Australia Student Visa
Official Australian Student (subclass 500)
*Fees and processing times are subject to change. Check official sources.
analytics Visa Overview
Real-time data from official sources
Processing Time
1-4 months
75% of applications processed within 29 days, 90% within 42 days. Processing may be longer for applicants from certain countries or those requiring additional character/health checks.
Government Fee
AUD $730
Eligibility Requirements
Make sure you meet these requirements before applying.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Age requirement: You must be 6 years of age or older to apply. If you are a school student, you must be less than 17 years old when you begin Year 9, less than 18 for Year 10, less than 19 for Year 11, and less than 20 for Year 12.
- Character requirements: You must meet the character requirements. This means you must be of good character and not have a substantial criminal record.
- Enrolment in CRICOS course: You must be enrolled in a full-time course of study at an educational institution registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
- Financial capacity: You must have enough money to pay for your travel, tuition fees, and living costs for yourself and any family members who come with you for the duration of your stay in Australia.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): You must have and maintain adequate health insurance for the whole of your stay in Australia. This is called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
- English language proficiency: You may need to provide evidence of your English language skills. You can do this by providing the results of an accepted English language test, or you may be exempt.
- Genuine Student requirement: You must be a genuine student. This means you must genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily for the purpose of study.
- Welfare arrangements (under 18): If you are under 18 years of age, you must have adequate welfare arrangements in place for the duration of your stay in Australia.
Document Checklist
2 Supporting Documents (Recommended)
- check Passport: Pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
- check National Identity Card: If you have a national identity card, a copy of both sides.
- check Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): A CoE for each course of study you plan to undertake.
- check Evidence of Financial Capacity: Evidence you have enough money for your stay. This can be in the form of bank statements, evidence of a loan from a financial institution, or scholarships.
- check Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Evidence that you have paid for OSHC from an approved Australian provider.
- check English Language Test Results: Results of an approved English language test such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE), unless exempt.
- check Genuine Student Statement: A written statement and supporting documents addressing the Genuine Student requirement.
- check Police Certificates: You might need to provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years.
- check Welfare Arrangements Documents: Evidence of welfare arrangements, such as a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) form from your education provider.
Download Checklist PDF
Get the complete list of required documents.
Step-by-Step Application
Before you apply
Organise your health exams, gather your documents, and make sure you have a valid passport. Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria.
Gather your documents
Collect all necessary documents, including your CoE, evidence of financial capacity, OSHC, and English language proficiency. Translate any non-English documents.
Apply for the visa
Lodge your application online using ImmiAccount. Attach all your documents and pay the visa application charge.
After you apply
The Department of Home Affairs will process your application. They may ask for more information or for you to provide biometrics. Check your ImmiAccount regularly for updates.
Visa outcome
You will be notified of the decision in writing. If your visa is granted, you will receive your visa grant number, expiry date, and conditions.
Common Rejection Reasons
Avoid these common mistakes that lead to visa refusals.
Genuine Student Requirement Not Met
Write detailed genuine student statement. Explain course choice logically. Show how study aligns with past education and future career. Research the institution thoroughly.
English Language Requirements Not Met
Check exact English requirements for your course. Take tests well in advance. Consider package courses with ELICOS if borderline. Keep test results valid throughout processing.