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Australia Study Timeline and Checklists

Last Updated - Oct 08, 2026

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Master action timeline and checklists

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Work backwards from your intake (Planning backwards from your target intake), and put the 485 English retest and skills assessment in your calendar from the first semester.


 

Master timeline

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WhenActions
10-12 months beforeShortlist courses and universities; check the occupation, assessing authority and visa lists for your target role; start a traceable funds history; book English test
8-9 months beforeApply to universities; apply for university scholarships (Australia Awards and Destination Australia are not available to new Indian applicants) (DFAT)
4-6 months beforeAccept offer, pay deposit, receive CoE; lodge student visa with full EL3 evidence
1-2 months beforeOSHC, temporary accommodation, flights
Month 1 in AustraliaTFN, bank account, OSHC card, student ID, rental search (Australian citizenship)
During the courseInternships, portfolio, professional society; track state nomination criteria; check provider and visa rule changes each 1 July
Final semesterSkills assessment; English retest (IELTS 6.5, no band below 5.5, within 12 months); apply for 485 within 6 months of completion; lodge EOI if eligible (Home Affairs)
During the 485Build skilled experience; pursue nomination or sponsorship; monitor the points-test rewrite
OngoingTrack residence toward citizenship (Australian citizenship), knowing India does not allow dual citizenship

Pre-departure document checklist

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  • [ ] Passport and visa grant notice
  • [ ] CoE and offer letter
  • [ ] GS answers and supporting evidence
  • [ ] Financial evidence with history (Financial evidence checklist for Indian applicants)
  • [ ] OSHC certificate
  • [ ] Academic transcripts and certificates
  • [ ] English test result
  • [ ] Temporary accommodation booking

First 30 days in Australia

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  • [ ] TFN application
  • [ ] Bank account
  • [ ] OSHC card and app
  • [ ] University enrolment and student ID
  • [ ] Transport card
  • [ ] Lease signed and bond lodgement receipt

First 90 days career checklist

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  • [ ] Australian résumé and LinkedIn
  • [ ] Career-services registration
  • [ ] Professional association membership
  • [ ] First internship or job applications
  • [ ] Networking calendar
  • [ ] Skills and certification plan
  • [ ] Target-employer list

Final-semester migration checklist

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  • [ ] Skills assessment eligibility and timing
  • [ ] English score within 12 months of 485 lodgement
  • [ ] Occupation code confirmed
  • [ ] State nomination settings checked
  • [ ] EOI points calculated
  • [ ] Employer sponsorship options
  • [ ] 485 eligibility, stream and age
  • [ ] Evidence of Australian study and employment

What to do if the original plan stops working

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Course change · provider change · career pivot · different state · regional move · employer sponsorship · further study only where genuinely justified (and remembering 485 holders cannot apply for a student visa onshore) · return to India or another country.