485 Visa Extension: Everything You Need to Know in 2025

Skill shortages are a real problem in Australia, with 33% of all jobs facing a skill shortage in 2024. Thankfully, the government has found an easy and effective way to address this issue with the 485 visa extension update.

This visa allows international students pursuing education in the country to extend their stay after completing their studies. Therefore, it is important to understand 485 visa extension eligibility and whether you meet the relevant criteria.     

If you have the same question, this blog is for you. Here, we will explore all that you need to know about this visa extension.  

What Exactly is the 485 Visa Extension?  

The 485 visa extension permits new graduates to extend their stay in Australia. This visa is mainly for international students who have completed a course of at least 92 weeks or more in the country. 

These fresh graduates can seek employment opportunities in the country after completing their education. If you meet all the necessary 485 visa extension requirements, you can stay in Australia for 2 to 5 years. This duration can vary depending on the course you are studying.        

Most people leverage this visa to extend their stay in the country and obtain better employment opportunities. More importantly, it is a great way to enhance one’s eligibility for other skilled or permanent visas.  

What’s With the New 2024 Update for 485 Visa Extension?

In 2024, the Australian authorities came up with some noteworthy changes to the 485 visa extension list. The changes in this new migration strategy came into effect on the 1st of July 2024, and understanding them is important. These changes include:    

• International students pursuing bachelor’s degrees with honours can extend their visa for up to 2 years. 
• Students pursuing a master’s degree with long-term coursework can extend up to 2 years. 
• If you are pursuing a master’s degree with research or doctoral degrees like a PhD, you can extend the visa up to 3 years. 
• The maximum age for applying for the 485 visa extension is 35 years.       

Releated Post: Understanding the New Rules for 482 Visa to Permanent Residency in Australia

What Conditions Must You Follow to Apply for the 485 Visa Extension?  

The 485 visa extension is an excellent way for international students to extend their stay in the country. But naturally, you must meet certain conditions to apply for this extension, and these conditions include:

Conditions for Post-Study Work Visa 

• Visa Eligibility: Every applicant for the visa must be staying in Australia and have a student or Bridging Visa A/B in the six months before applying.
• Age: The applicant should be under the age of 35 unless they fall under some exceptions. 
• English Language Requirements: The applicant must have a valid passport from an English-speaking country or provide TOEFL, IELTS, OET, PTE, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. 
• Education: You must have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in the country six months before applying. This degree must have been from a CRICOS-registered education institution. 
• Health Insurance: The applicant must have all the necessary health insurance for themselves and their families during their stay in Australia.
  

Conditions for Post-Work Visa 

• Educational Requirements: The applicant must have a qualification relevant to the occupation on the “skilled occupation list.”
• English Proficiency: The applicant must provide a TOEFL, IELTS, OET, PTE, or Cambridge C1 Advanced certificate. 
• Age: The applicant must be 35 or less when applying unless they fall under some exceptions. 
• Skills and Qualifications: As an applicant, you must have applied for a thorough assessment of the chosen occupation on the MLTSSL list. 
• Visa Validity: The applicant must be present in the country while applying for the visa. The visa is only processed if the applicant has a valid student visa or Bridging Visa A/B in the previous six months.       
• Health Insurance: The applicants must have proper health insurance for themselves and their families during their stay in Australia.   

What is the 485 Visa Extension Fee?

The 485 visa extension fee is AU$ 1,945 for every application. But you must also account for the more cost on top of this basic fee. There will naturally be some additional costs for police checks, health checks, and biometrics. 

You can check the total estimate of the visa’s cost with any visa fee estimator. But make sure you consider the fact that there might be some incidental costs as well. The best thing of all is that you will be exempt from paying the additional fee for any subsequent 485 visa extension application.     

Must Read: 482 Dependent Visa Processing Time: How Long Does It Take in 2025?

Concluding Thoughts 

Once you can deal with the 485 visa extension processing time, this visa can be a game-changer. These visas have helped many individuals get a headstart on their careers and make a name for themselves.

There is no reason you should be an exception when you have all the right information about the visa. So find a reliable immigration consultant in Perth today and get your visa in no time.