Can I stay and work in Australia after I graduate?

Yes, Australia offers strong post-study work rights through the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). This visa allows you to live and work in Australia for a period after completing an eligible qualification.

The length of the 485 visa depends on your qualification and where you studied. Graduates with a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree can receive between 2 and 4 years on the Graduate Work stream or Post-Study Work stream, depending on their occupation and location. Graduates who studied in regional Australia receive an additional year — for example, a degree graduate in a regional area can receive up to 4 years.

To be eligible, you must have studied in Australia on a valid student visa, completed an eligible qualification at an Australian institution, be under 50 years of age, meet English language requirements (minimum competent English — IELTS 6.0 in all bands or equivalent), and apply within 6 months of your completion date.

The 485 visa then feeds into long-term pathways including the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), state-nominated Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), regional visas (Subclass 491), and Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).

A registered migration agent can advise on the best post-study pathway based on your occupation, location, and eligibility.