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Study in Australia from ASEAN Countries
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
Australia is one of the most popular study destinations for students from Southeast Asia. In 2026 the Australian Government made two changes that matter for citizens of ASEAN countries: a lower Student visa charge from 1 July 2026, and an exemption from 2 October 2026 that still lets eligible ASEAN students include family members in their application.
Lower Student Visa Charge for ASEAN Citizens
For Student visa (subclass 500) applications made from 1 July 2026, the base charge is AUD 2,050 (instead of the standard AUD 2,500) when the main applicant holds a valid passport from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam.
| Applicant | ASEAN passport | Standard charge |
|---|---|---|
| Main student | AUD 2,050 | AUD 2,500 |
| Family member aged 18 or over | AUD 1,255 | AUD 1,530 |
| Family member under 18 | AUD 410 | AUD 500 |
The rate is based on the main student's passport, and family members in the same application also pay the lower charge. Timor-Leste citizens pay the lower Pacific rate, with a base charge of AUD 745. Health checks, police certificates and biometrics cost extra.
You Can Still Include Your Family
From 2 October 2026, most Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or dependent children. Eligible students from ASEAN member countries, including Timor-Leste, and from Pacific countries are exempt, so you may still include family members when you lodge. Important conditions:
- Your family must apply at the same time and in the same place as you, in one combined application.
- Family members cannot be added after your visa is granted. There are no exemptions to this rule.
- If you are already in Australia, you can include family only in limited situations, such as needing up to 12 more months to finish your course, moving to a higher-level course, or your provider defaulting.
Plan carefully: if you leave family out of your first application, they may not be able to join you later on your Student visa.
Steps to Apply
- Choose a course and get your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for a CRICOS-registered course.
- Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself and any family members for your whole stay.
- Meet the Genuine Student requirement by explaining your circumstances, your study plans and why the course suits you.
- Show financial capacity for travel, course fees and 12 months of living costs (AUD 29,710 for the student, plus more for each family member).
- Provide English language evidence if the Department asks for it.
- Lodge online in ImmiAccount and pay the visa charge. Most applicants must be outside Australia when they apply and when the visa is granted.
Other Pathways
- Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462): for people aged 18 to 30. Citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam can apply, subject to annual country caps; Indonesia and Vietnam use a ballot.
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): after finishing an eligible CRICOS course you may be able to stay and work in Australia. You must generally be 35 or under.
- Skilled migration: some graduates later qualify for points-tested skilled visas. These depend on your occupation, skills assessment and points, and are never guaranteed. See our skilled migration guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
Which countries get the lower Student visa charge?
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are listed for the AUD 2,050 base charge. Timor-Leste is treated separately and pays the lower Pacific rate of AUD 745. The rate depends on the passport the main student uses in the application, so make sure it is valid when you apply.
Does the lower charge apply to my family?
Yes. Family members who apply with you in the same application also pay the lower charges: AUD 1,255 for each person aged 18 or over and AUD 410 for each child under 18. The rate is based on the main student's passport, not the family member's passport.
Can my partner join me after I arrive?
Generally no. From 2 October 2026, family members cannot be added to a Student visa after it is granted, and there are no exemptions. If you qualify for the ASEAN exemption, your family must be included when you first lodge your application, and you must all lodge from the same location.
Does the family exemption apply if I apply from inside Australia?
Only in limited cases, such as needing up to 12 more months to finish your course, progressing to a higher-level course, or your education provider defaulting. If you are outside Australia when you apply, you can include eligible family members at the time of lodging.
Can I work while I study?
Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours a fortnight while their course is in session and unlimited hours when it is not in session. You cannot work before your course starts. Your family members' work rights depend on their own visa conditions, so check them before you plan your budget.
Does an ASEAN passport mean my visa will be approved?
No. The lower charge and the family exemption do not change the visa requirements. You still need to meet the Genuine Student, financial capacity, health, character and English requirements, and each application is decided on its own facts. A registered migration agent can help you prepare a complete application.
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