The Short Answer First
If you are comparing one-year and two-year master’s degrees in Australia, the CRICOS duration is the first thing to check, not the calendar length of the course. The Australian study requirement for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa generally means at least two academic years, or 92 CRICOS weeks, completed in Australia over at least 16 calendar months, in English. A one-year master’s that runs for 52 CRICOS weeks will not meet that threshold on its own, no matter how intensive the delivery. A two-year master’s usually will, but only if the CRICOS registration actually reflects 92 weeks or more and you complete it without failed subjects reducing your eligible study. Before you enrol, check the course’s CRICOS duration on the provider’s website or the CRICOS register, and confirm how the course is structured. That single step answers most 485 eligibility questions before they become problems.
This article walks through the practical checks you run before submitting an application: how CRICOS weeks work, where the 16-calendar-month boundary sits, how credit transfer changes the calculation, and what to verify with the Department of Home Affairs before you commit to a course length.
What CRICOS Duration Actually Means
CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Every course offered to international students on a student visa has a CRICOS registration that records its duration in weeks. That registered duration is what Home Affairs uses when assessing the Australian study requirement, not the marketing language on the university website and not the number of semesters the course spans.
A “one-year master’s” is usually registered for 52 CRICOS weeks. A “two-year master’s” is usually registered for 104 CRICOS weeks. The gap matters because the Australian study requirement generally requires at least 92 CRICOS weeks of study. A 52-week course falls short by 40 weeks. A 104-week course clears the threshold with room to spare.
The practical implication: when you see a one-year master’s advertised, the question is not “is this a good degree?” but “does this course meet the 92-CRICO-week requirement on its own, or do I need to combine it with another eligible qualification?” Home Affairs allows more than one eligible qualification to be combined to meet the requirement, but each qualification must itself be CRICOS-registered and completed in Australia.
The 16 Calendar Month Boundary
The Australian study requirement has two separate time conditions. The first is the 92 CRICOS weeks of study. The second is that the study must be completed over at least 16 calendar months. These are not the same thing, and both must be satisfied.
The 16-month period is measured from the first day of your first eligible course to the day you complete your last eligible course. If you compress a two-year master’s into 14 months by loading up on subjects, you may complete 92 CRICOS weeks of study but still fail the 16-calendar-month requirement. Conversely, if you stretch a course over a longer period but the CRICOS registration is only 52 weeks, the calendar time does not fix the CRICOS shortfall.
For a standard two-year master’s running across four semesters, the 16-month boundary is usually satisfied naturally. But if you are considering accelerated study, summer subjects, or early completion, check the calendar dates against the 16-month rule before you assume the course qualifies.
Why Credit Transfer Changes Everything
Credit transfer is where most 485 eligibility mistakes happen. If you receive credit for prior study, the CRICOS weeks you actually complete may drop below 92, even if the course is nominally a two-year master’s.
Here is how it works. A two-year master’s is registered for 104 CRICOS weeks. If you receive one semester of credit, your actual enrolled study might drop to around 78 CRICOS weeks. That is below the 92-week threshold. You would complete the course, graduate, and then discover you do not meet the Australian study requirement for a 485 visa.
The Home Affairs rule is clear: credit can reduce eligible study. Failed subjects do not count toward the requirement either. So the course duration printed in the brochure is not the number that matters for 485 assessment. What matters is the CRICOS weeks you actually complete, after credit reductions and after removing any failed subjects.
Before you accept a credit offer, ask the provider two questions. First, how many CRICOS weeks will I actually complete if I take this credit? Second, does the reduced duration still meet the 92-week requirement? If the answer to the second question is no, you have a choice: decline the credit, or accept that you may need to combine another eligible qualification to meet the requirement.
The 485 Post-Higher Education Work Stream
The Subclass 485 visa has several streams. The one most master’s graduates apply under is the Post-Higher Education Work stream. Under current settings, this stream normally provides two years of stay for a coursework or extended master’s degree, and three years for a research master’s or doctorate. These durations are subject to current eligibility rules and passport-specific arrangements, so they are not a guarantee for every applicant.
The key point for the one-year versus two-year decision is that the 485 visa duration is calculated from the qualification level, not from the course length. A one-year master’s and a two-year master’s at the same level do not automatically attract different 485 durations. What differs is whether you meet the Australian study requirement at all. A one-year master’s that does not reach 92 CRICOS weeks may not qualify you for the 485 in the first place, regardless of the stream’s standard duration.
There are exceptions for certain passport holders. Indian, Hong Kong, and British National Overseas passport holders have specific arrangements that extend the standard durations. These arrangements are subject to change, so check the current Home Affairs page for the Post-Higher Education Work stream before you rely on a particular stay duration.
How a One-Year Master’s Can Still Work
A one-year master’s is not automatically disqualified from 485 eligibility. The Australian study requirement allows more than one eligible qualification to be combined to meet the 92-CRICO-week and 16-calendar-month conditions. So a one-year master’s can contribute to the requirement if you combine it with another eligible qualification.
The practical structure looks like this. You complete a one-year master’s registered for 52 CRICOS weeks. You then complete another eligible qualification, such as a graduate diploma or a second master’s, registered for at least 40 additional CRICOS weeks. Together, the two qualifications reach the 92-week threshold. The study must be completed in Australia, in English, within the 16-calendar-month minimum period.
This combined route requires planning. You need to confirm that both qualifications are CRICOS-registered, that both are eligible for the Australian study requirement, and that the combined CRICOS weeks actually reach 92. You also need to check the 16-month calendar boundary across both courses. This is not something you can sort out after you graduate; the course selection and enrolment pattern need to be correct from the start.
What to Check on the CRICOS Register
The CRICOS register is the authoritative source for course duration. Every provider’s website should list the CRICOS code and duration for each course, but the register itself is the verification point. You can search the register by provider, course, or CRICOS code to confirm the registered duration in weeks.
When you check a course, look for three things. First, the CRICOS code itself, which confirms the course is registered. Second, the duration in weeks, which is the number that matters for the 92-week calculation. Third, whether the course is flagged as eligible for extended post-study work rights, if that is relevant to your situation. The Department of Education publishes the list of CRICOS courses eligible for extended post-study work rights, and this list is separate from the basic CRICOS registration.
The CRICOS duration can differ from the academic calendar. A course that runs for two academic years might be registered for 104 weeks, or it might be registered for 96 weeks, depending on how the provider structures the teaching weeks. Always confirm the registered number, not the nominal duration.
The 16-Month Rule in Practice
The 16-calendar-month requirement is measured from course commencement to course completion. For a standard two-year master’s starting in late February and finishing in late November of the second year, the period is roughly 21 months, which clears the 16-month minimum comfortably.
The risk cases are accelerated programs. Some providers offer intensive delivery that compresses the same CRICOS weeks into a shorter calendar period. If the compressed period falls below 16 months, the Australian study requirement is not met, even if the CRICOS weeks reach 92.
If you are considering an accelerated pathway, map the dates before you enrol. Note the first day of your first eligible course and the expected completion date of your last eligible course. If the gap is less than 16 months, the course structure needs to change or you need to plan for a longer completion timeline.
Credit Transfer and the 16-Month Rule Together
Credit transfer affects both the CRICOS weeks and the calendar period. When you receive credit, your actual study period may be shorter in both dimensions. The CRICOS weeks reduce because you complete fewer subjects. The calendar period may also reduce because you finish earlier.
The combined effect can take you below both thresholds. A two-year master’s with one semester of credit might become 78 CRICOS weeks, which fails the 92-week test. If the credit also shortens the calendar period, the 16-month test could fail as well. Check both numbers after any credit adjustment.
Some providers can tell you the exact CRICOS weeks you will complete after credit is applied. Ask for this in writing before you accept the credit. If the provider cannot give you a clear answer, ask the international student support office to calculate it from your enrolment plan.
What Home Affairs Counts and What It Does Not
Home Affairs counts CRICOS weeks of study completed in Australia, in English, as part of an eligible qualification. Failed subjects do not count. Credit can reduce the eligible study. The nominal course duration on the provider’s website is not the assessment basis.
Home Affairs does not count study completed outside Australia toward the Australian study requirement, even if the course is CRICOS-registered. If your two-year master’s includes a semester at an overseas campus, that semester may not count toward the 92-week requirement or the 16-month period. Check the course structure for mandatory overseas components before you enrol.
The same logic applies to online study. The Australian study requirement generally requires study completed in Australia. If a course is delivered partly online while you are outside Australia, those weeks may not count. The exact treatment depends on the course structure and your physical location during each study period, so verify this with the provider and against the Home Affairs guidance.
The Application Stage: What You Submit
When you apply for a 485 visa, you need to demonstrate that you meet the Australian study requirement. This means providing evidence of your completed qualification, the CRICOS registration of the course, and the dates of your study in Australia. The Department of Home Affairs assesses the evidence against the 92-week and 16-month criteria.
The evidence typically includes your completion letter, academic transcript, and CRICOS registration details for each course. If you combined multiple qualifications, the evidence must cover all of them. The assessment looks at the CRICOS weeks you actually completed, not the advertised duration.
Before you apply, check the current Home Affairs page for the Temporary Graduate visa and the Australian study requirement. The rules can change, and the specific requirements for evidence and eligibility are set out there. The page also lists the current application fees and the process for lodging.
How the One-Year vs Two-Year Decision Actually Plays Out
For most international students, the decision comes down to three questions. First, do you meet the Australian study requirement with the course you are considering? Second, does the 485 stay duration for your qualification level and passport meet your needs? Third, can you afford the additional year of fees and living costs that a two-year course typically involves?
A one-year master’s is attractive because it is faster and cheaper. But if it does not meet the Australian study requirement on its own, you need a second eligible qualification to combine. That second qualification adds time and cost, which may erase the advantage of the one-year course.
A two-year master’s is more expensive upfront, but it usually clears the 92-week requirement without needing a second qualification. It also gives you more time in Australia, which can be useful for building local work experience. The trade-off is the additional tuition and living costs.
There is no universal answer. The right choice depends on your qualification level, your passport, the CRICOS duration of the specific course, and your budget. What matters is that you check the CRICOS weeks and the 16-month rule before you commit, not after.
Current Policy Boundaries You Should Know
Several current policy settings affect the 485 and the broader international student environment. These are worth understanding, but they are not reasons to delay your course decision.
The 295,000 figure is the 2027 planning level for new international student commencements, and it is unchanged from 2026. It is not a cap on the total number of international students already in Australia, and it does not mean Australia is limiting intake to 295,000 students overall. TAFE providers are exempt from this planning level for 2027, and any active provider’s 2027 allocation will not be lower than its 2026 allocation. If you are choosing between providers, the planning level is context, not a barrier to your enrolment.
The MD115 ministerial direction sets processing priorities for student visa applications. Priority 1, 2, and 3 are determined by the provider’s quota status on the day you lodge. The 1–4, 5–8, and 9–12 week ranges are target windows for when processing starts, not guaranteed completion times. Priority affects processing speed, not the approval criteria. A priority 1 application may start processing sooner, but it is assessed against the same requirements as any other application.
For IELTS One Skill Retake, the University of Melbourne is currently confirmed to accept it. The conditions include completing a full computer-based IELTS test, sitting the retake at an eligible test centre, taking the retake within 60 days of the original test, and meeting the validity period for the test result. This is specific to the University of Melbourne. Do not assume other universities accept it. Check each institution’s English language requirements directly.
Fees and Costs
The Subclass 500 student visa base application fee is AUD 2,500 for the main applicant. This is the base fee only. Additional charges apply for secondary applicants and for any dependants, and these charges are set separately by the Department of Home Affairs. Use the Visa Pricing Estimator on the Home Affairs website to calculate the exact cost for your situation. Do not rely on third-party figures for visa charges.
Tuition fees for master’s courses vary substantially by institution and program. No single figure applies across Australian universities. Check the specific course page on the provider’s website for current tuition, and factor in living costs for the full duration of your course.
Sources and Currency
This article is general information, not migration advice. The visa content is based on the Department of Home Affairs pages for the Temporary Graduate visa and the Australian study requirement, current as of 15 August 2026. The CRICOS course list for extended post-study work rights is published by the Department of Education. The University of Melbourne’s English language requirements are set out on its official website.
Before you lodge any application, verify the current requirements directly on the Home Affairs website. Visa rules, fees, and processing arrangements change, and the official pages are the only reliable source for the current position. Check the CRICOS duration for your specific course on the CRICOS register, confirm the 92-week and 16-month calculations with your provider’s international student support team, and use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for any fee calculations.