Apply for
Temporary Graduate Visa -Subclass 485(Post-Higher Education Work Stream-PHEWS)
Unlock Your Career Potential with the Temporary Graduate Visa
The Post-Higher Education Work Stream (PHEWS) allows you to live, work, and gain valuable experience in Australia after completing your Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD , Graduate Diploma if meet the requirements for qualification from an Australian institution. With full-time, unrestricted work rights, this visa gives you the opportunity to develop your career, increase your earnings, and work toward a pathway to Permanent Residency (PR).
Whether you’re looking to enhance your professional experience or build your PR strategy, the PHEWS visa provides you with the time and flexibility to achieve your goals in Australia.
Overview for PHEWS 485 Visa
- Work Full-Time After Completing Your Degree
The PHEWS stream allows you to work in Australia with unrestricted, full-time work rights once you finish an eligible Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD qualification from a CRICOS-registered institution. - Designed for Higher-Education Graduates
This stream is specifically created for students who completed AQF 7–10 qualifications such as Bachelor, Honours, Master’s coursework, Master’s research, or Doctoral degrees. - Build Skilled Experience for PR Pathways
Use your 485 stay to gain relevant work experience, complete NAATI or Professional Year, improve your English scores, and prepare for permanent residency through visas like 189, 190, 491, 482 → 186. - Bring Your Eligible Family Members
You may include your partner and dependent children in your application, and they will also receive full work rights in Australia. - Flexible Visa Duration Based on Your Qualification Level
- Your stay period depends on the degree you completed —
Bachelor degree (including honours) – 2 years
Masters (coursework and extended) – 2 years
Masters (research) – 3 years
Doctoral degree – 3 years.
Graduate Diploma stay period is 2 years, but may be longer where previous study would have attracted a longer stay period. Indian nationals
Bachelor degree (with first class honours in STEM, including ICT) – 3 years
Masters (coursework, extended and research) – 3 years
Doctoral degrees (PhD) – 4 years.giving you time to work, settle, and build a long-term migration pathway.
- Your stay period depends on the degree you completed —
- Your PR Strategy Starts Here
The PHEWS visa gives you the space, stability, and legal status to plan your permanent residency journey with confidence while building your Australian career.Cost: From AUD 2,300 | Check the latest government fees check here
Eligibility for PHEWS 485 Visa
| Requirement | Details |
| Citizenship | Open to applicants from ANY country |
| Age Requirement | You must be aged 35 years or under at the time of application. *Exceptions apply. |
| Location at Time of Application | You must be in Australia when you apply. |
| Minimum Study Requirement |
You must have completed CRICOS-registered higher-education courses that:
Your qualification must have been completed within the last 6 months before lodging your 485 PHEWS visa application. |
| Education | The courses must be registered with CRICOS (92 weeks or more) and completed in at least 16 calendar months over 2 academic years. |
| Qualification | Eligible AQF qualifications include: Bachelor Degree, Bachelor Honours, Graduate Diploma, Masters Coursework, Masters Extended, Masters Research, Doctoral Degree A graduate diploma course is considered an eligible degree if it meets the following criteria: you completed it in the same or next academic year as your successfully completed qualification (listed above) and the study is related to that qualification. |
| Visa | You held a student visa within the past 6 months before you applied and you now have a BRIDGING VISA A, BRIDGING VISA B, or any other substantive visa granted on the basis of a valid visa application. |
| Health | Provide evidence of Adequate Health Insurance for all applicants when you apply. |
| Character | Provide evidence you have applied for an AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE CHECK when you apply. |
| English Language | The applicant achieved the specified test scores within 1 year before the day on which the visa application was made For more information CLICK HERE |
| Location at the Time of Grant | The applicant may be in or outside Australia when the visa is granted, but not in immigration clearance. |
The Knowbal Visa Application Process
Applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa can feel complicated, but Knowbal is here to support you at every stage. Here’s how we simplify the application process
Initial Consultation
We start by reviewing your study history, current visa status, and eligibility for the Temporary Graduate Visa. This personalised consultation helps us understand your situation and plan the best application approach for you.
Assigning an Expert Agent
Once we assess your case, you’ll be assigned a dedicated migration expert. This professional will be your main point of contact, guiding you through each step and answering your questions promptly.
Document Preparation
Gathering and organising your documents correctly is critical. Knowbal helps you prepare all necessary paperwork, including your Confirmation of Enrolment, academic transcripts, proof of completion, health insurance, and identity documents to avoid delays or errors.
Submitting the Application
We lodge your visa application on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs, ensuring everything complies with visa requirements and your information is accurately presented.
Ongoing Updates
Throughout the processing period, Knowbal monitors your application and keeps you informed. Should the Department request additional information, we will assist you promptly to ensure a smooth process.
FAQs
Yes. You only need your completion letter and final transcript — not the ceremony.
This helps you lodge earlier and secure your Bridging Visa while planning your PR pathway.
This is common. As long as you lodge the 485 within 6 months of course completion and you currently hold a valid bridging visa from another application, you may still be eligible.
Because timing can become messy, students usually book a consultation to avoid losing eligibility
Not usually.
Repeating subjects won’t impact your PHEWS eligibility as long as your overall study still meets:
CRICOS 92-week requirement
16-month study rule
2 academic years
We confirm this by checking your CoE + transcript.
Yes, you can enroll in a Professional Year (PY) or take your NAATI test while on your PHEWS visa, and many students do. While both PY and NAATI are optional, completing them can significantly increase your PR points, making your 485 visa period the perfect time to do so
No — BVA does not allow travel.
You must apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before leaving Australia.
Most refusals and delays happen because students travel without one.
The visa itself doesn’t require fees to be cleared.
However, many universities won’t issue your completion letter unless your payments are finalised — which can affect your 6-month lodgement deadline.
Yes. The PHEWS visa gives unrestricted work rights, and you can:
study any course (short or long),
change employers anytime,
work multiple jobs.
This flexibility is why international students use the 485 period to build PR points and secure employer sponsorship.
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