Students who have graduate with an Australian Bachelors or higher from a regional university and have subsequently lived in a regional area will have access to the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream.
The length of your stay will depend on:
Applicants no longer eligible for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream because of the age reduction may be eligible for other visas.
Reach out to us if you wish to check your visa options
There are 4 main streams to the Subclass 485 visa.
You must be 35 years of age or under when you apply.
You can be under 50 years of age when you apply if you:
This stream is only available if you:
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You must continue to hold a valid first Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream when you apply for a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa.
You must be in Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when you apply for this visa. Subsequent entrants can be in or outside Australia when they apply.
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You will not be eligible for this visa if you have been the primary holder of a Temporary Graduate visa in the:
Existing provisions that enable a secondary holder of a Temporary Graduate visa to apply as a primary applicant remain.
You must have:
As the holder of a Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream, you must have lived only in a designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa. To do this, show us evidence that in the last 2 years, you resided in a designated regional area.
Designated regional areas are divided into two categories: Category 2 “Cities and Major Regional Centres” and Category 3 “Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas”.
If you have lived only in a Category 2 area, you can only be granted an additional 1 year visa.
If you have lived only in a Category 3 area, you can only be granted an additional 2 year visa.
If you have moved between categories you will be considered for the shorter visa.
If you have been away from your usual residence for a holiday or short work trip, it will not change the way we assess your usual residence.
The table below provides a guide on the residence and study requirements for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa.
| Residence location on Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work or Replacement stream | Study location on Student visa | Visa length for Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 – Major cities: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne (Non-Regional) | N/A | Not eligible |
| Category 2 – Designated city or major regional centre | Category 1 – Major cities: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne (Non-Regional) | Not eligible |
| Category 2 – Designated city or major regional centre | Category 2 – Designated city or major regional centre | 1 extra year |
| Category 2 – Designated city or major regional centre | Category 3 – Regional centre or other regional area: (All other locations) | 1 extra year |
| Category 3 – Regional Centre or other regional Area: (All other locations) | Category 1 – Major cities: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne (Non-Regional) | Not eligible |
| Category 3 – Regional centre or other regional area: (All other locations) | Category 2 – Designated city or major regional centre | 1 extra year |
| Category 3 – Regional centre or other regional area: (All other locations) | Category 3 – Regional centre or other regional area: (All other locations) | 2 extra year |
If you worked and/or studied while you held your Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream, the work and study must have been in the designated regional area.
Department may ask you to provide further information or evidence of your work or study.
The Department does not undertake pre-lodgement assessments of any visa criteria. Once a valid visa application has been lodged, a delegate will make an assessment based on the information available to them.
You and your family members must have and maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia. See what we consider adequate health insurance.
Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal healthcare agreements.
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet Department’s health requirement.
You and any family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa must meet Department’s character requirement.
STREAM 1: 1 Year of Second Post Study Work Stream Visa
If you have Studied and lived in Category 2 – Regional Area; you will be eligible for an additional 1 year on a second Temporary Graduate visa.
STREAM 2 : 2 Years of Second Post Study Work Stream Visa
If you have Studied and lived in Category 2 – Regional Area; you will be eligible for an additional 1 year on a second Temporary Graduate visa.
STEP 1: Apply for Documents
To begin your 485 visa journey, we will begin by collecting relevant documents, and drafting a decision ready application.
STEP 2: Apply for your Subclass 485 Visa
Once we receive all your documents and finalise your visa application, we will lodge your second post study application.
STEP 3: Undertake Health & Police Checks
Once your visa application is submitted, our Agents will assist you in completing your health and police (overseas) checks, as required.
We have summarised a cost estimate for a Subclass 485 – Second Post-Higher Education Work stream application.
Paid directly to the Department of Home Affairs
Paid directly to the Department of Home Affairs
Paid directly to the Department of Home Affairs
Paid directly to the agency (i.e.; BUPA in Australia) that conducts your medical checks
Paid directly to Australian Federal Police that conducts your character checks
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