Post-Higher Education Work Visa in Australia in 2026: What is it, New Fee & Application Process

Planning to study in Australia and stay on after your studies? Learn about the types of Post-Higher Education Work Visa in Australia, what it entails, what the eligibility is, and how to go about getting one. So check out the article.

Every student planning to go outside India for their studies does so hoping to stay in the country. Either permanently or at least for a couple of more years to gain meaningful work experience. If you do not have a job offer when you return, it is advisable to gain work experience in the country.

As a study-abroad destination, Australia is famous for its higher education system, global recognition and better opportunities. The constant demand for a skilled workforce in the Australian continent has boosted the education sector, which continues to attract and sustain international students and assimilate them within the country’s industry. But, as an international student studying in Australia, there are some ways and means of going about it. A post study work visa in Australia is what you would need after you have held any type of student visa in Australia. So, what is a Post-Higher Education Work Visa in Australia, and how do you get it? Get all the details in this article.

What is Post-Higher Education Work Visa or TGV Subclass (485)?

A Post-Higher Education Work Visa is a work visa formerly referred to as the Post-Study Work visa (PSWV) in Australia is a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). Applicants not Australian citizens can apply for a Post-Higher Education Work Visa to stay back in the country after graduating from Australian universities to find a job and work. Based on the study level in Australia, applicants have a limited period to stay back in Australia. If you graduate from regional Australian universities, this visa will apply.

Types of Temporary Graduate Visas (Subclass 485) 2026

There are three types of Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (TGV). This is applicable to different student types or those who have different work experience levels. Here is how they differ in different aspects:

Post-Higher Education Work Visa Rights in Australia

As of March 2026, the rights and rules for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) in Australia are as follows:

• You have full work rights, allowing you to work full-time in any occupation and for any employer across Australia.
• Standard stay durations are now 2 years for Bachelor’s and Master’s (Coursework) degrees, and 3 years for Master’s (Research) and Doctoral (PhD) degrees.
• If you lived and studied in a designated regional area, you may be eligible for a second visa extending your stay by an additional 1 to 2 years.
• The maximum age to apply has been reduced to 35 years for most graduates, though PhD and Research Master's graduates can still apply until age 50.
• Effective July 1, 2026, the application fee for the primary applicant has doubled to AUD 4,600.

This visa does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship, serving as a flexible bridge to gain experience for future permanent residency pathways.

Post-Higher Education Work Visa Duration Australia (Updated 2026)

The duration of your Post-Higher Education Work visa depends on your degree level:

Eligibility for Post-Higher Education Work Visa in Australia

To be eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work visa, you will have to apply via ImmiAccount. For this, you must follow th given steps below:

• You must have completed a degree from an Australian university which is minimum 2 years long (or 92 weeks).
• Meet the Australian Study Requirement (ASR). This requires you to have studied in Australia for at least two academic years (16 calendar months) in a registered course.
• You must apply for the visa within six months of completing your studies.
• Be under 35 years old and white applying for this visa. There may be age limits for different visa categories.
• You must show proficiency in English and submit the scores of either IELTS or TOEFL or PTE.
• Also you must provide medical and character certificates.
• While your stay in Australia ensure you have your medical health insurance in place.

Who Cannot Apply for Post-Higher Education Work Visa in Australia?

Those who complete at least 16 months of education in Australia physically. If not you are not eligible, this also comes with two conditions:

• Correspondence / distance education from Australia's institutions do not make you eligible for the Subclass 485 visa.
• Also, if you completed your degree from a campus of Australian university in another country, you cannot apply for TGV Subclass 485 visa.

How to Apply for Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa in Australia?

Check out how to apply for TGV in Australia after graduating from Australian universities:

1. Create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website (if you don't already have one from your student visa).
2. Gather all the documents required to submit for a Subclass 485 visa in Australia.
3. Complete the skills assessment (only required for Post-Vocational stream applicants; skip if applying under Post-Higher Education stream).
4. Log in to ImmiAccount and select the correct visa subclass (485) and stream.
5. Fill out the online form with personal, education, and travel details.
6. Upload all documents in the required format (PDF/JPG, per size limits).
7. Pay the visa application fee online via the portal. Australia again increased TGV fee by 25%. Now the fee is AUD 5,750.
8. Complete health examinations if requested (through a panel physician, booked via the portal).
9. Submit the application and note your Transaction Reference Number (TRN).

Track status via ImmiAccount; respond promptly to any requests for more information. Receive the decision if approved, you'll get a grant notice with visa conditions and validity dates.

List of Documents Required for Post Higher Education Work Visa in Australia

Here is the list of documents required by the Australian DHA for TGV (subclass 485):

1. Passport,
2. CoE,
3. Academic transcripts/degree certificate,
4. Evidence of Australian Study Requirement,
5. English test scores,
6. OSHC/health insurance proof,
7. PCC (police clearance), and
8. Health exam records.

What is the Processing Time for a Subclass 485 Visa?

At present, the processing time for Subclass 485 applicants is:

This number can change based on the load of applications received. Keep a tight watch on ImmiAccount to track applications. Australia student visa processing times vary. So check the ImmiAccount application portal regularly for a clearer picture.

Regional Australian Post-Higher Education Work Visa

Only areas classified as 'Inner Regional Australia' to 'Very Remote Australia' remain eligible for Destination Australia. Darwin is the only capital city in Australia with access to the scholarship scheme and an additional two years of PSWV in Australia.

Cities with an additional year of PSWR:

• Adelaide
• Perth
• Gold Coast
• Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong
• Hobart
• Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie

An international student is accepted and allowed to study in a foreign country on what is called a Student Visa. This visa is categorically for pursuing a course or undergoing vocational training. Once the course is over, however, the visa's validity also expires. This might happen immediately or after 6 months (according to the Student Visa Guidelines of the country)

After that, a student must apply for and get a Work Permit to continue staying in the country for employment purposes. In Australia, students who have completed their studies in Australia with a Subclass (500) visa can apply for a Post Study Work Permit or a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

Those who complete their studies in the metropolitan cities of Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane can get two years of post-study work visas. They can get three to four years of post-study work visas in regional areas.

Australia PSW Permit Visa Extension Rules

The DHA, Australia, does not allow international applicants to extend their existing Post Higher Education Work Stream Visa. But they may be eligible to apply for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. This is applicable for those who:

• Are 35 years old
• Held a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream).
• Their first visa must have been granted based on a degree from an institution in a designated regional area.
• Also, they must have lived and worked/studied in an eligible regional area for at least two years immediately before applying.
• Applicants must be in Australia when applying for this visa.
• The cost of a Second Post Higher Education Work Visa has also increased. It now stands at AUD 2,265.

This visa allows a further 1–2 years of work rights in Australia, depending on the regional location. Family members (partner/children) can also be included in the application. The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream is not available if your first 485 visa was in the Post-Vocational Education Work (trade/diploma) stream.

Got more queries? Feel free to write to us in the comments below.

Post Study Work Permit in Australia FAQs