Car Loans for 485 Visa Holders. Finance After Study
You finished your course and now you need a car for work. We explain how lenders on our panel read a Temporary Graduate visa, then compare eligible options for your new income.
Australian Credit Licence 509582. Lender fees may apply. Lender criteria apply.
Can I get a car loan on a 485 Temporary Graduate visa?
Yes, 485 visa holders can apply for a car loan in Australia. Because the length of a 485 depends on the stream and your qualification, lenders on our panel look closely at the time left on your visa, your graduate income and any deposit. Approval and loan amount depend on each lender's assessment.
- The length of a 485 depends on the stream and your qualification
- Check your visa end date on your grant notice or in VEVO before you choose a term
- Graduate and early career income may be assessed on recent payslips
- Lenders may set a shorter term near the end of a visa, which lifts the repayment
- A deposit can help when the term has to be short
- No upfront assessment fee. Lender fees may apply, and we may receive commission if your loan settles
Reviewed by Simple Loans Editorial Team · Last reviewed
The Simple Loans Editorial Team researches and reviews every car finance guide published on simpleloans.au. Simple Loans holds Australian Credit Licence 509582 and is a member of AFCA.
Why choose Simple Loans.
Graduate Income Considered
Some lenders on our panel assess a new graduate job on recent payslips and bank statements.
Visa Length Checked First
Your 485 length depends on the stream and qualification, so we check your end date before we suggest a term.
Short Credit File Understood
Years of study often mean a thin Australian file, which some lenders weigh less than income.
Deposit Helps
A deposit may lower the amount borrowed when the term has to be short.
Plain Explanations
We explain what a lender is likely to ask before you apply.
No Upfront Assessment Fee
Lender fees may apply, and we may receive commission from a lender if your loan settles.
485 Temporary Graduate visa: what the visa allows
These facts come from the Department of Home Affairs visa page, checked on 30 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm your own conditions in your visa grant notice or VEVO.
| Point | What Home Affairs says |
|---|---|
| What it is | A temporary visa that lets international students live, study and work after finishing their studies |
| Age | You must be aged 35 or under when you apply, with exceptions |
| Post Vocational Education Work stream | Stay of up to 18 months |
| Post Higher Education Work stream | Stay usually between 2 and 3 years, depending on the qualification |
| Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders | May stay for 5 years |
The stream and the grant date decide how long you have, so lenders often ask for the grant notice.
How lenders may look at a 485 visa
A 485 holder has finished study and is usually at the start of a working life in Australia. That means newer income, a thin file and a visa with an end date. Each lender weighs these differently.
| Topic | What the visa means | How a lender may look at it |
|---|---|---|
| Term near visa expiry | The length of a 485 depends on the stream and your qualification, so your end date is personal to you | May match the loan term to the time left on the visa, with a shorter term and a higher repayment possible |
| Study status | The course is finished and the visa is a post study visa | May ask for your grant notice or VEVO check and look at income from work rather than study |
| Employment history | A graduate job may be new | May want recent payslips, and some lenders look for a few months in the role |
| Credit file in Australia | Study years often leave a short file | May weigh bank statements and steady income over file length |
| Deposit | Not set by the visa | May lower the amount borrowed and help when the term has to be short |
Budgeting a car on a graduate wage
Early career pay can be modest, and a short loan term lifts the repayment. Set the weekly cost of the whole car, not only the repayment. Add registration, compulsory third party insurance, comprehensive insurance, fuel and servicing. A cheaper car with lower running costs can let you borrow less and fit a shorter term more easily.
What to bring for a 485 car loan application
- Your passport and visa grant notice, or a VEVO check
- Payslips from your graduate job, or your employment contract
- Bank statements showing your income and savings
- Details of the car you plan to buy
Requirements differ by lender.
Other visa subclasses
The pillar guide car loans for visa holders covers every visa type. Other subclass pages: 482 Visa Holders, Regional Visas 491 and 494, Student Visa 500, Partner Visa 820 and 801. If you are still studying, see car loans for international students. For a thin credit file, read our first car loan guide.
How it works.
Tell us about you
A short enquiry with your visa, income and the car you have in mind. No hard credit enquiry to start.
We compare lenders
We compare eligible options from our panel and explain how each lender may read your visa.
Choose and settle
If you proceed, the lender assesses your application and we help with settlement. Timing depends on the lender and your documents.
Frequently asked questions.
Can I get a car loan on a 485 visa?
Yes, it can be possible. Lenders on our panel consider 485 holders who have regular income and a loan term that fits the time left on the visa. Each lender sets its own policy, so approval, rate and amount depend on the lender's assessment.
How long is a 485 visa, and why does it matter for a car loan?
The length of a 485 depends on the stream and your qualification, so check your visa grant notice or VEVO for your own end date. It matters because lenders usually compare the loan term with the time left on your visa.
I am still looking for work on my 485. Can I apply?
Lenders need income to repay the loan, so most want to see a job with payslips first. Some may look at a signed offer of employment, but this varies by lender. It is usually better to apply once you have started work.
Does it matter that I studied in Australia but have no credit history?
A thin credit file is common after years of study and is not a decline on its own. Some lenders on our panel look at bank statements, savings and current income instead. Paying phone and utility accounts on time helps build a record.
Will my loan term be shorter because the 485 is temporary?
It may be. Many lenders prefer a term that finishes inside your visa dates, which means a higher repayment on a shorter loan. A deposit can help keep the repayment manageable. If you later move to another visa, tell your lender and ask what changes.
I moved from a student visa to a 485. Do I need to tell the lender?
Yes. Your visa type, conditions and end date all matter to the assessment, so give the lender your current grant notice or VEVO check. Our student visa page explains how lenders may read the visa you held while studying.
Ready to get started.
No upfront assessment fee. Lender fees may apply. We compare eligible options from a panel of 50+ lenders.
Simple Loans is a finance comparison tool. Holder of Australian Credit Licence No. 509582. All applications are subject to lender approval. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply. This information is general in nature.