Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

The Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream under the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) is designed for international graduates who have already held a first post-study work visa and studied in regional Australia. This second post study work visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily, building on your qualifications and experience. Introduced as part of Australia's Migration Strategy, it encourages skilled talent to contribute to regional economies. With policies updated in July 2024 and effective through 2025–2026, this stream supports graduates under 35 (with exceptions up to 50 for certain qualifications or passports) to gain valuable work experience. Key benefits include unrestricted work rights, family inclusion, and a bridge to potential permanent residency pathways like skilled regional visas.

This visa aligns with Australia's focus on regional development, requiring you to have lived in designated areas for at least two years. It's ideal for those who completed degrees in fields like engineering, IT, or health from CRICOS-registered regional institutions. As of 2026, no major changes are announced beyond the 2024 reforms, ensuring stability for applicants.

Who Is Eligible for the Second 485 Visa

Eligibility for the second post-higher education work stream is straightforward but strict. You must:

• Be in Australia when applying.
• Hold a current Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream, and have previously held one in the Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream as the primary applicant.
• Have graduated with a degree (bachelor's or higher) from a CRICOS-registered course at an institution in an eligible designated regional area, which qualified you for your first Subclass 485 visa.
• Be aged 35 or under at application time. Exceptions apply: up to 50 years if your first visa was based on a master's by research or PhD, or if you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
• Have lived only in eligible designated regional areas for at least two continuous years immediately before applying (evidence like rental agreements or tax records required).
• Maintain adequate health insurance for yourself and any family members.
• Meet character and health requirements, with no outstanding debts to the Australian Government.

This ensures the second 485 visa targets genuine graduates committed to regional Australia. If you're over the age limit due to 2024 changes, consider alternatives like the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491).

Visa Duration & Regional Study Requirements

Visa duration for the subclass 485 post-study work visa in this stream ranges from 1 to 2 years, determined by the regional category of your study institution and living area during your first visa.

You must have studied and lived in the same or a lower category regional area. Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders may qualify for up to 5 years in some cases, but standard durations apply without extensions beyond this stream. Regional requirements promote balanced migration, with no work or study location restrictions during the visa. For 2025–2026, durations remain unchanged, supporting long-term planning.