The 2-Year Australian Study Requirement: A Guide for 485 Visa Applicants
As an immigration lawyer with 32 years of legal experience, I've seen many aspiring professionals successfully navigate the path to living and working in Australia. One of the most common pathways is the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which allows international students to remain in Australia to live, study, or work after they have finished their studies. A critical component of this visa is the Australian Study Requirement, often referred to as the two-year study rule. In this guide, I'll break down exactly what this requirement entails, clarify common points of confusion, and offer practical advice to ensure you meet the criteria for your 485 visa application in 2026.
The Australian Study Requirement (ASR) is a key criterion for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). In essence, it requires that you have completed a certain amount of study in Australia. The core of the requirement is defined in the Migration Regulations 1994, specifically under Regulation 1.15F. It's not as simple as just studying for two years; the regulations have specific details that every applicant must meet.