Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500): Complete Guide 2026
The Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) lets you study full-time at a registered Australian educational institution. It costs $1,600 AUD to apply, grants work rights of up to 48 hours per fortnight during term, and requires you to demonstrate financial capacity of at least $29,710 AUD per year for living costs. You must have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visa subclass | 500 |
| Application cost | $1,600 AUD (main applicant) |
| Processing time | 15 days – 4 months (varies by nationality) |
| Work rights | 48 hours per fortnight (term time); unlimited during scheduled breaks |
| Study requirement | Full-time at a CRICOS-registered institution |
| Financial requirement | $29,710/year living costs + tuition + travel |
| Health insurance | OSHC mandatory |
| Age limit | None (6+ for primary/secondary school) |
| Apply from | Usually outside Australia |
The Genuine Student (GS) Requirement
The Genuine Student requirement replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test in 2024. It's the single biggest hurdle in the application. The Department of Home Affairs wants to know that you're a genuine student — not someone using a student visa as a backdoor to work in Australia.
You must provide a written statement (around 300 words per question) addressing:
- Why you chose this particular course and institution. Be specific. What does this qualification give you that alternatives in your home country don't?
- How this course relates to your background. Connect your previous education and work experience to the course. Career-changers need a compelling explanation for the shift.
- How this course will benefit you in the future. What are your career plans after completing the course? How will this qualification help you in your home country or internationally?
- Why you chose Australia over other destinations. What makes Australia the right choice for this study? Avoid generic answers — specifics about the institution, industry connections, or course structure work best.
The Department also considers your immigration history, age, financial circumstances, and the education system in your home country. A 45-year-old applying for a diploma in hospitality when they have 20 years of IT experience will face tough questions about their genuine intentions.
Financial Capacity Requirements
You must demonstrate access to sufficient funds to cover your time in Australia. The current financial thresholds are:
| Expense | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Living costs (you) | $29,710 per year |
| Living costs (partner) | $10,394 per year |
| Living costs (child) | $4,449 per year per child |
| Tuition fees | First year of course fees (as per CoE) |
| Return airfare | Approximately $2,000–$3,000 |
| School-age children | $12,592 per year per child for schooling |
Evidence of financial capacity includes:
- Bank statements showing savings held for at least 3 months
- Scholarship award letters
- Government financial support letters
- Loan approval from a financial institution
- Evidence of income from parents/guardians (if they're funding you)
The funds must be genuinely available and accessible — a bank balance inflated for the application and immediately withdrawn afterward is fraud and will result in visa cancellation if discovered.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
OSHC is mandatory for the entire duration of your student visa. You must arrange it before applying, and your visa length will match your OSHC coverage period.
Approved OSHC providers include:
- Medibank
- Bupa
- Allianz Care Australia
- Australian Health Management (ahm)
- nib
OSHC covers:
- Doctor visits and specialist appointments
- Hospital treatment
- Some prescription medicines
- Ambulance services (varies by state)
It does not cover dental, optical, physiotherapy, or pre-existing conditions in most cases. Many students purchase additional cover for these services.
Cost: Approximately $500–$700 per year for a single student. Family cover is significantly more expensive.
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Before you can apply for the Subclass 500, you need a Confirmation of Enrolment from a CRICOS-registered institution. CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) is the register of all education providers approved to teach international students in Australia.
To get your CoE:
- Apply to and receive an offer from a CRICOS-registered institution
- Accept the offer and pay the required deposit (typically one semester's tuition)
- The institution issues your CoE — an electronic document with a unique reference number
Your CoE number goes into your visa application. The Department of Home Affairs verifies it directly with your institution.
Multiple courses? You can include multiple CoEs in a single visa application — useful if you're doing a packaged offer (e.g., English language course followed by a bachelor's degree).
Work Rights on a Student Visa
The Subclass 500 grants work rights, but with strict limitations during the academic term. Understanding these limits is critical — breaching work conditions is one of the most common reasons for student visa cancellations.
During term: Up to 48 hours per fortnight (a fortnight is a two-week period). This replaced the old 40-hour limit in 2023. The fortnight cycle starts on the Monday of the week your course begins.
During scheduled course breaks: Unlimited hours. This applies to official semester breaks listed on your institution's academic calendar, not informal gaps between classes.
Master's by research and PhD students: Unlimited work hours at all times. No fortnightly cap applies.
Volunteering: Unpaid voluntary work doesn't count toward your 48-hour limit, but it must be genuinely voluntary — not replacing a position that would normally be paid.
The 48-hour fortnight is strictly enforced. Employers are required to check your visa conditions, and the Department of Home Affairs audits student work records. Exceeding your work limits, even by a few hours, can trigger a visa cancellation notice.
How to Apply
The Subclass 500 is applied for online through ImmiAccount. Here's the process.
Step 1: Gather your documents.
- Valid passport
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- OSHC policy
- Genuine Student statement
- Financial evidence
- English language test results (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge)
- Academic transcripts and qualification certificates
- CV/resume (recommended)
- Police clearance certificates (if required)
Step 2: Create an ImmiAccount and start the application.
Step 3: Complete all sections of the application form. Be thorough and accurate.
Step 4: Upload all documents. Certified translations are required for any documents not in English.
Step 5: Pay the $1,600 application charge. Additional charges apply for family members included in the application.
Step 6: Undergo health examinations if requested. Most applicants will need to complete medical and chest X-ray examinations at a Bupa Medical Visa Services clinic.
Step 7: Provide biometrics if requested. Some nationalities are required to attend an Australian Visa Application Centre for fingerprints and photo.
Step 8: Wait for a decision. Continue to check ImmiAccount for updates or requests for additional information.
English Language Requirements
Most Subclass 500 applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. The minimum scores depend on your course level:
| Course Level | IELTS Overall | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation/pathway | 5.5 | 42 | 46 | 162 |
| VET/TAFE courses | 5.5 | 42 | 46 | 162 |
| Bachelor's degree | 6.0 | 50 | 60 | 169 |
| Master's/PhD | 6.5 | 58 | 79 | 176 |
These are the minimum visa requirements. Individual institutions may set higher thresholds. Some universities require IELTS 7.0 for competitive programs.
Exemptions: You don't need an English test if you're a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland, or if you completed at least 5 years of study in English in one of these countries.
Student Visa to Permanent Residency
Many international students use their time in Australia as a stepping stone to permanent residency. While the student visa itself is temporary, it opens several pathways.
After completing your studies, you may be eligible for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), which gives you 2–6 years of post-study work rights. From there, you can pursue skilled migration through the Subclass 189, Subclass 190, or Subclass 491.
For a complete breakdown, read our guide on student visa to PR pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my family come with me on a student visa?
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children in your student visa application. Family members get the same visa duration as you, with work rights for your partner (unlimited hours) and schooling rights for children. Additional application fees and financial requirements apply.
What happens if I fail a subject?
Failing a subject doesn't automatically affect your visa, but your institution monitors your academic progress. If you fail multiple subjects and the institution reports you for unsatisfactory course progress, the Department of Home Affairs may issue a notice of intention to cancel your visa. You'll have an opportunity to respond.
Can I change courses or institutions?
You can change courses or institutions, but there are restrictions in the first 6 months. During your first 6 months of your principal course, you generally cannot transfer to another institution unless your original provider releases you. After 6 months, you're free to transfer, though you'll need a new CoE and must notify the Department.
How long does processing take?
Processing times vary significantly by nationality and risk level. Low-risk applicants from countries like the UK or Japan may receive a decision within 2–4 weeks. Higher-risk applicants from countries with elevated refusal rates may wait 2–4 months. Apply early — at least 6–8 weeks before your course starts.
Can I apply for a student visa from inside Australia?
Yes, in many cases. If you're already in Australia on another visa (tourist, working holiday, etc.), you can apply for a Subclass 500 onshore. You'll receive a Bridging Visa A while your application is processed, allowing you to stay lawfully in Australia.
