Finishing a degree in Australia raises an immediate question for almost every international student: what happens to my visa now? Australia’s migration system offers several established pathways from graduation through to permanent residency, but each one carries its own eligibility rules, and leaving the decision too late can cost you time and options you might otherwise have had.
This article sets out the main routes currently available, current as at September 2026.
What Happens to My Student Visa Once My Course Ends?
A student visa is generally tied to enrolment in a registered course, and your permission to remain and work under that visa changes once your course finishes. Most graduates need to have a new visa application in place, or another lawful basis to remain, before that happens. Planning your next step before your final results are out is strongly recommended, not just tidy admin.
Can I Get a Visa to Work in Australia after I Graduate: The Temporary Graduate Visa (485)
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is the visa most graduates apply for first. It doesn’t require an employer sponsor and generally comes with unrestricted work rights, but the stream you qualify for depends on your qualification level and where you studied.
| Stream | Who it’s generally for | Typical duration |
| Post-Higher Education Work | Bachelor’s degree or higher from an eligible Australian course | 2–3 years (up to 5 years for eligible passport holders) |
| Post-Vocational Education Work | Associate degree, diploma or trade qualification linked to the skilled occupation list | Up to 18 months (up to 5 years for Hong Kong/BNO passport holders) |
| Second Post-Higher Education Work | Existing 485 holders with a degree from a regional campus | 1–2 years, depending on the region and your current location |
- Age limit: Aged 35 or under when you apply
- Visa history: Hold, or have recently held, an eligible student visa and meet the study requirement
- Study requirement: Completed a CRICOS-registered course that satisfies the Australian study requirement
- One shot: Choose your stream carefully; once you apply, you generally cannot switch to a different one
What If an Employer Wants to Sponsor Me: The Skills in Demand Visa (482)
If you have a job offer from an employer willing to sponsor you, the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is the main temporary employer-sponsored pathway. It replaced the previous Temporary Skill Shortage visa and now runs across three streams.
| Stream | Key requirement | Duration |
| Core Skills | Occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List; salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (currently $79,423) and the market rate | Up to 4 years |
| Specialist Skills | No fixed occupation list, but salary must be at or above the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (currently $146,576) | Up to 4 years |
| Labour Agreement | Employer covered by a labour agreement or DAMA; terms set by that agreement | Varies by agreement |
- Sponsorship: Your employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor
- English: Competent English is generally required (broadly equivalent to IELTS 5.0, no band below 4.5), with exemptions for some passport holders
- Experience: Around 12 months of relevant work experience is generally expected
- Skills assessment: There’s no separate skills assessment for most 482 applications, but your skills and experience still need to genuinely match the nominated role
How Does Employer Sponsorship Lead to Permanent Residency: The Employer Nomination Scheme (186)
The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) is the main permanent employer-sponsored visa, and it has two streams that suit different situations.
- Temporary Residence Transition: After at least 2 years working for the same sponsoring employer (typically on a 482), a skills assessment usually isn’t required and age exemptions are more flexible
- Direct Entry: For applicants without that 2-year history; requires a positive skills assessment (less than 3 years old) and 3 years’ relevant full-time experience, and you generally need to be under 45 (limited exemptions apply, including for high-income earners)
Both streams generally require the nominated occupation to be on the relevant skilled occupation list and Competent English (exemptions apply for some passport holders).
What If I Don’t Have an Employer Sponsor? Can I Still Qualify for PR?
If sponsorship isn’t on the table, the points-tested General Skilled Migration visas may still get you to permanent residency.
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent): No state or employer involvement required, but you need a competitive points score
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated): Requires state or territory nomination, which adds 5 points to your score
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional): Requires regional nomination or an eligible family sponsor (adds 15 points); a provisional visa with a pathway to permanent residency (subclass 191) after 3 years
65 points is the minimum needed just to submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect; in practice, the scores actually invited in most occupations run well above that minimum. All three pathways require a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the relevant list, and points are awarded across age, English level, skilled employment, qualifications and (for 190/491) nomination.
The Pathways at a Glance
| 485 (Temporary Graduate) | Temporary | No | Not directly; it’s a bridge to your next visa |
| 482 (Skills in Demand) | Temporary | Yes | Yes, generally via the 186 after time with your sponsor |
| 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) | Permanent | Yes | Yes; grants permanent residency |
| 189/190/491 (Points-tested) | Permanent (189/190) or provisional (491) | No (state or family nomination for 190/491) | Yes |
Thinking about Your Options after Graduation?
Every graduate’s situation is different, and the right pathway depends on your qualification, your occupation and whether you have (or can secure) an employer willing to sponsor you.
SALIA Lawyers & Associates can assess your circumstances and map out a realistic pathway, from your first post-study visa through to permanent residency.
Visit salia.com.au or email hello@salia.com.au to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to hold a 482 visa before I can apply for a 186 visa?
No. Direct Entry lets you apply for the 186 without ever holding a 482, provided you have a positive skills assessment and enough qualifying work experience. The 482 mainly matters for the Temporary Residence Transition stream, which has lighter requirements after two years with the same sponsor.
Can I apply for a points-tested visa (189, 190 or 491) while I’m still on my Temporary Graduate visa?
Generally yes, provided you have a positive skills assessment in a relevant occupation and meet the points threshold; these pathways don’t depend on your visa status being linked to an employer.
What happens if my occupation isn’t on the relevant skilled occupation list?
You may still have employer-sponsored options, particularly the Specialist Skills stream of the 482, which isn’t tied to an occupation list, even where the points-tested pathways aren’t available to you. This is exactly the kind of situation worth getting individual advice on.
Is there an age limit I need to watch out for?
Yes. Most permanent pathways require you to be under 45 at the time of invitation or nomination (limited exemptions apply), and the 485 requires you to be 35 or under when you apply. Age is one of several reasons to plan your pathway early rather than leaving it until your student visa is about to expire.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided is intended as a general guide and should not be relied upon as legal or migration advice. As migration laws and regulations can change, we recommend consulting an Australian Lawyer or Registered Migration Agent for advice tailored to your circumstances.
