The Australian Study Requirement for Subclass 485 Visa: Everything You Need to Know (2026 Guide)

Leading Edge
2 days ago
5 min read

Subclass 485 Visa
Temporary Graduate Visa
Migration Agent Perth

Are you an international student nearing the end of your degree or trade qualification in Australia? The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa is your golden ticket to gaining local work experience, but there is one non-negotiable hurdle you must clear first: the Australian Study Requirement (ASR).

In 2026, the rules around the 485 visa have become more streamlined, but the technicalities of the ASR remain a common cause for visa refusals. At Leading Edge Migration, we want to ensure your transition from student to professional is seamless.

Here is the ultimate breakdown of the Australian Study Requirement.

What is the Australian Study Requirement?

To satisfy the ASR, you must have completed a course (or multiple courses) that meets three specific criteria:

The 92-Week Rule: Your course must be CRICOS-registered for at least 92 weeks of study.
The 16-Month Rule: You must have been physically in Australia for at least 16 calendar months to complete that study.
The 6-Month Deadline: You must apply for the 485 visa within 6 months of your official "Course Completion Date."

1. The 92-Week Rule: CRICOS is King

A common mistake students make is thinking the ASR is based on how long they took to finish the course. In reality, it is based on the CRICOS registered duration.

If you fast-track a 2-year (92-week) degree and finish it in 78 weeks, you still meet the requirement because the course is registered for 92 weeks.
If you take 2 years to finish a 1.5-year (78-week) course due to failing units or taking a break, you do not meet the requirement.

Pro Tip: If your master's degree is only 78 weeks (1.5 years), you may need to "top it up" with a related Graduate Diploma to hit that 92-week mark.

2. The 16-Month Rule: Physical Presence

Even if your course is registered for 92 weeks, you must physically spend at least 16 calendar months in Australia while studying.

With the post-COVID return to normal regulations in 2026, online study conducted while you were offshore no longer counts toward this 16-month period. If you spent a significant portion of your degree studying remotely from your home country, you must ensure your time spent onshore still hits the 16-month minimum.

3. Eligible Qualifications in 2026

Not every certificate meets the ASR for a 485 visa. Depending on your stream, your qualification must be:

A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree.
A Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Trade Qualification (only for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream).

Crucial Update for 2026:

As of recent 2024/2025 reforms, standalone Graduate Certificates generally do not meet the study requirement on their own. However, a Graduate Diploma can count if it is closely related to your degree and completed within the same or next academic year.

Summary Table: 485 Visa Streams & Durations (2026)

Visa Stream	Qualification Level	Standard Visa Stay
Post-Vocational Education	Diploma / Trade Qual	18 Months
Post-Higher Education	Bachelor / Master (Coursework)	2 Years
Post-Higher Education	Master (Research) / PhD	3 Years
Second Post-Higher Education	Study/Living in a Regional Area	+1 to 2 Years

Note: Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders may be eligible for a 5-year stay. Indian passport holders completing Master (Coursework) are eligible for 3 years stay.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

The "Credit" Trap: If you receive "credits" for prior learning (especially from overseas study), those weeks are deducted from your total. If your 92-week degree becomes 70 weeks after credits, you will fail the ASR.
The 6-Month Clock: The 6 months start from the date on your Completion Letter, not your graduation ceremony.
English & Health Insurance: You must have your English test results (IELTS/PTE) and Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) ready on the day you lodge. In 2026, English tests must be no more than 12 months old.

How Leading Edge Migration Can Help

Calculating ASR weeks and matching them to the correct 485 stream can be a mathematical headache. One wrong calculation can lead to a visa refusal and the loss of your application fee (upwards of $2,300).

Our experts at Leading Edge Migration will:

Audit your transcripts and completion letters.
Calculate your CRICOS weeks to ensure you hit the 92-week threshold.
Manage the transition from a Student (Subclass 500) to a Graduate (Subclass 485) visa seamlessly.

Don’t Risk Your Future in Australia

A 485 refusal can lead to a Section 48 bar, preventing you from applying for other visas onshore. Our Perth-based migration specialists ensure every pillar of your application is audit-proof.

Get Your 485 Eligibility Check Today Speak with our experts to confirm your stream, English scores, and document readiness before you lodge.

📞 Call us: 08 9221 8472

📩 Email: info@leadingedgemigration.com.au

Frequently Asked Questions: The Australian Study Requirement

Meeting the Australian Study Requirement (ASR) is the cornerstone of a successful Subclass 485 visa application. To help you avoid common pitfalls, here are the answers to the most frequent questions we receive at Leading Edge Migration.

1. What exactly is the "92-week rule"?

To satisfy the ASR, your course must be registered on CRICOS for at least 92 weeks. It’s important to note that this is based on the registered duration of the course, not how long it actually took you to finish. If you fast-track a 2-year course into 1.5 years, you still meet the 92-week requirement because the course is registered for 92 weeks.

2. What is the "16-month rule," and how is it different?

While the course must be registered for 92 weeks, you must also have been physically present in Australia for at least 16 calendar months of study. This clock starts from the beginning of your first semester and ends on the date you complete your final academic requirements.

3. Does my graduation ceremony date count as my "completion date"?

No. This is one of the most common reasons for visa refusal. Your 6-month window to apply for the 485 visa starts from the date on your official Completion Letter (the day you met all academic requirements), not the day you walk across the stage at graduation.

4. Can I combine two different courses to meet the 92-week requirement?

Yes, you can. For example, you could combine a 1-year Graduate Diploma with a 1-year Master’s degree. However, in 2026, the rules are stricter:

The courses must be at an eligible level (Bachelor, Master, or PhD for the Post-Higher Education stream).
If you are using a Graduate Diploma, it must generally be closely related to your previous degree and commenced shortly after.

5. Do "credits" from previous study count towards the 92 weeks?

If you received "Credit for Prior Learning" (exemptions), those weeks might not count toward the 92-week requirement.

Warning: If your exemptions reduce your actual study in Australia to below 92 CRICOS weeks or 16 calendar months, you may become ineligible for the 485 visa. Always check with a migration agent before accepting credits!

6. Does online study count toward the Australian Study Requirement?

As of late 2023 and into 2026, the COVID-era concessions have ended. To meet the ASR now, your study must be conducted on-campus in Australia. Online study undertaken while you were outside of Australia generally does not count toward the 92-week or 16-month requirement.

7. What if my course was only 1.5 years (78 weeks)?

A standard 1.5-year Master’s degree (78 weeks) does not meet the Australian Study Requirement on its own. You would need to complete additional eligible study to bring your total registered duration up to at least 92 weeks.

Don’t let a calculation error cost you your future in Australia. The 485 visa is a "one-shot" opportunity—if you apply and don't meet the ASR, you usually cannot apply again. Contact Leading Edge Migration for a professional audit of your study history to ensure you hit the 92-week and 16-month benchmarks perfectly.