to gain work experience, enhance employability, and build a long-term career in Australia.
What the visa offers
The visa permits graduates to live and work in Australia for two to three years, based on the level of their completed degree. It does not guarantee employment, and graduates must find their own jobs. The stay duration varies as follows:- Bachelor’s degree (including honours) – 2 years
- Master’s (coursework or extended) – 2 years
- Master’s (research) – 3 years
- Doctoral degree (PhD) – 3 years
Graduate Diploma holders generally receive a 2-year stay, with some flexibility depending on individual circumstances.
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Extended stay for Indians
- Under AI-ECTA, Indian nationals benefit from extended post-study rights:
- Bachelor’s degree (including honours) – 2 years
- Bachelor’s with first-class honours in STEM (including ICT) – 3 years
- Master’s (coursework, extended, or research) – 3 years
- Doctoral degree (PhD) – 4 years
Eligibility requirements
To qualify, applicants must:- Hold a valid student visa and an eligible degree-level qualification from an Australian institution
- Meet health and character requirements
- Maintain adequate health insurance
- Sign the Australian values statement
- Clear any debts to the Australian government
Costs and processing
The base application fee is AU $2,300, with additional charges for dependents. Extra costs may apply for health exams, police certificates, and biometrics. Processing times vary depending on the completeness of the application and document verification.Stay extension and future pathways
While the Temporary Graduate visa cannot be extended, visa holders can later apply for a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa or other skilled work visas. Certain passport holders, including those from Hong Kong and British Nationals (Overseas), can stay up to five years and may access pathways to permanent residency.Travel conditions
Visa holders can enter and exit Australia freely while their visa remains valid, but any time spent abroad is counted within the visa period. The visa is electronically linked to the passport and does not have a physical label.For Indian students, this visa opens doors to post-study employment and skilled migration opportunities, offering extended stays under AI-ECTA. It represents a practical route to gain work experience, enhance employability, and build a long-term career in Australia.
