Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Your pathway to quality education and life-changing experiences in Australia
The Subclass 500 Student Visa allows you to study full-time in Australia for up to 5 years, work part-time during your studies, travel freely in and out of Australia, and bring your family with you. Start your journey to academic excellence and career advancement in one of the world’s most livable countries.
Why Choose the Student Visa Subclass 500?
Study at Top Institutions
Access world-renowned universities, TAFEs, colleges, and schools across Australia
Up to 5 Years
Stay in Australia for the duration of your course with additional grace period
Work While Studying
Work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term and unlimited hours during breaks
Bring Your Family
Include your spouse/partner and dependent children in your visa application
Travel Freely
Multiple entry visa allows you to travel in and out of Australia as needed
Post-Study Options
Potential pathways to post-study work visas and permanent residency
Study Programs Covered
The Subclass 500 visa supports a wide range of education sectors
🎓 Higher Education
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Master’s degrees
- Doctoral (PhD) programs
- Graduate certificates & diplomas
- Foundation & pathway programs
💼 Vocational Education
- TAFE courses
- VET (Vocational Education & Training)
- Certificate I-IV programs
- Diploma & Advanced Diploma
- Trade qualifications
🗣️ English Language
- ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses)
- General English programs
- Academic English preparation
- IELTS/PTE preparation courses
- English for specific purposes
🏫 School Education
- Primary school (Years 1-6)
- Secondary school (Years 7-12)
- High school exchange programs
- International Baccalaureate
- Boarding school programs
🔬 Research & Postgraduate
- Master’s by research
- PhD and doctoral programs
- Research fellowships
- Unlimited work hours for research students
- Extended visa duration
📚 Package Courses
- English + Diploma programs
- Diploma + Bachelor’s degree
- Foundation + Bachelor’s
- Multiple courses on one visa
- Seamless progression pathways
Work Rights & Benefits
Earn while you learn in Australia
📅 During Study Periods
Work up to 48 hours per fortnight when your course is in session
- ✓ Gain Australian work experience
- ✓ Earn income to support living costs
- ✓ Build professional networks
- ✓ Flexible part-time opportunities
🌴 During Scheduled Breaks
Unlimited work hours during official course breaks and holidays
- ✓ Summer and winter breaks
- ✓ Mid-semester breaks
- ✓ Full-time work opportunities
- ✓ Save for tuition and expenses
🔬 Research Students
Master’s by research and PhD students have no work hour limits
- ✓ Work unlimited hours from course start
- ✓ Research assistant positions
- ✓ Teaching opportunities
- ✓ Industry collaborations
Eligibility Requirements
Key requirements you must meet to qualify for the Student Visa
Valid CoE from CRICOS-registered full-time course in Australia
Demonstrate genuine intent to study temporarily in Australia
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or equivalent English test results (unless exempt)
Sufficient funds for tuition, living costs (AUD $21,041/year), and travel
Approved health insurance for entire stay in Australia
Medical examination and meet Australian health standards
Police clearances and good character declaration
Appropriate accommodation and support arrangements if under 18
Financial Capacity Requirements
Demonstrate you can support yourself during your studies
| Category | Annual Amount (AUD) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Main Student | $21,041 | 12 months living costs (excluding tuition) |
| Partner/Spouse | $7,362 | Additional per year for accompanying partner |
| First Child | $3,152 | Per year for first dependent child |
| Each Additional Child | $2,365 | Per year for each additional child |
| Return Airfare | Varies | For you and accompanying family members |
| Tuition Fees | Course dependent | First year or remaining course fees |
Required Documents Checklist
Comprehensive documentation needed for your student visa application
🆔 Identity Documents
- Valid passport (biographical pages)
- Birth certificate
- National ID card
- Recent passport photos
- Previous visa grants (if applicable)
🎓 Education Documents
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- Offer letter from institution
- Academic transcripts
- Graduation certificates
- English test results
💰 Financial Evidence
- Bank statements (3-6 months)
- Sponsorship letters
- Loan approval documents
- Scholarship letters
- Parents’ income evidence
- Tax returns or pay slips
📝 Genuine Student Statement
- Personal statement (300-500 words)
- Study intentions and goals
- Course relevance to career
- Ties to home country
- Post-study plans
🏥 Health Insurance (OSHC)
- OSHC policy documents
- Coverage for entire visa period
- Family coverage (if applicable)
- Receipt of payment
- Policy start date before arrival
🏥 Health Requirements
- Medical examination (Form 26/160)
- Chest x-ray (if required)
- HIV test (if required)
- Health declarations
- Medical history
📋 Character Documents
- Police clearances (16+ years old)
- Character statutory declarations
- Military records (if applicable)
- Court documents (if applicable)
👨👩👧 Family Members (If Applicable)
- Partner’s identity documents
- Marriage certificate
- Children’s birth certificates
- Relationship evidence
- Family health & character documents
- Welfare arrangements (under 18)
Application Process – 4 Simple Steps
From course selection to visa grant – we guide you every step
Course Selection & Enrollment
We help you choose the right course and institution based on your goals, budget, and interests. We submit applications to Australian universities, TAFEs, or colleges on your behalf and obtain your Offer Letter and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Document Preparation
We provide a comprehensive checklist of required documents including academic records, financial evidence, English tests, and identity documents. We help you prepare your Genuine Student statement and gather all necessary supporting evidence.
Health Insurance & Medical Checks
We assist you in arranging Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) with approved providers. We guide you through required medical examinations and police clearances to ensure all health and character requirements are met.
Visa Application & Lodgement
We prepare and lodge your complete Subclass 500 visa application through the Department of Home Affairs online system. We handle all correspondence with immigration authorities and keep you updated throughout the assessment process.
Interview Preparation (If Required)
If the Department requests additional information or an interview, we coach you through the process and help you prepare appropriate responses to strengthen your application.
Visa Grant & Pre-Departure
Once your visa is granted, we provide pre-departure guidance including visa conditions, work rights, accommodation tips, and what to expect when arriving in Australia. Your Australian education journey begins!
Why Choose VisaTasker for Your Student Visa?
Certified education agents with proven expertise in Australian student visas
QEAC Certified
Qualified Education Agent Counsellors with specialized training
Institutional Network
Partnerships with universities, TAFEs, colleges across Australia
Onshore & Offshore
Support students applying from overseas or within Australia
High Success Rate
Proven track record with hundreds of successful visa grants
Free Enrollment
No extra charge for course selection and admission assistance
Personalized Service
One-on-one guidance tailored to your educational goals
Transparent Pricing
All-inclusive service package with no hidden fees
Complete Student Visa Service
Flat fee – No hidden charges
- Course selection & enrollment assistance
- Institution application management
- CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) obtainment
- Complete visa documentation guidance
- Genuine Student statement preparation
- OSHC arrangement assistance
- Health & character requirement guidance
- Visa application preparation & lodgement
- Home Affairs communication handling
- Interview preparation (if required)
- Pre-departure guidance
- Continuous support until visa grant
Government Fees
Paid to Department of Home Affairs
- Main applicant visa fee: $2,000
- Additional fees for family members
- Paid directly during application
- Non-refundable government charge
- Current as of July 2025
Additional Costs to Budget
Third-party costs
- Tuition fees (course dependent)
- OSHC insurance ($500-700/year)
- English tests ($300-400)
- Medical examinations ($300-500)
- Police clearances (varies)
- Flight tickets
Important Visa Conditions
Conditions you must follow while holding your student visa
📚 Study Requirements
- Maintain enrollment in CRICOS course
- Achieve satisfactory course progress
- Meet minimum attendance (80%)
- Complete course within expected duration
- Notify provider of address changes
💼 Work Limitations
- Maximum 48 hours per fortnight during term
- Unlimited hours during scheduled breaks
- Cannot work before course starts
- Research students: unlimited from start
- Must comply with workplace laws
🏥 Health Insurance
- Maintain OSHC for entire visa period
- Keep policy current and valid
- Coverage for all family members
- Cannot substitute with other insurance
- Renew before expiry
⚠️ Other Conditions
- Do not engage in disruptive activities
- Obey Australian laws
- Inform Home Affairs of changes
- Leave Australia when visa expires
- No further stay condition (if applicable)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does the Student Visa (Subclass 500) take to process?
Processing times vary by education sector and individual circumstances.
Current processing benchmarks:
- Higher Education: Approximately 90% processed within 4 months
- VET (TAFE/Colleges): Processing times vary, typically 4-6 months
- ELICOS: Often processed within 2-4 months
- Schools: Processing varies by age and circumstances
2. What is the Genuine Student (GS) requirement?
As of March 2024, the Genuine Student requirement replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test. You must demonstrate that you genuinely intend to study in Australia temporarily.
What immigration looks at:
- Your circumstances in your home country (ties, employment, family)
- Your potential circumstances in Australia
- Course relevance to your past education and career plans
- Your personal statement explaining your study intentions
- Financial capacity and genuine access to funds
- Your history of complying with visa conditions
3. Can I bring my family (spouse and children) on my student visa?
Yes! You can include eligible family members in your student visa application.
Family members can include:
- Spouse or de facto partner
- Dependent children under 18
- Dependent children 18-23 (if studying and financially dependent)
Family member benefits and conditions:
- Partner can work in Australia (conditions apply)
- Children can attend Australian schools
- Must have OSHC for all family members
- Additional visa fees apply for each dependent
- Must demonstrate higher financial capacity
4. Can I change courses or institutions while on a student visa?
Yes, but you must follow proper procedures and notify the Department of Home Affairs.
Requirements for changing courses:
- New course must be CRICOS-registered
- Obtain new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- May need to release from current provider
- Restrictions apply in first 6 months of principal course
- Update visa with new course details
- May require new student visa if course level changes
5. What are my options after completing my studies?
Australia offers several post-study pathways for international students.
Common pathways include:
- Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): Post-study work visa for 18 months to 4 years depending on qualifications
- Skilled Migration: Apply for permanent residence through skilled migration programs (189/190/491)
- Employer Sponsorship: Secure employer-sponsored visa (482/186/494) with Australian employer
- Further Study: Continue to higher-level qualifications
- Return Home: Apply skills and qualifications in home country
6. Do I need to take an English test for the student visa?
Most applicants need to demonstrate English proficiency through recognized tests.
Accepted English tests:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
- OET (Occupational English Test) for health professionals
You may be exempt if:
- You hold a passport from UK, USA, Canada, NZ, or Ireland
- You completed at least 5 years study in English in eligible countries
- Enrolled in ELICOS only (English language course)
- School students (primary or secondary)
Post-Study Opportunities
Your Australian education can lead to career and migration opportunities
🎓 Temporary Graduate Visa (485)
- 18 months to 4 years work rights
- Duration based on qualification level
- Gain Australian work experience
- Pathway to permanent residence
- Apply for skilled migration
🌟 Skilled Migration
- Points-based permanent residence
- Subclass 189/190/491 visas
- Australian qualifications bonus points
- State nomination opportunities
- Professional year programs
💼 Employer Sponsorship
- Temporary Skill Shortage (482) visa
- Employer Nomination (186) visa
- Regional Sponsored (494) visa
- Australian work experience advantage
- Direct PR pathways available
Ready to Start Your Australian Education Journey?
Let VisaTasker guide you from course selection to visa grant. Our certified education agents provide comprehensive support for just $700 – including FREE course enrollment assistance and complete visa application services.
Book Schedule Consultation📋 Free Document Checklist
Get the complete list of documents you need for your application — updated for 2026.
View Student Visa 500 Document Checklist →
Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This page is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.