Extension for 485 Graduate Visa in Regional Areas

To boost diversity and prosperity in regional Australia, there is additional incentive for international students to study at a regional institution and to live in regional areas post-study: From January 2021, international students studying at all locations outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will be offered an extension on the current two-year Post-study work stream of the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa (TGV), which applies to Bachelor and Masters by coursework graduates.

You need:

To have graduated from a regional institution; and
Resided for at least two years in a regional area immediately prior to your second 485 visa application.

Eligibility will include international students who studied at a regional campus of a metropolitan university.

Do you qualify for a 1 or 2-year extension?

One-year second Post Study 485 visas

If you’ve graduated, held a Post Study Work 485 and only lived, worked and studied in a designated city or major regional area (Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Canberra, Geelong and Hobart) you’ll be eligible for the grant of a subsequent one-year Post Study Work 485 visa.

Two-year second Post Study 485 visas

If you’ve graduated, held a Post Study Work 485 and only lived, worked and studied in a designated regional centre or other regional area (all other areas of regional Australia apart from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Canberra, Geelong and Hobart (i.e., the areas listed in the definition of a designated city or major regional centre)) you’ll be eligible for the grant of a second two year Post Study Work 485 visa.

Postcodes that Define What is Regional

Postcodes
Item	Column 1 State or Territory	Column 2 Category	Column 3 Postcodes
1	New South Wales	Cities and major regional centres	2259, 2264 to 2308, 2500 to 2526, 2528 to 2535 and 2574
2	New South Wales	Regional centres and other regional areas	2250 to 2258, 2260 to 2263, 2311 to 2490, 2527, 2536 to 2551, 2575 to 2739, 2753 to 2754, 2756 to 2758 and 2773 to 2898
3	Victoria	Cities and major regional centres	3211 to 3232, 3235, 3240, 3328, 3330 to 3333, 3340 and 3342
4	Victoria	Regional centres and other regional areas	3097 to 3099, 3139, 3233 to 3234, 3236 to 3239, 3241 to 3325, 3329, 3334, 3341, 3345 to 3424, 3430 to 3799, 3809 to 3909, 3912 to 3971 and 3978 to 3996
5	Queensland	Cities and major regional centres	4207 to 4275, 4517 to 4519, 4550 to 4551, 4553 to 4562, 4564 to 4569 and 4571 to 4575
6	Queensland	Regional centres and other regional areas	4124 to 4125, 4133, 4183 to 4184, 4280 to 4287, 4306 to 4498, 4507, 4552, 4563, 4570 and 4580 to 4895
7	Western Australia	Cities and major regional centres	6000 to 6038, 6050 to 6083, 6090 to 6182, 6208 to 6211, 6214 and 6556 to 6558
8	Western Australia	Regional centres and other regional areas	All postcodes in Western Australia not mentioned in item 7
9	South Australia	Cities and major regional centres	5000 to 5171, 5173 to 5174, 5231 to 5235, 5240 to 5252, 5351 and 5950 to 5960
10	South Australia	Regional centres and other regional areas	All postcodes in South Australia not mentioned in item 9
11	Tasmania	Cities and major regional centres	7000, 7004 to 7026, 7030 to 7109, 7140 to 7151 and 7170 to 7177
12	Tasmania	Regional centres and other regional areas	All postcodes in Tasmania not mentioned in item 11
13	Australian Capital Territory	Cities and major regional centres	All postcodes in the Australian Capital Territory
14	Australian Capital Territory	Regional centres and other regional areas	None
15	Northern Territory	Cities and major regional centres	None
16	Northern Territory	Regional centres and other regional areas	All postcodes in the Northern Territory
17	Norfolk Island	Cities and major regional centres	None
18	Norfolk Island	Regional centres and other regional areas	All postcodes in Norfolk Island
19	Other Territories	Cities and major regional centres	None
20	Other Territories	Regional centres and other regional areas	All postcodes in a Territory other than the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory or Norfolk Island

Note: Items 14, 15, 17 and 19, and columns 1 and 2, of the table are included for information only.

Note: See Gold Coast as the perfect regional location.

Note: Those eligible for a second TGV will be required to remain in a regional area for the duration of their new visa.

Other Incentives

The Visa Application Charge has been reduced by 40% to attract talent:
- Primary applicant $ 650
- Additional applicant (over 18 years) $ 325
- Additional applicant (under 18 years) $ 165
No evidence of English language proficiency is required
No new Australian Federal Police check is required

When does the Extension Commence?

The second Post Study Work 485 commences when the first Post Study Work 485 expires or would have expired (i.e., the grant of the second Post Study Work 485 does not cease the first Post Study Work 485 enabling the holder to gain the full benefit of both visas).

To navigate the complex world of migration, let the experts at This Is Australia guide you. Contact us today to find out more information about your eligibility and any other information you may require.