Degree Done? How to Work in Australia After Graduation, Understand the Rules and Plan Ahead
All the final tasks have been ticked off: final assignment handed in, graduation photos taken, but there’s one question that inevitably goes around: then what? The Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) could be the right solution for you if you’re an international student; it allows you to gain some actual work experience after your course ends. Here is what it would be in 2026 – in plain English.
What Is the Subclass 485, Really?
The Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa is for students who want to remain and work and study after finishing their studies. The Subclass 485 visa is a temporary visa that allows you to build an asset for your career; it is a bridge, not a cul-de-sac, and helps you to build skills, experience, and knowledge, and ensures you make the most of the employment market and determine your next step.
Which Stream Fits You?
- Post-Higher Education Work: for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates from an Australian institution.
- Post-Vocational Education Work: for eligible vocational graduates.
- Second Post-Higher Education Work: a follow-on option for some graduates who studied and lived in regional Australia.
Post-Study Work Rights: Age, Stay and Cost
- Age: you generally need to be 35 years of age or under (up to 50 for research master’s and PhD graduates).
- Stay: usually up to 2 years after a bachelor’s or coursework master’s, and up to 3 years after a research master’s or doctorate.
- Indian passport holders: the India-Australia trade agreement may allow longer stays, for example up to 3 years for first-class honours STEM bachelor’s graduates and up to 4 years for PhDs. Please verify before applying.
- Cost: the base charge for most first-time applicants is AUD 5,750 after the 1 July 2026 rise. Fees can change, so check Home Affairs pricing before you lodge.
Plan Ahead: Rules That Catch People Out
A few details trip up even well-prepared graduates, especially on a temporary visa:
- More study: 485 holders cannot lodge a Student visa application from inside Australia, so you would need to be offshore.
- Family: partners and children can currently be included, but the government has announced restrictions for 485 holders. As of early October 2026, these are not yet law.
- You will usually have one 485 to apply for as a main applicant, so second chances under that stream are not possible, except in Second Post-Higher Education Work.
- Cost: the base charge for most first-time applicants is AUD 5,750 after the 1 July 2026 rise. Fees can change, so check Home Affairs pricing before you lodge.
Longer-term targets: if you plan to work in Australia for the long term, start working on skills assessments, English scores, and student migration planning for subclasses 189, 190 and 491 pathway points.
Why Choose Us?
Visa rules shift quickly, and you shouldn’t have to decode them alone. At Flyworld Migration, we offer:
- Clear guidance on which stream and timing suit your course and age.
- Application support, from document checklists to lodgement.
- Migration lawyers who track rule changes, so your plan stays current.
- Practical student migration advice that looks beyond the 485 towards longer-term options.
No outcome promises, just honest, informed support.
Conclusion
Don’t forget, you can use the Graduate Visa as a bridge – as long as you know the age limits, costs and when you lodge. For post-study work, a longer pathway, or a sharpener, a temporary visa can operate under a plan. Chat to a Flyworld counsellor today about your student migration options.
