Student Visa (Subclass 500) Information

The Australian Student Visa (subclass 500) allows international students to study full-time in Australia. This single visa covers various education sectors:

• Schools
• Vocational Education and Training (VET)
• Higher Education
• Postgraduate Research
• English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)

This visa typically allows you to study for up to five years. You can also include eligible family members in your application, such as your partner or dependent children.

For detailed information and the most up-to-date requirements, always refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website.

To be eligible for the Student Visa (subclass 500), you must meet several key criteria:

• Age Requirement: You must be 6 years of age or older.
• Welfare Arrangements: If you are under 18 years old, you must have appropriate welfare arrangements in place for your stay in Australia.
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): You must have a valid CoE for a registered full-time course. This is issued by your education provider.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): You must have valid OSHC for the entire duration of your planned stay in Australia.
• Financial Capacity: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses for yourself and any accompanying family members.
• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE): You must satisfy the GTE requirement, proving that you genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily for study and not for other purposes.
• English Language Proficiency: Provide evidence of your English language skills, usually through recognized tests like IELTS or TOEFL, unless you are exempt.
• Health and Character Requirements: You must meet Australia's health and character requirements. This may involve medical examinations and police certificates.

As a Student Visa holder, you must comply with several conditions to maintain your visa status:

• Enrollment and Course Progress: You must remain enrolled in a registered course and maintain satisfactory course attendance and progress.
• Work Rights: You are generally permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during your course. However, students undertaking a Master's by Research or Doctoral degree have no work hour limits.
• Notify Residential Address: You must notify your education provider of your Australian residential address within 7 days of arriving in Australia, and within 7 days of any change of address.
• Maintain OSHC: You must maintain adequate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your stay.
• No Further Stay (if applicable): Some visas may have a 'No Further Stay' condition, meaning you cannot apply for most other visas while in Australia.

Breaching any of these conditions can lead to visa cancellation.

The current application fee for the Student Visa (subclass 500) is approximately AUD$710 (as of July 1, 2025, it increased to AUD$710, please verify latest fee on DHA website).

Processing times can vary significantly based on factors such as:

• The completeness of your application and supporting documents.
• The country you are applying from.
• The volume of applications.

It is highly recommended to check the official Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date information on fees and current processing times.

Course packaging allows you to apply for two or more courses on the same student visa, provided there is a clear progression from one course to the next. For example, you might undertake an ELICOS course followed by a Bachelor's degree.

When applying for a packaged course, the Department of Home Affairs generally considers the final course in your package to be your main course for visa application purposes.

Ensure you have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course in your package, and that the progression is logical and approved by your education providers.

You can apply for the Student Visa (subclass 500) from both inside and outside Australia. The application process primarily involves:

• Online Application: Lodge your application through ImmiAccount.
• Complete Documentation: Ensure all required documents are accurately prepared and uploaded.
• Health and Biometrics: Be prepared to undertake health examinations and provide biometrics if requested.

Lodging a complete and accurate application with all necessary documents, including your CoE, is crucial to avoid delays or potential refusal.