SUBCLASS 485 TEMPORARY GRADUATE VISA -POST‑HIGHER EDUCATION WORK (PHEW) STREAM
Overview of the PHEW Stream:
The Post‑Higher Education Work (PHEW) stream of the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (formerly known as the Post-Study Work stream) is designed for international graduates who have obtained an Australian higher education degree (Bachelor’s or above). It allows eligible graduates to remain in Australia temporarily to live, work and study after completing their course. This stream typically grants a stay of 2 to 3 years (depending on the level of qualification and country of passport), giving graduates an opportunity to gain work experience or pursue further studies in Australia. (Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders are an exception, with stays of up to 5 years under this visa).
Key Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for a Subclass 485 visa under the PHEW stream, an applicant must satisfy several key criteria set out in the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) Schedule 2. The requirements include qualifications, visa history, age, English proficiency, and health insurance, as detailed below:
Australian Degree Qualification: The primary applicant must have completed an Australian degree (or higher qualification) within the 6 months prior to lodging the application. Acceptable qualifications generally include a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or Doctorate from an Australian educational institution. (Stand-alone graduate certificates do not count as a “degree” for this visa, and a Graduate Diploma is only eligible if it was obtained immediately after completing a related Bachelor, Master or PhD program.) Furthermore, the completed course(s) must meet the Australian study requirements: they must be registered on CRICOS, involve at least 16 months of study in Australia, consist of at least 2 academic years of coursework, and have all instruction in English (these conditions are embedded in Schedule 2, clause 485.231).
Age Limit: Applicants must be aged 35 years or younger at the time of application. This upper age limit was reduced from 50 to 35 as part of the 2024 reforms to target younger graduates. There are limited exceptions: If the applicant holds a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport, or if the applicant has completed a PhD or a Masters by Research, then the age limit is extended – such applicants can be up to 50 years old when applying. Aside from these exceptions, no applicant above 35 can be granted a PHEW visa.
English Language Proficiency: Unless exempt by nationality, the primary applicant must demonstrate competent English proficiency when applying. In practice, this means providing acceptable English test results taken within the 12 months before the application. The required standard was raised in 2024: an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, is now required (or equivalent scores in other approved tests). Applicants holding passports from certain English-speaking countries (the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland) are exempt from testing. (Hong Kong and BNO passport holders are treated separately – they may be assessed under the slightly lower previous standard of overall 6.0/each band 5.0 in some transitional cases.) Evidence of English must be provided at lodgement, as required by Schedule 2. Failure to meet the English threshold will result in refusal, so graduates should ensure they take a test early if needed, given the stricter scoring now in force.
Health Insurance: Applicants must have adequate health insurance arrangements in place. Condition 8501 (a mandatory condition on the 485 visa) requires visa holders to maintain adequate health insurance for the entire stay in Australia. The visa holder should keep insurance throughout the visa duration for themselves and any dependants.
Character and Health Requirements: As with all Australian visas, applicants must satisfy the general health and character requirements. A medical examination is usually required (a new medical exam may be waived if a recent one for a student visa extension is still valid). Additionally, every applicant aged 16 or over (including dependants) must provide an Australian Federal Police (AFP) clearance certificate; evidence that the AFP check has been applied for is required at the time of lodgement.
Application Requirements and Process:
In addition to the eligibility criteria above, there are important application requirements regarding timing, status, and documentation that applicants should note:
Timing – Apply Within 6 Months of Completion: The PHEW visa application must be lodged within 6 months after completing the Australian course of study. According to Home Affairs guidelines, you must have finished your degree (with final results available or a completion letter issued) no more than six months before the date you apply. This is a strict deadline. Graduates are therefore advised to prepare their 485 application as soon as they receive evidence of course completion.
Location and Current Visa Status: Typically, this visa is applied for onshore in Australia. Applicants must hold an eligible visa status at the time of application. In practice, this means you should either still be on your student visa or on a Bridging Visa that followed your student visa. The rules require that the applicant hold a student visa, or have held one in the past 6 months when applying. Most students apply while their student visa is still valid or just after it expires. If your student visa has just expired, you must be on a Bridging A or B (granted from a timely lodgement of another visa application) at the time you lodge the 485 application.
Documents to Prepare: A thorough set of documents must accompany the application. Key documents include: evidence of course completion (a completion letter and academic transcript from the Australian institution confirming the award of the degree and the date of completion), proof that the study meets the regulatory requirements (e.g. confirmation the course is CRICOS-registered and was conducted in English – often the completion letter or transcript suffices for this). Identification documents (passport bio-data page) and proof of any name changes (if applicable) are required for all applicants. If an English test is needed, the official test result (e.g. IELTS score report) must be provided. Applicants must also supply their AFP police check receipt/results and evidence of having obtained health insurance coverage (such as a certificate of insurance or policy card) for themselves and any dependants. For dependant family members included in the application, provide documents proving the relationship (e.g. marriage certificate for spouses, birth certificates for children) and that they meet dependency requirements. It is also advisable to include copies of all Australian visas held and evidence of maintaining student visa conditions (such as attendance records or transcripts), though these are generally verified internally by the Department.
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Disclaimer: Important notice for all our social media followers and website readers. Content shared here by Visamigo Lawyers and its affiliates is not to be considered as immigration or legal advice. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional guidance. This material offers general insights (accurate at the time of posting, subject to updates) and is not exhaustive. Prior to any application, it is recommended you consult an Australian Lawyer for personalised advice. Your journey matters, so ensure you're properly informed.
