Australia announces visa extensions for COVID-19 affected 485 visa holders

The Department of Home Affairs says Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders will have their visas extended.

“On 18 February 2022, certain eligible Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders will have their visas extended to 30 September 2022,” the Department of Home Affairs has said, adding that visa holders eligible for an extension will be notified directly by the Department.

The extension is a temporary measure that would allow Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa-holders 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.

A temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) is a temporary visa that allows international students to live, study and work after they have finished their studies.

“The Government recognises the valuable contribution of temporary visa holders and acknowledges the disruption caused by COVID-19,” DoHA Said in a statement.

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 the 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 the time of the 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.

Cost

The visa extension is free and will occur automatically. You do not need to contact the Department.

The visa extension will include family members 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 open on 1 July 2022.

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

See more about the​COVID-19 Temporary Graduate replacement stream visa.