How long can I work in Australia after graduating with a bachelor's degree?

The extra year for STEM honours graduates is specific to Indian nationals under a bilateral trade provision, so it is worth checking carefully rather than assuming the general 2 year rule always applies to you.

How the 485 Visa Duration Breaks Down

The Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, is the main post-study route for bachelor's graduates in Australia. A standard bachelor's degree, typically a 3 year program, generally qualifies for 2 years of post-study work rights. If you complete an eligible bachelor's with first class honours in a STEM or ICT field, the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement gives Indian nationals a 3 year duration instead. During the visa you can generally work without employer sponsorship and without a work hour restriction, which is a meaningful advantage over a Student visa's capped hours.

• Standard bachelor's degree: 2 years of post-study work rights, no field of study restriction.
• STEM or ICT bachelor's with first class honours: 3 years for Indian nationals under the trade agreement.
• No employer sponsorship needed: you can work for almost any employer during the 485 visa period.

What Comes After the 485 Visa

The subclass 485 is temporary by design. Once it ends, you may be able to move to another visa such as an employer sponsored Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482, or a skilled or regional migration pathway, provided you meet the points and occupation requirements at that time. For example, a student completing a normal 3 year Bachelor of Business gets the standard 2 years; a student finishing an eligible STEM bachelor's with first class honours can access the extra year specifically because they are an Indian national under the current bilateral agreement.

This Information Is Also Available On

Australian Department of Home Affairs, Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 guidance.

My Advice

If a 3 year outcome matters to you, aim for first class honours explicitly rather than assuming any STEM bachelor's qualifies automatically, since the honours classification is the specific trigger under the trade agreement, not just the subject area. Start researching your 482 or skilled migration options a year before your 485 visa expires rather than waiting until the final months, since occupation lists and point thresholds change and you want runway to adjust your plan.