The Australian study requirement (ASR) is a foundational criterion for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). It requires that an applicant has completed at least 16 calendar months of study in a CRICOS-registered course in Australia, and that they apply for the 485 within 6 months of completing the qualifying course. Study completed outside Australia — including offshore online study — does not count. The ASR applies to all 485 streams, but the additional requirements (type of degree, age limit, occupation list) vary by stream. From 1 July 2024, the 485 program was restructured with new age limits and priority processing for applicants who studied at certain Australian institutions. This page explains what counts as qualifying study, the recency window, the CRICOS registration requirement, and the 2024 changes to the 485 program structure.

For current ASR requirements and stream details, refer to the DHA Australian study requirement page and the Temporary Graduate visa page.

• Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2, Subclass 485 criteria — the primary criteria for the Temporary Graduate visa include the ASR; the specific criteria vary by stream within the 485
• Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2, clause 485.212 (ASR) — the applicant must have completed at least 16 calendar months of a registered course in Australia and must have lodged the application within 6 months of completion
• ESOS Act 2000 — CRICOS registration is the basis for the "registered course" requirement in the ASR
• DHA: Meeting the Australian study requirement — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/485-asr
• DHA: Changes to the 485 program from 1 July 2024 — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/485-changes

The four elements of the ASR

The Australian study requirement has four key elements, all of which must be satisfied:

1. At least 16 calendar months of study: the total duration of qualifying study must be at least 16 calendar months — this is measured in calendar months, not academic terms or credit points; full-time and part-time study both count provided the other elements are met
2. CRICOS-registered course: the study must be in a course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS); courses at non-CRICOS institutions do not count
3. Physically in Australia: the study must be completed in Australia — study completed offshore (including online study done from outside Australia) does not count towards the 16-month minimum; the requirement specifically ties the study to physical presence in Australia
4. Application within 6 months of completing the course: the 485 application must be lodged within 6 months of the date the applicant completed the qualifying course; an application lodged more than 6 months after completion will not meet the recency requirement unless a different base course is used

What counts as qualifying study

Not all courses count equally toward the ASR. Key points:

• The study must be in an eligible registered course — for the Post-Higher Education Work stream, this means a bachelor degree, honours degree, masters degree, or doctoral degree; for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, it means an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, or trade qualification in an eligible occupation
• English language courses: for the Post-Higher Education Work stream, up to 8 calendar months of ELICOS (English language) study can count towards the 16-month total if it was completed as part of or connected to the main qualifying course
• Pre-qualifying courses: foundation years and other preparatory courses may count if they were undertaken as a package with the main qualifying degree course — the rules on this are specific and applicants should verify with DHA
• Multiple courses: study across multiple courses at one or more CRICOS institutions can be aggregated to reach the 16-month total, provided each course meets the other requirements

485 streams and ASR interaction (post-1 July 2024)

From 1 July 2024, the Temporary Graduate visa program was restructured. The current streams (each requiring the ASR) are:

• Post-Higher Education Work stream: for bachelor, masters, and doctoral degree graduates from Australian institutions; visa duration depends on qualification level and institution; age limit of 35 for bachelor degree graduates, 50 for higher degree research graduates
• Second Post-Higher Education Work stream: a second 485 opportunity for graduates who have held a prior 485 in the Post-Higher Education Work stream
• Post-Vocational Education Work stream: for graduates of vocational qualifications (diplomas, trade certificates) in eligible occupations; requires a relevant skills assessment in addition to the ASR
• Second Post-Study Work stream: for holders of prior 485 visas in the Post-Study Work stream (a pre-July 2024 stream)

Priority processing was introduced for graduates of regional Australian institutions and high-performing research universities — the institution attended affects both processing priority and, in some streams, the visa duration.

Timing and recency

The 6-month recency window is strictly applied. Students who intend to apply for a 485 after graduation should:

• Monitor their course completion date carefully — the 6-month window begins from the date the course requirements are completed (which may precede the formal graduation ceremony)
• Ensure their student visa remains valid to lodge the 485 application — or that they are on valid implied status if their student visa has expired during the course completion period
• Lodge the 485 application as early as possible within the 6-month window to maximise processing time

For current 485 stream details, visa durations, and ASR verification requirements, refer to the DHA Temporary Graduate visa page.

The ASR creates a strong tie between the student visa and the graduate visa pathways — students who study primarily offshore (such as those who transitioned to online study from overseas during COVID periods) may find their 16-month count reduced by any offshore study periods. DHA has published guidance on COVID-era concessions for study completed offshore, but applicants should verify whether any such concessions still apply for their situation. The 1 July 2024 restructuring of the 485 program was the most significant change to post-study work rights in Australia for many years — it introduced age limits, prioritised regional and high-performing research institutions, and changed the duration of visa grants depending on institution type. International students planning their pathway to a 485 should verify current stream requirements before choosing their institution and course. For current ASR requirements and the updated 485 stream criteria, refer to the DHA ASR page.