New Zealand Post-Study Work Visa vs Australian 485

As of 2026-06-28 · Fidelity Editorial

한국어로 읽기

This information has since changed. The Australian 485 visa fee in this post (AUD 4,600) is as at 30 June 2026. From 1 July 2026 the 485 application fee rose to AUD 5,750. The rest of this post reflects the position at its date.

A side-by-side comparison of New Zealand's Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) and Australia's subclass 485 graduate visa, covering eligibility, visa length, age limits and fees as at June 2026. The New Zealand figures and dates should be re-checked against current rules before applying.

Auckland skyline from Devonport. Photo: DXR / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Many students planning to study in Australia and stay on with a graduate visa are also looking at what New Zealand offers. This post compares New Zealand's Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) with Australia's Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa: eligibility, visa length, age limits, partners and fees.

This post is current as at 28 June 2026, and the visa fees are as at 30 June 2026. The New Zealand figures and the upcoming New Zealand changes reflect the position at that date, so please check the current rules at the time you plan or apply. The comparison covers the requirements at the graduate visa stage only.

1. Eligibility at a glance

The biggest difference is the local study requirement. For the 485, you must have studied full-time in Australia for at least 92 weeks and 16 months (about two years). Both measures appear together, so it is worth checking your course against each. For the PSWV, the benchmark is at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand.

English and skills assessments also differ. The 485 requires IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each band, and VET graduates must have a skills assessment. At the graduate visa stage, the PSWV does not list English scores or a skills assessment as mandatory requirements. On the other hand, New Zealand asks for a minimum balance of NZD 5,000, while the 485 has no financial proof requirement. Both countries apply health and character requirements.

For vocational (VET) graduates, the two pathways are narrower in different ways. New Zealand accepts NZQF 4 to 7 qualifications other than a Bachelor's degree, provided the whole course was studied full-time in New Zealand. Australia limits VET graduates to courses linked to MLTSSL occupations.

The application fee is NZD 1,670 for the PSWV and AUD 4,600 for the 485. Keep in mind that the two amounts are in different currencies.

2. Visa length: New Zealand ties it to level and time studied.

Clock Tower, University of Auckland. Photo: Uhooep / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

How long a PSWV runs depends on the qualification and how long you studied in New Zealand.

* Applies to selected courses only.

A Master's (Level 9) or Doctoral (Level 10) degree studied for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand leads to a three-year PSWV, so even a one-year Master's can qualify for three years. This is the clearest contrast with Australia. It is still a condition-based rule: the 30-week minimum applies, and the other requirements such as financial proof, health and character must also be met. It does not settle the outcome of any individual application in advance.

Some courses that lead to occupations requiring registration receive the time studied in New Zealand plus one additional year.

For the 485, you first need at least 92 weeks and 16 months (two years) of study in Australia. The visa length then depends on the stream and qualification.

3. Age limit

The PSWV has no age limit. The 485 is limited to applicants 35 years old or under.

If you are planning to study in your late 30s or later, this difference may weigh heavily in choosing a pathway. Having no age limit removes one eligibility barrier only; the study, financial, health and character requirements still apply in the same way.

4. Partners, children and other benefits

• New Zealand PSWV: partners can accompany you on an Open Work Visa, and if your partner holds a work visa, your children pay domestic student tuition fees.

• Australia 485: partners can be included as dependants, and regional graduates who live in regional areas can extend their stay.

5. Upcoming New Zealand changes (as at the date of this post)

As at 28 June 2026, the following New Zealand changes were scheduled. Whether and how they took effect after that date needs to be checked separately.

The August change relates to the path from a New Zealand Master's to residence. The two November changes widen the range of courses that can lead to a PSWV. The detailed criteria for an eligible job offer and the other residence requirements are not covered in this comparison.

Summary

• Local study: at least 30 weeks in New Zealand; at least 92 weeks and 16 months in Australia.

• English and skills assessment at the graduate visa stage: not required for the PSWV; IELTS 6.5 (5.5 each band) and, for VET graduates, a skills assessment for the 485.

• Financial proof: NZD 5,000 for the PSWV; not required for the 485.

• Age limit: none for the PSWV; 35 or under for the 485.

• Fees (as at 30 June 2026): NZD 1,670 for the PSWV; AUD 4,600 for the 485.

The two visas put their weight in different places. The 485 is stricter on study length, English and age. The PSWV asks for less study time but requires financial proof, and its visa length is graded by qualification level and time studied. Which suits you may depend on your qualifications, age, intended field and long-term plans. New Zealand settings in particular may have changed since the date of this post, so check the current rules before you apply.

Fidelity Migration Services · Registered migration agent MARN 2619380 · Brisbane · Book a consultation