Study and post study visa program

Overview

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Australia remains a premier destination for international students, offering not only world-class education but also clear, structured migration pathways for those seeking to build a long-term future in the country. As of 2025, the journey from student to permanent resident is both highly regulated and strategically complex, involving multiple visa subclasses, evolving eligibility criteria, and a competitive points-based system. This pathway starts with the initial Student Visa (Subclass 500), through post-study work options like the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), and onward to permanent residency via skilled migration routes such as the Subclass 482, 186 , and 491 visas.

Why Book a Consultation?

A personalized consultation can help determine

Whether you currently meet the criteria for any visa
What steps you can take to become eligible
How to strategically plan your application for visa approval

Student visa subclass 500

The Subclass 500 visa lets international students come to Australia to study full time at a registered education provider and bring eligible family members in the same application. It generally allows stay for the duration of your course, up to a maximum of five to six years depending on enrolment and circumstances.

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Who is eligible

Primary requirement: Must be accepted into a full-time course at an Australian CRICOS‑registered provider and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Genuine Temporary Entrant: Must satisfy the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement showing intention to stay temporarily for study.
Health and character: Must meet health (medical checks) and character (police certificates) requirements.
Overseas Student Health Cover: Must have approved health insurance for the duration of stay (OSHC) unless exempt.

Key visa conditions and entitlements

Work rights: Work up to 40 hours a fortnight while course is in session, exceptions apply.
Study duration and travel: Stay for the length of your enrolment and travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid.
Family inclusion: You can include your partner and dependent children in the application.
Compliance obligations: Remain enrolled and attend classes, maintain adequate progress, notify your provider of address changes, and maintain OSHC.

Documents typically required

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from an Australian provider.
Valid passport.
Proof of English proficiency where required; specific tests or exemptions depend on course and provider.
Evidence of financial capacity to cover fees, living costs, and travel for you and any family included.
GTE statement addressing intent to study temporarily.
Health and character checks: medical examinations and police certificates as requested.
OSHC evidence showing cover for the visa duration.

Application steps

Get an offer and CoE from a CRICOS provider.
Arrange OSHC and prepare documents listed above.
Lodge online application through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount and pay the visa application charge.
Provide biometrics and medical checks if requested and submit police checks where required.
Await decision; respond promptly to any additional Department requests.

Why Book a Consultation?

A personalized consultation can help determine:

Whether you currently meet the criteria for any visa
What steps you can take to become eligible
How to strategically plan your application for visa approval

Temporary Graduate Visa subclass 485

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily.

485

Overview

This visa is for international students who have completed a CRICOS-registered course in Australia.
It provides a pathway to gain work experience, explore permanent residency options, or continue further studies.

Key Eligibility Criteria

Age: Must be 35 years or younger at the time of application (exceptions apply).
Visa history: Must have held a Student visa within the past 6 months.
Course requirements: Must have completed a recent qualification from a CRICOS-registered provider.
English proficiency: Must meet minimum standards.
Health and character: Must meet standard visa requirements.

Streams Available

There are two main streams:

Graduate Work Stream

For students with skills and qualifications related to occupations on the skilled occupation list.
Valid for up to 18 months

Post-Higher Education Work Stream

For students who have completed higher education degrees (Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral).
Valid for 2 to 4 years, depending on the qualification and location of study.
Changes to eligible qualifications for this stream take effect from 14 December 2024.

Family Inclusion

You can include your partner and children in the application.
They must also meet health and character requirements.

Work Rights

Visa holders can work full-time in any sector.
No restrictions on the type of work or employer.

Would you like help checking which stream you qualify for or how to prepare your application?

Why Book a Consultation?

A personalized consultation can help determine

Whether you currently meet the criteria for any visa
What steps you can take to become eligible
How to strategically plan your application for visa approval

Training Visa subclass 407

The Subclass 407 Training visa lets you come to Australia temporarily to take part in workplace-based occupational training or professional development to improve skills for your job, field of study, or area of expertise. The visa can be granted for up to two years depending on the training program and sponsor arrangements.

Training

Who is eligible

Sponsorship and nomination: You must be nominated by an approved sponsor and the sponsor must lodge a nomination for you; if the sponsor is a Commonwealth government agency you may also need an invitation.
Training purpose: The training must be workplace-based and directly related to your current employment, field of tertiary study, or be part of a professional development program.
Other requirements: You must satisfy health and character checks and meet any additional criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs for the visa subclass.

Typical documents required

Passport and identity pages.
Sponsor nomination and evidence of sponsorship (provided by the approved sponsor).
Details of the training program (training plan, duration, objectives, and how it improves your skills).
Evidence of qualifications or employment showing relevance of training to your job or study.
Health checks and police certificates if requested.
Any additional documents requested by Home Affairs during processing.

Application steps

Secure an approved sponsor who will nominate you for the specific training program.
Gather required documents including the sponsor nomination and the training plan.
Lodge the visa application online through ImmiAccount and pay the visa application charge.
Provide biometrics, health checks, or police certificates if requested by the Department.
Await decision and respond promptly to any further requests from Home Affairs.

Key conditions and entitlements

Temporary stay: The visa is temporary and duration granted is usually up to two years, depending on the nomination and training program.
Work and training: You must participate in the approved workplace training as outlined in the nomination; work rights are tied to the training arrangement and sponsor conditions.
Compliance: You must comply with visa conditions, the training plan, and any sponsor-imposed requirements; failing to do so can affect your visa status.

Why Book a Consultation?

A personalized consultation can help determine