Student Visa, Subclass 500 (Australia)

The Student visa, subclass 500, lets international students live in Australia while they study an eligible course with an Australian education provider. You can stay for up to six years, in line with your enrolment, according to Study Australia, the government's study portal.

Australia says it continues to welcome international students, and you can still apply if you meet the visa requirements. The rules have, however, changed in 2026 in ways that matter, so read the sections below on charges and on the changes from 2 October 2026.

Study Australia lists these steps in order: read and accept your Letter of Offer, receive your Confirmation of Enrolment, prepare supporting documents, apply through ImmiAccount, and respond to any requests after you apply.

You need a valid Confirmation of Enrolment, called a CoE, when you apply, and it must still be valid when a decision is made. If you are under 18, you must also have an approved welfare arrangement. You do not need an agent to lodge a Student visa application, although you may choose to use one.

Applicants answer questions about their circumstances and study plans. Study Australia's advice is to answer each question honestly and in your own words, and to provide supporting evidence where requested.

Think about why you chose this course, this provider and this country, and what you plan to do afterwards. Generic answers copied from elsewhere are easy for decision makers to spot. Keep your answers consistent with your documents, such as your education history and your plans.

Most courses in Australia are taught in English, and only certain English language tests are accepted for Student visa applications. Use the Document Checklist Tool on the Home Affairs site to see what you must provide.

You may need to show that you have enough money to support yourself. Financial capacity requirements have been changed before and can change again, and Study Australia tells applicants to check the current rules before applying. The amount of funds depends on your circumstances and on whether family members are included, so use the official checklist and do not rely on a figure from an older article.

Most Student visa applicants need Overseas Student Health Cover, called OSHC, for the duration of their stay, unless an exemption applies. Organise this as part of your application, and keep the certificate.

Student visa holders can work, with limits. Study Australia says:

• Up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session
• No hours limit during scheduled course breaks
• No hours limit for master's by research or doctoral degrees after the course starts
• No work before your course starts, unless another visa allows it

Keep records of your hours, and check your visa conditions on VEVO, the online visa checking service. Your rights at work are strong: you must get a payslip within one working day of being paid, you have a right to a safe workplace, and an unfair dismissal claim must be filed with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days. The minimum wage is reviewed every year and depends on the type of work you do.

From 1 July 2026, the base application charge component for primary applicants on the Student (subclass 500) and Student Guardian (subclass 590) visas rose from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500. This was set by the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026. Other charges can apply, including charges for additional applicants.

The total depends on the date Home Affairs receives your application, so use the Visa pricing estimator for the full amount.

From 2 October 2026 there are new rules for the Student and Student Guardian visas. They affect who can apply for and be granted a visa while in Australia, current Student visa holders who apply for another Student visa, and whether family members can be included.

Study Australia says that, if you apply from inside Australia, you can do so only if you hold an eligible visa and meet an exemption. Family members can be included only if an exemption applies, and they cannot be added after the visa is granted. The page says there are no exemptions to that last rule.

If your plan involves bringing family or changing course while in Australia, read the Home Affairs page and its decision trees before you pay a deposit.

Apply early. Student visa processing times can change and are a guide only, so do not book non-refundable travel until the decision is made. Choose a course carefully, because the rules for changing courses and providers are stricter than most people expect. Keep your documents organised and consistent.