Provided Mr TE and I have clocked up the 2 years living in a regional post code in our sponsored state and have 12 months of 35 hours a week employment proof (in our regional area) do we actually need to be in the country for the final 3rd year of our 475?
(should we choose not to apply for the 887 PR after the 2 year period)

Another option - if we choose not to apply for the 887 until the end of the 3rd year but wish to live/work in a non-regional post code would that be possible?

Thanks guys.

hi

You must have lived for at least two years in a Specified Regional Area before lodging your visa application. To apply for this visa you must have worked for one year in a Specified Regional Area.

So you can apply for the 887 PR after the 2 years and you must be in australia at the time grant 887.

Thanks. I am wondering about not applying for the PR until the 3rd year however (for a variety of reasons) and whether there are restrictions on how we can use the 3rd year of our 475 prior to the 887 application.

I did not find any restrictions but its better to stay with the same restrictions as you got on 475. why i am telling you this is Once you apply for 887 you will be granting a Bridging Visa witch is having same restrictions that you had on 475 and its wave off when you get 887.

So you think we could be out of Australia for most of the 3rd year of the 475 - done the living regionally and the work requirements - then come back in to Oz and apply for the 887 ?

The visa label in your passport could give a clue.

Logically I would expect it to have a 3 year expiry period but allowing unlimited travel.

However, what does it actually say?

'must live work or study in regional area'
'multiple travel'
'permitted to remain in Australia for 3 years from date of first entry of applicant'

I think spending most of that 3rd year away should in theory be okay as we will still have fulfilled the requirements for PR.

It all seems to add up to the fact it should be okay.

However theory doesn't always hold the hand of logic so it would still be nice to get a confirmation on it from another source wouldn't it?