The Federal Coalition has announced a major migration plan that includes one of its most significant proposals for international graduates: scrapping the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

Announced on 6 October 2026, the Coalition's migration plan also proposes cutting net overseas migration, requiring many repeat temporary visa applications to be lodged offshore, reducing international student numbers and increasing the focus on skilled migration.

However, there is an important distinction:

The 485 visa has not been abolished. These are Coalition policy proposals and are not current Australian migration law.

For current international students, recent graduates and 485 visa holders, the announcement is still significant because it provides a clear indication of how graduate migration pathways could change under a future Coalition government.

Is the 485 Visa Being Abolished?

Not under the current rules.

The Temporary Graduate visa remains available under existing Australian migration law.

However, the Coalition has proposed to abolish the existing Temporary Graduate visa program if it forms government.

Under the Coalition's plan, the number of graduate visa holders would be dramatically reduced, with only limited post-study pathways remaining for selected graduates. ABC reports that the Coalition expects the Temporary Graduate visa population to fall sharply under the proposed model.

This means headlines saying “Australia has cancelled the 485 visa” are currently inaccurate.

The more accurate position is:

The Coalition wants to scrap the 485 visa, but the proposal has not taken effect.

Who Could Still Have a Post-Study Visa Pathway?

The proposal does not appear to remove every post-study option.

The Coalition has indicated that transitional or post-study visa pathways would remain available for certain graduates, including those in:

• PhD programs
• health
• education
• regional universities

Further clarification reported on 7 October also indicates that transition arrangements are intended for healthcare and aged care workers.

The detailed eligibility criteria, visa duration and implementation arrangements have not yet been legislated.

For this reason, students should not assume that simply studying in one of these areas automatically guarantees access to a future graduate visa.

What Could Happen to Current 485 Visa Holders?

At this stage, current 485 visa holders are not automatically losing their visas.

Existing visas remain subject to the current law and the conditions attached to each individual visa.

The more important question is what happens after the current visa expires.

Under the Coalition's wider migration proposal, people making a second or subsequent temporary visa application would generally be required to leave Australia and lodge the next application offshore.

That could significantly change the strategy for people currently using a 485 visa as a bridge towards:

• employer sponsorship
• skilled migration
• another temporary visa
• permanent residence

This is one reason current 485 holders may want to review their longer-term pathway earlier rather than relying on another temporary visa application later.

Could You Still Move from a 485 Visa to a Skilled Visa?

Potentially, yes.

In fact, while the Coalition proposes major reductions to graduate visas, its policy places greater emphasis on skilled and employer-sponsored migration.

ABC reports that the Coalition proposes increasing the number of temporary skilled visa holders by around 60,000, while also introducing 15,000 Skilled Project Visas per year for major projects.

Reuters similarly reports that the proposal would reduce graduate, student and other temporary migration while increasing temporary skilled migration.

The overall direction is therefore not simply:

“Australia wants fewer migrants.”

Instead, the proposed system would place greater emphasis on people who can demonstrate skills, employment and a direct contribution to areas of workforce demand.

For graduates, this could make the transition from study into skilled employment more important than relying on an extended period of post-study temporary residence.

Offshore Applications Could Become Much More Important

Another major part of the Coalition's plan is a proposal to restrict repeated temporary visa applications from within Australia.

Broadly, people making a second or subsequent temporary visa application would be required to leave Australia and apply offshore.

The proposed exception would include eligible second- and third-year Working Holiday Makers.

The Coalition says this measure would reduce “visa hopping” and significantly reduce the number of people remaining in Australia on bridging visas.

For a graduate currently on a 485 visa, this could mean that waiting until the visa is close to expiry before considering the next step becomes a much riskier strategy if these policies are eventually implemented.

International Student Numbers Would Also Be Reduced

The Coalition is proposing broader changes to the international education sector.

Its plan includes:

• capping international student commencements at 240,000
• restricting most Student visa dependants
• linking Student visas more closely to the institution in which the student is enrolled
• tightening the use of temporary visas as a pathway to remain in Australia long term

These proposals form part of the Coalition's broader goal of reducing net overseas migration to 100,000 per year for the first two years of its proposed migration reset.

Again, these Coalition proposals should not be confused with Student visa reforms that have already entered into force under the current government.

Why Is the Coalition Targeting the 485 Visa?

The Temporary Graduate visa has traditionally provided eligible international graduates with time in Australia after completing their studies.

For many people, that period is used to gain work experience, improve eligibility for skilled migration or find an employer willing to sponsor them.

Under the Coalition's proposed model, the focus would shift more directly towards migrants who already have the skills, employment or employer support needed by the Australian labour market.

The Coalition has also indicated that around a quarter of graduate visa holders could transition into the temporary skilled visa system under its proposed arrangements.

This makes employment planning particularly important for students approaching graduation.

Should Current Students Change Their Plans?

Not solely because of this announcement.

The proposal has not become law, and Australia's current Student and Temporary Graduate visa rules continue to operate.

There is also a federal election before the Coalition could implement the policy, and detailed transitional arrangements would need to be developed if the Coalition forms government and proceeds with the proposal.

However, the announcement does highlight a broader risk with migration planning:

A pathway that depends heavily on several years of temporary visas may be more exposed to future policy changes.

For students and graduates, it may be worth considering questions such as:

• Is my occupation likely to support a skilled migration pathway?
• Could I qualify for employer sponsorship?
• How much relevant work experience will I need?
• Does my course genuinely support my long-term migration objective?
• What alternatives do I have if the 485 pathway changes?
• Do I need to make important career or visa decisions before my current visa expires?

What Should Current 485 Visa Holders Do?

There is no reason to panic or make immediate changes simply because the Coalition has announced this proposal.

But if you already hold a 485 visa, your remaining visa period can be valuable.

Rather than focusing only on whether the 485 visa may eventually be abolished, the more useful question is:

What visa pathway can you realistically move into before your current status becomes a problem?

Depending on your circumstances, that could involve employer sponsorship, skilled migration, regional options or another lawful pathway.

The earlier those options are assessed, the more time you may have to address issues involving work experience, skills assessments, English requirements, sponsorship or eligibility.

Planning Your Pathway After a 485 Visa?

If you are currently studying in Australia, approaching graduation or already holding a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), the Coalition's announcement may raise questions about your longer-term plans.

Your options will depend on your occupation, qualifications, work experience, employer, location, current visa and longer-term migration goals.

Riverwood Migration can assess your current position and help you understand the pathways available under the rules that apply now, rather than making decisions based only on political headlines.

Book a consultation to review your next visa options.

The content of this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and subject to change. The information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a registered Australian migration lawyer. For full terms governing use of this website and its content, please refer to our Website Terms and Conditions.

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As a regulated Australian migration law practice, Riverwood Migration provides precise, personalised advice on visa strategy, compliance, and application preparation. Speak with our expert legal team. Book a consultation to discuss your circumstances.

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