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Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
Study, Culture, and
Lifestyle in Australia
full assessment of your visa eligibility.
Changes from 2 October 2026
From 2 October 2026, most Student visa applicants can no longer include their partner or children in their application, and most people already in Australia must apply from outside Australia. Exemptions apply, including for PhD students, government-sponsored students and eligible students from Pacific and ASEAN countries. If you were planning to bring your family or to apply onshore, speak to a registered migration agent before you enrol or make travel plans.
- Family members: family members cannot be added after the visa is granted, and cannot apply later as subsequent entrants.
- Applying in Australia: only current Student visa holders who meet an exemption can apply onshore, for example needing up to 12 more months to finish with the same provider, moving to a higher AQF level, PhD or school studies, DFAT or Defence sponsorship, or provider default. Holders of Visitor, Temporary Graduate (485), Working Holiday and several other visas cannot apply in Australia.
- Earlier applications: applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the old rules.
Key Requirements
- Enrolment: a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) in a full-time CRICOS-registered course, valid both when you apply and when the decision is made.
- Genuine Student requirement: answer the questions in the application form about your circumstances, why you chose your course and provider, and how the course will benefit you, with supporting evidence. It replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test on 23 March 2024.
- Financial capacity: travel costs, 12 months of course fees and 12 months of living costs: AUD 29,710 for the student, AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 per child, plus at least AUD 13,502 a year for each school-age child. Alternatively, parents or a partner can show annual income of at least AUD 87,856 (AUD 102,500 with family) through official tax documents.
- English: if the Document Checklist Tool says you need it, for example IELTS 6.0 or PTE Academic 47 for tests taken from 7 August 2025, with lower scores accepted when English (ELICOS) study is packaged with your course.
- Health insurance: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for everyone in the application from the day you arrive.
- Under 18: approved welfare arrangements and parental consent.
- Health, character and biometrics: meet health and character requirements, and provide biometrics if asked (in Pakistan, at centres in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi).
- Visa charge: from AUD 2,500 for the main applicant since 1 July 2026. A lower charge applies to eligible ASEAN, Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens and to standalone English (ELICOS) and non-award students.
Maximise Success With Student Visa Experts
Our Registered Migration
Agent Services Include
We provide expert guidance, visa support, eligibility assessment, and personalised assistance throughout your migration journey.
- Applicants: Phase 1
- Fair and Honest Eligibility Assessment
- Advice Tailored to Your Circumstances
- Strategic Immigration Planning
- Up-to-Date Policy and Legislative Guidance
- Clear Cost and Expense Breakdown
- Applicants: Phase 2
- Guidance on Required Documents
- Application Forms and Paperwork Support
- Application Preparation and Lodgement
- Important Date and Deadline Monitoring
- Communication with the Immigration
How to Apply for a Student Visa
- Get advice on the right course and education provider.
- Accept your offer and receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
- Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your whole stay.
- Prepare your evidence: Genuine Student answers, financial capacity, English test and identity documents.
- Lodge your application online through ImmiAccount (most applicants must now be outside Australia).
- Pay the visa application charge (from AUD 2,500 for the main applicant).
- Complete biometrics and health examinations if the Department asks you to.
- Respond promptly to any request for more information from the Department.
- Receive your visa decision before you make travel arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
Can I bring my spouse and children on a Student visa after the 2 October 2026 changes?
Usually not. For applications lodged from 2 October 2026, most students cannot include a partner or children, and family members cannot apply later as subsequent entrants. Exemptions include PhD students, DFAT or Defence-sponsored students, holders of fully funded foreign government scholarships, Pacific and ASEAN nationals, and some existing Student visa holders. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the old rules.
What is the Genuine Student requirement?
It replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test on 23 March 2024. You must show that study is the main reason you want the visa. The online form asks about your current circumstances and ties, why you chose your course and provider, and how the course will benefit you, with each answer limited to 150 words. Supporting documents carry weight. Wanting to apply for permanent residence later does not count against you.
How much money do I need to show?
At minimum: travel costs, the first 12 months of course fees and 12 months of living costs. Living costs are AUD 29,710 for you, AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 per child, plus at least AUD 13,502 a year for each school-age child. Alternatively, your parents or partner may show annual income of at least AUD 87,856 (AUD 102,500 with family) through official tax documents. The Department may also ask where the funds came from.
How many hours can I work?
Once your course starts, you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours when it is not in session. You cannot work before your course starts. Master's by research and doctoral students, and their families, have no work limit. Always check your own visa conditions in VEVO, because conditions vary.
Why are student visas refused, and what can I do after a refusal?
Common reasons include not meeting the Genuine Student requirement, weak or unexplained financial evidence, missing English or OSHC evidence, an invalid Confirmation of Enrolment, or a poor immigration history. Your refusal letter states the reasons and whether you have review rights, and strict deadlines apply. Invalid applications cannot be reviewed. Get advice from a registered migration agent quickly.
Can I apply for a new Student visa while I am in Australia?
Since 2 October 2026, only if you hold a Student visa as the main applicant and meet an exemption, such as needing up to 12 extra months to finish your course with the same provider, moving to a higher AQF-level course, a PhD, school studies, DFAT or Defence sponsorship, or your provider closing. Holders of Visitor, Temporary Graduate (485), Working Holiday and several other visas cannot apply onshore.
How long does processing take?
It varies. Offshore applications are prioritised under Ministerial Direction 115, which depends partly on your education provider's student allocation; a direction is not a cap and does not decide the outcome. Use the Department's visa processing time guide for recent indications. Lodging a complete application well before your course starts helps avoid delays.