Post-Study Work Opportunities in Australia

🇦🇺 Post-Study Work Opportunities in Australia (2025)

Australia is a top choice for international students not just for its education, but also for its generous post-study work opportunities that can lead to long-term career and migration prospects.

🎓 1. Post-Study Work Visa (Subclass 485)

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) allows international students to live, study, and work in Australia after graduation.

✳️ There are 2 main streams:

Stream	Who it’s for	Duration
Post-Study Work Stream	Graduates with a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degree from an Australian institution	2 to 4 years depending on degree
Graduate Work Stream	For vocational education graduates (e.g., diploma or trade qualifications)	Up to 18 months (now extended to 2 years in some cases)

🕒 Work Visa Duration Based on Degree Level

Qualification	Work Rights Duration
Bachelor’s degree	2 years (up to 4 years in regional areas)
Master’s by coursework	3 years
Master’s by research	3 years
Doctoral degree (PhD)	4 years

💡 Extra 1-2 years may be granted if you study and live in designated regional areas like Adelaide, Gold Coast, or Hobart.

🛠️ 2. Full-Time Work Rights After Graduation

Once your student visa ends and you transition to the 485 visa:

You can work full-time in any field (no job sponsorship needed).
You can switch jobs freely and gain valuable experience.
You’re allowed to bring dependents (spouse/children) who can also work full-time.

📋 3. General Skilled Migration (PR Pathway)

After gaining work experience on the 485 visa, many graduates apply for permanent residency (PR) through:

Visa Type	Purpose
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)	PR based on points (no sponsor needed)
Subclass 190 (State Sponsored)	PR with a nomination from a state/territory
Subclass 491 (Regional Sponsored)	5-year visa leading to PR if living/working in a regional area

💡 Points are awarded for: age, qualifications, work experience, English proficiency, etc.

🧑‍💻 4. High-Demand Jobs for International Graduates

Australia has skills shortages in many sectors:

IT & Software Development
Engineering
Healthcare (nurses, doctors, aged care)
Education (early childhood, special needs)
Trades (electricians, mechanics, construction)

Check the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for eligible jobs.

📊 5. Average Graduate Salaries in Australia

Field	Starting Salary (AUD/year)
IT / Computer Science	$65,000 – $80,000
Engineering	$70,000 – $85,000
Business & Finance	$60,000 – $75,000
Healthcare	$70,000 – $90,000
Education	$60,000 – $75,000