Student Visa (Subclass 500)
A comprehensive guide for international students to study in Australia
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Master’s by Research and Doctoral students: They can work unlimited hours, and the same applies to their dependents.
Introduction
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) is a temporary Australian visa allowing international students to live, study and gain valuable experience at a registered institution for up to five years.
With access to world-class education, part-time work rights and a vibrant lifestyle, the Student Visa (Subclass 500) is your first step toward building a brilliant future in Australia.
Benefits of the Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Holders of this visa are entitled to several key benefits that make studying and living in Australia more rewarding. With this visa, you can:
- Study in an eligible course at a registered Australian institution.
- Live in Australia during the course.
- Enjoy unrestricted travel to and from Australia for the entire validity of your visa.
- Work in Australia within the limits of your visa conditions.
- Add your eligible family members to your visa application — including your spouse, partner, and dependent children.
Work Rights on a Student Visa
- Coursework Master’s students: They can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods, while their dependents are allowed to work unlimited hours.
- If you are studying a Bachelor’s degree or a lower-level course in Australia, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while classes are in session. Your dependents are also subject to the same work restrictions.
Eligibility Requirements of the Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Age Requirement
School students applying for this visa — except those in a secondary school exchange program — must be at least 6 years old at the time of application.
The applicant must be:
- Under 17 when they begin Year 9
- Under 18 when they begin Year 10
- Under 19 when they begin Year 11
- Under 20 when they begin Year 12
Enrollment in a certain course of study
Student Visa (Subclass 500) applicants are required to choose a course listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and submit their Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
If you do not submit your CoE when lodging your application, your Student Visa will not be processed.
To ensure your Student Visa covers all the courses you intend to study, you must include all relevant CoE codes in your application.
Exemptions:
You do not need to provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) if you are:
- enrolled in a full-time course of study or training through a scholarship program approved by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- sponsored by the Australian Department of Defence.
- a secondary exchange student providing an AASES form.
- a postgraduate research student requiring to stay in Australia during their thesis assessment.
Welfare arrangements for applicants under 18
Student Visa applicants under 18 must have suitable welfare arrangements approved and maintained for the full duration of their stay in Australia.
English Language Requirement
When applying for the Student Visa (Subclass 500), you must provide evidence of your English language proficiency at the time of lodgement.
Applicants must have completed their English language test within two years prior to lodging their visa application.
You can typically meet the English requirement by providing results from one of the following approved tests (minimum scores apply):
- IELTS: Average score of 5 or higher
TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 37 or higher
Cambridge English (CAE): Overall score of 161
PTE: Overall score of 31 or higher
OET: Overall score of at least 1020
English language tests such as CELPIP, LanguageCert Academic and MET are also accepted for the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500).
Exemptions:
Student Visa applicants are exempt from providing English language evidence if they fall under one of the following categories:
- Citizens and passport holders of UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland
- Foreign Affairs or Defence sponsored student
- Those enrolled in a principal course of study as a registered school course
- Those enrolled in a principal course like English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS).
- Those enrolled in a principal course of study delivered in a language other than English.
- Post-graduate research students
- Those who have completed at least their 5-year study in English in Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa or the Republic of Ireland
- Those who have completed the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in Australia in English during a student visa.
Genuine Student Requirements
As a part of the Student Visa application, you are required to address the Genuine Student (GS) criteria by writing approximately 150 words for each of the following questions in English:
- Details about your current circumstances
- Your goal and motivation for studying a CRICOS-registered course in Australia
- Your genuine intention to pursue full-time study in Australia (and not for other reasons such as migration or employment).
- Explaining how completing this course will contribute to your future career or personal development.
Adequate Health Insurance Requirement
It is mandatory for Student Visa holders and their dependents to maintain adequate health insurance (OSHC) throughout their stay in Australia.
Exceptions:
You are not required to hold the insurance if one of the following applies:
- a Norwegian student covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme
- a Swedish student covered by Kammarkollegiet
- a Belgian student covered under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia
Health and Character Requirements
Applicants and eligible family members aged 16 and over must:
- Meet the health requirement, which generally involves completing medical examinations.
- Meet the character requirement by providing police checks.
Financial Capacity
To stay in Australia on a Student Visa (Subclass 500), you must demonstrate that you have enough money to pay for your accommodation and living expenses.
To check the minimum amount of money required for the visa, click here.
Visa History Requirement
A cancelled visa or refused application may affect your eligibility for the Student Visa (Subclass 500).
Required Documents
When applying for the Student Visa (Subclass 500), you are required to provide a complete portfolio of documents confirming your identity, character, health and education background.
Below is a checklist to help you prepare and submit the necessary documents for your application:
Identity Documents
- Current passport showing the applicant’s personal information and photo, including issue and expiry dates
- National ID card or proof of name change such as marriage or divorce certificates from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
- Identity documents of a partner (if applicable)
- Copies of birth certificates demonstrating the names of both parents (for dependents under 18)
- Copies of the adoption paper, if applicable (for dependents under 18)
Enrolment Confirmation Documents
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for all registered courses
- Letter of support for sponsored students
- Completed AASES form for exchange students
English Language Documents
- IELTS
- TOEFL iBT
- CAE
- PTE
- OET
- CELPIP
- LanguageCert Academic
- MET
Any TOEFL iBT test completed between 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for the Student Visa (Subclass 500).
Financial Capacity Documents
- Verified deposits in an authorized financial institution
- Loans paid by governmental authorities or licensed banks
- Scholarships, grants or other formal financial aids
Insurance Documents
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Welfare Arrangements for Applicants Under 18
- Letter of consent from parent(s) or guardian(s) to stay in Australia
- Completed Form 1229
Parental Responsibility Documents (for applicants under 18)
- A statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to visit Australia on a Student visa
- An Australian court order allowing your child to migrate to Australia
Polio Vaccination Certificate
Offshore applicants from countries at risk of polio are required to provide a valid polio vaccination certificate.
Visa Fee
- Base application charge: AUD 2,000
- Additional applicant charge 18 and over: AUD 1,225
- Additional applicant charge under 18: AUD 400
- Subsequent temporary application charge: AUD 700
- Base application charge for postgraduate research students: AUD 2,000
Application Processing Time
- The processing time for the student visa generally ranges from several days to 13 months.
FAQ
1. Is it possible to change my course or education provider after I arrive in Australia?
Yes, but only under certain conditions. International students must complete at least six months of their principal course before they can legally change their education provider. Changing earlier without approval may result in visa cancellation, especially if the new course is at a lower AQF qualification level.
2. Does my class attendance record influence my Student Visa status in Australia?
Yes, fulltime study in Australia is considered a visa condition. Even if you perform well academically, maintaining at least 80% attendance is mandatory for certain courses such as ELICOS and vocational trainings. Falling below the threshold can lead to warning letters, a visa breach notice or a cancellation.
3. Is it possible to get a Student Visa in Australia if I have a significant study gap?
Yes, but you need to explain the gap clearly. A study gap of one or two years is generally acceptable if supported with strong justification in your Genuine Student (GS) statement. But, if the gap is longer, strong explanations and supporting documents are required to demonstrate a genuine intent to study in Australia.
4. Can I apply for a second student visa while I’m in Australia?
Yes, this is very common. Many students extend their stay by applying for another student visa for a higher-level course, such as progressing from Diploma to Bachelor’s or Master’s. But, you must meet all standard requirements again, including a new CoE, financial proof, OSHC and a new GTE.
5. Who is eligible to provide financial support for my studies in Australia?
Financial support for your studies in Australia may be provided by you, your parents, a spouse or partner, close relatives, government or private sponsors, or through scholarships and grants. If the financial supporter is not an immediate family member, you will need to provide clear evidence that you have genuine access to the funds.
6. Can I apply for a student visa while in Australia on a tourist visa?
No. Tourist visa holders cannot apply for a student visa from inside Australia. The application must be lodged from outside Australia.
