Updated 2026–27 student visa guide
How to apply for a further subclass 500 visa, prepare a new CoE and OSHC, satisfy Genuine Student requirements and remain lawful while waiting.
Australia does not extend the expiry date printed on an existing Student visa. What is commonly called a student visa extension in Australia is a new Student visa (subclass 500) application. The student must qualify again, pay the current application charge and provide current evidence.
A new visa may be needed because a course has been extended, study was deferred, a student is moving to another course, postgraduate research requires more time or the current visa does not cover the new program. Applying early matters: a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) or university letter does not by itself keep a person lawful after visa expiry.
Quick answer: Obtain the correct new CoE, extend OSHC, prepare a fresh Genuine Student case and lodge a valid subclass 500 application before the current visa expires. The current base visa charge is from AUD 2,500 for the main applicant.
When do you need a student visa extension?
Compare the course end date on the latest CoE with the “must not arrive after”, stay and expiry information in VEVO. A new application is commonly required when:
Course completion is delayed
Failed or repeated subjects, reduced study load, illness, compassionate circumstances or an approved deferral moved the expected completion date.
A new course follows
The student has accepted a packaged, higher-level or otherwise academically credible course extending beyond the current visa.
Research needs more time
A postgraduate researcher needs additional enrolment or, in exceptional circumstances, time for thesis marking supported by the provider.
Current visa ends too early
The study or approved academic activity continues beyond the authorised stay despite continuing enrolment.
Finishing a course does not always require another Student visa. If the person will move to a Temporary Graduate, employer-sponsored, skilled or partner pathway, that separate visa’s eligibility and timing should be assessed instead.
Student visa extension Australia requirements
A further Student visa is assessed as a new application. Prior compliance helps, but it does not guarantee approval.
Valid Confirmation of Enrolment: provide a current CoE for every relevant course in the study package, unless a specific exception applies.
Genuine Student requirement: explain the study rationale, academic progression, knowledge of the course and provider, career value and personal circumstances.
Adequate OSHC: hold Overseas Student Health Cover for the required period for the student and accompanying family members.
Financial capacity: where required, show funds for travel, tuition and living costs for the applicant and included family.
English evidence: provide an accepted test or evidence of an exemption under the rules applying to the new application.
Health and character: complete examinations, biometrics or police checks if requested and answer all declarations accurately.
Visa history and compliance: disclose course changes, gaps, cancellations, refusals and any breach of work, enrolment or attendance conditions.
The Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool identifies evidence based on passport country and education provider. Its output is a starting point; the Department may request more.
Documents for an Australian student visa extension
| Document group |
Examples |
Purpose |
| Identity and status |
Passport, current grant, VEVO and civil documents |
Confirm identity, family and lawful status |
| Study |
CoE, transcripts, completion or extension letter, attendance and progress |
Show enrolment and explain the extra time |
| Genuine Student |
Application answers plus supporting career, study and employment evidence |
Demonstrate a coherent education purpose |
| Funds |
Bank records, loan, sponsor income and relationship evidence |
Meet financial-evidence requirements |
| Health and family |
OSHC certificate, medicals, marriage and birth certificates |
Cover the applicant and accompanying dependants |
If course completion was delayed, address why. Provider confirmation, medical evidence, an approved reduced-load decision and a realistic completion plan are stronger than a generic statement.
For a new course, explain academic progression. Repeating the same level, moving backwards, choosing an unrelated field or accumulating several short courses can attract closer Genuine Student scrutiny.
Student visa extension cost in 2026–27
From 1 July 2026, the base Student visa subclass 500 application charge is from AUD 2,500 for the main applicant. Eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens may receive a lower charge in limited circumstances.
Base application
From AUD 2,500
Main applicant, checked 21 August 2026.
Additional budget
Dependants, OSHC, medicals, biometrics, police checks, translations, English tests and professional fees.
An applicant lodging another temporary substantive visa in Australia may also face the subsequent temporary application charge, depending on individual visa history and current pricing rules. It is separate from the base charge.
Application charges are generally non-refundable
A refusal or withdrawal normally does not produce a refund merely because the student cannot continue. Confirm validity and evidence before paying.
How to extend a Student visa in Australia
- Check VEVO and course dates: identify the visa expiry, current conditions and study end date.
- Speak with the education provider: confirm the academic reason, issue a new CoE and obtain a supporting letter where relevant.
- Extend OSHC: arrange cover for the period required by the new application and all included family members.
- Run the checklist: use the Home Affairs tool and collect financial, English, academic, health and character evidence.
- Prepare Genuine Student answers: respond directly to the online questions and support important claims.
- Lodge through ImmiAccount: submit a valid application and pay all applicable charges before expiry.
- Upload and monitor: retain the acknowledgement, check requests and update changed circumstances.
There is no universal rule requiring lodgement exactly 28 days before expiry. Starting two to three months early is practical, but lodge only when the CoE, OSHC and case are ready. The legal priority is a valid application before the current visa ceases.
Bridging Visa while the extension is processed
A valid onshore Student visa application commonly leads to a Bridging Visa A. It normally remains inactive while the current Student visa is in effect and then keeps the applicant lawful if the new application is still undecided.
The current Student visa conditions continue until it ends. Once the BVA activates, check its own conditions in VEVO, including study and work rights. Do not assume the BVA permits unlimited work.
Do not travel on a Bridging Visa A
A BVA does not support return travel. If overseas travel is necessary after the Student visa expires, obtain a Bridging Visa B before departure and ensure its travel period covers the trip.
Who cannot apply for a Student visa onshore?
From 1 July 2024, holders of Visitor visas, Temporary Graduate visas and Maritime Crew visas cannot apply for a Student visa while in Australia. Other Schedule 1 restrictions, visa conditions such as 8503, and section 48 can also prevent a valid onshore application.
This matters when “extension” actually means changing from a different visa to study. A person barred from onshore lodgement may need to leave Australia and apply offshore, subject to eligibility and grant-location rules.
A current Student visa holder seeking a further Student visa is a different situation, but validity must still be checked. Do not assume a failed online payment or incomplete form creates bridging protection.
Common refusal and delay risks
- Weak Genuine Student answers that repeat generic statements without personal evidence.
- Unexplained course failure, prolonged study, provider changes or a lower-level course.
- CoE cancellation, incorrect course dates or an OSHC gap.
- Insufficient, borrowed-for-display or poorly sourced financial evidence.
- Incorrect English-test assumptions or expired results.
- Omitting visa refusals, work breaches, relationship changes or dependants.
- Lodging after expiry or while barred from applying in Australia.
If refused, read the decision letter immediately. Review rights and deadlines depend on where the application was lodged, the applicant’s status and the decision. A pending review does not erase the need to monitor bridging conditions and lawful status.
Does your course extend beyond your visa?
Review the CoE, Genuine Student case, OSHC, finances and application timing before expiry.
Contact VEM Visa
FAQs
How much does a Student visa extension cost?
The current base charge is from AUD 2,500 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026. Dependants, a subsequent temporary application charge, OSHC and other expenses may add to the total.
When should I apply for an extension?
Begin preparation two to three months before expiry where possible and lodge a complete, valid application before the current visa ends. There is no single 28-day legal rule for every case.
Do I need a new CoE?
Usually yes. The new application needs current enrolment evidence covering the remaining or new study, unless a specific exception applies.
Do I need to extend OSHC?
Yes. Arrange adequate cover for the required new period and included family members. An OSHC gap can affect eligibility and health costs.
Can I work while waiting for the new Student visa?
Follow the conditions on the visa currently in effect. After a BVA activates, check its conditions in VEVO rather than assuming unlimited work rights.
Can a 485 holder apply for a Student visa in Australia?
Not onshore. Since 1 July 2024, Temporary Graduate visa holders cannot apply for a Student visa while in Australia and may need to lodge offshore if eligible.
Can I travel while the extension application is pending?
Travel while the current Student visa remains valid differs from travel after a BVA activates. A BVA does not permit return; obtain a BVB before departure if required.
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