Update (October 2026)
The COVID-19 concession period ended on 25 November 2023. Online study completed outside Australia during the concession period, while holding a student visa, can still count towards the Australian study requirement, but study online from outside Australia after that date does not. 485 applications must now be lodged in Australia; see our 485 visa page.
In the effort of containing Covid19 pandemic, Australian Government has placed restrictions on travelling to Australia since March 2020. This has severely affected thousands of international students who are stuck outside Australia. This raises a great concern among students, as whether they can meet the Australian Study Requirement if they study online offshore.
Related:
- Travel Restrictions To Australia Affecting International Education
- Covid-19 And Support For International Students In Australia
- Covid-19 Concessions For Employer-Sponsored Visas (Sc457-482 And 186-187)
- Covid-19 Concessions For 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas
- Covid-19 Concessions For Business Visas
The factor that attracts many students to come and study in Australia is the pathway to apply for Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) after completing their courses. This visa allows students to live in Australia for a period up to 4 years (or 5 years for Hongkong citizens) to work and earn more experience onshore. Students usually use this period of time to increase their points (for General Skilled Migration) and ultimately achieve their PR’s goals.
One of the requirements of the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is that the applicants meet the Australian Study Requirement, as below:
- Students have completed 1 or more CRICOS-registered course(s)
- The study was in English
- Students completed course(s) as a result of a total of at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) study
- Students need to be physically in Australia for at least 16 calendar months to complete the study, while holding a visa allowing students to study in Australia
The travel restrictions during Covid19 had caused the requirement (4) above impossible to meet by international students. Although the Department of Home Affairs is still granting student visas for offshore students, they are not allowed, and not subject to travel exemption, to travel to Australia until the border is open. Universities and educational institutes have adapted to the situation by swtiching to online study to accommodate students who are restrained offshore.
Under the temporary amendment to this requirement, students who were studying offshore on an Australian visa authorising the applicant to study and not permitted to travel to Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic will be allowed an unlimited amount of offshore online study to count towards the Australian study requirement. This flexibility will remain in place as long as COVID-19 impacts remain.
Noticeably, the offshore online study is only counted if students are holding a valid Australian visa allowing students to study (such as student visas). It means that if students study online while they are not having any visas, that period of time will not be counted.
This amendment will remain in effect until the pandemic is controlled and travel ban is uplifted. Students, therefore, should arrange their arrival to Australia immediately when possible to meet this important requirement.
What this means in 2026
The online study concession helped students who were locked out of Australia during the border closures. It ended on 25 November 2023. Online study you completed outside Australia during the concession period, while holding a student visa, can still count, but any study after that date must be done in Australia to count towards the Australian study requirement. The 485 visa itself was also restructured on 1 July 2024.
| 485 requirement | Rule in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Australian study requirement | At least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of CRICOS registered study completed in Australia |
| Where you apply | In Australia, within 6 months of completing your course |
| Age | Under 35 for most applicants (under 50 for Masters by research and PhD graduates) |
| English | IELTS 6.5 overall or an equivalent test score |
| Streams | Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work |
| Government charge | AUD 5,750 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026 |
Does online study I did from overseas in 2021 still count?
Yes, if you completed it during the concession period while holding a student visa. It counts towards the Australian study requirement in the same way as study in Australia.
I am studying online from overseas now. Will it count?
No. Study completed outside Australia after 25 November 2023 does not count towards the Australian study requirement, so you need to finish enough of your course in Australia.
Can I lodge my 485 visa from outside Australia?
No. Since the concession ended you must be in Australia when you lodge, and you need to apply within 6 months of completing your course.
Next steps: check how many weeks of your study were completed in Australia, take your English test early, and lodge your 485 before your student visa ends. If most of your course was completed online outside Australia after the concession ended, you may need further study in Australia, or a different pathway such as a skilled or employer sponsored visa. See our 485 visa guide for full details.
Phu Vu Minh
Education Consultant
If you would like to discuss your matter or have questions on the above please book a consultation here.
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Australian Migration News: October 2026 Update
Student visa changes from 2 October 2026
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