Australian Student Visa: Requirements, Costs And Procedure

Discover everything you need to know about applying for an Australian Student Visa. Our expert consultant outlines essential requirements, costs, and the application procedure, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your academic journey in Australia.

Student visa and related visas

Student visa – subclass 500

The Student visa (Subclass 500 visa) enables international students to pursue studies in Australia. This visa grants permission to reside in Australia for the duration of their full-time course, which can extend up to 5 years, at a recognized Australian educational institution approved by the government.

Guardian visa – subclass 590

The Student Guardian visa Australia (Subclass 590) is designed for guardians accompanying international students under 18 years of age (or over 18 years requiring special care) who hold an Australian Student visa. 

This visa enables the guardian to provide support and care for the student throughout their studies in Australia. Applicants (guardians) must be parents, legal guardians, or relatives who meet the requirements specified for the student visa holder.

Temporary Graduate visa – subclass 485

The Temporary Graduate visa Australia (Subclass 485 visa Australia) is designed for international students who have recently completed at least a 2-year course at an eligible Australian educational institution. This temporary visa allows holders to remain in Australia to gain work experience relevant to their qualifications.

Benefits of Subclass 500 visa

The Subclass 500 visa offers several benefits to international students studying in Australia:

• Study opportunities: Access to world-class education institutions across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
• Long stay duration: Allows students to stay in Australia for the duration of their enrolled course.
• Work rights: Provides limited work rights, allowing students to work part-time during their studies to support living expenses.
• Dependent family members: Eligibility to include family members in the visa application, allowing them to join the student in Australia.
• Pathway to permanent residency: Depending on circumstances, the Subclass 500 visa can serve as a pathway to permanent residency in Australia.

You can then apply for a Temporary skilled visa (Subclass 482) to continue to stay in Australia to work and apply for a permanent Australian Skilled visa to settle down if you meet all the requirements.

These benefits make the Subclass 500 visa a popular choice among international students seeking to study and potentially settle in Australia.

Requirement for Australia Student visa

The Subclass 500 Student visa requires applicants to meet several key requirements:

• Enrollment in a course: Must have confirmation of enrollment (CoE) in a registered course at an Australian educational institution.
• Financial capacity: Demonstrate the ability to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and potentially support family members accompanying them.
• Genuine Study (GS): Provide evidence of genuine study purposes to stay temporarily in Australia.
• Health insurance: Obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the visa.
• English language proficiency: Depending on the course and nationality, provide proof of English language proficiency through standardized tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
• Character requirements: Provide police certificates from all countries resided in for more than 12 months in the past 10 years.
• Health requirements: Undergo a health examination to meet Australia’s health standards.

Meeting these 500 visa requirements ensures eligibility for the visa, enabling international students to pursue education in Australia.

Additionally, the Subclass 590 visa is available for guardians of international students, ensuring they can accompany and support their children during their studies.

For personalized guidance on your study abroad process in Australia, please contact VEM. Registered for practice (MARN: 1577877) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), Mr. Peter Cao will assist you with tailored advice and the best possible pathway.

Cost of Subclass 500 Visa Australia

The Student visa Australia cost is AUD1,600 according to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Additional applicants aged 18 years and over incur a fee of AUD1,190, while those under 18 years old have a fee of AUD390.

Required Documents for Student Visa Application

When applying for an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500), it’s important to thoroughly prepare the following documents:

Forms and Certificates:

• Academic and work experience documents
• Proof of Enrolment: Confirmation of course registration (COE) in Australia.
• Visa Application form 157 and Details of Relatives form 67
• Offer letter from an Australian university or college.
• English Proficiency Certificate: Includes certificates like IELTS, PTE, or equivalent (if applicable).
• Genuine Student Test (GTE): For applicants who submitted their application before March 23, 2024, the old GTE requirements still apply.

Personal Identification:

• Four Passport-sized Photos (4×6 cm): Taken within the last 2 months.
• Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of application.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae: Certified by local authorities.
• Certified copies of Birth Certificate and Household Registration Book.

Health and Background Checks:

• Medical Certificate: Proof of meeting health requirements.
• Police Clearance Certificate: Evidence of a clear criminal record.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Approved health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
• Proof of Legal Guardianship: For students under 18, documents proving legal guardianship.

Financial Evidence (of student or parents):

• Annual Income: Minimum of about AUD 63,000 per year for parents or dependents.
• Living Expenses: Around AUD 23,000 per year.
• Tuition Fees: Estimated between AUD 18,000 and AUD 50,000 per year.

You can prove your financial capability for the subclass 500 Student visa through documents such as savings accounts, property ownership papers, and proof of income.

Proving financial capacity can be one of the challenges when applying for a Student Visa (Subclass 500).

Contact VEM for expert assistance in navigating this process. Our registered migration agent, Mr. Peter Cao (MARN: 1577877), a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), can offer personalized guidance and help you prepare the necessary financial documentation effectively.

Steps to apply for Student visa Australia

After selecting a suitable school and course of study, international students need to complete the following procedures:

• Step 1: Choose Your Course and Institution
• Step 2: Apply for a CoE (Confirm of Enrolment)
• Step 3: Gather Documents
• Step 4: Create an ImmiAccount
• Step 5: Complete the Application Form
• Step 6: Pay the Visa Fee
• Step 7: Submit Application
• Step 8: Biometrics and Health examination (if required)
• Step 9: Await Decision
• Step 10: Visa Grant
• Step 11: Prepare for Arrival

It is recommended to consult with a registered migration agent or refer to the official website of the Department of Home Affairs for detailed and up-to-date guidance throughout the application process.

Processing Time for Australian Student Visa

The 500 Student visa processing time depends on your chosen field of study. According to the latest updates from the Australian Department of Immigration, the timeframe can vary accordingly:

Please note that processing times may vary. For the most current information, please visit the DHA’s website or contact VEM for updates.

Important notes when applying for subclass 500 visa

Prepare for the GS test

Genuine Student requirements for the Subclass 500 visa focus on evaluating the applicant’s genuine intention to study, considering the following factors:

• Family/Economic Background: Details about your family’s situation and economic status.
• Educational and Work Experience: Information on your educational background and work experience.
• Course Choice: Explanation of why you have chosen this course in Australia and how it benefits your future.
• Previous Study in Australia: For those who have previously studied in Australia, provide detailed information about your past studies.
• Visa Status Explanation: For applicants currently in Australia on a visa other than a student visa, explain why you wish to switch to a student visa.
• Additional Information: Any other relevant details you want to include.

Valid English Language Proficiency Certificates

To meet the English language requirement for the Subclass 500 visa, you need to provide one of the following certificates with the specified minimum scores:

Duration of Australian Student Visa

The validity period of the Subclass 500 visa depends on the length of your course:

• For courses less than 10 months: The visa is granted for the course duration plus 1 month.
• For courses longer than 10 months, ending between January and October: The visa is granted for the course duration plus 2 months.
• For courses longer than 10 months, ending in November or December: The visa will be valid until March 15 of the following year.

How to stay in Australia after your subclass 500 visa expires?

To continue staying in Australia after your Subclass 500 visa expires, you can consider applying for one of the following visas:

• Visitor Visa – Subclass 600: This tourist visa is ideal for those wanting to stay in Australia for a short time after their student visa expires, especially if your Subclass 500 visa ends before graduation.
• Temporary Graduate Visa – Subclass 485: For students who have completed their course in Australia and currently hold a Subclass 500 visa. You must prove that you completed your qualification within the last 6 months and that your course lasted at least 2 years.

Other Australian Visas: Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for other visas if you meet the specific requirements, allowing you to stay longer.

New changes on Student visa

New Requirement for Student Visa Applicants

Effective March 23, 2024, under the updated Australian Migration strategy, applicants for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) will no longer be required to submit a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Statement. Instead, a Genuine Student (GS) test will be introduced to assess applicants’ genuine intention to study in Australia.

Restrict ‘visa hopping’ onshore

Effective July 1st, 2024, holders of Visitor visa (Subclass 600) and Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) will no longer be eligible to apply for the Student Visa Australia (Subclass 500) while onshore.

This change aims to prevent ‘visa hopping’, following over 36,000 applications transitioning from visitor visas to Student visas between July 1st, 2023, and May 31st, 2024. The update emphasizes that graduates should either secure skilled employment and apply for permanent residency or depart Australia to comply with temporary stay regulations.

Increased English Requirements

• Minimum IELTS score increased from 5.5 to 6.0.
• Minimum IELTS score for the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) increased from 4.5 to 5.0.
• No IELTS certificate required for students enrolling only in ELICOS.

Contact VEM if you need detailed consultancy for Australia study visa. Our consultant, Mr. Peter Cao, a registered migration consultant (MARN: 1577877) and qualified education consultant (QEAC: K580), ensures professional handling of your visa application, meeting all legal requirements.

By: Peter Phong D Cao – Registered migration agent

(MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648)

Frequently asked questions about Student visa