When the Australian Department of Home Affairs redesigned the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa on 1 July 2024, it replaced two old streams (Post-Study Work and Graduate Work) with two new ones: PHEW and PVEW. Both allow international students to stay and work in Australia after graduation, but they serve different educational pathways, offer different visa lengths, and have distinct eligibility rules. Choosing the right stream (or understanding which stream you fit into) is essential to plan your post-study timeline.
What changed on 1 July 2024?
Before July 2024, Subclass 485 had two streams:
- Post-Study Work (PSW): for university graduates, typically 2–3 years.
- Graduate Work: for TAFE / vocational graduates, typically 18 months.
These were replaced by PHEW and PVEW, with updated age caps, occupation prioritisation, and slightly different eligibility rules. If you graduated before July 2024, you may have been issued the old-style 485; if you graduate after, you will apply under the new framework.
PHEW: Post-Higher Education Work stream
PHEW is the successor to the Post-Study Work stream and applies to university graduates.
Eligibility for PHEW
You are eligible for PHEW if you have:
- Completed an Australian degree from a university that holds CRICOS registration.
- A qualifying qualification: Bachelor, Bachelor Honours, Master by Coursework, Master by Research, or Doctorate (PhD).
- Met the Australian Study Requirement (ASR): at least 16 calendar months of study in Australia, totalling at least 92 weeks of delivered coursework / research.
- Are aged 35 or under at the time of application (with occupational extensions to age 50 for doctors, nurses, IT specialists, and Hong Kong / British Nationals Overseas passport holders).
- Meet health and character requirements: police clearance, health checks if required.
PHEW visa length by qualification
The visa length depends on your qualification level:
| Qualification | Visa length | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor / Bachelor Honours | 2 years | 3–4 years of university study → 2 years on 485 |
| Master by Coursework | 2 years | 1–2 years of study → 2 years on 485 |
| Master by Research | 3 years | 2 years of research → 3 years on 485 |
| Doctorate (PhD) | 4 years | 3–4 years of research → 4 years on 485 |
These are maximum lengths. The Department will grant the full length for which you are eligible.
PHEW age cap and extensions
As of 1 July 2024, the maximum age for PHEW is 35 years old at the time of application. This is a significant tightening from the previous 50-year-old cap.
Occupational extensions to age 50: Applicants aged 36–50 may still qualify if their occupation falls into a priority list:
- Doctors (medical practitioners, surgeons).
- Nurses and midwives (registered nurses, enrolled nurses, midwives).
- IT specialists (software engineers, systems analysts, IT professionals).
Passport-based extensions to age 50:
- Holders of a Hong Kong passport.
- Holders of a British Nationals Overseas (BNO) passport (relevant to many people from Hong Kong).
If you are over 35 and do not fall into these categories, you are ineligible for PHEW. Always verify the current occupational list on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before assuming you do not qualify.
PHEW application timeline
After completing your final exam or thesis, you typically have flexibility on when to apply:
- There is no hard deadline, but most applicants lodge within 3–6 months of graduation.
- If you are in Australia and still on a valid student visa (or holding another bridging / temporary visa), you can usually apply.
- Processing time is typically 4–8 weeks for a straightforward application, but can extend to 3–6 months if the Department requests further information.
PVEW: Post-Vocational Education Work stream
PVEW is the successor to the Graduate Work stream and applies to TAFE and vocational education graduates.
Eligibility for PVEW
You are eligible for PVEW if you have:
- Completed an Australian TAFE or vocational qualification (Certificate III/IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma) from a CRICOS-registered or state-recognised provider.
- A qualification on the relevant skills list: Your qualification must be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) or a state-based vocational list.
- Met the Australian Study Requirement (ASR): at least 16 calendar months of study in Australia, totalling at least 92 weeks.
- Are aged 35 or under at the time of application (with extensions to age 50 for Hong Kong / BNO passport holders and some healthcare occupations).
- Meet health and character requirements.
PVEW visa length
| Qualification | Visa length | Passport extension |
|---|---|---|
| TAFE / VET qualification on CSOL | 18 months | Standard |
| TAFE / VET, Hong Kong / BNO passport | 2 years | Yes |
PVEW offers a single fixed length: 18 months for most applicants, or 2 years if you hold a Hong Kong or BNO passport.
Notably, PVEW is shorter than PHEW. This reflects the generally shorter duration of TAFE programs compared to university degrees.
PVEW age cap and occupational priorities
The age cap for PVEW is the same as PHEW: 35 years old for most applicants.
Healthcare extension to age 50: Applicants aged 36–50 may qualify if working in specified healthcare occupations:
- Nursing (registered nurses, enrolled nurses).
- Allied health (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology).
- Medical technology.
Check the current list on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for the exact occupations and passport groups eligible for extension.
PVEW application timeline
The application and processing timeline is similar to PHEW:
- Apply within 3–6 months of graduation (no hard deadline, but advisable).
- Processing time is typically 4–8 weeks.
- If your TAFE course was shorter (e.g. a 12-month Diploma), you may still need to meet the 92-week ASR threshold, which could delay your eligibility to apply.
Key differences at a glance
| Aspect | PHEW | PVEW |
|---|---|---|
| Education type | University (Bachelor, Master, PhD) | TAFE / Vocational (Cert III/IV, Diploma) |
| Visa length | 2–4 years (by qualification) | 18 months (standard); 2 years (HK/BNO) |
| Age cap | 35 (extends to 50: doctors, nurses, IT, HK/BNO) | 35 (extends to 50: healthcare, HK/BNO) |
| Occupation requirement | No occupation list required | Qualification must be on CSOL / skills list |
| Typical applicant timeline | Longer degree → longer visa | Shorter VET course → shorter visa |
| ASR threshold | 16 months + 92 weeks in Australia | 16 months + 92 weeks in Australia |
Which stream applies to you?
You are PHEW-eligible if:
- You have completed a degree from an Australian university (Bachelor, Master, PhD).
- Your degree was CRICOS-registered.
- You are 35 or under (or older if in a priority occupation / passport group).
- You studied in Australia for at least 16 months + 92 weeks.
You are PVEW-eligible if:
- You have completed a TAFE or vocational qualification (Certificate III/IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma).
- Your qualification is listed on the CSOL or a state vocational list.
- You are 35 or under (or older if in a healthcare occupation / passport group).
- You studied in Australia for at least 16 months + 92 weeks.
You are ineligible if:
- Your degree or qualification is not CRICOS-registered or recognised.
- You are over 35 and do not fall into an extension category.
- You have not met the 16-month + 92-week ASR threshold.
- You have no valid Australian qualification to claim.
Transitioning to PR after PHEW or PVEW
Both PHEW and PVEW are stepping stones, not destinations. After your 485 expires, you will need to transition to another visa to stay in Australia or move toward permanent residency (PR).
Common next steps after PHEW (2–4 years)
- Accumulate SkillSelect points (age, English, work experience, study, partner status) and apply for the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent visa, points-tested, no sponsor).
- Find an employer sponsor and transition to the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand visa, 4 years), then to the Subclass 186 (PR) after 2 years with the sponsor.
- Seek state nomination and apply for Subclass 190 (PR with state sponsorship) or Subclass 491 (5-year provisional, leads to PR).
Common next steps after PVEW (18 months–2 years)
- Upskill or further study: Some TAFE graduates pursue a Bachelor or Master to access PHEW and gain a longer visa window. This is a legitimate pathway but requires time and cost.
- Find an employer sponsor if your occupation is on the CSOL. Transition to 482 → 186 (PR).
- Accumulate points and apply for 189/190/491 if your occupation qualifies.
Both streams leave you with a tight timeline to reach PR criteria. Many PHEW graduates transition via 482 + 186 (total ~6–7 years from initial study to PR). PVEW graduates often find the 18-month or 2-year window too short and pursue further study or rapid points accumulation.
Verify before applying
Migration policy and occupation lists are updated frequently. Always verify your eligibility against the official sources:
- Verify before lodging: Check Subclass 485 on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for the current age caps, occupational extensions, and ASR rules.
- Check the CSOL: If applying for PVEW, confirm your TAFE qualification is listed on the Core Skills Occupation List.
- ASR confirmation: Contact your education provider for written confirmation that you meet the 16-month + 92-week Australian Study Requirement.
FAQ
Q: I am 36 years old. Can I apply for PHEW? A: Only if you are a doctor, nurse, IT specialist, or hold a Hong Kong / BNO passport. Otherwise, you are ineligible. Check the current occupational priority list on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Q: I completed a TAFE Diploma, but it is not on the CSOL. Can I apply for PVEW? A: No. PVEW requires your qualification to be on the CSOL or a state vocational list. If it is not, you are ineligible for PVEW. You may explore other visa pathways if you meet other criteria.
Q: How long does PHEW processing take? A: Standard processing is 4–8 weeks. Complex applications (requesting further information, health or character issues) can take 3–6 months or longer.
Q: If I do a 2-year Master, do I get a 2-year PHEW or longer? A: A Master by Coursework grants 2 years. A Master by Research (with a significant thesis component) grants 3 years. Confirm with your institution which type of Master you are completing.
Q: Can I extend my PHEW or PVEW visa if I haven’t met PR criteria? A: No. The 485 is not extendable. You must transition to another visa before your 485 expires (e.g. 482, 189, 190, 491).
Q: If I change occupations during my PHEW, does it affect my visa? A: No. The 485 allows you to work in any occupation. Your visa is not conditional on a specific job or occupation. However, if you later pursue sponsorship (482, 186) or a points-tested visa (189, 190, 491), your new occupation must be on the relevant skills list.
Q: Do I need to find a job before applying for PHEW or PVEW? A: No. Both 485 streams do not require a job offer or employer commitment. You can apply immediately after graduation and find work afterward.
Sources
- Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa
- Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
- Department of Home Affairs — 1 July 2024 updates
- SkillSelect
Last reviewed: April 2026. Migration rules and occupation lists change frequently — always verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and the relevant assessing body before acting.