Subclass 485 Second PHEW Visa: Two Years for Hobart Graduates

Higher education graduates who studied and lived in Hobart may now be able to access a two-year Subclass 485 Second Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) visa, rather than the one-year grant that previously applied. The Department has updated its procedural instructions to this effect, and the change is in force, aligning Hobart with other eligible regional areas across Australia.

What has changed for Hobart graduates

The Department has updated the procedural instructions for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. Higher education graduates who studied and resided in Hobart or surrounding-area postcodes may now be eligible for a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa with a two-year validity period.

Previously, graduates who relied on Hobart and surrounding postcodes to satisfy the Second PHEW requirements were granted only a one-year Temporary Graduate visa. The revised instructions increase that grant period to two years for the same cohort, without changing the underlying eligibility criteria.

Why the change matters

This update brings Hobart into line with other eligible regional areas that already qualify for a longer post-study work period. In practical terms, all higher education graduates who use Tasmanian postcodes to meet the Second PHEW criteria may now be granted a two-year Second Subclass 485 visa.

For affected graduates, the extra year of work rights is significant. A longer visa provides more time to build skilled Australian work experience, which can strengthen a later application for a skilled or employer-sponsored visa. It also gives Tasmanian employers a longer and more certain horizon when offering graduate roles, which supports retention of skilled talent in the region.

The Second PHEW stream in context

The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream is available to graduates who already held a first Subclass 485 visa and who continued to study and reside in an eligible regional area. The length of the second grant depends on the regional category of the postcodes used to meet the criteria.

Hobart is treated as a city and major regional centre for these purposes, alongside places such as Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong and Geelong. Graduates in those centres have been able to access a two-year second grant, and the updated instructions confirm the same treatment for Hobart. You can check whether a specific location qualifies using the Department’s designated regional area postcodes list and its guidance on eligible regional areas.

What graduates should keep in mind

Eligibility for the Second PHEW stream turns on both where you studied and where you lived. Graduates considering this pathway should keep clear evidence of their study location and their residence in the relevant postcodes, as these are central to the assessment.

A few practical points are worth planning around:

• Timing. Your Second PHEW application must be made while your circumstances still meet the stream requirements, so it is worth confirming the sequence before your first visa nears expiry.
• Residence evidence. Leases, utility accounts, employment records and enrolment documents that show a Hobart or surrounding-area address all help establish the postcode requirement.
• Study level. The Post-Higher Education Work stream applies to higher education graduates. Graduates of vocational qualifications fall under a different stream with its own rules.

Status of the procedural instructions

The Subclass 485 procedural instructions containing this information are published on LEGENDcom, the Department’s subscription legal database. The update reflects changes to the program from 1 July 2024 onwards and is in force.

Procedural instructions can change over time, so applicants should confirm the current position before lodging. Visa Plan Lawyers advises graduates on how the latest instructions apply to their individual circumstances and can confirm whether the two-year grant is available in a given case.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Subclass 485 Second PHEW visa for Hobart graduates? Graduates who use Hobart or surrounding postcodes to meet the Second PHEW criteria may now be granted a two-year visa, up from one year.

Who qualifies for the Second PHEW stream in Tasmania? The stream is for higher education graduates who studied and resided in eligible regional postcodes. Hobart and surrounding-area postcodes now count towards a two-year grant.

Do I need a first Subclass 485 visa before applying for the Second PHEW stream? Yes. The stream is for graduates who already hold or held a first Subclass 485 visa in the relevant stream and who continued to live and study in an eligible regional area.

Speak with Visa Plan Lawyers

If you are a Hobart graduate weighing your options under the Subclass 485 program, Visa Plan Lawyers can assess your eligibility and guide your application from start to finish. Learn more about our skilled visa services or read our guide to temporary graduate visas.