{"id":"F2009L01654","name":"Migration Regulations 1994 - Specification under regulation 1.03 - Definition of Academic Year - May 2009","slug":"migration-regulations-1994-specification-under-regulation-1-03-definition-of-academic-year-may-2009","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":78455,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2009L01654-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Commonwealth of Australia","sectionType":"part","heading":"Commonwealth of Australia","content":"# Commonwealth of Australia","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"Migration Regulations 1994","sectionType":"section","heading":"Migration Regulations 1994","content":"##### Migration Regulations 1994\n\nDEFINITION OF ‘ACADEMIC YEAR’\n\n(REGULATION 1.03)\n\nI, CHRIS EVANS, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, acting under regulation 1.03 of the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’):\n\nSPECIFY that:\n\n(a) 1 academic year is at least a total of 46 weeks, being the duration of a course or courses registered under s 9 of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000;\n\n(b) 2 academic years is at least a total of 92 weeks, being the duration of a course or courses registered under s 9 of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000;\n\n(c) 3 academic years is at least a total of 138 weeks, being the duration of a course or courses registered under s 9 of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000;\n\nfor the purposes of Regulation 1.03 of the Regulations.\n\nThis Instrument (IMMI 09/040) takes effect on 15 May 2009.\n\nDated 14 May 2009\n\nCHRIS EVANS\n\nMinister for Immigration and Citizenship\n\n\\[NOTE 1: The definition of academic year in regulation 1.03 of the Regulations, provides that, academic year means a period that is specified, in an instrument in writing.\\]","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-batch","completionTokens":2061},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument maintains its original narrow purpose of providing a numerical definition for 'academic year' as delegated by regulation 1.03."},"complexity_factors":["Single mathematical formula (46 weeks multiplied by number of years)","No conditional provisions, exceptions, or limitations","Minimal cross-referencing (only to ESOS Act section 9 and parent regulation)","Extremely short instrument with single operational purpose"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument defines what counts as an 'academic year' for Australia's migration system. It converts academic years into concrete weeks of study to ensure consistent visa assessments.\n\n**Key points:**\n- **1 academic year** = at least **46 weeks** of registered study\n- **2 academic years** = at least **92 weeks** of registered study\n- **3 academic years** = at least **138 weeks** of registered study\n\n**Who it affects:** International students applying for visas that require proof of study duration (such as post-study work visas or skilled migration pathways).\n\n**Important context:** The weeks must be from courses registered under the *Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000* (the ESOS Act). This ensures only legitimate registered courses count toward visa requirements.\n\n**Why it matters:** Many visa pathways require completing specific study periods (commonly '2 academic years'). This prevents confusion between different education providers' semester structures by establishing a universal week-based standard."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/migration-regulations-1994-specification-under-regulation-1-03-definition-of-academic-year-may-2009","history":"/api/acts/migration-regulations-1994-specification-under-regulation-1-03-definition-of-academic-year-may-2009/history","analysis":"/api/acts/migration-regulations-1994-specification-under-regulation-1-03-definition-of-academic-year-may-2009/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/migration-regulations-1994-specification-under-regulation-1-03-definition-of-academic-year-may-2009/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/migration-regulations-1994-specification-under-regulation-1-03-definition-of-academic-year-may-2009/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/migration-regulations-1994-specification-under-regulation-1-03-definition-of-academic-year-may-2009/documents"}}