485 visa replacement stream

New Replacement stream

This SC 485 stream allows holders of these visas to obtain another SC 485 visa of the same duration as their original visa, if they were unable to stay in Australia for the full period of their previous visa due to the COVID restrictions in force from 1 February 2020 to 14 December 2021.

Current and former SC 485 may apply if they:

• were outside Australia when the original SC 485 visa was granted and entered Australia on the original visa before 15 December 2021, departed Australia after this entry but before 15 December 2021 while holding the original visa,

or

• were in Australia when the original SC 485 visa was granted and were outside Australia at any time between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 while holding the original visa.

Secondary visa holders who were granted SC 485 visas on the basis of being the member of the family unit of the primary visa holder, will also be eligible for the Replacement stream if the primary visa holder is eligible.

A cut-off date of 1 January 2027 was originally set for applications for the Replacement stream. However, the Replacement stream closed to all new applications on 1 July 2024.

The Replacement stream was not open to applications for persons who were already on their second Subclass 485 visa in the Post-Study Work stream during the period of international travel restrictions.

The Replacement stream was not open to applications by persons who have had a Subclass 485 visa, or a visa granted after the applicant held a Subclass 485 visa, cancelled, except those who requested in writing that the Minister cancel their visa, or whose visa cancellation decision was set aside by the Tribunal.

Second Post Study and replacement stream visas

Holders of SC 485 Post Study stream visas who were required to live in regional areas for the grant of a second SC 485 and were disrupted by the COVID arrangements, may now meet this requirement if they have studied on a student visa and lived on their Replacement stream SC 485 visa in a regional area.

This Instrument applies to applications for SC 485 visas made on or after 1 July 2022.

This Instrument commences on 1 July 2022.

Important: This stream opened for new applications on 1 July 2022 and closed to all new applications on 1 July 2024.

The COVID-19 replacement stream is a replacement for the initial Temporary Graduate visa. It is only available for Temporary Graduate visa holders impacted by the Australian travel restrictions. This means, people who could not stay in Australia for the full period allowed by their previous Temporary Graduate visa can have a replacement visa issued that will permit the same length of stay as the original visa.

On 18 February 2022, certain eligible Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders had their visas extended or enlivened to 30 September 2022. Visa holders eligible for an extension were notified directly by the Department.

This interim measure allows eligible Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders who were affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions to enter, or remain in,​ Australia to live and work until they can apply for and be granted a replacement Temporary Graduate visa.

Latest 485 visa changes and updates:

• 35 Years or Under Age Limit for 485 Visa
• List of occupations and qualifications eligible for post-study work rights extension
• Extended Work Rights for Select Occupations and Qualifications
• Extra 1 or 2-year visa for international graduates from regional institutions
• 485 Visa – Secondary applicants not excluded
• COVID-19 Concessions for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visas
• 485 Visa Processing Time
• 485 visa
  • 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream (formerly Graduate Work stream)
  • 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream (formerly Post-Study Work stream)
  • 485 Second Post-Study Work stream (extension)
  • 485 visa replacement stream (closed 1 July 2024)

The Government recognises the valuable contribution of temporary visa holders and acknowledges the disruption caused by COVID-19.​

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa EXTENSION:

• visa holders must have held a Temporary Graduate visa on 15 December 2021
• the current visa expires before 30 September 2022
• the primary visa holder was in Australia at time of the visa grant
• the primary visa holder has been outside Australia for any period between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 (inclusive)
• the visa has not been cancelled since 15 December 2021
• the holder has not been granted a further substantive visa since 15 December 2021.

To be eligible for visa ENLIVENING:

• visa holders must have held a Temporary Graduate visa that visa expired between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 inclusive
• the primary visa holder was in Australia at time of grant
• the primary holder of the visa has been outside Australia for any period between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 inclusive
• the visa was not cancelled
• the visa holder has not been granted a further substantive visa.

Staying in Australia

Applicants will receive the full validity of their initial Temporary Graduate visa. This is determined by the level of their qualification.

Cost

The visa extension was free and occurred automatically.

The visa extension will include family members that were included in the original Temporary Graduate visa.

COVID-19 Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) replacement stream visa

Applications for the COVID-19 Temporary Graduate replacement stream visa opened on 1 July 2022 and closed on 1 July 2024.

The Temporary Graduate replacement stream visa gave current and former visa holders impacted by COVID-19 travel restrictions the same length of stay as their original visa.