Apply for
Temporary Graduate visa - Subclass 485 (Second PHEWS)
Extend Your Career Opportunities with the Second Post-Higher Education Work Visa
The Temporary Graduate Visa – Subclass 485 (Second PHEWS) allows you to extend your stay in Australia after completing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Graduate Diploma if meet the requirements qualification. This visa provides full-time, unrestricted work rights, giving you an excellent opportunity to gain further professional experience, increase your income, and continue building your career in Australia.
Whether you’re aiming to improve your skills, expand your network, or strengthen your pathway toward Permanent Residency (PR), the Second PHEWS visa offers the flexibility and time you need to take the next step in your career journey in Australia
Overview for (Second PHEWS) 485 Visa
- Extend Your Stay After Your First 485 Visa
The Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream allows eligible graduates to extend their stay in Australia after holding a Post-Higher Education Work Stream (PHEWS) visa, giving you additional time to work full-time and strengthen your long-term migration plans. - Continue Working Full-Time in Australia
You can maintain unrestricted, full-time work rights, allowing you to gain deeper professional experience, secure employer sponsorship, and build a stronger case for skilled or employer-sponsored PR pathways. - No Additional Study or Skills Assessment Required
To qualify, you must have held or currently hold a 485 PHEWS visa. There is no need to complete further study or lodge a skills assessment for this extension. - Strengthen Your PR Pathway with Extra Time
Use your extended stay to complete NAATI or Professional Year, improve English scores, gain regional experience, or transition into employer-sponsored visas such as 482 → 186. - Include Your Family Members
Your partner and dependent children may be included in your application, and will also enjoy full work rights for the duration of this visa.
Cost: From AUD 905.00 | for latest cost estimation check here
Eligibility for (Second PHEWS) 485 Work Stream
| Requirement | Details |
| Citizenship | ANY |
| Age Requirement | You must be 35 years of age or under when you apply. You can be under 50 years of age when you apply if you: used a Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD) to meet the requirements for the grant of your Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream visa, or hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport. |
| Location at Time of Application | In Australia |
| Qualification | You must have obtained your qualification that led to the grant of your first temporary graduate visa in the post-higher education work stream from an Australian education provider who is registered on CRICOS and offers degree-level programs. The campus that you studied at must have been based in a DESIGNATED REGIONAL AREA. |
| Visa | You must have held a Subclass 485 visa (Temporary Graduate) in either the Post-Higher Education Work stream when applying for the second visa. |
| Health Requirement | Provide evidence of Adequate Health Insurance for all applicants when you apply. |
| Character Requirement | If requested, you must provide evidence that you applied for an Australian Federal Police Check within the 12 months immediately before the day the application is made. |
| Location at the Time of Grant | The applicant may be in or outside Australia when the visa is granted, but not in immigration clearance. |
| Residence | In the last 2 years, you should have lived in a designated regional area. |
| Employment | In the last 2 years, if worked, worked in a regional area. |
| Education | In the last 2 years, if studied, studied in a regional area. |
The Knowbal Visa Application Process
Applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa can feel complicated, but Knowbal is here to support you at every stage. Here’s how we simplify the application process
Initial Consultation
We start by reviewing your study history, current visa status, and eligibility for the Temporary Graduate Visa. This personalised consultation helps us understand your situation and plan the best application approach for you.
Assigning an Expert Agent
Once we assess your case, you’ll be assigned a dedicated migration expert. This professional will be your main point of contact, guiding you through each step and answering your questions promptly.
Document Preparation
Gathering and organising your documents correctly is critical. Knowbal helps you prepare all necessary paperwork, including your Confirmation of Enrolment, academic transcripts, proof of completion, health insurance, and identity documents to avoid delays or errors.
Submitting the Application
We lodge your visa application on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs, ensuring everything complies with visa requirements and your information is accurately presented.
Ongoing Updates
Throughout the processing period, Knowbal monitors your application and keeps you informed. Should the Department request additional information, we will assist you promptly to ensure a smooth process.
FAQs
No, you can apply before your current 485 visa expires, as long as you still hold or have previously held a PHEWS visa as a Hong Kong or BNO passport holder. It is important to note that you must have held the first 485 visa before applying for the second 485 visa. Applying early ensures you avoid any gaps in your lawful status.
Yes, you have unrestricted work rights, meaning you can change employers or industries at any time. Many Hong Kong and BNO graduates use this flexibility to move into regional roles or employer-sponsored positions to support their PR strategy.
No. Unlike skilled visas, this extension does not require you to nominate an occupation or match your job to your qualification. As long as you previously held a PHEWS 485 visa and meet nationality requirements, your study field does not affect eligibility.
If you are on a Bridging Visa A, you generally cannot travel. To leave Australia, you must apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before departing. Many applicants overlook this and risk visa complications, so it’s important to plan travel carefully.
Yes. Even though this is an extension, you must maintain adequate health insurance from the time of application until a decision is made. Most graduates switch to an updated OVHC policy, but choosing the wrong level of cover can delay lodgement.
Yes. You may add a new spouse or de facto partner even if they were not part of your initial PHEWS application. They must meet de facto or married relationship requirements and will receive full work rights once the visa is granted.
Most applicants use the additional time to:
build full-time skilled experience,
move to regional areas for 491 nomination,
complete NAATI/PY,
secure a 482 employer sponsorship, or
prepare for 186 TRT pathways.
This extension gives Hong Kong & BNO graduates a strong window to develop a structured, long-term PR plan with the right professional guidance.
No, you cannot stay in the city while holding your 2nd PHEWS visa. Under Condition 8610, you are required to live, work, and study only in a regional centre or other regional areas of Australia, as designated at the time your visa was granted.
A second subclass 485 visa does not cancel your first one. Instead, it simply extends your temporary residency. Once granted, your overall visa end date is pushed further, giving you additional time to stay.
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