Thinking about studying in Australia? Great choice. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to get an Australia student visa (Subclass 500) in 2025—what it is, who can apply, the latest rule changes, how to prove money, work rights, step-by-step application, documents, timelines, and smarter tips to boost your chances. It is written in clear, simple English and packed with practical tables you can scan at a glance.
What is the Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)?
The Subclass 500 lets international students study full-time at a CRICOS-registered provider in Australia. You can usually bring eligible family, work part-time while class is in session, and stay for the length of your course with a buffer period at the end.
At a glance
| Topic | Quick facts |
|---|---|
| Visa name | Student visa (Subclass 500) |
| Purpose | Full-time study at a CRICOS-registered provider |
| Apply | Online via ImmiAccount |
| Length of stay | Usually course length plus 1–2 months (up to ~6 years in limited cases) |
| Work rights | Capped during study terms; different settings during breaks |
| Family | Eligible partner/children can be included |
Australia updates student policy often. Always check the Subclass 500 page before you apply; it shows live rules, processing priorities, and alerts (e.g., English test changes noted on 7 August 2025).
What’s new in 2024–2025 (Know these before you start)
Australia has introduced several important changes over the past 18 months. Here are the big ones students ask about.
| Change | What it means for you | Where it’s from |
|---|---|---|
| Genuine Student (GS) replaced GTE | Your application includes short, specific answers about your study plan, ties, and benefits. Provide proof with docs. | GS page & Document Checklist Tool. |
| English settings updated | English testing rules and accepted tests were updated (note the change highlighted on 7 Aug 2025). | Subclass 500 & English updates page. |
| Work hours | Cap is 48 hours per fortnight during study terms; settings differ during holidays. | Education Dept factsheet & Study Australia. |
| Financial capacity | Minimum living-cost figure for a primary applicant is AUD 29,710 (announced May 2024). | Reuters report on Home Affairs update. |
| Processing priorities | Offshore student cases are processed under Ministerial Direction 111. | MD111 & Subclass 500 page. |
| Onshore “switching” tightened | From 1 July 2024, several onshore pathways to a new student visa were restricted. | Home Affairs announcement. |
Who is eligible?
You must be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course, meet GS, prove English ability, show enough money, hold OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover), and pass health/character checks.
| Requirement | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| CRICOS enrolment | Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course. |
| GS answers | Clear, short answers (up to 150 words each) plus proof (CV, transcripts, job letters, etc.). |
| English | Meet the current test rules; check accepted tests and score settings before booking. |
| Financial capacity | Funds for travel, 12 months of living, tuition, and any dependants’ schooling costs—or sponsor income evidence. |
| OSHC | Policy starting at least one week before your course and covering your whole stay. |
| Health & character | Health exam (Bupa Medical Visa Services), biometrics in some countries, police checks as requested. |
Tip: Use the official Document Checklist Tool to see the exact documents for your passport country and provider.
Understanding CRICOS, CoE, and OSHC (the “must-haves”)
| Item | Plain-English meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| CRICOS | Australian government register of education providers and courses for international students. | Your course must be on CRICOS for the visa. |
| CoE | Confirmation of Enrolment document from your provider with course dates/fees. | Required to make a valid visa application. |
| OSHC | Compulsory health insurance for international students and family members. | You must hold OSHC for the whole visa period. |
Costs you should plan for
Visa and related costs change. Check the live Home Affairs fee table or pricing estimator when you apply.
| Cost | Typical information |
|---|---|
| Visa application charge (VAC) | The base fee changed on 1 July 2024 (media reported AUD 1,600). Always verify the current figure in the pricing table/estimator on the day you apply. |
| Financial capacity (living costs) | Students must show they can cover living costs. The primary student benchmark rose to AUD 29,710 from May 2024. Tuition and travel are on top. |
| Health exam | You pay your medicals directly; Home Affairs indicates typical costs for exams done in Australia (approximate guidance only). |
| OSHC | Price depends on provider, length of cover, and number of family members. Your provider or insurer will quote you. Requirement itself is mandatory. |
| Biometrics | Some nationalities must give biometrics at a collection centre. |
Important: Fees and benchmarks are policy tools in Australia and can rise with little notice. Always re-check the official pages before you pay.
Work rights while you study
International students can work, with limits.
| Setting | What you can do |
|---|---|
| During study terms | Up to 48 hours per fortnight (two weeks). Track your hours. |
| During scheduled breaks | Unlimited hours during academic breaks, per Study Australia. |
| After course completion (before visa expiry) | Rules differ by condition and timing—check VEVO and your grant letter to avoid breaching conditions. |
| Your rights at work | You have the same workplace rights as any worker in Australia. |
Pro tip: Keep a simple hours log and confirm your visa conditions in VEVO to stay compliant.
Length of stay on a student visa
Home Affairs publishes how it calculates your end date (often 1–2 months beyond course end; different rules apply for courses finishing Nov–Dec and for postgraduate research). The maximum stay on a student visa generally does not exceed six years. OSHC must cover the same period.
| Course timing | Typical visa end date |
|---|---|
| ≥10 months, ending Nov–Dec | To 15 March of the next year |
| ≥10 months, ending Jan–Oct | Usually 2 months beyond course end |
| <10 months | Usually 1 month beyond course end |
| Postgrad research | Often +6 months on top of the usual buffer |
Step-by-step: How to apply (and get it right)
| Step | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose a CRICOS course | Confirm course + provider eligibility. | Only CRICOS courses qualify. |
| 2. Get your CoE | Accept offer, meet conditions, pay deposit as required. | You need the CoE to lodge. |
| 3. Buy OSHC | Start at least one week before course start; cover full stay. | Mandatory for a valid grant. |
| 4. Prepare GS & English | Draft short GS answers; book a test that meets current rules. | New GS replaces GTE; English settings updated. |
| 5. Gather funds evidence | Bank funds for living, tuition, travel; or sponsor income proof. | The bar for living costs rose in 2024. |
| 6. Health & biometrics | Book medicals at Bupa MVS (when told); give biometrics if required. | Speeds decision; required for some. |
| 7. Create ImmiAccount | Fill online form; attach documents as per the Checklist Tool. | Fewer requests, faster outcome. |
| 8. Pay the fee & submit | Pay by card/PayPal; note surcharges. | Lodgement complete. |
| 9. Track & respond | Watch messages; reply fast to any s56 request. | Keeps your case moving. |
| 10. Plan arrival | Book flights only when you have the visa. | Practical sanity check. |
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement—what to write and what to attach
GS is not an essay. It’s a set of focused questions inside your application with a 150-word limit per answer. Support your points with documents (transcripts, work letters, CV).
| GS theme | Aim | Examples of proof |
|---|---|---|
| Current circumstances | Show ties and responsibilities. | Job letters, payslips, family ties. |
| Why this course/provider | Show a logical study plan. | Course outlines, career mapping. |
| Benefit to you | Show career outcomes back home or in Australia (skills needs). | Skills shortage data, goal CV. |
| Other relevant info | Explain gaps, refusals, or sponsor details. | Brief statements + evidence. |
English language requirement (keep an eye on updates)
Australia tightened minimum English settings in 2024 and updated test acceptance on 7 August 2025. Before you book, check the visa page that lists the approved test providers and any new rules.
| What to check | Why |
|---|---|
| Approved test list and scores | Rules can change (providers/score tables). |
| Test validity window | Most results are valid for a limited period. |
| Exemptions | Certain passport holders or prior study may qualify. |
Proving your funds (financial capacity)
Home Affairs expects proof that you can pay for living, tuition, travel, and dependants’ schooling if they come. From May 2024, the living-cost benchmark for a single student rose to AUD 29,710. Use official figures when you lodge and keep evidence up to date (recent bank statements, loan letters, scholarship letters).
| Cost area | Examples of evidence |
|---|---|
| Living costs | Bank statements, term deposits, approved education loan, scholarship letter. |
| Tuition | CoE shows fees; receipts for deposits paid. |
| Travel | Ticket estimates or budgeted airfare. |
| Dependants | Extra living/schooling funds if spouse/children travel with you. |
Tip: The Document Checklist Tool links to the “Gather your documents” section with the official money amounts and formats. Use it to avoid a refusal for missing or weak proof.
Health, biometrics, and character: what to expect
| Requirement | What happens |
|---|---|
| Health exam | Book through Bupa Medical Visa Services when instructed; bring your HAP ID. |
| Biometrics | If your nationality is on the list, you’ll be asked to give fingerprints and a photo at an approved centre. |
| Police checks | Some applicants need overseas police certificates or local checks as requested. |
Processing times (and how to avoid delays)
Global processing time tables are refreshed monthly by Home Affairs. Priorities for offshore student applications follow Ministerial Direction 111, which can affect speed depending on your provider and sector.
| What you can control | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Apply early | Peak intakes strain capacity. |
| Attach a complete file at lodgement | The Checklist Tool shows the exact docs to attach. |
| Correct COE/OSHC dates | Your visa end date depends on these. |
| Do medicals/biometrics quickly | Avoids “on hold” status. |
| Answer s56 requests fast | Keeps your case moving. |
Work after graduation: Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485)
Many students continue to work in Australia after study using the Temporary Graduate (485) visa. From 1 July 2024, the program was “re-aligned” and age caps changed. Key notes:
| Stream | Good to know (summary) |
|---|---|
| Post-Vocational Education Work (former Graduate Work) | For eligible VET grads. Age generally ≤35 (some passport exceptions). Stay up to 18 months (longer for some HK/BNO holders). |
| Post-Higher Education Work (former Post-Study Work) | For bachelor, masters, PhD grads. Age generally ≤35. For Indian nationals (AI-ECTA), stay periods are: Bachelor up to 2 years; Bachelor (first-class STEM incl. ICT) up to 3; Masters up to 3; PhD up to 4. |
| Second Post-Higher Education Work | For those with eligible regional study/work history; age cap ≤35. |
Also note: Australia ended the temporary two-year “extension” measure from mid-2024.
Common reasons for refusal (and how to fix them)
| Risk area | How to reduce risk |
|---|---|
| Weak GS answers | Keep answers short, specific, and backed with proof (CV, job letters, course research). |
| Funds not convincing | Show recent statements, explain sources, include tuition/OSHC receipts, and meet the latest benchmarks. |
| English not meeting rules | Confirm accepted tests and minimum scores before you book. |
| OSHC gap | Buy cover to match your whole stay (start ≥1 week before your course). |
| Missing medicals/biometrics | Book promptly when asked. |
Smart application checklist (save this)
| Category | Items |
|---|---|
| Identity | Passport bio page, national ID or driver’s licence (if you have one). |
| Study | CoE(s) for all courses, packaged where needed. |
| English | Valid test result or exemption evidence. |
| GS | 150-word answers + CV, job letters, transcripts, statements. |
| Money | Bank statements/loan letters/scholarship letters; tuition and OSHC receipts. |
| Health | HAP ID, Bupa medical booking when invited. |
| Biometrics | Appointment letter and receipt (if applicable). |
| Family (if included) | Marriage/birth certificates, evidence of relationship and funds/schooling plans. |
FAQs (quick answers)
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Can I work in Australia while studying? | Yes. 48 hours per fortnight during terms; different settings in official breaks. |
| Do I need OSHC? | Yes, for your entire stay (start at least a week before your course). |
| How long can I stay on a student visa? | Usually your course length plus a buffer (rules vary by finish month and course type). Max generally ~6 years across packages. |
| How much money must I show? | Enough for 12 months of living, tuition, travel, and any dependants. The living-cost benchmark for a student rose to AUD 29,710 in May 2024. |
| What happens after I graduate? | Many apply for the Temporary Graduate (485) visa. Age caps and streams changed from 1 July 2024; check your stream and duration. |
Conclusion
Australia is a world-class study destination, but the visa is detail-heavy. Keep it simple: choose a CRICOS course, get your CoE, buy OSHC for your whole stay, prepare clear GS answers, meet the latest English rules, and prove your funds with recent, credible documents. Apply early through ImmiAccount, respond fast to any requests, and know your work rights (48 hours per fortnight in term, different settings during breaks). If you plan to stay and work after graduating, read the updated 485 rules first.
Follow the official pages linked below and you’ll stay in step with every change.