Planning to study in Australia? Why the 485 graduate visa is being questioned

Visa guide · 2026-08-19 · 3 min read

Many Malaysian students see an Australian degree as the first step towards working there. The temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) is the bridge that lets graduates stay and work after their course, and it has become one of the fastest-growing visa categories. That growth has started an argument that is worth understanding before you pay tuition.

What the 485 is meant to do

The visa lets international graduates remain in Australia after finishing their studies and look for skilled work. Today, a graduate of a two-year course who is under 35 can qualify almost automatically, without needing a job offer. In theory it joins study to skilled employment.

The numbers critics point to

A higher education researcher estimates that roughly one in five 485 holders is a secondary applicant, meaning a spouse, partner or child rather than the graduate. Among graduates from countries including India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, the share is closer to one in three. Newer estimates put the secondary share at close to 27% of all current holders and say secondary numbers have grown by well over 200% since 2022, faster than the number of graduates. There are about 271,000 holders at the moment, and roughly 800,000 people across student and graduate visas combined.

Why work rights sit at the centre

A partner attached to a 485 has the same work rights as the main holder, with no cap and no field-of-study requirement. A student's partner can also work unrestricted hours, while the student is limited to 48 hours a fortnight during semester. Critics say one application can therefore bring two full-time workers into the labour market, although only one of them went through the education and skills pipeline the visa is meant to reflect.

They also note that the United Kingdom stopped most international undergraduates from bringing dependants in January 2024, and they ask why Australia has made no equivalent move.

Ideas on the table

Commentators have suggested the following. These are proposals, not government policy, and none of them has been adopted.

End automatic dependant rights for undergraduate students.
Limit the 485 to graduates who hold a relevant job offer.
Link a partner's work rights to the skill level of the main applicant.

Supporters of tighter rules often cite the 2023 Migration Review, which found that more than half of bachelor's-degree graduates were still in low-skilled work three-plus years after graduating.

What this means for a Malaysian student

Do not build your whole plan on one rule that may change. A few practical steps hold up either way.

Pick a course with an occupation behind it. A relevant job offer is exactly what some of the proposals would ask for.
Keep your qualification papers safe. Malaysian certificates, including the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM), are usually assessed again abroad. Prepare certified copies and English translations of any documents in Bahasa Malaysia.
Plan for an English test. IELTS or PTE may be required even if you speak English every day.
Know where police certificates come from. When one is requested, apply to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) via their official website.

Before you commit money, read the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs visa listing, because it shows what applies today rather than what is being argued about.

The takeaway

The 485 was designed to keep talent in Australia. Whether its settings change is not decided. For you, the safest approach is simple: study something employers want, keep your paperwork in order, and treat the visa rules as a moving target until they are confirmed.

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