How long do I need to study in Australia to be eligible for a post-study work visa?
You need at least 2 academic years, roughly 92 weeks of registered study, in Australia to meet the standard requirement for the Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485. A 1 year course usually does not qualify alone, while a 2 year master's, 3 year bachelor's, or PhD does.
Your eligibility for Australia's post study work visa depends mainly on completing an eligible qualification of the right length, not on studying for a fixed minimum number of years by itself. Here is how course length typically maps to eligibility.
Course Length vs Visa Eligibility
| Course Type | Typically Meets the 485 Study Requirement? |
|---|---|
| 1 year standalone course | Usually not enough on its own |
| 2 year master's | Yes |
| 3 year bachelor's | Yes |
| Master's by research | Yes, and can lead to a 3 year visa |
| PhD | Yes, and can lead to a 4 year visa |
How Long You Can Then Stay and Work
Once you meet the study requirement, the length of your post study work visa depends on your qualification level: typically 2 years after a bachelor's degree, 3 years after a master's by research, and 4 years after a doctoral degree. Under the Australia India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, eligible Indian graduates with first class honours in a STEM or ICT bachelor's can qualify for 3 years instead of 2. Since 1 July 2023, graduates in certain skill shortage occupations became eligible for an extra 2 years on top of these base periods.
My Advice
Do not choose a 1 year course purely because it is cheaper if your main goal is post study work rights, since it is unlikely to meet the 92 week requirement on its own. Ask your university to confirm in writing that your specific course and its registered duration meet the Australian study requirement before you enrol, since course structures do change between intakes.
How long can you stay and work after an Australian master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
More Post-study work questions
- Is Germany the best first priority country for my course and career scope for a Master's?
- What are the career prospects in Singapore after completing an MPH at NUS as an Indian student?
- Which Master's programs in Europe would be most suitable for someone with a B.Com (69%) and MBA (70%), given my interest in management-focused roles and lack of extensive work experience?
- Which master's course suits a Supply Chain Management graduate planning to study in Canada?
- Which is more suitable for my son's master's education: Dubai or the USA, considering cost, location, program variety, post-study work options, and pathways to permanent residency?
- Which country is more suitable for a Computer Science master's student who prioritizes lower costs and a strong job market, Germany or Ireland?
- After completing my studies, can I stay back in Ireland and apply for permanent residency for a Master's/Bachelor's?
- Can an Indian student get a job in Germany after a master's without prior work experience, especially with good German skills?
More Australia questions
- What are the options for pursuing a master's in psychology or clinical psychology given my bachelor's background in biology in Australia/Canada?
- Can I apply for a master's program in Australia immediately after completing my bachelor's at age 25?
- How does the show money requirement work for Australia visa applications?
- Will freelancing work experience be considered as a gap or as valid work experience for admissions in Ireland/Australia for a Master's?
- What are the visa application chances and procedures for USA compared to Australia?
- Have you discussed your abroad education plan with your parents in UK/Australia?
- Is it better to apply for UK or consider other countries for my master's in business analytics in Australia/Canada?
- Which universities in Australia offer MS International Business for a B.Tech Product Design Engineering graduate and IELTS 7.5?