Overview
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (formerly the Second Post-Study Work stream) is designed for international graduates who have already held a first Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work stream and graduated from a regional Australian institution.
As of March 2026, this visa remains a critical pathway for those living, studying, and working in regional areas to extend their stay in Australia by an additional 1 to 2 years. This stream incentivises skilled graduates to contribute to the economic growth of Australia's designated regional areas.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this stream in 2026, you must meet the following strict requirements from the Department of Home Affairs:
- Age: You must be 35 years of age or under at the time of application.Note: Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders may apply if they are under 50.
- Visa Status: You must hold a valid Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Higher Education Work stream) or a Replacement stream visa at the time of application.
- Education: You must have graduated with a degree from a CRICOS-registered provider located in a designated regional area.
- Residence: You must have lived only in a designated regional area for at least two years immediately before applying for the second visa.
- Work/Study: While holding your first 485 visa, any work or study undertaken must have been located within a designated regional area.
- English Language: While you generally met this for your first 485, you must maintain "competent" English. In 2026, the standard remains an IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent.
Regional Requirements
The length of your second visa depends on where you studied and where you currently reside:
- Category 2 – 'Cities and Major Regional Centres': Includes 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': Includes all other locations except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Stay Duration
The stay period granted under this stream is non-extendable beyond the following:
- 1 Year: For graduates who lived and studied in Category 2 areas.
- 2 Years: For graduates who lived and studied in Category 3 areas.
Application Costs and Fees
In line with the March 1, 2026 fee adjustments, the base application charges for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream have been updated.
| Applicant Type | Base Application Charge (AUD) |
| Primary Applicant | $1,810 |
| Additional Applicant (18+) | $910 |
| Additional Applicant (Under 18) | $460 |
Applicants holding passports from eligible Pacific Island nations or Timor-Leste may be eligible for a reduced rate of $905 for the primary applicant.
Processing Times
Processing times for the subclass 485 visa can fluctuate based on application volumes and the complexity of individual cases. The current 2026 benchmarks are:
- 50% of applications: Processed within 5 months.
- 90% of applications: Processed within 10 months.
To ensure your application is processed at the faster end of these benchmarks, ensure all health and character documents (Australian Federal Police checks) are attached at the time of lodgement.
FAQ
Can I apply for this visa if I studied in Sydney but moved to a regional area later? No. To be eligible for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream, your qualification must have been obtained from an institution located in a designated regional area, and you must have lived in a regional area for the duration of your first 485 visa.
Is there a skills assessment required for this stream? No, a skills assessment is not required for the Post-Higher Education Work or the Second Post-Higher Education Work streams.
Can I include my partner on my second 485 visa? Yes, you can include "members of the family unit" in your application. They must also have lived only in a designated regional area during your time on the first 485 visa.
What happens if I turn 36 while waiting for a decision? The age requirement (35 or under) applies at the time you lodge your application. If you turn 36 after the Department has received a valid application, you still meet the age criteria.
