COVID-19 concessions for offshore temporary graduate visa holders (subclass 485)

On 25 November 2021, two announcements were released for COVID-19 concessions for offshore temporary graduate visa holders. The key points are highlighted below for your reference. You can also find the detail from the two announcements here and here. The following concessions will be implemented from 1 December 2021.

• Subclass 485 visa holders who have been unable to travel to Australia as a result of COVID-19 international border restrictions will be able to apply for a replacement visa.
• The stay period on the Subclass 485 visa for Masters by Coursework graduates will increase from two to three years.
• The stay period on the Subclass 485 visa Graduate Work stream will increase from 18 to 24 months, and starting 1 July 2022, application requirements will be streamlined by removing the requirement for graduates to nominate an occupation from the skills occupation list.