485 Visa New Rules: What Has Changed for International Graduates

If you are studying in Australia or have just finished, you have probably heard that the 485 visa rules have changed. The news came in waves, so it is easy to mix up what applies now.

The good news is that the current rules are clear. They started with the Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023, and most took effect in 2024.

Today, you must be 35 or under for most streams, and you need IELTS 6.5 or PTE Academic 55. Most graduates get 2 to 3 years’ stay after a degree.

This guide sets out the 485 visa new rules as they stand in October 2026. Each rule is checked against Home Affairs and dated.

It covers the current fee, English scores, age limit and length of stay. It also explains the 2 October 2026 change for graduates who want to study again.

For help with your own application, see The Migration’s 485 visa service.

What Does the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Cost Now?

The main applicant fee for a first 485 visa is AUD 5,750, as at 29 October 2026. The figures below are from the Home Affairs pricing tool.

Fees for a First 485 Visa Application

• Main applicant: AUD 5,750.
• Family member aged 18 or over: AUD 2,875.
• Family member under 18: AUD 1,450.

Fees for the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

This lower fee applies only to eligible regional graduates applying for a second 485.

• Main applicant: AUD 2,265.
• Family member aged 18 or over: AUD 1,140.
• Family member under 18: AUD 575.
• Paper applications attract an extra AUD 80 non-internet charge.

What Are the New Rules for the Skilled Graduate Visa in Australia?

The Skilled Graduate visa is the old name for today’s Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which many people also call the TR visa. These are the main changes that apply now.

• English (from 23 March 2024): The minimum rose from IELTS 6.0 to 6.5, and the test must be taken in the 12 months before you apply.
• Age (from 1 July 2024): The age limit fell from under 50 to 35 or under, with some exceptions.
• Length of stay (from 1 July 2024): Most degree graduates now get 2 or 3 years.
• Stream names (from 1 July 2024): The streams were renamed Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work.
• PTE scores (from 7 August 2025): New PTE Academic scores apply to tests taken from this date.
• Return to study (from 1 July 2024): 485 holders have been unable to apply for a Student visa in Australia since 1 July 2024. The 2 October 2026 rules keep that bar, with no exemptions.
• Students: The Genuine Student requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant test for student visas on 23 March 2024.

Here are the details of the new rules for TR in Australia.

1. What Is the TR IELTS Requirement Now?

For the 485 visa, you need IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each band. The test must be taken within the 12 months before you apply.

• Home Affairs accepts IELTS results that include a One Skill Retake, as long as the retake is done before you apply.
• Other tests, such as TOEFL iBT and OET, have their own scores on the Home Affairs Post-Higher Education Work page.
• Holders of some passports, such as Hong Kong and British National Overseas, have separate settings.

2. What Is the Age Limit for the 485 Visa?

You must be 35 or under when you apply. This rule has applied since 1 July 2024.

• You can be under 50 if you use a Master’s (research) or PhD to meet the study requirement.
• You can also be under 50 if you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
• The Post-Vocational Education Work stream allows under 50 only for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders.

3. Reduced Length of Stay for Temporary Graduate Visa Holders

The length of stay depends on your qualification and passport. These periods have applied since 1 July 2024.

• A Graduate Diploma usually gives 2 years, and may give longer where earlier study would have earned a longer stay.
• Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders can stay up to 5 years.

Not sure which stream or stay period applies to you? Book a consultation with a MARA-registered agent (MARN 2518738) and get your stream confirmed before you lodge.

4. Can You Extend Post-Study Work Rights?

A 485 cannot be extended. The only way to stay longer on a second 485 is the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream, which is for regional graduates.

• Your first 485 must have been based on a degree from a campus in a designated regional area.
• You must have lived only in a designated regional area for at least 2 years on your first 485.
• Living in a Category 2 area usually gives 1 extra year. Category 3 areas and Category 2 areas in Tasmania give 2 extra years.
• Outside this stream, nobody can hold a 485 as the main applicant twice.

5. Changes to Temporary Graduate Visa Streams

The old stream names often led people to choose the wrong stream. The streams now have these names.

• Graduate Work stream is now the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
• Post-Study Work stream is now the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
• Second Post-Study Work stream is now the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream.
• Home Affairs now lists only these three streams. The Replacement stream is no longer offered.
• For the Post-Vocational stream, you only need to have applied for a skills assessment when you lodge. Skills assessments are valid for up to 3 years.

6. How Long Does the 485 Visa Take to Process?

Most Post-Higher Education Work applications are decided within weeks. The 2023 plan for a 21-day service standard has been replaced by published processing times.

These times were updated by Home Affairs on 29 September 2026. The Migration’s 485 visa processing time guide explains what affects it.

7. Can 485 Holders Go Back to Study in Australia?

Not from inside Australia. Since 1 July 2024, 485 holders have been unable to apply for a student visa (subclass 500) onshore.

• The 2 October 2026 rules keep that bar, with no exemptions. Most new student visa applications must now be lodged and granted outside Australia.
• If you plan more study after your 485, you will usually need to leave and apply from overseas.
• Read The Migration’s guide to the October 2026 student visa changes for the full list of exemptions.

What Is the Pathway to Permanent Residency After a 485?

The 485 is still the main bridge from study to PR. The changes shortened the stay, so graduates have less time to build points.

• Use your 485 to gain skilled work experience and lift your English score.
• The main PR options are the 189, 190, 491 and 186 visas.
• The Migration’s guide on applying for a 189 visa while on a 485 covers the 485 to PR steps.

Summary of New Rules for TR in Australia

In short, the TR visa rules in force now are:

• Age 35 or under for most applicants.
• IELTS 6.5 (5.5 in each band) or PTE Academic 55, taken in the last 12 months.
• 2 to 3 years’ stay for most degree graduates, and 18 months for vocational graduates.
• A main applicant fee of AUD 5,750.
• No 485 extensions, except the regional second stream.
• No onshore student visa applications for 485 holders since 1 July 2024. The 2 October 2026 rules keep that bar, with no exemptions.

How The Migration Helps 485 Applicants

The Migration is a MARA-registered migration agency (MARN 2518738) with 7+ years of experience with graduate visas. You can check the number on the MARA register.

• Stream check: The team confirms which 485 stream fits your course and age.
• English check: Your test date and scores are checked against the current table.
• Document review: Your completion letter, police checks and health insurance are reviewed before you lodge.
• Next steps: The team maps your PR options for the years your 485 gives you.

Conclusion

The 485 visa new rules are now settled. You need to be 35 or under for most streams, meet IELTS 6.5 or PTE 55, and plan for a shorter stay than graduates had before July 2024. No migration agent can guarantee a visa outcome.

485 holders have been unable to apply for a Student visa in Australia since 1 July 2024. The 2 October 2026 rules keep that bar, with no exemptions. If you also want to study again, plan for an offshore student visa application. If you want help with your stream, English results or PR plan, book a consultation with a MARA-registered agent at The Migration (MARN 2518738).

Frequently asked questions