Notifications
5 minutes, 31 seconds
-0 Views 0 Comments 0 Likes 0 Reviews
Australia continues to be a top destination for international students—and for good reason. With its world-class universities, vibrant cities, and multicultural lifestyle, many students dream of staying in Australia after graduation. If you’re one of them, you’ll want to explore the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program and the temporary graduate visa subclass 485 overview .
In this 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through how skilled graduates in Australia can transition from study to work, and ultimately to permanent residency.
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is Australia’s flagship migration pathway for skilled workers. It aims to attract individuals with qualifications and skills that are in demand in the Australian labor market.
Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa (points-tested, doesn’t require sponsorship)
Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa (requires state or territory nomination)
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (for regional Australia)
These visas are point-based and consider factors like age, education, work experience, and English proficiency.
The Subclass 485 visa is a temporary visa for international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution. It allows skilled graduates in Australia to live, study, and work in the country for 18 months to up to 5 years, depending on their qualifications and stream.
Graduate Work Stream: For those with qualifications in occupations listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
Post-Study Work Stream: For graduates with a higher education degree from an Australian institution.
Second Post-Study Work Stream: Available if you studied in a regional area.
Good to Know: In 2025, the Australian Government continues to offer longer 485 visa durations for graduates in sectors such as IT, engineering, and healthcare.
Gain full-time work experience in Australia
Pathway to permanent residency through GSM
Time to improve points for future visa applications (e.g., language scores, work experience)
Access to Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system)
Graduate with a degree, diploma, or trade qualification from an eligible CRICOS-registered course.
Ensure you apply within six months of your course completion. You must hold a valid student visa at the time of application or within the bridging period.
Use your 485 visa time to:
Gain skilled employment
Improve your English proficiency
Obtain professional year program certification (especially in accounting, IT, and engineering)
Use the Australian Government’s Points Calculator (nofollow) to assess your eligibility. Aim for at least 65 points.
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, then apply for the most suitable GSM visa stream.
Case Study: Rohan from India Rohan completed a Master’s in Civil Engineering at Monash University in 2023. He applied for a 485 visa and worked with a Melbourne-based construction company. During that time, he gained one year of work experience and improved his IELTS score to 8. After gaining 80 points, he was invited to apply for the Subclass 189 visa in 2025—and was granted permanent residency within 10 months.
Opportunity to stay in Australia post-graduation
Gain local work experience
Multiple visa options and regional incentives
Strong pathway to permanent residency
Competitive points-based system
Processing times can vary
Job sponsorship not always guaranteed
No. The Subclass 485 is a temporary visa. However, it acts as a stepping stone to permanent visas under the GSM program.
The Graduate Work Stream is for occupations listed on the Skilled Occupation List. The Post-Study Work Stream is available to higher education graduates from Australian institutions, regardless of occupation.
Yes, you can include your spouse and dependent children in your 485 visa application.
