Last updated: June 2026
The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa gives Australian graduates between 2 and 3 years of full work rights, and the exact number depends on your degree type and whether you studied in a regional area. Getting this right matters because it directly shapes how much time you have to build the work experience, skills assessment, and points needed for permanent residency via the 485 pathway.
This guide gives you the exact breakdown for every scenario, based on the official rules at the Department of Home Affairs (updated May 2026). Note that these durations apply to Indonesian nationals as general applicants; different rules apply to Indian nationals under the AI-ECTA agreement and to Hong Kong/BNO passport holders.
The Two 485 Streams and Which One You’re In
Your degree type determines which stream you apply under, and the two streams have very different durations.
The Post-Higher Education Work stream (PHEW) covers graduates with a bachelor’s degree or above: bachelor’s, bachelor’s honours, master’s (coursework, extended, or research), and doctoral degrees. Duration ranges from 2 to 3 years based on degree type before any regional bonus is applied.
The Post-Vocational Education Work stream (PVEW) covers trade and vocational graduates with an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification linked to a nominated shortage occupation. Duration is a fixed 18 months, with no regional bonus.
You cannot switch streams after lodging your application. If you hold a university degree, you are almost certainly a PHEW applicant.
485 Visa Duration by Degree Level (PHEW Stream)
The table below is based directly on the Department of Home Affairs official page (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, updated May 2026). These are the rules for general applicants, including Indonesian nationals.
| Degree Level | Standard Duration (metro) | With Regional Study Bonus (+2 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 2 years | 4 years |
| Bachelor’s degree (Honours) | 2 years | 4 years |
| Master’s degree — coursework | 2 years | 4 years |
| Master’s degree — extended | 2 years | 4 years |
| Master’s degree — research | 3 years | 5 years |
| Doctoral degree (PhD) | 3 years | 5 years |
| Graduate Diploma | 2 years (if eligible) | 4 years |
| Trade/vocational — PVEW stream | 18 months | No bonus |
Important: Bachelor Honours is classified together with a standard Bachelor’s degree and gives 2 years, not 3. Many third-party sources still state Honours gives 3 years, but this reflects older pre-July 2024 rules. The official DHA page confirms: “Bachelor degree (including honours) – 2 years.”
Which Master’s Degree Gives 3 Years and Which Gives 2?
This is where most confusion happens. Not all Master’s degrees are equal under the Subclass 485 rules.
| Master’s Type | Examples | 485 Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s by Research | MPhil, Master of Science (Research), Master of Arts (Research) | 3 years |
| Master’s by Coursework | MBA, Master of Engineering, Master of IT, Master of Accounting, Master of Education, Master of Nursing, Master of Data Science | 2 years |
| Extended Master’s | Some longer law, architecture, or clinical programs | 2 years |
A Master’s by Research is a supervised research degree where the qualification is awarded based on a research thesis, not coursework subjects. If your master’s involved attending lectures and completing assignments, it is almost certainly a Master’s by Coursework and gives 2 years, not 3. If you are unsure which type of qualification it is, check your official academic transcript or confirm with your university.
What does NOT qualify for PHEW:
- Graduate Certificate (AQF Level 8): No longer eligible for the PHEW stream as of July 2024.
- Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8): Eligible for PHEW in some circumstances, with a default 2-year stay period. On its own, it does not qualify unless it meets specific conditions.
The Regional Study Bonus: Which Cities and Areas Qualify
There are two separate regional benefits under the Subclass 485 that work differently. Mixing them up is the most common source of confusion on this topic.
1. The first 485 regional study bonus: flat +2 years
If you completed at least 2 academic years at a CRICOS-registered institution in a regional area of Australia, you receive a flat +2 years added to your standard PHEW duration. This applies regardless of which qualifying regional city or town you studied in. It is assessed at the time of your first 485 application.
For this bonus, “regional” means anywhere outside Greater Sydney, Greater Melbourne, Greater Brisbane (including Logan, Moreton Bay, Redlands, and Ipswich), the Gold Coast, and Perth. Cities that qualify include Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Townsville, Cairns, and most other regional towns across Australia.
Students who split their study between a regional and a metropolitan institution can still claim the bonus, provided at least 2 full academic years were completed at the regional location.
2. The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream: +1 or +2 years by location category
This is a completely separate new 485 visa grant, not an extension. It is available to PHEW graduates who lived, worked, and studied exclusively in a regional area throughout their entire first TR 485 period. The duration of the second visa depends on the regional category of where you were based:
| Regional Category | Examples | Second PHEW Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Category 2: Regional cities and major centres | Adelaide, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Hobart, Darwin | +1 year |
| Category 3: Regional centres and other areas | Smaller towns, rural areas, remote locations outside Category 2 | +2 years |
To qualify, you must have both studied at an institution in that regional area and currently be living in that same regional area as the holder of your first PHEW 485 visa. The category that applies is determined by your study location and your current residence together, not just one of them.
Tasmania exception: Some areas within Tasmania are treated as Category 3 rather than Category 2, making Tasmania graduates potentially eligible for 2 years rather than 1. Confirm your specific Tasmanian location against the designated regional areas list before applying.
Cost for the Second PHEW starts from AUD 1,810 for the main applicant, significantly less than the first PHEW application charge of AUD 4,600.
What If You Have More Than One Degree?
If you completed multiple Australian qualifications, for example, a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s, your Subclass 485 duration is based on the highest qualifying degree, not a combination of both.
A graduate who completed a Bachelor of Commerce and then a Master of Business Administration (coursework) receives 2 years, because an MBA is a coursework master’s. However, if that same graduate completed a Master of Science (Research) instead, the duration becomes 3 years.
The key condition: your highest qualifying degree must have been completed within 6 months of your 485 application date.
Example Scenarios: Your Total Duration by Degree and Location
The tables below show exactly how many years you get in each situation. Use your degree type and study city to find your scenario.
First 485 Grant Duration (General Applicants Including Indonesian Nationals)
| Degree | Metro (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast) | Regional Category 2 (Adelaide, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Hobart, Darwin) | Regional Category 3 (smaller towns, rural, remote) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s (incl. Honours) | 2 years | 2+1 years | 2+2 years |
| Master’s — coursework or extended | 2 years | 2+1 years | 2+2 years |
| Master’s — research (MPhil, MRes) | 3 years | 3+1 years | 3+2 years |
| Doctoral degree (PhD) | 3 years | 3+1 years | 3+2 years |
| Trade/Vocational (PVEW) | 18 months | 18 months | 18 months |
Maximum Total Duration Including the Second PHEW (Regional Graduates Only)
| Degree | Metro (first 485 only) | Regional Cat. 2 (first + second 485) | Regional Cat. 3 (first + second 485) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s / Master’s coursework | 2 years | 2 + 1 = 3 years | 2 + 2 = 4 years |
| Master’s research / PhD | 3 years | 3 + 1 = 4 years | 3 + 2 = 5 years |
Example: Budi completed a Master of IT (coursework) at the University of Adelaide — Category 2 regional. His first 485 gives him 2 years. He stays in Adelaide for the full 2 years of this first TR 485, then applies for the Second PHEW Category 2 and receives 1 additional year. Total: 3 years.
Example: Dewi completed a PhD at Charles Darwin University in Darwin — Category 2 regional. Her first 485 gives her 3 years. She remains in Darwin throughout. She then applies for the Second PHEW and receives 1 additional year. Total: 4 years.
Example: Riko completed a Master of Science (Research) at the University of New England in Armidale, NSW — a Category 3 regional town. His first 485 gives him 3 years. He stays in Armidale throughout, then qualifies for the Second PHEW Category 3. Total: 5 years.
Example: Sari completed a Bachelor of Accounting at the University of Sydney (metro). She receives 2 years on her 485. She is not eligible for any regional bonus or the Second PHEW. Total: 2 years.
How Your 485 Duration Affects Your PR Strategy
The number of years on your 485 is not just an administrative detail; it determines which permanent residency pathway is realistically achievable in the time you have.
With 2 years (bachelor’s or master’s by coursework, metro study), the window is tight. Completing a skills assessment, building enough points, and lodging an Expression of Interest for the Subclass 189 or Subclass 190 is possible but requires a clear plan from day one. Many graduates in this position move toward employer sponsorship under the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa before the 485 expires. For how this plays out in practice, see our guide on IT graduates’ pathway to permanent residency in Australia.
With 3 to 5 years (any degree with regional bonus, or a research master’s/PhD in metro), you have meaningful runway. You can complete your skills assessment, accumulate 5 to 10 skilled employment points for the points test, and pursue state or regional nomination for the Subclass 190 or Subclass 491.
Not sure which stream applies to your degree, or how your duration maps to a PR timeline? Our MARA-registered migration agents have guided hundreds of Indonesian graduates through this calculation. Book a paid consultation with RACC Indonesia to map out your specific pathway.
How RACC Indonesia Can Help You
At RACC Indonesia, our MARA-registered migration agents work with Indonesian graduates at every stage of the Subclass 485 process and the PR pathways that follow. We help you confirm your stream and duration, calculate any regional study bonus, review your 485 visa checklist before lodgement, and build a step-by-step plan from 485 to permanent residency.
This article provides general information only and is not migration advice. Immigration rules change frequently, and your individual circumstances affect which options apply to you. For advice tailored to your situation, book a consultation with RACC Indonesia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does a Bachelor Honours degree give more years on the 485 visa than a standard Bachelor’s?
No. Under the current rules per the Department of Home Affairs (updated May 2026), a Bachelor Honours degree is classified with a standard Bachelor’s degree and gives 2 years on the PHEW stream, the same as a non-honours Bachelor’s. Many third-party sources still state Honours gives 3 years, but this reflects older pre-July 2024 rules. Confirm your qualification classification with your institution before applying.
Which Master’s degree gives 3 years on the 485 visa?
Only a Master’s by Research gives 3 years. This includes MPhil, Master of Science (Research), Master of Arts (Research), and other degrees awarded based on a supervised research thesis. A Master’s by Coursework, including an MBA, Master of Engineering, Master of IT, Master of Accounting, or Master of Education, takes 2 years, the same as a bachelor’s degree. Check your academic transcript: if your degree was completed through coursework subjects, it is not a research master’s.
Do all regional cities qualify for the 485 regional study bonus?
No. The +2-year regional bonus applies to students who studied outside Greater Sydney, Greater Melbourne, Greater Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Perth. Cities like Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Townsville, and Cairns all qualify. You must have completed at least 2 academic years in the regional area to receive the +2-year bonus.
Can I extend my 485 visa beyond the initial grant?
Not directly. However, regional graduates may be eligible for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream, a completely new 485 visa grant, not an extension. The duration depends on your regional category: Category 2 areas (Adelaide, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Hobart, Darwin) give +1 year; Category 3 areas (smaller towns, rural, remote) give +2 years. Tasmania has an exception where some areas are treated as Category 3, giving graduates there 2 years. To qualify, you must have both studied at and be currently living in the relevant regional area as your first 485 holder. Cost from AUD 1,810. Confirm your eligibility with a MARA-registered migration agent.
What is the 485 visa duration for vocational or TAFE graduates?
18 months. Trade and vocational graduates apply under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream (PVEW), which grants a fixed 18-month stay. The regional study bonus does not apply to PVEW. PVEW also requires a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority before lodgement, unlike the PHEW stream, where no skills assessment is required to lodge.
If I studied in Melbourne for 1 year and Adelaide for 2 years, do I get the regional bonus?
Yes, provided the 2 years in Adelaide were at a CRICOS-registered institution and you were physically present there during those periods. The Department of Home Affairs assesses the regional study based on the institution’s location and your enrolment records. Study at a regional campus of a metropolitan university also counts, as long as you were physically at the regional campus, not studying remotely from Melbourne.
Does the regional bonus apply to PVEW applicants?
No. The +2-year regional study bonus applies only to the Post-Higher Education Work stream (PHEW). Graduates in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream (PVEW) receive a fixed 18 months regardless of where in Australia they studied. To benefit from the regional bonus, you need a bachelor’s degree, a master’s by research, or a doctoral degree.
