Subclass 500 Student Visa
The Subclass 500 Student Visa allows international students to live, study, and work in Australia while enrolled in a full-time educational course. It supports primary and secondary schooling, higher education, vocational training, and more. This visa also enables family accompaniment and provides a potential pathway to permanent residency.
Subclass 500 Student Visa – Study in Australia
Overview
The Subclass 500 Student Visa allows international students to enter and stay in Australia for the duration of their studies. It is designed for individuals enrolled in full-time CRICOS-registered courses, including:
- Primary and secondary school
- English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
- Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Higher Education (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD)
- Foundation studies or bridging courses
This visa allows students to work part-time, bring dependants, and in some cases, transition to permanent residency through graduate or skilled pathways.
Key Features
- Stay for the duration of your course (up to 5 years)
- Eligible to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods
- Unlimited work rights during course breaks
- Include family members (partner and children) in your application
- Access to Graduate Visa (485) after study in many cases
- Travel in and out of Australia freely while visa is valid
Eligibility Criteria
Applicant Must:
- Be enrolled in a full-time course registered on CRICOS
Search CRICOS courses - Have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- Provide evidence of Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) intent
- Meet English language requirements
- Have sufficient funds to support study and living expenses
- Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full stay
- Meet health and character requirements
English Language Requirements
You must meet minimum language test scores unless exempt. Examples:
| Test | Required Score |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall 5.5 (or 5.0 with 10-week ELICOS) |
| TOEFL iBT | 46 |
| PTE Academic | 42 |
| Cambridge | 162 |
Exemptions apply if:
- You're from an English-speaking country (e.g., UK, USA, NZ, Canada)
- You've completed 5+ years of study in English
- You're undertaking ELICOS directly
Financial Requirements
Must demonstrate the ability to cover:
- Tuition fees
- Living costs (AUD 24,505/year for main applicant)
- OSHC
- School fees for dependants (AUD 9,661/year per child)
- Return travel expenses
You may show:
- Personal bank statements
- Loans from financial institutions
- Government/sponsor funding
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)
GTE is a critical part of the 500 visa and is often the reason for refusal.
It assesses whether the applicant intends to temporarily stay in Australia for study purposes and not primarily to seek residency.
GTE is judged based on:
- Personal circumstances in home country
- Immigration history
- Course relevance to future career plans
- Economic and political situation in home country
- Ties to family/employment that suggest return
Your GTE statement (personal statement) must be well written, supported by documents, and tailored.
Application Process
Step 1: Enrol in a CRICOS Course
- Apply to an Australian education provider
- Receive a Letter of Offer
- Pay fees to receive Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Step 2: Prepare Documents
- Passport
- CoE
- English test results
- OSHC policy confirmation
- Proof of funds (bank statements, sponsor letters)
- GTE statement
- Academic transcripts and employment history (if applicable)
Step 3: Apply for Visa (Online via ImmiAccount)
- Create or log in to ImmiAccount
- Complete the online application
- Pay the visa fee
- Upload all required documentation
Step 4: Biometrics and Medical
- Attend a biometrics appointment
- Undergo a health examination (depending on nationality)
Fees (as of 2025)
| Applicant Type | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | 710 |
| Additional adult | 530 |
| Child dependent | 175 |
Processing Times (as of 2025)
| Stream | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Education Sector | 15 days | 28 days | 45 days | 60 days |
| VET (Vocational Education) | 25 days | 40 days | 70 days | 85 days |
| Postgraduate Research | 40 days | 60 days | 90 days | 120 days |
| Schools/ELICOS | 15 days | 30 days | 50 days | 65 days |
Note: Processing may vary depending on assessment level, country of passport, and quality of submitted documentation.
Common Reasons for Refusal
-
Weak GTE Statement
- Vague or generic content
- No clear future plan
- Lack of intent to return
-
Insufficient Financial Proof
- Fake or unverifiable documents
- Sudden/unexplained bank deposits
-
Questionable Course Relevance
- Studying a course unrelated to past background or work history
-
Previous Visa History
- Overstays or refusals in other countries
-
English Score Not Meeting Threshold
- Or test result expired
-
Missing OSHC or incorrect visa duration coverage
-
Fraudulent documents or mismatched information
Countries of Origin – Most Common Student Sources
As of 2024 data, top source countries for Subclass 500 applicants are:
- India
- China
- Nepal
- Vietnam
- Philippines
- Indonesia
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- Colombia
Trends and Observations
- Students from South Asia are increasingly using 500 as a stepping-stone to PR, especially via graduate or regional migration pathways
- Visa scrutiny is higher for high-risk countries or frequent refusal regions (as listed by Home Affairs)
- Australia now applies a streamlined vs regular evidentiary framework, depending on the risk rating of the student’s country and education provider
Check evidence level risk:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/web-evidentiary-framework
Conditions Attached to the Visa
- Condition 8105: Max 48 hours per fortnight work limit during study periods
- Condition 8202: Must maintain enrolment in a registered course and meet academic progress
- Condition 8501: Maintain OSHC throughout stay
- Condition 8516: Must continue to satisfy visa conditions and course eligibility
- Condition 8533: Notify your education provider and DHA if address or contact details change
Pathways After Study
1. Temporary Graduate Visa (485)
- For eligible international students completing study in Australia
- Streams:
- Graduate Work
- Post-Study Work
- Stay between 2 to 6 years depending on qualification level and location
2. Regional PR Pathways
- If studied and lived in Designated Regional Areas, students may gain extra points or direct pathways through:
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional)
- Subclass 191 (Permanent Regional)
- State nomination programs
3. Skilled Independent (189/190) or Employer-Sponsored PR (186/482/494)
Family Members
You can bring your partner and children with you. Your partner can:
- Work full-time if you're studying a master’s or doctoral degree
- Otherwise, work up to 48 hours per fortnight
Children must be enrolled in school and covered by OSHC.
Official Resources
Summary
The Subclass 500 Student Visa opens the door to world-class education and lifestyle opportunities in Australia. To increase your chance of approval, focus on crafting a strong GTE, demonstrate clear financial capacity, and select a relevant course that aligns with your background and goals. This visa is not only about study—it can also be the first step towards a future in Australia.
Tags: `500 visa`, `student visa Australia`, `study in Australia`, `GTE Australia`, `student visa requirements`, `CRICOS`, `OSHC`, `post study work visa`, `Temporary Graduate Visa`, `international students`