If you are an International students who were granted their first Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 in the Post-Study Work stream visa after graduating from a regional educational institution, and also have lived and worked in a regional area for at least 2 years; You can now apply for a second Temporary Graduate visa 485 extension. 

The government has opened the applications for this visa from the 21st of January 2021. The purpose of this initiative is to give an incentive to international students to study, live, and work in regional areas that are included in Category 2 – “Cities and Major Regional Centres” and Category 3 – “Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas”. Nevertheless, students who obtained their first Temporary Graduate visa 485 in the regions included in Category 1, are not eligible for a second visa extension. 

Please see below the different categories to determine if you qualify for a second extension:

Category 1 (Not eligible): Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Category 2: Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Canberra, Geelong and Hobart.

Category 3: Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas, including all other regional locations other than those in Category 2.

The second Temporary Graduate visa 485 will be granted for a period of between 1 and 2 years based on the regional location of the applicant’s educational institution and the regional area of the applicant’s residence.

Depending on your educational institution location and residence location, you can be granted a second Temporary Graduate visa for up to 2 years as explained below:

– Bachelor degree (including Honours): 2 years for the initial Post-graduate visa and one year extra for Cities and major regional areas included in Category 2 or two years extra for Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas included in Category 3.

– Masters by coursework: 2 years for the initial Post-graduate visa and one year extra for Cities and major regional areas included in Category 2 or two years extra for Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas included in Category 3.

– Masters by research: 3 years for the initial Post-graduate visa and one year extra for Cities and major regional areas included in Category 2 or two years extra for Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas included in Category 3.

– Doctoral degree: 4 years for the initial Post-graduate visa and one year extra for Cities and major regional areas included in Category 2 or two years extra for Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas included in Category 3.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible for a second subclass 485 visa, contact us today to book an in-person or online consultation. Our expert migration lawyers will advise you about your best options according to your circumstances.