Subclass 485 Regional extension | 2nd PSW 485 visa

Subclass 485 Regional extension – this is the second subclass 485 visa in the Post-Study stream which is commonly known as the 2^nd 485 visa. The 2^nd post-study (Regional extension) visa is available from 20 January 2021 to anyone who hold their 1^st subclass 485 visa in the Post-Study stream and has lived and worked or studied in a designated regional area.

The Subclass 485 Regional extension visa, if granted, is valid for between 1 and 2 years.

The reason why the Subclass 485 was introduced is to encourage international students who studied in regional Australia to continue to live and work in less developed regional areas.

To be eligible for the Subclass 485 Regional extension or the 2^nd 485 visa, you must have lived and worked or studied in a designated regional area. Designated area is defined as:

• a designated city or major regional centre; or
• a regional centre or other regional area.

Where are designated regional areas

Designated regional areas are specified by the Minister to include all of Australia other than Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

Designated regional areas are classified as Category 2, include a designated city or major regional centre, and Category 3, include a regional centre or other regional area.

Category 1 are non-regional major cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Category 2 are designated city or major regional centres like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle / Lake Macquarie, Wollongong / Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart.

Category 3 are designated regional centre like all areas outside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle / Lake Macquarie, Wollongong / Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart.

Important requirements for 2^nd 485 visa

All 2^nd Subclass 485 visa applicants must meet the eligibility requirements however, the Department will focus on whether you studied in a designated regional area while holding a Student Subclass 500 visa (click here to learn more about Student visa) and whether you resided in a designated regional area while holding your 1^st 485 visa (click here to learn more about Subclass 485 visa).

The Department’s focus is not where you worked and/or studied while you are on your 1^st 485 visa.

If you have studied while on a Student visa and lived while on your 1^st 485 visa in a Category 3 regional centre or other regional area, you will be granted a 2 year Subclass 485 Regional extension visa.

Usually, you will be granted your 1^st 485 Post-Study Work visa if you have completed:

• bachelor degree (including Honours) – 2 years
• masters degree by coursework – 2 years
• masters degree by research – 3 years
• doctoral degree – 4 years

1 or 2 years 2^nd Subclass 485 Regional extension visa

Not eligible

You will not be eligible to apply for a 2^nd Subclass 485 Regional extension visa if, while holding your 1^st 485 visa, you resided in Sydney or Melbourne or Brisbane (Category 1).

You will not be eligible to apply for a 2^nd Subclass 485 Regional extension visa if, while holding your 1^st 485 visa, you lived in Category 2 designated city or major regional centre and studied while holding a Student visa in Sydney or Melbourne or Brisbane (Category 1).

You will not be eligible to apply for a 2^nd Subclass 485 Regional extension visa if, while holding your 1^st 485 visa, you lived in Category 3 regional centre or other regional area and studied while holding a Student visa in Sydney or Melbourne or Brisbane (Category 1).

Eligible for 1 year

You will be granted a 1 year Subclass 485 Regional extension visa if, while holding your 1^st 485 visa lived in a Category 2 designated city or major regional centre and studied while holding a Student visa in a Category 2 designated city or major regional centre or in a Category 3 regional centre or other regional area.

You will be granted a 1 year Subclass 485 Regional extension visa if, while holding your 1^st 485 visa lived in a Category 3 regional centre or other regional area and studied while holding a Student visa in a Category 2 designated city or major regional centre.

Eligible for 2 years

You will be granted a 2 year Subclass 485 Regional extension visa if, while holding your 1^st 485 visa lived in a Category 3 regional centre or other regional area and studied while holding a Student visa in a Category 3 regional centre or other regional area.

Note that if you meet both the 1 year and the 2 years Subclass 485 Regional extension visa, the Department will grant you the 2 years visa and not the 1 year.

Designated regional areas

Designated regional areas are defined by postcodes.

Studied at a regional centre or other regional area

In order to be granted a Subclass 485 Regional extension visa, you must have studied and lived in a regional centre or other regional area when you are granted your 1^st 485 visa. In another word, you must have studied at a campus located in a regional centre or other regional area, but the university’s HQ can be elsewhere.

Intention to live only regional centre or other regional area

When applying for the Subclass 485 Regional extension visa, you and any family members making a combined application must declare that you intend to reside only in a regional centre or other regional area. This is your and members of your family’s commitment to live and work or study in a regional centre or other regional area. In another word, if you and members of family, are granted a 2^nd Subclass 485 Regional extension visa, must only live or work or study in a regional centre or other regional area for the duration of the visa.

If you or members of your family are granted a 2^nd Subclass 485 Regional extension visa, there is no obligation to work or study, but if you or members of your family choose to work or study, the work or study must be physically undertaken in a regional centre or other regional area even though your employer’s HQ is located elsewhere or your college’s HQ is located elsewhere. Similarly, if you are undertaking distance education or online education, you must reside in a regional centre or other regional area.

Australian migration law is complex and difficult to understand, contact our immigration lawyer for a consultation (fee applies) to help you decide if you are eligible to apply for a 2nd 485 Regional extension visa.

This article is not intended to be or taken as migration legal advice. The author of this article disclaims any liability for any action or omission on the information provided or not provided in this article. You should always consult an immigration lawyer or a registered migration agent to form an informed opinion on your immigration matter.