Jobs in Australia After Graduation: Which Visa Students Need and How to Apply

Australia is a popular destination for higher education among Indian students, with thousands pursuing degrees in various fields each year. After years of study, many graduates face a common question: having earned their degree, how can they start a career in Australia?

The good news is that Australia allows international students to work after completing their studies. For this, students can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), which enables them to join the Australian workforce directly after graduation and later qualify for other work visas.

Two Major Streams of the Temporary Graduate Visa

The Subclass 485 visa has two main streams:

1. Post-Study Work Stream – For students who have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in Australia.
2. Graduate Work Stream – For students who have completed a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or trade program.

Duration of the Visa

• Bachelor’s and Master’s graduates: 2 years
• Research Master’s or Doctoral graduates: 3 years
• VET graduates: 18 months
  Some students may also receive an additional 12 months of work permission based on their course.

How to Apply

Applications for the Temporary Graduate Visa are submitted online through the ImmiAccount portal managed by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Steps to Apply:

1. Prepare Documents: Educational certificates, English language test results, passport, health and character certificates.
2. Select Your Stream: Choose the appropriate stream based on your qualification. Note that this cannot be changed later.
3. Submit Online Form: Fill out the application, upload documents, and pay the AUD 2,300 application fee.
4. Wait for Decision: The Department of Home Affairs will assess your application. Check the status through your ImmiAccount.

Important Considerations:

• Age limit: 35 years for most students; 50 years for Research Master’s or PhD graduates.
• Apply within 6 months of completing your course.
• Course must be CRICOS-registered.
• English proficiency may be required via IELTS (overall 6.5), TOEFL, or PTE.

The Temporary Graduate Visa provides Indian students an excellent pathway to gain professional experience and build a career in Australia after completing their degrees.