Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) – Second Post Higher Education Work Stream
The 485 Visa – Second Post Higher Education Work stream is dedicated to international graduates who hold a 485 Visa – Post Higher Education Work stream and completed their studies in an institution located in an Australian regional area. This visa stream provides an additional 1 or 2 years’ stay in Australia, depending on the location of your institution. Learn more about its requirements, cost, and application steps.
What is the 485 Visa – Second Post Higher Education Work Stream?
The 485 Visa – Second Post Higher Education Work stream is for you who held a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work or Replacement visa and completed your degree in an institution located in an Australian regional area. This stream also allows you to temporarily live, work, and study in Australia.
The 485 Visa – Second Post Higher Education Work stream is valid for 1 or 2 years, depending on:
- The regional area of your institution that led to the grant of your 485 Visa – Post Higher Education Work stream.
- The regional area where you live as a holder of a 485 Visa – Post Higher Education Work stream, Post-Study Work or Replacement stream.
Second Post Higher Education Work Stream Requirements
There are some requirements that you have to meet to apply for the Second Post Higher Education Work stream, such as:
- Must be under 35 years old;
- Must be under 50 years old if you have completed a Master’s by research and a Doctoral degree, or if you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
- Must hold a 485 Visa – Post Higher Education or Post-Study Work stream or Replacement stream based on having the first Post-Study Work stream;
- Must have studied in an Australian education institution located in a designated regional area;
- Must have lived in a designated regional area holding a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work or Replacement stream for at least 2 years before applying for this visa;
- Must have worked or studied while holding the first 485 Visa in the designated regional area;
- Must have adequate health insurance;
- Must meet the health and character requirements;
- Must not have any debt to the Australian government;
- Must not have had a visa cancelled or refused.
How Much Extra Time Do You Get with This Visa Stream?
As mentioned before, the validity period of the Second Post Higher Education Work stream depends on the location of your education institution and where you live as a holder of the first 485 Visa. Here are the details:
- If you have studied and lived in a Category 2 area (except Tasmania), you will get an additional 1-year stay period.
- If you have studied and lived in a Category 3 area, you will receive an additional 2 years of stay.
- If you have studied and lived in Category 2 – Designated city or major regional centre postcodes in Tasmania, you will get an additional 2 years of stay.
Notes:
- Category 2 includes cities and major regional centres of Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, and Hobart.
- Category 3 includes regional centres and other regional areas not specified above.
Why does the Australian Government provide this visa stream?
The Australian Regional Area offers many opportunities, but attracting and retaining talented graduates remains a big challenge. So, the Australian Government expects that by providing international graduates with more time in the same region, they will be able to boost local workforces and communities. Additionally, the international graduates can gain more work experience, create better local ties, and potentially move closer to permanent residency.
Can I Work Full-time on 485 Visa – Second Post Higher Education Work Stream?
The 485 Visa – Second Post Higher Education Work stream provides full work rights. So, you can work full-time during the validity of your visa. If you want to stay in Australia after your visa expires, you must apply for a different visa subclass.
What happens after 2 years holding the Second Post Higher Education Work stream?
You must look for another visa option if you wish to stay longer in Australia because the Second Post Higher Education Work stream cannot be extended. Here are some pathways you can consider:
Apply for a skilled permanent visa
As a holder of a 485 visa, you have the same employment privileges as any Australian permanent resident, allowing you to get Australian work experience. The permanent skilled visa system is point-based. You will receive points based on your age, education level, and English proficiency, among other factors.
Apply for an employer-sponsored visa
If you’ve been with a fantastic employer for a while, I’m sure they’d be glad to keep you on for a longer period. Ask them whether they can assist you with your visa. Depending on your occupation and work experience, you may apply for a 407 (training visa), 482 (Skills in Demand Visa), 186 (ENS visa), or 494 visa (SESR visa).
Otherwise, you can consider going back home if there are no Australian visas that suit your purpose or background.
You can explore the available options after holding a 485 Visa here. Or else, you can call our visa specialist at +61894775831 to discuss your case further.
485 Visa – Second Post Higher Education Work Stream Application Process
Step One: Check your eligibility for the Second Post Higher Education Work Stream
Ensure that you’ve met all requirements for the Second Post Higher Education Work stream, including that you’ve lived and studied in the specified regional area.
If you’re not sure, have a consultation with our Registered Migration Agent to ensure if you’re eligible for this stream or not.
Step Two: Gather All Required Documents
After ensuring the requirements for the Second Post Higher Education Work Stream, you can then gather all the required and additional documents to complete and support your application.
You can see the full checklist for the 485 Visa application here.
Step Three: Submit 485 Visa – Second Post Higher Education Work Stream Application
Once you’ve gathered all required documents, you can apply online through your IMMI account.
While the application being assessed by the Department of Home Affairs, ensure to check your email inbox regularly as the Department of Home Affairs may request for further information or documents to support the assessment process.
Step Four: Visa Outcome
If successful, you can stay temporarily in Australia for another 1 or 2 years. If you get refused, the DHA will inform you in writing.
485 Visa FAQs
ONE derland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448) is here to answer your subclass 485 visa questions!
- What is the difference between the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream and Post Higher Education Work Stream of the 485 visa Australia?
- The difference is in the qualification requirement.
- The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream of the subclass 485 visa Australia is eligible for applicants who have just finished their diploma or advanced diploma course.
- Meanwhile, the Post Higher Education Work Stream of the subclass 485 visa Australia is for applicants who have finished their bachelor, master, or PhD degree.
- Is it mandatory to have a skill assessment when applying for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream?
- Yes, it is. You need to have a positive outcome of skill assessment in order to be granted the Post-Vocational Education Work stream of 485 visa Australia.
- If I do not meet the criteria for the IELTS requirement, what should I do?
- There are a few options to be able to show your English capability. Apart from IELTS, you can try TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced Test.
- I am holding an OSHC for my student visa. Can I use it for a subclass 485 visa Australia application?
- Unfortunately, you can’t. It’s okay to have OSHC at the time of your 485 Visa application, but you will need a Working Visa cover to be approved a 485 Visa.
- What if my visa got refused? Can I appeal?
- You must check he refusal letter given by the Department. If a review right is given, then you can lodge an appeal within a specific timeframe.
- How long does it take to process the visa application for the Post Vocational Education Work stream and Post Higher Education Work stream?
- Post Vocational Education Work stream processing time is between 83 days to 7 months, while the Post Higher Education Work stream is between 12 days – 4 months.
- How much is the visa fee for a Graduate visa?
- The visa fee is AUD 2,300 for the main applicant. The additional applicant over 18 years old will be charged AUD 1,150 and the additional applicant under 18 will be charged AUD 580.
- Should I apply for the temporary graduate visa 485 Australia onshore or offshore?
- You must be in Australia when applying for the 485 Visa. You can be onshore or offshore at the time of receiving the decision of your 485 Visa application.
- Can I include my family members?
- Yes, you can include family members in your 485 visa Australia application when you apply. Family members who apply for the visa must meet the health and character requirements.
- Is there any time limit to apply for a temporary graduate visa 485 Australia?
- Yes, you must apply within 6 months of completion of your Australian studies.
- You must either hold a student visa when you apply, or to have held a student visa within the last 6 months.
- You must also make sure that you apply prior to expiry of your student visa.
- Will I get the bridging visa after I apply the visa onshore?
- If you apply for the onshore temporary graduate visa 485 Australia, before your student visa ceases, you will be granted the Bridging Visa A.
- This BVA will be your valid visa while waiting for the decision of the temporary graduate visa 485 Australia. Usually, this BVA will allow you to work in Australia.
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“I thank Ibu Indah, Ibu Vira, and the ONEderland Consulting team for assisting with my Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). I received my Visa less than two weeks after my health assessment. They helped me thoroughly prepare my documents, communicated with the department, answered my inquiries and gave me clear advice. I highly recommend the ONEderland consulting service for Australian visa applications.”
Reynald Kusumahadi
Temporary Graduate Visa
Indah Melindasari, B.Com
Lead Migration Agent – MARN 0961 448
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