Graduate Work vs Post-Study Work Stream: 485 Visa Compared
The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa has two streams: Graduate Work and Post-Study Work. The Graduate Work stream grants 18 months, requires a skills assessment, and is linked to a specific occupation on the skilled list. The Post-Study Work stream grants 2-4 years based on qualification level, doesn't require a skills assessment, and is open to graduates from any field. Most eligible graduates choose the Post-Study Work stream for its longer duration and simpler requirements.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Graduate Work | Post-Study Work |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 18 months | 2-4 years |
| Skills assessment | Required | Not required |
| Occupation list | Must be on MLTSSL | Any occupation |
| Qualification level | Any eligible level | Bachelor's or higher |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.0 overall | IELTS 6.0 overall |
| Application fee | $3,765 | $3,765 |
| Regional bonus | Available | Available |
Graduate Work Stream Explained
The Graduate Work stream was the original 485 pathway, available long before the Post-Study Work stream was introduced. It's designed for graduates whose qualification aligns with an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Who It's For
The Graduate Work stream suits graduates who:
- Completed a qualification related to a MLTSSL occupation
- Can obtain a positive skills assessment
- May have a qualification below bachelor's level (some trade qualifications qualify)
- Want to work in their specific assessed occupation
Key Requirements
Skills assessment: This is the major difference. You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. For example:
- Engineers: Engineers Australia
- Accountants: CPA, CA ANZ, or IPA
- IT professionals: ACS (Australian Computer Society)
- Trades: TRA (Trades Recognition Australia)
The skills assessment process takes 4-12 weeks and costs $300-$1,000 depending on the occupation and assessing authority.
Occupation on the MLTSSL: Your assessed occupation must appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. This list is updated periodically, and occupations can be added or removed.
Qualification relevance: Your Australian qualification must be "closely related" to your nominated occupation. A bachelor's in engineering qualifies you to nominate engineering occupations, but not accounting.
Duration
The Graduate Work stream grants a flat 18 months regardless of qualification level. A diploma graduate gets the same duration as a master's graduate under this stream. Regional study bonuses can extend this by up to 2 years.
Post-Study Work Stream Explained
The Post-Study Work stream was introduced in 2013 and has become the dominant 485 pathway. It's more accessible, longer, and doesn't require a skills assessment.
Who It's For
The Post-Study Work stream suits graduates who:
- Completed a bachelor's degree or higher at an Australian institution
- Studied any field (no occupation list requirement)
- Want the longest possible post-study work period
- Don't want the cost and hassle of a skills assessment
Key Requirements
Bachelor's degree or higher: You must have completed at least an AQF Level 7 qualification (bachelor's). Graduate diplomas, graduate certificates, and diplomas alone don't qualify for this stream.
First student visa after 2011: Your first student visa must have been applied for on or after 5 November 2011. This requirement excludes very long-term students who entered Australia before the Post-Study Work stream was introduced.
No skills assessment: You don't need a skills assessment. This saves $300-$1,000 and several weeks of processing time.
Duration
Duration scales with qualification level as detailed in our 485 duration by qualification guide:
- Bachelor's: 2 years
- Master's (coursework): 2 years
- Master's (research): 3 years
- PhD: 4 years
Which Stream Should You Choose?
Choose Post-Study Work If:
- You have a bachelor's degree or higher. The longer duration (2-4 years vs 18 months) makes this the obvious choice for most graduates.
- Your occupation isn't on the skilled list. If your field isn't on the MLTSSL, Graduate Work isn't an option anyway.
- You want to avoid skills assessment costs. Save $300-$1,000 and several weeks of processing.
- You're unsure about your career path. Post-Study Work doesn't lock you into a specific occupation.
Choose Graduate Work If:
- Your qualification is below bachelor's level. Trade qualifications, advanced diplomas, or other sub-degree qualifications may qualify for Graduate Work but not Post-Study Work.
- You need the skills assessment for migration. If you're planning to apply for a skilled visa (189/190/491) later, you'll need a skills assessment anyway. Doing it for the 485 gets it done early.
- Your occupation is on the MLTSSL and you don't qualify for Post-Study Work. Some graduates, particularly those with trade qualifications, only have the Graduate Work option.
When Both Are Available
If you qualify for both streams, Post-Study Work is almost always the better choice. The longer duration gives you more time to find employment, build experience, and work toward permanent residence. The only scenario where Graduate Work might be preferable is if you need the skills assessment process completed early for strategic migration planning reasons — and even then, you can do the assessment independently while on a Post-Study Work visa.
Application Process Differences
Graduate Work Application
- Obtain your skills assessment (4-12 weeks, $300-$1,000)
- Wait for course completion
- Apply within 6 months of completion
- Provide skills assessment result, qualification, English test, health/character evidence
- Wait for processing (2-6 months)
Post-Study Work Application
- Wait for course completion
- Apply within 6 months of completion
- Provide qualification, English test, health/character evidence
- Wait for processing (2-6 months)
The Post-Study Work process is simpler because it removes the skills assessment step. This also means you can apply sooner after completing your course.
Common Mistakes
Applying for the wrong stream. Some applicants apply for Graduate Work when they qualify for Post-Study Work, reducing their visa duration unnecessarily. Or they apply for Post-Study Work without a qualifying qualification.
Missing the 6-month deadline. Both streams require you to apply within 6 months of receiving your completion letter. Missing this deadline means you can't apply at all.
Not meeting the Australian study requirement. You need at least 92 weeks (2 academic years) of CRICOS-registered study. Short courses, credit transfers, or RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) that reduce your study below 92 weeks can disqualify you.
Assuming diploma holders can use Post-Study Work. Diplomas and advanced diplomas don't qualify for the Post-Study Work stream. Diploma graduates must use the Graduate Work stream with a skills assessment.
Impact on Permanent Residence Pathways
Your choice of 485 stream doesn't directly affect PR eligibility, but the duration matters strategically.
Longer 485 = more time to:
- Gain the 1-3 years of Australian work experience needed for points
- Find an employer willing to sponsor you
- Build professional networks
- Improve your English score
- Meet state nomination requirements
A 2-year Post-Study Work visa gives you a reasonable window. An 18-month Graduate Work visa is tight — you need to find work quickly and start your PR application early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch streams after applying?
No. Once you've applied under one stream, you can't switch. If your application is refused, you can reapply under the other stream (within the 6-month window).
Do I need to work in my assessed occupation on the Graduate Work stream?
No. Despite needing a skills assessment for a specific occupation, you're free to work in any occupation during the 485 visa. The skills assessment is an eligibility requirement, not a work restriction.
Can I apply for both streams simultaneously?
No. You can only have one 485 application on foot at a time. Choose the stream that gives you the best outcome.
What English tests are accepted?
IELTS (Academic or General), PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, and OET. You need an overall score equivalent to IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.0.
If I complete a bachelor's and then a master's, which duration do I get?
Your highest completed qualification determines the duration. A master's by coursework gives you 2 years; by research gives you 3 years. The bachelor's isn't counted separately — they don't stack.
