Two Year Study Requirement for Skilled Migration

Two Year Study Requirement for Skilled Migration

International students who complete qualifications requiring at least two years of study in Australia can earn extra points for skilled migration and may also qualify for a Graduate Temporary Subclass 485 Visa.

Benefits of Studying in Australia

  1. Extra Points for Skilled Migration:
    • 5 points for meeting the two-year study requirement.
    • 5 additional points if the study was completed in a regional area.
    • 5 additional points for completing a professional year in Australia.
  2. Graduate Temporary Subclass 485 Visa:
    • Students may be eligible for this visa, which allows them to stay in Australia for 18 months to 4 years, depending on their qualification. It offers full work rights and can help accumulate more points for skilled migration.
  3. Recognised Qualifications:
    • Australian qualifications are more likely to be recognized for skills assessments, a requirement for applying for skilled migration.

Australian Study Requirement

To meet the two-year “Australian Study Requirement,” students must fulfill the following criteria:

  • Type of Qualification: Complete a degree, diploma, or trade qualification. This includes master’s degrees, graduate diplomas, and PhDs.
  • CRICOS Registration: Courses must be listed on the CRICOS register. If a course or institution is deregistered before completion, it may not qualify.
  • Duration of Study: The study must last at least 92 weeks according to CRICOS registration, with a minimum 16-month duration from the start to the completion of the course.
  • Medium of Instruction: All courses must be taught in English. Exceptions may apply for translation or interpreting qualifications.
  • Compliance with Visa Conditions: The study must comply with the visa conditions. This typically isn’t an issue for those on a student visa but could be problematic if on a visa with restricted study rights.

Application Time Limit

Students applying for the Graduate Temporary Subclass 485 Visa must do so within six months of completing their qualifications. Consider the following:

  • The completion date is the date when final results are notified, not the graduation date.
  • Most student visas expire shortly after studies are completed, necessitating a visa application before expiration.
  • Points for Australian study can still be claimed if more than six months have passed since completion.

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)

If prior learning from overseas is recognized by an Australian institution, the time credited for this cannot be used to meet the Australian Study Requirement.

PSW Stream and Closely Related Qualifications

Qualifications that are not closely related to the nominated occupation include cases where:

  • The qualification differs from the nominated skilled occupation (e.g., completing a Bachelor of Commerce when applying as a Registered Nurse).
  • The skills level obtained in prior study is inconsistent with the occupation’s skill level.

Examples:

  1. An applicant with a Certificate III in Furniture Making and a Master of Information Technology might not qualify if applying as a Carpenter.
  2. An applicant who studied accounting but whose degree focus was French Studies and International Business may not have qualifications closely related to the role of an accountant.

Courses such as enabling or bridging programs that are prerequisites to a degree, diploma, or trade qualification, including non-award or ELICOS courses, do not count towards the Australian study requirement.

Acceptable Combinations of Study and Nominated Occupation:

  • A Biomedical Engineer who completed a Bachelor and Master of Engineering in Australia.
  • A Construction Project Manager with an Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction.
  • An Automotive Electrician with a Certificate III in Automotive (Electrical) and a Certificate IV in Automotive Technology.
  • An Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber with a Certificate III in Plumbing and a Diploma of Plumbing and Services.

Skills Assessment for Overseas Qualifications

A positive skills assessment from a relevant assessing body is required for the Graduate Work Stream, regardless of whether the qualification was completed in Australia or overseas. However, applicants must still meet the Australian Study Requirement in a field closely related to their nominated occupation.

Updates on Subclass 485 Visas and Online Study

From 25 November 2023, the requirements for online study have returned to pre-COVID settings. However, online study during the COVID concession period (1 February 2020 to 25 November 2023) will still count toward the Australian Study Requirement. Students were expected to return to in-person study by July 2023.

As of 25 November 2023, the Subclass 485 Visa can now be granted regardless of the applicant’s location at the time of the grant.

VisaEnvoy’s Expertise

VisaEnvoy Immigration specializes in helping international students navigate complex issues related to applying for permanent residence after completing their studies. We can assist with choosing the best application pathway, ensuring the two-year study requirement is met, and submitting applications on time, even under tight deadlines.