With an intention to encourage international students to study, live and work in regional Australia, the government has made an announcement that people who are already a part of Regional Australia, will be entitled to an additional period of Post Study Work visa.
International students who have a recent degree with 2 academic year’s in a CRICOS registered course, i.e. 92 weeks that contributes towards 1 or more degrees are generally entitled with 2 years of Post Study Work Visa (Subclass 485), after meeting few mandatory conditions. This visa lets a recent graduate to stay, work and study in Australia for 2 years with only Condition: 8501- Maintain adequate health insurance.
However, according to the newly introduced rule effective from January 20th, 2021, people contributing to regional Australia will be benefited with additional 1 to 2 years of Post Study Work visa depending on whether they are living in Category 2 or Category 3 regional areas respectively.
One year or Two Years ???
- People who graduated from Category 2 Regional Areas and continued living in at least Category 2 regional areas will be eligible to apply for 1 more year of their TR visa.
- People who graduated from Category 3 Regional Areas and continued living in Category 3 Regional Areas of the country will be eligible to apply for additional 2 years of their TR visa.
Post codes and areas in Category 1, Category 2 and Category 3:
State or Territory |
Category 1OrMajor Cities |
Category 2OrCities and major regional centres |
Category 3OrRegional centres and other regional areas |
NSW |
Sydney | 2259,
2264 to 2308, 2500 to 2526, 2528 to 2535 and 2574 |
2250 to 2258,
2260 to 2263, 2311 to 2490, 2527, 2536 to 2551, 2575 to 2739, 2753 to 2754, 2756 to 2758 and 2773 to 2898 |
Victoria |
Melbourne | 3211 to 3232, 3235, 3240, 3328, 3330 to 3333, 3340 and 3342
|
3097 to 3099, 3139,
3233 to 3234, 3236 to 3239, 3241 to 3325, 3329, 3334, 3341, 3345 to 3424, 3430 to 3799, 3809 to 3909, 3912 to 3971 and 3978 to 3996 |
Queensland |
Brisbane | 4207 to 4275,
4517 to 4519, 4550 to 4551, 4553 to 4562, 4564 to 4569 And 4571 to 4575
|
4124 to 4125, 4133,
4183 to 4184, 4280 to 4287, 4306 to 4498, 4507, 4552, 4563, 4570 and 4580 to 4895 |
Western Australia |
– | 6000 to 6038,
6050 to 6083, 6090 to 6182, 6208 to 6211, 6214 and 6556 to 6558
|
All postcodes in Western Australia not mentioned in ‘Cities and major regional centres’ category above |
South Australia |
– | 5000 to 5171,
5173 to 5174, 5231 to 5235, 5240 to 5252, 5351 And 5950 to 5960
|
All postcodes in South Australia not mentioned in ‘Cities and major regional centres’ category above |
Tasmania |
– | 7000,
7004 to 7026, 7030 to 7109, 7140 to 7151 And 7170 to 7177
|
All postcodes in Tasmania not mentioned in ‘Cities and major regional centres’ category. |
ACT |
– | All postcodes in the Australian Capital Territory | None |
Northern Territory |
– | None | All postcodes in the Northern Territory |
Norfolk Island |
– | None | All postcodes in the Norfolk Island |
Other Territories |
– | None | All postcodes in a Territory other than the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory or Norfolk Island |
For detail information about the regions:
Additional condition to apply for additional year of PSW:
- Should have studied and lived in designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying the visa.
- The applicant and the dependent family members should stay and work in Designated Regional Area.
Who cannot apply for additional period of Temporary Graduate Visa ???
People who are in Graduate Work Stream Visa (Subclass 485) are excluded from this amendment.
Graduate Work Stream Visa: This visa is valid for 18 months. This visa is granted to an international student who has completed 2 academic years or more in Australia. Furthermore, before applying for this visa, you have to have a skilled assessment in an occupation that is closely related to your degree, and the occupation is included as a Medium and Long-term strategic skills list (MLTSSL) of the country.
Canberra is included as Category 2 Regional Area
For more information and regular updates in Education and Migration related issues, please follow us on our:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NewStarsACT
TikTok: @newstarsact; Youtube:http://bit.ly/newstarsact
Or visit our office at: Suit 3, Level 4, 11 London Circuit, Canberra, ACT.
