Post-study work rights in Australia – An overview

After international students complete education in Australia, they can be eligible for the post-study work permit called as Temporary Graduate Visa (Sub-Class 485). It has further following streams.

✅Degree students apply for Post-Higher Education Work stream. Students must be 35 years of age or under at the time of application. Applicants under 50 years of age are still eligible if they have done Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD).

EXTRA duration for indian students :-The duration of post-study work permit for Indian nationals, as agreed in the Australia India – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), remain as:

  • Bachelor degree (including honours) – up to 2 years.
  • Bachelor degree (with first class honours in STEM, including ICT) – up to 3 years.
  • Masters (coursework, extended and research) – up to 3 years.
  • Doctoral degrees (PhD) – up to 4 years.

You can bring your family with you on this visa.


✅If you hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification, you should apply for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream. The qualification you use must be closely related to your nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

Applicants must be 35 years of age or under at the time of application.

Duration of the visa is of 18 months.

You can bring your family with you on this visa.

✅This is a second post – higher education visa for graduates with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area and holding a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work or Replacement visa.

Duration of visa is between 1 and 2 years depending on:

The regional location of the educational institution that you graduated from that led to the grant of your first Temporary Graduate visa.

The regional area that you live in as the holder of your Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work or Replacement stream.

You can bring your family with you on this visa.

If you have any questions related to the article, call for consultation.

For more, visit the Australia government site here 

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