Second Post Higher Education Work stream

What is Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Second Post-Higher Education Work stream

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Second Post-Higher Education Work stream is designed for international graduates who have already held a Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream. It allows them to extend their stay in Australia for an additional period to gain further work experience in an eligible designated regional area.

Duration of Stay

Your Temporary Graduate visa is for a limited time. How long you can stay in Australia depends on:

• Your university and degree
• Where you live after graduation

If you live and studied in a designated regional area (Category 2), you may be eligible to stay for up to one year. If you live and studied in a designated regional area (Category 3), you might be able to stay for up to two years.

For more information on designated regional areas, please refer to the relevant guidelines.

Extended Stay

• You cannot extend your stay in Australia with this visa. Please explore other visa options.
• Current and future Temporary Graduate visa holders from Hong Kong may have a pathway to permanent residency after five years.

Include family

• You can include family members in your application if they are in Australia at the time of applying.
• All family members included in the application must meet health and character requirements.
• You can add your children to the application until a decision is made. However, you cannot add any other family members during this period.
• If a family member wishes to be added to your visa after it has been granted, they can apply as a subsequent entrant from inside or outside Australia (including Replacement stream visa holders). See details for when you have this visa.

Cost

The primary visa applicant fee is AUD765.00 (excluding ISEMS charges). Additional charges apply for each family member included in the application. Subsequent entrants must pay the full Visa Application Charge. Additional costs may be required for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.

To estimate your total visa cost, use the Visa Pricing Estimator

Note that the estimator does not account for these additional costs.

Apply

You and your accompanying dependants must be in Australia to apply for a Second Temporary Graduate Post-Higher Education Work stream visa.​
​Subsequent entrants can apply whether they are in or outside of Australia.
All applicants can be in or outside of Australia at the time of decision.

Processing Times

To estimate processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This tool provides processing times for recently decided applications. Please note, it serves as a general guide and may not reflect your specific application.

Your application may take longer to process if:

• You do not fill it in correctly
• If more information is needed from you
• It takes time to verify your information
  If you do not pay the correct Visa Application Charge, your application cannot be processed.
  In such cases, you will be notified and, if necessary, your application will be returned.

Travel

You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you wish while the visa is valid.
Time spent outside Australia does not extend the validity of the visa.

Visa Label

Your visa will be digitally linked to your passport, so no physical label will be placed in your passport.

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.

Age Requirement

You must be 35 years of age or younger when you apply. You can apply if you are under 50 years of age and:

• Used a Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD) to meet the requirements for the grant of your Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream visa, or
• Hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.

Have this Visa

This stream is only available if you:

• Were granted your first Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education or Post-Study Work stream
• Were granted a Temporary Graduate visa in the Replacement stream based on holding your first Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Study Work stream.

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 apply whether they are in or outside of Australia.

You will not be eligible for this visa if you have been the primary holder of a Temporary
Graduate visa in the:

• Post-Vocational Education Work stream (previously the Graduate Work stream)
• Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (previously the Second Post-Study Work stream), or a
• Skilled - Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa.

Existing provisions that enable a secondary holder of a Temporary Graduate visa to apply as a primary applicant remain in effect.

Have Studied with an Australian Education Provider in a Designated Regional Area

You must have obtained the qualification that resulted in the grant of your first Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream from an Australian education provider registered on CRICOS that offers degree-level programs. Additionally, the campus where you studied must have been located in a designated regional area.

Lived in a Designated Regional Area

As the holder of a Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream, you must have lived exclusively in a designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa. To demonstrate this, provide evidence showing that you resided in a designated regional area during the past 2 years.​

For expert guidance on the categories and eligibility details regarding Designated Regional Area, contact us today.

Work and Study in a Designated Regional Area

If you worked and/or studied while holding your Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream, this must have been within a designated regional area.​
You may be requested for any additional information or evidence regarding your work or study.​.
​
The Department does not conduct pre-lodgement assessments of any visa criteria. Once a valid visa application has been submitted, a delegate will assess it based on the available information.

Maintain Adequate Health Insurance

You and your family members must have and maintain sufficient health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Australia. Refer to our guidelines for what constitutes adequate health insurance.

Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements

Certain countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia. For more information on these agreements, consult Services Australia.

Health Requirement

It is important to meet the requirement listed here for you and any other family as well.

Character Requirement

Family member who are applying along with you, and are above 16yrs, must also meet the character requirement. Family members who are not accompanying you, will also have to meet the requirement. Check the list here

Sign the Australian values statement

If you are above 18yrs, you must have read and understood:

a. Have read or been explained, the Life in Australia booklet

b. Have to confirm you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws, when you sign or accept the Australian Values Statement.

Repay your debt to the Australian government

If you or anyone from your family including those of who are not applying for visa, owe any money to Australian government, you or they, must pay the debts or arrange for it to be paid back.

Should not have any previously refused or cancelled visa application

Your history will be checked before making a decision on your application. This means you may not be eligible for this visa in case there were any previously refused or cancelled visa application.

You may still apply for a permanent visa in some circumstances, even if you had previously cancelled or an application that was refused. You can see the limitations here

If you are applying for Visa from outside of Australia, you can check here

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.

Before You Apply

Start these steps promptly once your education provider confirms the successful completion of your course:

1. Ensure you have a valid passport.
2. Review your visa conditions.
3. Arrange for health examinations.
4. Seek assistance with your application.
5. Organise a skills assessment.

Gather Your Documents

Collect and submit evidence for the following:

• • Proof of your studies, qualifications, and skills assessment.
  • Identity and relationship documents.
  • Documents for your family members.

Ensure you provide accurate information and include the following:

• • Identity documents
  • Study documents
  • English language proficiency documents
  • Skills assessment documents
  • Health insurance documents
  • Character documents
  • Documentation for your partner
  • Documents for dependants under 18
  • Documents for dependants over 18

Make sure all documents are prepared and Organised.

Apply for the Visa

You must submit your visa application online.
If you encounter issues during the application process, refer to common problems and error messages for assistance.
Ensure you provide accurate information. For details on the consequences of failing to prove
your identity or providing false information, see the guidelines.

After You Apply

You will be notified once your application and documents are received. Here’s what
you need to do next:

1. 1. Status Update: For all the information check
   2. Travel after you apply: You can be either inside or outside Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when a decision is made on your visa application.
   3. Health Exams - Discover the required examinations and how to arrange them. Completing these examinations before applying may result in a quicker decision.
   4. Attach Additional Information: You can upload further supporting documents in Immi Account. Ensure you provide any requested information within the specified timeframe. A decision on your application will be made after this period has passed.
   5. Stay Lawful: Ensure you remain lawful by holding a valid visa while your application is being processed. Upon applying for this visa, you were granted a bridging visa. If your current visa expires before a decision is made, your bridging visa will keep you in lawful status while your application is being processed. Do not cancel your current visa, as this will result in unlawful status in Australia.
      Learn more about visa expiry.
   6. Add Family Members: You may be able to add your dependent child to your visa application before a decision is made. To do this, you will need to:
      • Complete Form 1436 adding another applicant after lodgement (481KB PDF) with a clear statement to add the child to your 485 applications.
      • Attach all supporting documents, including the child's passport, birth certificate, and
        documents proving your relationship and custody.

      Your family can also apply to join you in Australia as subsequent entrants after the visa is granted. See more details on subsequent entrants when you have this visa.

Visa Outcome

You can be in or outside Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when your visa application is being decided upon. For subsequent entrants (family members), you can also be in or outside Australia at the time of decision

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.

Arriving in Australia

If you are outside Australia when your visa is granted, you must enter Australia before the specified date provided in your visa grant letter.

Before You Depart

Ensure you have the following:

• A valid visa for entry into Australia
• A valid passport or other acceptable travel document

At the Border

Upon arrival in Australia:

You must complete the Incoming Passenger Card , which will be provided to you onboard.
An automated process using facial recognition technology and E-Passports through SmartGate will enable to expedite your exit from the airport.

While in Australia

Reside, work, and study in Australia during your stay. You will have to find your own employment while on this visa.

You and your family members need to obey all Australian Laws. Use VEVO to check your specific conditions, work
requirements, and study obligations or your visa grant letter.

Understanding Your Stay Duration

• • This visa is temporary.
  • To determine your departure date or when to apply for another visa to remain in Australia, consult your visa grant letter and VEVO.

Extending Your Stay

• You cannot prolong your stay in Australia by extending this visa. You must apply for a new visa if you wish to stay longer. Explore your options.
• Check if you are eligible for any other skilled work visas

Traveling on Your Visa

This visa allows for multiple entries, so you can leave Australia and return as often as you like while the visa remains valid. Note that time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa's validity.

Check your visa conditions in VEVO for more details.

Proving Your Visa​

To confirm your visa status and view your conditions, use VEVO. For proof of your international travel records , request your movement history.

Work Conditions

Check your work conditions using VEVO. You are entitled to protections under Australian workplace laws. Review your workplace rights and entitlements.

Bringing Family​

Family members can apply to join you in Australia as subsequent entrants once your visa is granted. They can apply from either within or outside Australia (but not while in immigration clearance). Subsequent entrant applications must be submitted online via ImmiAccount. For details, follow the step-by-step guide.

Visa holders must arrive in Australia by the Initial Entry Date.

Newborn Children:

Learn the procedures for adding a child born after your visa application or grant.

Leaving Australia

Before Departure

Ensure your travel documents are in order:

• You must possess a valid passport or an acceptable travel document to depart Australia and return.

At the Border

Fast Exit Option

An automated process using facial recognition technology and E-Passports through SmartGate will enable to expedite your exit from the airport.

After you leave​

Claiming Your Superannuation (if leaving Australia permanently)

If you are leaving Australia with no plans to return, you may be eligible to claim your superannuation.

You likely have funds in a superannuation account if you:

• Are 18 years old or older
• Earned AUD 450 or more before tax in a month while working in Australia

Learn how to access your superannuation.

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.