Visa options
Student & Graduate Visa Pathways
Select a card to see the details.
Subclass 500
Student Visa
The Student visa (subclass 500) lets you live in Australia and study full-time in a course registered on CRICOS. It is granted in line with your enrolment — generally for up to 5 years — and you can include eligible family members in your application.
Key eligibility
- Be enrolled in a course registered on CRICOS and hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
- Meet the Genuine Student Requirement (GSR) — show you are genuinely coming to study.
- Meet the English language requirement for your course.
- Show financial capacity to cover tuition, living costs and travel.
- Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay.
- Meet health and character requirements.
Working while you study
- Work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session.
- Work unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
- Your dependent partner may also be granted limited work rights.
Subclass 485
Temporary Graduate Visa
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets recent graduates of Australian institutions stay on to live, study and work after finishing their studies. The stream you apply under — and how long you can stay — depends on your qualification.
Visa streams
- Post-Higher Education Work stream — for graduates of a bachelor, masters or doctoral degree. Stay of 2–3 years depending on your qualification.
- Post-Vocational Education Work stream — for eligible VET/trade graduates whose occupation is on the relevant list (a skills assessment is required). Stay of around 18 months.
Key eligibility
- Be under 35 at the time you apply. You can be under 50 if you hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport (and for certain Masters by research / Doctoral applicants).
- Have held an eligible student visa in the last 6 months.
- Meet the Australian study requirement — at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of study in CRICOS-registered courses.
- Meet the English language requirement (generally competent English).
- Hold adequate health insurance for your stay.
- Meet health and character requirements.
Skills Assessment
Pathways & Support
Many graduates use their Australian qualification and work experience as a springboard to skilled and permanent visas. A positive skills assessment from the relevant authority is often the first step — and the Post-Vocational Education Work stream of the 485 requires one.
How we help
- Match your qualification and occupation to the correct assessing authority (e.g. ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, TRA).
- Advise on the Post-Vocational Education Work stream of the 485, which requires a skills assessment.
- Map pathways from graduate visas to points-tested skilled visas (189/190/491) and employer-sponsored options.
- Plan your course and study pathway so it counts toward your long-term goal.
* Indicative figures only — application charges, streams and rules change. Always confirm current details with the Department of Home Affairs or one of our registered migration agents.
How we help
End-to-End Student Support
- ✓ Course and institution selection matching your goals and budget
- ✓ Preparation of your Genuine Student Requirement (GSR) statement
- ✓ Verification and organisation of all supporting documents
- ✓ Application lodgement and departmental correspondence
- ✓ Guidance on post-study work rights and graduate pathways
- ✓ Support for family members accompanying you to Australia
Ready to start your Australian education journey?
Book an initial consultation with our QEAC-certified education consultants and MARA-registered migration agents.
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