Temporary Graduate Visa (485) - Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream provides a crucial extension opportunity for Temporary Graduate visa holders who have studied or lived in regional Australia. This stream offers an additional 1-2 years to continue building your career and preparing for permanent residency.

Who Is This Stream For?

This extension is specifically for holders of:

• Post-Higher Education Work stream (current name)
• Post-Study Work stream (previous name)
• Replacement stream (COVID-affected)

Who have either:

• Completed their degree at a regional campus, OR
• Lived in a regional area while on their first 485 visa

Extension Duration

Your extension length depends on the regional area:

Key Advantages

Simplified Process:

• No new English test required
• Lower visa application fee
• Faster processing times
• Can apply from offshore

Continued Benefits:

• Same work rights maintained
• Family members included
• Medicare access continues
• Multiple entry travel

Core Eligibility Requirements

1. Previous 485 Visa Requirement

You must currently hold or have previously held:

• Post-Higher Education Work stream, OR
• Post-Study Work stream, OR
• Replacement stream

Cannot apply if you held:

• Graduate Work stream
• Post-Vocational Education Work stream
• Any other visa type

2. Regional Requirement (Must Meet ONE)

Option A: Regional Study

• Completed qualifying degree at regional campus
• Must be the degree used for first 485
• Campus must be in designated regional area
• Online study doesn’t count

Option B: Regional Residence

• Lived in regional area on first 485 visa
• Minimum period requirements:
  • Category 2 areas: 2 years
  • Category 3 areas: 2 years
• Must provide residence evidence

3. Timing Requirements

• Can apply while holding first 485
• Can apply after first 485 expires
• Can apply from onshore or offshore
• No specific deadline (unlike first 485)

4. Age Requirement

• Must be under 35 years when applying
• Exceptions - can be under 50 years if:
  • Hold Hong Kong passport
  • Hold British National Overseas (BNO) passport
  • Original 485 was based on Masters (Research) degree
  • Original 485 was based on Doctoral degree (PhD)
• Age assessed at application lodgement

5. Health Insurance

• Must maintain OVHC coverage
• Coverage for entire extension period
• All family members covered

6. Character Requirements

• Continue to meet character requirements
• New police clearances if applicable
• No substantial criminal record

Regional Area Definitions

Category 2 Regional Areas (1 year extension):

Cities and major regional centers:

• Perth (all areas)
• Adelaide (all areas)
• Gold Coast
• Sunshine Coast
• Canberra
• Newcastle
• Lake Macquarie
• Wollongong/Illawarra
• Geelong
• Hobart

Category 3 Regional Areas (2 year extension):

All other areas including:

• All of Northern Territory
• All of Tasmania (except Hobart)
• All of South Australia (except Adelaide)
• Regional NSW (except Newcastle/Wollongong)
• Regional Victoria (except Geelong)
• Regional Queensland (except Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast)
• Regional Western Australia (except Perth)

Evidence Requirements

For Regional Study:

Required documents:

• Academic transcript showing campus location
• Completion letter mentioning campus
• Enrollment confirmation with campus details
• CRICOS registration for regional campus

For Regional Living:

Required documents (minimum 3 types):

• Residential lease agreements
• Utility bills (electricity, gas, water)
• Bank statements showing address
• Employment contracts/payslips
• Driver’s license with address
• Council rates notices
• School enrollment (children)

Address History:

• Continuous residence preferred
• Short absences acceptable
• Must demonstrate primary residence
• Work travel permitted

Who Cannot Apply?

You are NOT eligible if:

• You held Graduate Work stream
• You held Vocational Education stream
• Your degree was from metro campus only
• You lived only in major cities
• You’re over 35 years old (unless eligible for age exemption)
• You’ve already held this extension

Maximizing Your Extension

Strategic Planning:

1. Apply early while first visa valid
2. Maintain continuous regional residence
3. Keep all address evidence
4. Plan PR pathway during extension
5. Use time to boost PR points

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Wrong stream - Graduate Work not eligible ❌ Insufficient evidence - Need 2+ years proof ❌ Metro campus - Must be regional campus ❌ Address gaps - Show continuous residence ❌ Late insurance - Extend before expiry

Regional Living Strategy

Qualifying for 2-Year Extension:

• Choose Category 3 areas
• Establish genuine residence
• Maintain consistent address
• Build local connections
• Document everything

Popular Category 3 Cities:

• Cairns, QLD - Tourism and healthcare
• Townsville, QLD - Defence and education
• Ballarat, VIC - Tech and manufacturing
• Bendigo, VIC - Healthcare and finance
• Launceston, TAS - Agriculture and tourism
• Darwin, NT - Government and resources

Evidence Best Practices

Strong Evidence Package:

• Lease agreement (full period)
• Monthly utility bills
• Bank statements with address
• Employment documents
• Local memberships/activities

Organizing Your Evidence:

1. Create chronological timeline
2. Highlight regional postcodes
3. Group by evidence type
4. Include cover letter explaining
5. Scan clearly, combine PDFs

Working During Extension

Maintaining Employment:

• No work restrictions
• Can change employers
• Remote work acceptable
• Must maintain regional residence
• Travel for work permitted

Career Development:

• Focus on skilled roles
• Build regional networks
• Gain promotion/responsibilities
• Document achievements
• Prepare for PR application

Family Considerations

Including Family:

• Same extension duration
• Must be on first 485
• Cannot add new members
• Children must be under 23

Family Evidence:

• Updated relationship proof
• Children’s school enrollment
• Family health insurance
• Joint regional residence

Permanent Residency Planning

Using Your Extension Wisely:

Year 1 of Extension:

• Achieve skilled employment
• Improve English scores
• Complete Professional Year
• Build state connections
• Save for PR costs

Year 2 (if applicable):

• Lodge PR application
• Maximize points claimed
• Secure state nomination
• Obtain employer support
• Prepare for transition

State Nomination Advantages

Regional Residence Benefits:

• Priority for state nomination
• Additional points for regional
• Lower competition
• State government support
• established community ties

States Favoring Regional:

• South Australia (high priority)
• Tasmania (residence pathway)
• Northern Territory (priority processing)
• Regional NSW (additional programs)
• Regional Victoria (bonus points)

Special Circumstances

Applying Offshore:

• Allowed for this stream
• Must meet all requirements
• May need offshore health checks
• Processing may be longer
• Ensure passport validity

Bridging Visas:

• Automatic if applying onshore
• Work rights continue
• Medicare maintained
• Travel requires BVB
• Activates when current expires

After Extension Grant

Immediate Steps:

1. Update employer of new validity
2. Extend health insurance
3. Notify education provider
4. Update address if moving
5. Plan PR application timeline

Maximizing Final Years:

• Stay in regional if possible
• Build continuous employment
• Network for opportunities
• Research PR options thoroughly
• Prepare documentation early

Alternative Options

If not eligible for this extension:

Skilled Regional (491):

• 5-year visa
• Regional requirement
• Points tested
• Leads to PR (191)

Employer Sponsorship:

• TSS 482 visa
• Regional employer (494)
• Direct sponsorship (186)

State Nomination:

• 190 permanent visa
• 491 provisional visa
• State-specific programs