Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa: A complete guide to PHEW and PVEW

After graduating from an Australian university or TAFE college, the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa is often your first step toward permanent residency — or simply a chance to gain Australian work experience. This visa replaced two older streams with two new ones in July 2024: PHEW (Post-Higher Education Work) for graduates and PVEW (Post-Vocational Education Work) for TAFE students. Both allow you to stay in Australia and work full-time without needing an employer sponsor. Understanding these streams, their lengths, charges, and eligibility rules is essential to plan your post-study path.

What is Subclass 485?

The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa is a work-and-stay pathway exclusively for international students who have completed an Australian qualification. It is not permanent residency — it is a temporary visa (typically 2–4 years depending on your qualification) that allows you to:

• Work in any occupation (full-time, part-time, or casual).
• Study if you wish.
• Travel in and out of Australia.
• Live in any part of Australia.

The visa does not require an employer sponsor, nomination from a state, or a job offer. Once you meet the core eligibility criteria (Australian study, valid qualification), you can apply.

Two streams: PHEW and PVEW

Since 1 July 2024, Subclass 485 has two distinct streams.

PHEW: Post-Higher Education Work stream

PHEW is for graduates of Australian universities (Bachelor, Bachelor Honours, Master, PhD). Visa length depends on your qualification level:

From 1 July 2024, the maximum age for PHEW dropped to 35 unless you fall into specific occupational categories (doctors, nurses, IT specialists) or hold a Hong Kong or British Nationals Overseas passport. Older applicants (36–50) in these categories may still qualify. Always check immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for the latest age criteria.

Your PHEW visa begins when you receive your final grade or graduation confirmation — not necessarily when you graduate in ceremony.

PVEW: Post-Vocational Education Work stream

PVEW is for graduates of Australian TAFE or similar vocational institutions (Certificate III/IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma). The qualification must be listed on the relevant skills list.

PVEW is shorter than PHEW and carries the same age restrictions. If your TAFE qualification is not on the skills list, you are ineligible for PVEW.

Visa charges (2025–26)

The Subclass 485 application charge for 2025–26 is AUD $2,235 for the main applicant. Dependants (spouse, children) are charged separately; exact amounts vary but typically AUD $1,100–$1,400 per dependent.

Use the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator to confirm current charges for your circumstances before lodging.

Core eligibility requirements

To qualify for either PHEW or PVEW, you must meet all of these:

1. Completion of study: You have been awarded (or are about to be awarded) an eligible Australian qualification.
2. Valid course: Your course is CRICOS-registered or recognised through the Australian Study Requirement (ASR).
3. Australian Study Requirement (ASR): At least 16 calendar months of your principal course was completed in Australia, totalling at least 92 weeks of study (more on this below).
4. Age at application: Currently 35 or under (with occupational / passport exceptions to 50).
5. Health and character: You meet health and character requirements (police clearance, health check if required).
6. Visa status: You held a valid student visa during your study or held a state-sponsorship visa.

Special note on timing: If you are still enrolled (even if you have finished coursework), you may be unable to apply. You must have your final grade confirmed and your student visa status finalised before lodging.

Australian Study Requirement (ASR)

The ASR is a core gate-keeper rule for both PHEW and PVEW. Your principal qualification must have been delivered in Australia for at least:

• 16 calendar months in total duration AND
• 92 weeks of actual study contact hours.

The calendar months are assessed from the start date of your principal course to the end date on your CoE. The 92 weeks are the total “weeks of study”, not necessarily consecutive.

Common ASR traps:

• A 2-year Master delivered intensively (e.g. 18 months of lessons then 6 months of thesis) might meet the 16-month duration but fall short of 92 weeks. Check with your institution.
• If you did an exchange semester (semester of study overseas), that semester typically does not count toward the 92 weeks.
• Online study completed overseas during COVID lockdowns might not be counted, depending on when it occurred.

Always ask your education provider for a written confirmation that you meet the ASR before you apply.

Application process and timeline

1. Graduation and CoE finalisation: Your institution issues your final grade and provides a completed CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment).
2. Prepare documents: Gather your passport, visa, evidence of your Australian degree (academic transcript, testamur), ASR confirmation, police clearance, health check if required.
3. Lodging: Apply online via ImmiAccount.
4. Processing: Standard processing for a 485 is 4–8 weeks for a straightforward application, but can extend to 6+ months if additional information is requested.
5. Decision: You will be notified by email of the Department’s decision.

Applications lodged before your student visa expires are typically processed with the understanding that you will transition to the 485 once approved.

No employer sponsorship required

Unlike the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand visa) or the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination), the 485 does not need an employer sponsor. You do not need:

• A job offer.
• An employer to nominate you.
• A state to sponsor you.
• Any points score.

This is one of the key attractions of the 485: it gives you complete freedom to work for any employer, change jobs, or work casually.

Regional extension

If you study in regional Australia (outside Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth metro areas) or live in a regional area during your 485, you may be eligible for a Regional Extension, which adds 1–2 extra years to your visa. This is an incentive to work or live outside Australia’s main cities.

Regional extensions are granted at the discretion of the Department and require evidence that you lived or studied in a specified regional area for the specified time. Check the Regional Specification list to confirm your study location or work location qualifies.

After 485: the next step to PR

The 485 is a temporary visa. It is not a pathway to PR by itself. However, it is a critical stepping stone:

• Time in Australia: The 485 gives you 2–4 years to gain local work experience, build your network, and accumulate points on the SkillSelect system.
• Skilled occupation: If your occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), you may be eligible to apply for the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand visa) with an employer sponsor, or the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent visa) if you accumulate enough points.
• PR pathways: The typical route is 485 → 482 (2 years) → 186 (PR), or 485 → points accumulation → 189/190/491 (PR). Many graduates take 5–7 years total to achieve PR.

Key points to remember

• PHEW is for university graduates (2–4 years depending on qualification); PVEW is for TAFE graduates (18 months).
• Both require at least 16 calendar months + 92 weeks of Australian study.
• Age limit is 35 (extended to 50 for doctors, nurses, IT, Hong Kong/BNO).
• No employer sponsor, job offer, or points score needed.
• Work in any occupation, travel freely.
• Cost is AUD $2,235 for the main applicant (2025–26).
• Processing time is typically 4–8 weeks.
• It is a temporary visa; PR requires a further pathway (482 + 186, or 189/190/491).

FAQ

Q: Can I apply for 485 while still on my student visa? A: You can apply before your student visa expires, but you must have completed your studies and your final grade must be confirmed. You cannot be active enroled.

Q: What if my qualification doesn’t meet the ASR (fewer than 16 months in Australia)? A: You are ineligible for 485. Some graduates complete part of their degree overseas (e.g., a 1-year Master with an earlier degree from home) and do not qualify.

Q: Can I bring my family on a 485 visa? A: Yes, you can include a spouse and dependent children. They will each need their own 485 subclass application and will be approved for the same visa period as you (or shorter, depending on their circumstances).

Q: How long does processing take? A: Standard processing is 4–8 weeks, but complex applications (requesting additional documents, character issues, or health requirements) can take 3–6 months or longer.

Q: Can I extend my 485 if I haven’t met my PR criteria yet? A: No, the 485 is a single, non-renewable visa. However, you may be eligible to transition to another visa (e.g., 482, 189, 190, 491) before your 485 expires.

Q: What happens to my 485 if I take overseas study or internship during the visa? A: Your 485 is not cancelled by overseas travel or study. However, any overseas study does not count toward future PR applications unless it is formally recognised by your assessing body. Check with your skills assessor if overseas study might benefit your application.

Q: Can I work part-time or casually on a 485? A: Yes. The 485 has no restrictions on full-time vs. part-time work. You can work any hours, any occupation, with any number of employers.

Sources

• Subclass 485 on Department of Home Affairs
• Visa Pricing Estimator
• SkillSelect
• Core Skills Occupation List
• Regional Specification

Last reviewed: April 2026. Migration rules and occupation lists change frequently — always verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and the relevant assessing body before acting.