Australia Graduate Visa 485 Changes 2026: Age Limits and Extensions Ending
Australia's 485 graduate visa age limit dropped to 35 in 2024. New durations, AUD 2,300 fees, and mid-2026 changes explained. Check if you still qualify.
You just finished two or three years of studying in Australia, and now the visa that's supposed to let you stay and work keeps changing the rules on you. If you're confused about the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), you're not alone. The Australian government has been making sweeping changes since mid-2024, and more are coming in 2026. Let's cut through the noise and figure out exactly what these changes mean for you.
💡 TL;DR: What You Need to Know Right Now
- The age limit dropped from under 50 to under 35 for most applicants (effective July 1, 2024)
- Visa durations got shorter across the board (2 years for bachelor's, 3 years for research master's/PhD)
- The two-year skill shortage extension is gone
- English requirements went up to IELTS 6.5 overall (from 6.0)
- Graduate certificates no longer qualify as eligible degrees
- From mid-2026, the government plans to tie second 485 visas to skills shortage lists
- The application fee is now AUD 2,300 as of July 2025
What Actually Changed with the 485 Visa?
So here's the deal. The Australian government released its Migration Strategy in late 2023, and the 485 visa was one of the biggest targets. They wanted to shift from "let everyone stay a while" to "keep the people we actually need." Most of these changes hit on July 1, 2024, and they've been rolling out additional tweaks ever since.
The visa itself still exists, and it still lets you live, work, and study in Australia after graduation. But the eligibility requirements, how long you can stay, and what qualifications count have all been tightened up. If you applied before July 1, 2024, you're assessed under the old rules. Everyone after that date gets the new ones, no matter when you started or finished your course.
What's the New Age Limit for the 485 Visa?
This is the change that hit the hardest, and honestly, it feels pretty unfair to a lot of people who planned their entire Australian education around the old rules. The maximum age dropped from under 50 to under 35 at the time you apply. That 15-year reduction locked out a significant number of mature-age students who were banking on post-study work rights.
Let's say you're a 36-year-old IT professional from India who started a two-year Master's in Melbourne in 2023. Under the old rules, you'd have had no problem getting a 485. Under the new rules? You're out. Two years of tuition, living costs, and effort, and the post-study work visa you were counting on just isn't available anymore. That stings.
But there are exceptions. If you completed a Master's degree by research or a PhD (doctoral degree), the age limit stays at under 50. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and British National (Overseas) passport holders also keep the under-50 limit.
One important detail: the age limit is assessed at the time of application, not at graduation. So if you're 34 when you submit your 485 and turn 35 while it's being processed, you're still fine. But if you're 35 when you click "submit" in ImmiAccount, you're out. Plan accordingly.
| Applicant Type | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree graduates | Under 35 |
| Master's (coursework/extended) | Under 35 |
| Master's (research) | Under 50 |
| PhD / Doctoral degree | Under 50 |
| Diploma / trade qualification | Under 35 |
| Hong Kong & BNO passport holders | Under 50 |
How Long Can You Stay on a 485 Visa Now?
The durations got shorter for many graduates. The pandemic-era extensions that gave some graduates four to six years of post-study work rights? Gone. Here's what you get now:
Post-Higher Education Work Stream:
- Bachelor's degree (including honours): up to 2 years
- Master's degree (coursework or extended): up to 2 years
- Master's degree (research): up to 3 years
- PhD / Doctoral degree: up to 3 years
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream:
- Diploma or trade qualification: up to 18 months
- Hong Kong and BNO passport holders: up to 5 years
Indian nationals under AI-ECTA:
Graduates from India may get different durations under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. Under AI-ECTA, bachelor's degree holders get up to 2 years, bachelor's with first-class honours in STEM (including ICT) get up to 3 years, all master's degrees get up to 3 years, and doctoral degrees get up to 4 years.
The previous two-year extension for graduates in areas of "verified skill shortage" was scrapped in mid-2024. That means no more bonus years for studying nursing, IT, or education. What you see above is what you get.
What About the Regional Extension (Second 485)?
Good news if you studied and lived in a designated regional area. The Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream is still available. If you completed your degree at an institution in a regional area and lived there for at least two years while on your first 485 visa, you can apply for an additional 1 to 2 years, depending on the specific regional location.
Regional areas include places like Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Canberra, Hobart, Newcastle, Wollongong, Cairns, Townsville, Darwin, Geelong, Bendigo, and the Sunshine Coast. Basically everywhere outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
But here's the catch: from mid-2026, the government is expected to tie second 485 visas to national or state skills shortage lists. So just studying in a regional area might not be enough anymore. Your field of study will need to match an occupation the government considers a genuine shortage.
What Happened to the COVID Replacement Stream?
It's over. The Replacement stream was introduced in 2022 for 485 visa holders who lost time in Australia because of COVID-19 travel restrictions (between February 1, 2020 and December 14, 2021). The stream was officially closed to new primary applicant applications on July 1, 2024.
If you already had a Replacement stream visa granted before the closure, it still runs its course. But no new applications are being accepted. That chapter is closed.
What Are the English Language Requirements Now?
The minimum IELTS score jumped from 6.0 overall to 6.5 overall, with no band below 5.5, for applications lodged on or after March 23, 2024. Equivalent scores apply for PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge, and OET.
Two more things to know. Your English test result must now be from within 12 months before you apply. The old three-year validity window is gone. And from August 7, 2025, the IELTS One Skill Retake is officially accepted for 485 visa applications.
Hong Kong and BNO passport holders get a slightly lower bar: IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.0.
| English Test | Minimum Score (Most Applicants) |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic or General) | 6.5 overall, 5.5 each band |
| PTE Academic | 50 overall (with minimum sub-scores) |
| TOEFL iBT | Check Home Affairs for equivalent |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 176 overall, 162 each skill |
Which Qualifications Actually Count Now?
This is where a lot of people got tripped up, especially after December 14, 2024, when the government tightened the definition of "degree" for 485 purposes.
Graduate certificates no longer count as eligible qualifications. Full stop.
Graduate diplomas only qualify if they meet two conditions: they must be directly related to your bachelor's, master's, or PhD, and you must have started the graduate diploma in the same academic year you finished the relevant degree, or in the next academic year. So you can't finish a bachelor's, take two years off, then do a random graduate diploma and expect it to qualify.
Your course needs to be CRICOS-registered, taught entirely in English, completed over at least 16 calendar months, covering at least 2 academic years (92 weeks), and completed in Australia while holding an eligible student visa.
Can You Switch Back to a Student Visa from a 485?
No, not from inside Australia. Starting July 1, 2024, current and former 485 visa holders can't apply onshore for a new Student visa (subclass 500). If you want to go back to study, you'll need to leave Australia and apply from overseas. This is a big shift from the old rules, where many graduates would "hop" between student and graduate visas to buy more time.
How Much Does the 485 Visa Cost in 2026?
The application fee went up to AUD 2,300 for the primary applicant as of July 1, 2025. For a secondary applicant aged 18 or over, it's AUD 1,150, and AUD 580 for dependents under 18. If you're applying for a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa, the fee is AUD 905.
When you factor in the health examination (around AUD 400), Overseas Visitor Health Cover (AUD 70-130 per month), Australian Federal Police check (around AUD 56), and your English language test (roughly AUD 475 for IELTS or PTE), the total out-of-pocket cost for a single applicant lands somewhere around AUD 3,300 or more.
What's Coming in Mid-2026?
The government's 2025-26 Migration Strategy signals even more changes. Education Department officials confirmed in early January 2026 that the remaining COVID-era extensions will be fully scrapped by mid-2026. More significantly, second 485 visas and pathways to the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482, which replaced the old TSS visa in December 2024) will likely require your field to align with national or state shortage lists.
The government is also pushing a "skills-first" lens across every temporary-to-permanent pathway. Universities are being asked to demonstrate their courses feed into priority sectors like clean-energy engineering, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.
Regional study incentives have survived so far, which is about the only bright spot if you're studying outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the old rules still apply. If you lodge after July 1, 2024, the new rules apply regardless of when you started studying. Don't rely on outdated advice from friends who applied two years ago.
- Letting your English test expire. Results are only valid for 12 months now. If you took IELTS in February 2025, it expires in February 2026. Time your test strategically so it's fresh when you apply.
- Thinking graduate certificates still count. They don't. If you're planning a quick top-up course to qualify, make sure it's at least a graduate diploma, and that it meets the new timing and relevance requirements.
- Missing the age cutoff by days. The under-35 limit is assessed at lodgement, not graduation. If your 35th birthday is approaching, submit your application before that date. Don't wait for your completion letter to arrive.
- Not budgeting for the full cost. The visa application fee alone is AUD 2,300, but with health checks, insurance, police clearances, and English tests, you're looking at AUD 3,300+ total. Plan ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get a 485 visa if I'm over 35?
Only if you completed a Master's by research or a PhD, in which case the limit is under 50. Hong Kong and BNO passport holders also keep the under-50 age limit regardless of qualification level.
When did the new 485 visa rules take effect?
The major changes took effect on July 1, 2024, including the age limit drop, shorter durations, and stream renaming. English language changes started earlier on March 23, 2024. Qualification changes around graduate certificates and diplomas kicked in on December 14, 2024.
How long does 485 visa processing take?
Current processing times are roughly 3 to 5 months for the Post-Higher Education Work stream, though more complex cases can take longer. Submit a "decision-ready" application with all documents upfront for the fastest processing.
Can I include my partner or family on my 485 visa?
Yes. You can include your spouse, de facto partner, and dependent children. Each additional applicant has their own fee: AUD 1,150 for those 18 and over, AUD 580 for under 18.
What if I turn 35 while my application is being processed?
You're fine. The age requirement is checked at the time of application, not at the time of decision. As long as you were under 35 when you submitted, your age at grant doesn't matter.
Is the two-year skill shortage extension still available?
No. The extended post-study work rights for courses in areas of verified skill shortage were discontinued in mid-2024. Standard durations now apply based on your qualification level.
Can I apply for a student visa while on a 485?
Not from inside Australia. Since July 1, 2024, 485 visa holders and former holders must leave Australia and apply for a student visa from overseas if they want to return to study.
The Bottom Line
The 485 visa in 2026 is a tighter, more targeted version of what it used to be. Shorter stays, a lower age limit, higher English requirements, and fewer extension options mean you need to be more strategic about your time in Australia.
Here's your action plan:
- Check your age against the new limits and make sure you'll be under 35 (or under 50 for research master's/PhD) when you submit your application.
- Confirm your qualification counts under the updated rules, especially if you're relying on a graduate diploma.
- Book your English test early so it won't expire before you apply. Remember, results are only valid for 12 months now.
- Budget for the full AUD 3,300+ in costs including visa fee, health checks, police clearances, insurance, and English test.
- Start planning your next visa move from day one of your 485. Whether that's a 189, 190, 491, or employer sponsorship, don't wait until your 485 is about to expire.
The government wants graduates who fill real skill gaps. If that's you, there's still a clear pathway. But the days of "study anything, stay for years, figure it out later" are over.
Official source: Department of Home Affairs - Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)