How Long Can I Stay In Australia After Graduation

Finished studying in Australia? Your 485 visa stay period depends on your qualification — 2 years for Bachelor's, up to 3 years for Masters by Research or PhD. Learn about extensions, regional bonuses, and moving toward permanent residency.

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In short: Most international graduates stay on Australia's Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), and your stay period depends entirely on your qualification level — 2 years for a Bachelor's degree, 2 years for a Master's by Coursework, and 3 years for a Master's by Research or PhD. Studying at a regional campus can add another 1–2 years on top.

How Long Is a 485 Visa Valid?

The 485 visa's Post-Higher Education Work stream is the pathway most graduates use, and it runs on a straightforward rule: the higher and more research-focused your qualification, the longer you get. There's no occupation list requirement and no skills assessment — just proof you completed your degree at an eligible Australian institution.

Qualification	485 Visa Stay Period
Bachelor's degree (including Honours)	2 years
Master's by Coursework	2 years
Master's by Research	3 years
PhD / Doctoral degree	3 years
Regional study bonus (eligible regional campus)	+1–2 years on top of base grant
Hong Kong SAR / BNO passport holders	5 years (any qualification)

485 Visa Bachelor Degree Stay Period

If your highest qualification is a Bachelor's degree — including an Honours year — you'll be granted 2 years on the Post-Higher Education Work stream. This applies regardless of your major or whether your occupation appears on a skilled occupation list, since the PHEW stream isn't tied to specific occupations.

485 Visa Masters Degree Stay Period

This is where most confusion happens, because "Masters" isn't one category. A Master's by Coursework — the kind involving lectures, assignments, and exams — gets the same 2 years as a Bachelor's. A Master's by Research, where your qualification is based on a supervised research thesis rather than coursework units, gets 3 years. Before assuming you qualify for the longer stay, check your official testamur or transcript to confirm which category your degree falls under.

Fahad Shamim

Migration & Education Consultant

MARA Registered MARN 2619225

QEAC G12906

As a Migration & Education Consultant, I provide expert guidance on Australian visas and international education, helping clients navigate both with ease.

Phone +61 424 295 050

Email fahad@edvisehub.com

Contact on WhatsApp

485 Visa PhD Stay Period

PhD and other doctoral degree holders receive 3 years on the Post-Higher Education Work stream — the same as a Master's by Research. This is a reduction from the longer stay periods offered before July 2024 reforms tightened post-study work rights, so if you're relying on older information, double-check the current figures before planning your timeline.

Can I Extend My 485 Visa?

Generally, no — automatic extensions are no longer available the way they once were. The main legitimate way to gain additional time is the regional study bonus: if you lived and studied at a designated regional campus, you may be eligible for a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa, adding 1–2 more years, provided you also commit to remaining in a regional area for that period. Outside of this pathway, most graduates instead transition toward a skilled or employer-sponsored visa once their 485 period is running low, rather than "extending" the 485 itself.

Can I Apply for PR After a 485 Visa?

Yes — and this is exactly what the 485 is designed for. It's a bridge, not a destination. While holding your 485, most graduates use the time to:

Complete a skills assessment for General Skilled Migration (subclass 189, 190, or 491)
Gain relevant work experience toward points-tested criteria
Secure employer sponsorship for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, which can lead to permanent residency

The earlier you start planning your PR pathway during your 485, the less pressure you'll face as your visa expiry approaches.

Planning Your Next Step

Qualification categories, regional eligibility, and PR pathway timing all interact — and getting one classification wrong (like assuming your coursework Master's qualifies for 3 years) can derail your plans. At Edvise Hub, our MARA-registered migration consultants help graduates confirm their correct 485 stream and duration, then map a realistic pathway from graduate visa to permanent residency.

This webpage is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa durations, age limits, and eligibility rules change regularly — always confirm current requirements at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or speak with a registered migration agent about your specific circumstances.