Subclass 485: Temporary Graduate Visa — Your First Step
The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa allows recent international graduates of Australian institutions to live and work in Australia temporarily after their study. It gives you time to gain Australian work experience to boost your points test score for PR.
485 Visa Streams
- Graduate Work stream: 2 years (or 3 years in regional areas). Requires skills assessment in an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) or the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Post-Study Work stream: More generous — 2 to 6 years based on your qualification level, and does NOT require an occupation skills assessment. Available to graduates of Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD programs.
Post-Study Work Stream Duration
| Qualification | 485 Duration (Metro) | 485 Duration (Regional) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 2 years | 3 years |
| Master's (coursework) | 3 years | 4 years |
| Master's (research) | 3 years | 4 years |
| PhD (Doctorate) | 4 years | 5 years |
Australia Points Test: How to Score 80+ for PR
Points Test Breakdown
| Factor | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age 25–32 | 30 | Maximum age bracket; decreases above 32 |
| Age 33–39 | 25 | Still competitive |
| Bachelor's degree (or higher) | 15 | Any Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD |
| Australian Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD | 15 | Australian qualification adds 5 extra over base |
| English: Competent (IELTS 6.0 each) | 0 | Minimum requirement — earns no points |
| English: Proficient (IELTS 7.0 each) | 10 | High-value improvement |
| English: Superior (IELTS 8.0 each) | 20 | Maximum language points — strongly recommended |
| Skilled employment in Australia 1–2 yrs | 5 | In nominated occupation |
| Skilled employment in Australia 3–4 yrs | 10 | |
| Skilled employment in Australia 5+ yrs | 15 | |
| State/Territory nomination (Subclass 190) | 5 | Requires state nomination |
| Regional study (2+ years in regional area) | 5 | If studied outside major cities |
| Spouse skills (if applicable) | 5–10 | Spouse's English + skills assessment |
Typical Score for Indian Master's Graduate (Age 27)
- Age 27: 30 points
- Australian Master's degree: 15 points
- IELTS 8.0 each band: 20 points
- 3 years Australian work experience: 10 points
- State nomination (190): 5 points
- Total: 80 points — competitive for most occupations via state nomination
PR Visa Subclasses: 189 vs 190 vs 491
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent (No state sponsorship)
- Full PR immediately — no state/territory requirement
- Must invite from SkillSelect EOI pool based on points
- Highly competitive — most occupations require 80–95+ points for an invitation
- Good for: High-demand tech occupations (software engineers, data scientists) with strong points scores
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated (State sponsorship)
- State or territory nominates you — adds 5 points to your score
- Must live and work in that state for at least 2 years after PR (though you can move after)
- Lower invitation threshold than 189 for most occupations
- Good for: Most Indian students — apply to multiple states simultaneously
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
- 5-year provisional visa to live and work in a regional area
- Lower points threshold — easier invitation for lower-scoring applicants
- After 3 years on 491, can apply for Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence)
- Good for: Students who studied in regional areas or are open to regional living
Occupation Lists and Skills Assessment
Check Your Occupation Before Choosing Your Course
Your nominated occupation must be on either the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List) or STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List). For Subclass 189, it must be on the MLTSSL.
Top In-Demand Occupations for Indians (2026)
- Software/Application Programmer (ANZSCO 261312) — MLTSSL
- ICT Business Analyst (261111) — MLTSSL
- Cyber Security Specialist (262112) — MLTSSL
- Registered Nurse (254499) — MLTSSL (shortage)
- Civil Engineer (233211) — MLTSSL
- Accountant (221111) — MLTSSL
- Data Scientist / Analyst (262111) — MLTSSL
Skills Assessment Bodies
- Engineers Australia — for engineering occupations
- ACS (Australian Computer Society) — for ICT/software roles
- CPA Australia / CAANZ — for accounting
- AHPRA — for healthcare (nurses, doctors)
- VETASSESS — for most other professional occupations
Skills assessment takes 3–12 weeks depending on the assessing body. Apply as soon as you are eligible (usually after your qualification is conferred).