Australia Student Visa Guide
Australia continues to be a popular study destination for international students from all over the world.
There are several reasons for this, such as Australia’s high-quality educational system, well-connected transport, high living standards and world-class cities full of vibrant outdoor spaces and entertainment activities.
With a strong sporting culture and plenty of opportunities to explore the metropolitan cities, Australian countryside and the ocean all around the country, life in Australia offers international students a varied and interesting range of opportunities.
Australian universities’ focus on research & innovation, alongside world-class academics is a further plus for international students, who are also attracted by the country’s flexible post-graduation employment policies.
The Australian Student Visa
Since July 2016, Australia has been offering ‘Subclass 500’ student visas to international students, which can be valid for up to 5 years, beginning with your enrolment date at an Australian university.
Since July 2016, Australia has been offering ‘Subclass 500’ student visas to international students, which are valid for up to 5 years.
You can apply for this visa online from anywhere in the world, and even your family members can travel with you by applying for a dependent visa. But you must make sure that you have fulfilled the following requirements in order to apply for the Australian subclass 500 student visa:
- You must be enrolled in a recognised degree programme at an Australian university
- You must be at least 6 years old
- You must show evidence of parental consent and welfare arrangement for funds in Australia if you are under 18
- You must have valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Insurance (or be exempt)
In addition to the subclass 500 visa, there are two additional visas for students involved in short-term study, such as exchange programmes, at Australian universities:
- Visitor Visa (Subclasses 600, 601, 651) – For maximum 3 months of study
- Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 and 462) – For maximum 4 months of study
How to Apply
You can apply for a student visa online from inside and outside of Australia. The service is called ImmiAccount and is provided by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. You can opt to use an agent to help with the application process, but it is not required.
To start your application, you need to create an account with ImmiAccount, and then you can follow the directions to work through the process. It is important that you have the required documents ready when you apply, as an application will be denied if submitted without them. This can lead to delays in getting your visa.
Documents Required for Subclass 500 Visa
The following nine documents are a must for all international students in order to submit as part of the Australian student visa application:
- Valid passport
- Visa application fee
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
- Evidence of English proficiency such as IELTS test scores
- OSHC health insurance document
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) document
- Genuine Student (GS) requirement – a list of questions that act as a personal statement and character reference
- Evidence of financial ability in order to pay tuition fees, living expenses, travel and any expenses for dependents. As of 2024, this is at least AU$29, 710.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language test, and you will require a minimum score of 5.5 to qualify for a subclass 500 Australian visa. Top-ranked Australian universities may require an even higher score, usually at least 6.5. Other English language tests are accepted, these are:
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Cambridge English (CAE) – also known as C1 Advanced
- Occupational English Test (OET) – used mainly for health professionals
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
For additional questions regarding your subclass 500 visa application, you can contact the Australian DHA.
Student Visa Charges for International Students
As an international student you will have to pay AU$1,600 in order to submit your visa application, unless you are exempt. This is correct as of 2024.
You might also have to pay for any extra requirements, such as health checks, biometrics and police checks.
Australian Subclass 500 Visa Work Rules
International students are permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight. This only applies to undergraduate and taught postgraduate programs. If you are on a research master degree or doctoral degree there are no work limits.
In order to retain your subclass 500 visa while in Australia, you are legally required to maintain enrolment in your degree programme and ensure satisfactory course attendance and course grades.
Once your degree programme in Australia is complete, you can then apply for a Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa that allows international students to stay and work in Australia for a minimum of 18 months and a maximum of 4 years, depending on your qualification. You must apply for this visa within six months of the expiry of your subclass 500 student visa, alongside providing English proficiency and other required documents as part of the process.
If you are studying online at an Australian university, you must successfully complete all course requirements as a result of at least two academic years or 92 weeks in order to qualify for the subclass 485 work visa.