Student Visa 500 – Concurrent Master’s and Certificate III enrolment: Will this affect my 485 eligibility?
Hi everyone,
I’m an Indian international student currently on a subclass 500 Student visa in Australia. I’m looking for advice or experiences from anyone who has studied two courses concurrently at different AQF levels.
My situation:
My Student visa was granted in November 2024 based on my Master of Information Technology (AQF Level 9).
I’m still enrolled in my original Master’s degree, which I expect to complete in November/December 2026.
My Student visa is valid until March 2027.
In July 2026, I additionally enrolled in a Certificate III in Carpentry (AQF Level 3) at a separate CRICOS-registered institution.
The Carpentry course has its own CoE and is expected to finish around July 2027.
I have not transferred from or discontinued my Master’s degree. Both courses are separate, concurrent enrolments.
I intend to apply for the subclass 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream in January 2027, based solely on my completed Master’s degree.
My questions:
Is holding two concurrent CoEs at different AQF levels permitted under Student visa condition 8202, provided I continue studying my original Master’s degree?
After completing my Master’s in December 2026, could continuing the lower-level Certificate III while my subclass 500 remains valid create any visa compliance issues?
Can I lodge my subclass 485 application while my Certificate III remains ongoing and its CoE is active?
Would I need to complete, withdraw from, or cancel my Certificate III enrolment before applying for or being granted the 485?
Has anyone been in a similar situation and successfully obtained their 485? Did the additional qualification cause any complications?
Would voluntarily withdrawing from the secondary Certificate III affect my 485 eligibility in any way?
I’m particularly interested in firsthand experiences, advice received directly from Home Affairs or registered migration agents, and any relevant official regulations.
I understand that immigration matters require professional advice, but I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has dealt with a similar situation.
Thanks in advance!