Subclass 485 Replacement Visa

Subclass 485 – Replacement Visa

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Subclass 485 – Replacement Visa

The Replacement stream has ceased. However, family unit members can apply to join primary visa holders in Australia as subsequent entrants.

Subclass 485 - Replacement Stream Visa

Subclass 485 – Replacement Stream visa is for current and former temporary graduate holders who lost time on their original visa due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

You can usually stay between 18 months and 6 years.

Subclass 485 - Replacement Stream Eligibility

Hold an Eligible Visa.

You must have applied / or were granted your first student visa to Australia on or after 5 November 2011.

If you held your first student visa prior to this date (even as a child on your parent’s student visa), you will not be eligible to apply for this stream.

To be eligible for this visa you must have completed your course in the 6 months immediately before the day you apply.

This means that, to be eligible for the visa, you must be:

you are the main holder of a current student visa
you held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now have a Bridging Visa A or B, on the basis of a valid application for a visa
you held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now hold a substantive visa
you are outside Australia and you hold or have held an eligible student visa

* Eligible Subclass 485 applicants can make their visa applications outside Australia, during the COVID-19 Concession period.

Be under 50 years of age.

You must be under 50 years of age to apply for the visa.

Hold an Appropriate Visa.

To apply for this visa you must either:

hold a Temporary Graduate visa as the main holder; or
have held a Temporary Graduate visa as the main holder and currently hold another substantive visa, or a Bridging visa A or Bridging visa B.

You will be eligible to apply if, as the main holder:

you have held a Graduate Work stream or first Post Study Work stream Temporary Graduate visa that was:
- granted before 15 December 2021 and
- in effect on or after 1 February 2020

have lost time on your visa because of Australia’s COVID-19 travel restrictions. This means:
- if you were in Australia when your original Temporary Graduate visa was granted, you have been outside of Australia while holding this visa between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021
- if you were outside Australia when your original Temporary Graduate visa was granted, you entered Australia on that visa, and the departed Australia on that visa before 15 December 2021

have not had your Temporary Graduate visa, or any visa granted after you held your Temporary Graduate visa, cancelled, unless it was cancelled because you asked for it to be, or the decision to cancel the visa was set aside by the Tribunal.

Be in or outside Australia.

You can either be in or outside Australia, but not in Immigration Clearance.

Apply before 1 January 2027.

You must apply for this visa before 1 January 2027

Provide evidence of the health and character requirement.

You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet the Department’s health and character requirements.

Provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants.

You must have adequate health cover for the whole of your stay to be granted this visa.

Steps to apply for a Subclass 485 - Replacement Stream Visa

We will assess your eligibility.

We will we will provide assistance to apply for the visa.

We will lodge your visa application.

We will liaise with the Department till a decision is made.

We will assess your eligibility.

We will we will provide assistance to apply for the visa.

We will lodge your visa application.

We will liaise with the Department till a decision is made.

Summary of cost estimates
for your application

We have summarised a cost estimate for a Subclass 485 – Replacement Stream application.

Visa Updates / Blogs

Temporary Graduate Visa Application Cost to Increase from 1 February 2025

A graduate certificate is no longer included as an eligible qualification for Subclass 485 - Post-Higher Education Work Stream - Graduate Diploma is eligible under certain circumstances

Only Degrees at AQF Level 7 or Higher is Eligible for Subclass 485 Post-Higher Education Work Stream

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FAQ

We are happy to answer
any queries you may have

How long can I stay in this visa?

The length of your stay in Australia will depend on the level of your Australian study qualification, as outlined below.

Stream	Qualification	Length of stay
Graduate Work	Any	18 months
Post-Study Work	Bachelor Degree	2 years
Post-Study Work	Bachelor Degree in select degree	4 years
Post-Study Work	Honours Degree	2 years
Post-Study Work	Honours Degree in select degree	4 years
Post-Study Work	Masters Degree	3 years
Post-Study Work	Masters Degree in select degree	5 years
Post-Study Work	Doctoral Degree	6 years
Hong Kong (HKSAR) or British National Overseas (BNO)		5 years

Am I eligible for a replacement visa?

You may be eligible to apply for a Second Post Study Work stream visa. To be eligible you must have studied on your Student visa in a regional area, and lived, worked and/or studied in a regional area while holding your Replacement stream visa.

Can I work full time?

Yes, Subclass 485 provides full working rights.

When must I apply the visa by?

You must apply before 1 January 2027.

Can I cancel my Health cover once the visa is granted?

You must maintain adequate health care coverage while holding your Subclass 485. If you do not, your 485 can be cancelled by the Department of Home Affairs.