485 VISA FAQ

The latest updates to the 485 visa for international graduates studying in a regional area.

• From 2021, Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) holders (post-study workstream) who have graduated from a regional educational institution and have lived in regional Australia on their first TGV will be eligible for a second TGV. 
• Those eligible for a second TGV will be required to remain in a regional area for the duration of their new visa. 
• Eligibility will include international students who studied at a regional campus of a metropolitan university. 
• International graduates who have studied and lived in Category 2 will be eligible for an additional year on a second Temporary Graduate visa. 
• International graduates who have studied and lived in Category 3 will be eligible for an additional 2 years on a second Temporary Graduate visa. 
• The initiative will provide an additional incentive for international students to study at a regional institution and to live in regional areas post-study, boosting diversity and prosperity in regional Australia. 
• At the same time, it will help ease growing infrastructure pressures in our major cities. 
• There is no change to Student visas. This option is available as an initiative for international students to study and live in regional Australia 

Some of the FAQ for the 485 visas are:

1. What if someone applied for the 485 this year but meet the criteria for the regional living? 

From 2021, Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) holders (post-study workstream) who have graduated from a regional educational institution and have lived in regional Australia on their first TGV will be eligible for a second TGV. If you applied for your first 485 this year and studied and lived in a regional area, you will be eligible to apply for the second 485 visa.  

2 . What is the list of places in category 2 and category 3? 

Category 2 – ‘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 – ‘Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas (Include Designated regional area postcodes as per below table) 

3) What if somebody moves from category 1 to 2 or vice versa? 

In order to be eligible for the second TGV, students need to graduate from a regional institution and spend at least two years residing in a regional area. If for instance, you are applying under category 2 you need to have resided in the ‘Cities and Major Regional Centres’ of Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart for the entire two years. 

For further assistance with your 485 Temporary Graduate Visa, please get in touch with the Registered Migration Agents at Better Life Migration at 0415 419 414 or visit www.betterlifemigration.com.au.  

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Source: DHA