Budget Announcement – from November 2021
Holders of 485 visas who have met the below criteria will be eligible for a one year extension of their 485 visa.
- Graduated from the regional campus of a university or institution with a bachelor degree or higher; and
- Maintained residence in a regional area while holding their first Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa
A regional area will be anywhere outside of metropolitan, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Perth.
Current student visa holders graduating on or after 2021 will be eligible for this visa. The second 485 visa will come with a condition requiring the visa holder to continue ongoing residence in a regional area.
67 Comments
Good Morning,
I am Gouni and studying at Deakin University in Geelong Campus. I just want to know more about this 485 VISA extension.
Please reach me on gouniamala@gmail.com
Geelong is classified as a Designated City or Major Regional Centre, and you may be eligible for a second 485 visa for a period of one year if you live and work in this area.
does it mean people people wich in the moment on a 458 can not extend the visa ? even if i study work and live in regional areas?
You need to be graduating on or after November 2021. Eligible students who graduate from a regional campus of a university with a higher education or postgraduate qualification, and who maintain ongoing residence while holding their first Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa after 2021, will be entitled to apply for an additional one-year Temporary Graduate Visa
What does it mean by ongoing residence?
Does it mean that you can work in major cities like Melb,Sydney,Brisbane and live in regional area and travel everyday for work. In that case will there be an extension?
No, it means you must be living in a regional area to be eligible. A regional area will be anywhere outside of metropolitan, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Perth.
Yes I understand I cannot live in a city. But can I work in city and live in regional area. Like working in Sydney and living in Wollongong and travel everyday for work?
What about those students who will be graduate from the regional uni/campus at the end of this year & apply 485 on Jan 2021. After that continuing living in a regional area. Will they extend their visa for an extra one year?
You need to apply for the first 485 visa and hold that for 2 years before applying for the second 485 which is the extension. You will only be eligible for the extension if you studied in a regional area and maintained ongoing residence in a regional area while holding the first 485 visa.
HI
I have two questions. At the moment I am holding 485 visa and will expire on 3 January 2022. Can I be entitled on extension? Also, if, for example, I take another two year master degree. will I be eligible to apply for 485 visa since I was granted 485 visa on 2020. Thanks
From November 2021 you can apply for an additional 485 visa only if you have maintained ongoing residence in a regional area while holding the first 485 visa. You cannot be granted a second 485 visa as a primary applicant. The legislation says: The applicant has not previously held a Subclass 485 visa that was granted on the basis that the applicant satisfied the primary criteria for the grant of the visa. The only way you can be granted a second 485 visa is as a secondary applicant.
Hi there,
I was granted 485 visa on 19/9/2021, am I eligible for 485 extension?
Hi Jima. New legislation has just been released with more detail about the second 485 visa. If you graduated from a regional institution and live and work in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding the first 485 visa you should be eligible for a second 485 visa. Please refer to my new post in Latest News for more details.
Does anywhere outside of those metropolitan areas include other countries. If for example you are stuck outside of the country will you be eligible?
There is no Covid concession for the second 485 visa, you must be in Australia when you apply.
Hi
At the moment I am on visa 485 which is expiring on 10th October 2021. I did my masters from university in regional area and also I am continuously living in regional area. Can I also apply for the extension?
It sounds like you are eligible if you graduated from an institution in a regional area and continue to live and work in a designated regional area for a period of 2 years before applying.
Hi, Currently I am holding a 485 visa and it will be over in march 2022. Am I eligible for 1 year extension if I stay in regional area till then?
You must have graduated from a regional institution, and continue to live, work or study in a designated regional area for 2 years continuously on your first 485 immediately before applying for the second 485 visa. If you graduated from a regional institution then you may be eligible.
my 485 visa will expire in August 2021.am i eligible for extension 485 visa again. currently living in melbourne.
You need to have lived, worked and studied in a designated regional area for 2 years continuously on the first 485 immediately before applying. Melbourne is not eligible.
Hi there,
Thanks for the info. My question is my 485 visa is expiring on September 2021 and I graduated P.G in regional and I am living in regional, will continue to be in regional and so now will I be eligible for that 485 extension.
Thanks
Hi Deepak. To be eligible for the second 485 visa, you need to have lived and worked for at least 2 years in a designated regional area while holding the first 485 visa immediately before applying. Please refer to my mew post in Latest News for more information.
I completed my master from Melbourne and got 485 in Melbourne in March 2019.
I moved to Canberra in march 2020. My 485 visa expires in March 2021.
Am I eligible for extension?
Hi Vidhyut. No, you need to have graduated from a regional institution to be eligible.
Hi. I am a graduate of south australia but been living here in sydney at the moment. I read the conditions which says that i need to reside in the regional inorder to get the extension. Does it mean that the stay period should be the entire 2 years of post graduate visa or i can moved there now and apply for extension?
You help will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Abhishek. Under the new Regulations which have just been released, you need to have lived and worked in a designated regional area for 2 years continuously while holding the first 485 visa, immediately before applying for the second 485. Please refer to my new post in Latest News for more details.
I am on my 485 visa and it will expire on July 2021. I studied in regional place and I do reside in the same place. Am I eligible?
Hi Rigzin. As long as your first 485 visa was is in the Post Study Work stream (you hold a Bachelor degree or higher), and you have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding the first 485 visa, you should be eligible for a second 485 visa. You can apply at any time after 20 January 2021 if you meet the requirements. Please refer to my new post in Latest News for more information.
I Am graduated in November 2019 and am living in regional area since then. Am I eligible for this visa ?
Hi Venkat. Please refer to my new post in Latest News for more information. If you graduated from a regional institution and have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding the first 485 visa, you should be eligible for a second Post Study Work stream visa. You can apply at any time after 20 January 2021 if you meet the requirements.
Hi
I’m on 485 visa which expires in April. I completed my MBA in Gold coast, living and working in Gold coast. Am i eligible for extend my 485 visa.
Hi Virpal. If you hold a 485 visa in the Post Study Work stream (and hold a Bachelor degree or higher), and have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding the first 485 visa, you should be eligible for a second 485 visa. Please refer to my new post in Latest News for more detail.
This change was implemented in Nov 2019 and I graduated in Aug 2020. I am currently holding 485 Visa. And will expire in Sep 2022. So, will I be eligible to apply for second 485 visa after that?
Hi Meera. The new legislation was just released and will take effect from 20 January 2021, second 485 visa applications can be lodged after this date. You need to have graduated from a regional institution, and lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding the first 485 visa to be eligible for the second 485 visa. Please refer to my new post in Latest News for more information.
Hi,
I have finished my Masters in Melbourne then on march i moved to darwin and on April i got my TR.. so can i apply TR for an additional year in Darwin?
Hi Nisha. No unfortunately you need to have graduated from a regional institution to be eligible for a second 485 visa.
What about the students who are graduating from a regional university on June 2021? Will they be eligible to extend their 485, once it finishes on July 2023?
Hi Dav. The second 485 visa application can be lodged after 20 January 2021 if you meet the requirements. You need to have graduated from a regional institution, and lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding the first 485 visa to be eligible for the second 485 visa. Please refer to my new post in Latest News for more details.
Hi
I have some questions, I finished my first degree from Melbourne and currently holding 485 visa. Afterwards I moved in regional and doing my second masters while holding 485. Will I be eligible to apply additional 485 visa or not?
No, you need to have graduated from a regional institution, then lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding the first 485 visa.
hi,
i am graduated in dec 2020,if i go live and work in a regional area after i apply for the 485 visa,after 2 years will i be able to get an extention of
the same 485 visa?
Hi Thanuja. You need to have graduated from a regional institution and lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding the first 485 visa to be eligible for the second 485 visa. You can only apply in the Post Study Work stream and need a Bachelor degree or higher.
How about if i graduated in regional area and moved to sydney after study and granted 485 . Am i eligible?
Hi Oyu. You need to have lived and worked for 2 years in a designated regional area while holding the first 485 visa to be eligible for the second 485 visa. Please refer to my new post in Latest News.
Is this tgv extension applicable for those who has already hold 485 visa since 2020. Their visa will be expired in 2022, so will they get an extension if they studied and lived in regional area.
Hi Sree. If you graduated from a regional institution and have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding the first 485 visa, you will be eligible for a second 485 visa. You can apply for the second 485 visa any time from 20 January 2021 if you meet the requirements. Please refer to my new post in Latest News for more details.
Hi,
I am pretty confused with additional 1 year TR visa. Please make me clear on this. . I have graduated from UNISA, South Australia in December 2018 and since then I am living in Adelaide. I am on Temporary Graduate Visa (485, Post Study Work Visa) until April 2021.
Am I eligible for additional 1 year 485 visa?
Please advise.
Thanks
Hi Janak. Adelaide is considered to be a Designated City or Major Regional Centre, and if you live and work there for at least 2 years while holding the first 485 visa you will be eligible for a one year second 485 visa. Please refer to my new post in Latest News for more details.
What’s the length of ongoing residency?
At the moment I live in city and move to regional area in January ,holding 485 visa.
Hi Arjun. To be eligible for a second 485 visa you need to have graduated from a regional institution and lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding the first 485 visa immediately before applying. Please refer to my new post in Latest News for more details.
if I graduated at TASTafe, can I apply for second 485 visa?
Hi Yao-Chun. You can only apply for a second 485 visa in the Post Study Work stream. If you have studied a Diploma course your 485 visa would be in the Graduate Work stream and you would not be eligible.
Your reply to seko (the first comment) says “You need to be graduating on or after November 2021” I have not seen this anywhere else. So if I graduate in June 2021 I’m not eligible? Either way, my main question is: I have done my studies in Brisbane but I have one semester left and my school have a Gold Coast campus. If I transfer to the Gold Coast campus for the last semester and “Graduate from a regional uni/campus”, and continues to reside in regional Australia, will I be eligible for the second 485 after the first? Thanks in advance!
Hi Alex. Yes if you graduate from a regional institution and have lived, worked and studied in a designated regional area for at least two years you should be eligible for a second one year 485 visa. To be eligible for a second two year 485 visa you need to have lived and studied at a campus in a regional centre or other regional area. This does not include the Gold Coast. Please refer to my new post in Latest News for more details.
Hi,
My 485 visa is expired in October 2020, am I eligible to extend second 485 visa? We are living in perth.
Thanks
You must apply for the second 485 visa while you still hold the first 485 visa, it cannot be expired.
Hey!
I’m currently on my first graduate visa 485. I’ve studied in Sydney for my first degree but I’m about to move to Adelaide for my master degree does this mean I can qualify for a second temporary graduate visa if the degree is at least 2 years conducted in a regional are? If I don’t qualify, what are some other options that I could apply for whilst waiting for my PR. ( I will be lodging an EOI once I complete my masters)
Thank you
Hi Lalitta. The new legislation that has just been released states that it is a requirement that you have lived, worked and studied only in a designated regional area for 2 years continuously while holding the first 485. You also need to have graduated from a regional institution. Please refer to my new post in Latest News
Hi,
I was on my 485 visa until 21 Nov 2020 and later did apply for a student visa and still didn’t receive any outcome. So I’m on a bridging visa as of now. Am I eligible to apply for the 2nd 485 visa extension or not? Graduated from Adelaide and living and working here since 4 years.
Thank you.
An applicant seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for the grant of a second Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa in the Post-Study Work stream must hold a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa in the Post-Study Work stream.
Hello,
I have completed my M.IT from Central Queensland University, Rockhampton. I am on 484 visa right now. I studied in CQU from March 2019 to August 2020 for 18 months only, as I have received exemptions for my previous studies at Federation University, Town Hall, Sydney. I studied 7 units in FedUni and rest in CQU.
My question is, am I eligible for the the 2nd time 485 visa extension? as I have been staying in Rockhampton since I started to study in CQU, Rockhampton that is March 2019.
With Regards,
Suman kumar Shrestha
You must have lived, worked and studied in a designated regional area for 2 years continuously on your first 485 immediately before applying. It sounds like you are eligible.
Hi,
Is the 485 graduate stream (not post work stream) eligible for the visa extension?
Thank you
Sorry it is only available if you held your first 485 in the Post Study Work stream.
Hello, I am on my 485 visa which is going to expire on August 8 2021. I studied my Masters degree in Brisbane and graduated in 2019. I have been living in Gold Coast for the past 2 years, will I be able to qualify for the extension of covid 485 visa.
No, unfortunately you must have graduated from a regional institution.