The Migration Amendment (Temporary Graduate Visa Reform) Regulations 2026 were made and registered on 12 November 2026, and commenced on 13 November 2026. Under Schedule 13, clause 17001, they apply to Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) applications made on or after 13 November 2026. Applications made before 13 November 2026 are outside the amendments.
The instrument changes how family members can be included in a Subclass 485 application, sets out where primary applicants must be when they apply, and makes further amendments to the Temporary Graduate visa rules.
Family members must apply at the same time as, and combined with, the primary applicant
For a Subclass 485 application made on or after 13 November 2026, a secondary applicant — a family member of the primary applicant — must apply at the same time as, and combined with, the primary applicant. Separate later applications by family members, often called subsequent entrant applications, are no longer possible. The visa application charge provisions for those separate applications have been repealed.
A secondary applicant may be in or outside Australia when applying, but not in immigration clearance.
Who can be included as a family member
A secondary applicant can apply only if at least one of the following applies.
The primary applicant holds a passport of a Pacific-regional country, or of a country listed in subitem 1222(5A): Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam.
The primary applicant's most recent student visa was granted in relation to a doctoral degree that has been completed.
The primary applicant's most recent student visa was granted in relation to one or more courses of study, each of which was fully funded by a foreign government.
The secondary applicant is the primary applicant's child, and was born after the primary applicant's most recent student visa or Subclass 485 visa was granted.
The secondary applicant holds a student visa as a family member of the same primary applicant, or held a student visa as a family member of the same primary applicant on 2 October 2026, or at any time in the six months ending immediately before the day the application is made.
The secondary applicant holds a Subclass 485 visa as a family member of the same primary applicant, or held a Subclass 485 visa as a family member of the same primary applicant at any time in the six months ending immediately before the day the application is made. The 2 October 2026 date does not apply to this option.
An application that does not meet these criteria is invalid.
Family members who apply in Australia
A secondary applicant who is in Australia at the time of application must meet one of the requirements in subitem 1229(4A).
They hold a substantive visa.
They hold a Bridging A or Bridging B visa granted on the basis of a valid application.
Or the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) set aside and substituted the Minister's decision not to revoke the cancellation of their student visa, and they have been taken to have been notified of the ART's decision (or, for a decision not given orally, taken to have received notification of it) not more than 28 days before the day the application is made.
The ART pathway does not require the secondary applicant to hold a visa.
Primary applicants must be in Australia when they apply
Primary applicants must be in Australia, and not in immigration clearance, when they apply. They must also meet the requirements in subitem 1229(4), now through paragraph 1229(3)(g).
Primary applicants under 18
Primary applicants who are under 18 must meet public interest criteria 4017 and 4018.
Replacement stream and English language
Some Replacement stream provisions have been removed, and some references to that stream remain. The English exemption for applicants who meet clauses 485.232, 485.233, 485.234 or 485.235 is kept.
If you are preparing a Subclass 485 application, or you plan to include family members, it is worth checking these rules against your circumstances before you lodge.
See our page on the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) and our study and graduate visa overview. You can also browse our other recent migration updates. Our article on why you should use a registered migration agent explains more if you are getting help with an application.
Official sources
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General information only, not legal advice. EMC Australia, MARN 1800335.
Book a Consultation
General information only, not legal advice. EMC Australia, MARN 1800335.