Subclass 485 – Replacement Visa

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Subclass 485 - Replacement Stream Visa

Subclass 485 – Replacement Stream visa is for current and former temporary graduate holders who lost time on their original visa due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Applicants will receive the same grant period as your previous visa, with the exception of:

  • If you were previously granted a Post Study Work visa for 2 years, you will now receive 3 years
  • If you were previously granted a Graduate Work Stream visa for 18 months, you will now receive 24 months (temporary measure.)

Subclass 485 - Replacement Stream Eligibility

You must have applied / or were granted your first student visa to Australia on or after 5 November 2011. 

If you held your first student visa prior to this date (even as a child on your parent’s student visa), you will not be eligible to apply for this stream.

To be eligible for this visa you must have completed your course in the 6 months immediately before the day you apply.

This means that, to be eligible for the visa, you must be:

  • you are the main holder of a current student visa 
  • you held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now have a Bridging Visa A or B, on the basis of a valid application for a visa
  • you held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now hold a substantive visa
  • you are outside Australia and you hold or have held an eligible student visa

 

* Eligible Subclass 485 applicants can make their visa applications outside Australia, during the COVID-19 Concession period.

You must be under 50 years of age to apply for the visa. 

To apply for this visa you must either:

  • hold a Temporary Graduate visa as the main holder; or
  • have held a Temporary Graduate visa as the main holder and currently hold another substantive visa, or a Bridging visa A or Bridging visa B.

 

You will be eligible to apply if, as the main holder:

  • you have held a Graduate Work stream or first Post Study Work stream Temporary Graduate visa that was:
    • granted before 15 December 2021 and
    • in effect on or after 1 February 2020

 

  • have lost time on your visa because of Australia’s COVID-19 travel restrictions. This means:
    • if you were in Australia when your original Temporary Graduate visa was granted, you have been outside of Australia while holding this visa between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021
    • if you were outside Australia when your original Temporary Graduate visa was granted, you entered Australia on that visa, and the departed Australia on that visa before 15 December 2021

 

  • have not had your Temporary Graduate visa, or any visa granted after you held your Temporary Graduate visa, cancelled, unless it was cancelled because you asked for it to be, or the decision to cancel the visa was set aside by the Tribunal.

You can either be in or outside Australia, but not in Immigration Clearance. 

You must apply for this visa before 1 January 2027

You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet the Department’s health and character requirements. 

You must have adequate health cover for the whole of your stay to be granted this visa. 

Steps to apply for a Subclass 485 - Replacement Stream Visa

Something else ?

    FAQ

    We are happy to answer
    any queries you may have

    How long can I stay in this visa?

    The length of your stay in Australia will depend on the level of your Australian study qualification, as outlined below. 

    Stream

    Qualification

    Length of stay

    Graduate Work

    Any

    18 months*

    *The stay period has only been temporarily increased from 18 months to 2 years for visas granted from 1 December 2021.

    Applicants should check the current period that applies when they lodge their application. 

    Post-Study Work

    Bachelor Degree

    2 years

    Post-Study Work

    Honours Degree

    2 years

    Post-Study Work

    Masters Degree

    3 years

    Post-Study Work

    Doctoral Degree

    4 years

    Hong Kong (HKSAR) or British National Overseas (BNO)

    5 years

    Am I eligible for a replacement visa?

    You may be eligible to apply for a Second Post Study Work stream visa. To be eligible you must have studied on your Student visa in a regional area, and lived, worked and/or studied in a regional area while holding your Replacement stream visa.

    How long can Hong Kong and BNO Passport Holder can stay?

    Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.

    Can I work full time?

    Yes, Subclass 485 provides full working rights. 

    When must I apply the visa by?

    You must apply before 1 January 2027.

    Can I cancel my Health cover once the visa is granted?

    You must maintain adequate health care coverage while holding your Subclass 485. If you do not, your 485 can be cancelled by the Department of Home Affairs. 

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