Australia Student Visa

Ever wondered why Australia is one of the top study destinations, despite being miles away from most countries? The answer lies in its flexible student visa policies, work opportunities, and post-study benefits. But getting the visa isn’t always straightforward—here’s what you need to know before applying.

The Australian Student Visa is called the Subclass 500 Visa which allows you to study full-time at an eligible Australian educational institution. The Subclass 500 visa also allows you to:

• Stay for up to 5 years (until the duration of your course)
• Travel in and out of Australia multiple times while your visa is valid
• Work up to 48 hours a fortnight when your course of study or training is in session
• Get Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for medical emergencies and treatments
• If eligible, you may change your course or institution within the visa guidelines.

Australian Student Visa New Rules!!

Starting January 1st, 2025, if you are applying for a Student Visa (Subclass 500) you will need to submit a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) with your application. 

australia student visa requirements 2025

To qualify for the Subclass 500 visa, you must:

• Be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course.
• Provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Meet Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirements.
• Have sufficient financial proof to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
• Meet English language requirements (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or equivalent).
• Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Pass health and character checks.
• Welfare arrangements if you are under 18

Documents Required for Australian Student Visa

You can check the exact list of required documents based on your country & university from this Document Checklist Tool offered by the Department of Home Affairs, Australia. However, here is a common list of documents to be submitted as proof for visa applications:

• A copy of passport/certified copy of your birth certificate/ national identity card or driver licence
• Academic transcripts/ Educational Certificates
• OSHC health insurance proof.
• CoE from an Australian institution.
• Evidence of accommodation & parents consent if you are under 18
• Proof that you meet the Genuine Student Requirement; this includes answering a set of questions in the online student visa application form
• English proficiency test results (if applicable).
• Financial documents proving you can cover expenses.
• Police clearance certificate (if required).

The Department of Home Affairs gives elaborate details on the eligibility requirements for the Subclass 500 visa.

Things to keep in mind before application

You know thw eligibility and other requirements now, but there are a few other things that you must keep in mind before applying for the Subclass 500 Visa. Read below:

• As per the new guidelines, you should have a Certificate of Enrollment for visa applications.
• You should hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), or fall in one of the exemption categories.
• There is no age limit for applications but you should provide Welfare Arrangements documents if you are under 18.
• Your English Language Tests should not be 2 years or older.
• At home language tests (TOEFL iBT – Home Edition, OET@Home, PTE Academic Online, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator) are not acceptable.
• You can apply online in or outside of Australia. Also you can apply if you hold a substantive visa.

How to Apply For an Australian Student Visa?

To apply for Australian Student Student Visa from India or any other country, you need to follow the give steps:

Step 1: Choose a Course & Get Enrolled

• Select a CRICOS-approved program.
• Secure admission and receive a CoE.

Step 2: Gather Necessary Documents

• Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.
• Collect required documents.

Step 3: Apply Online via ImmiAccount

• Create an ImmiAccount on the Australian immigration website.
• Fill out the Subclass 500 visa application.
• Upload documents and pay the visa fee.

Step 4: Biometrics & Health Check

• Attend a biometric appointment (if requested).
• Complete a medical checkup with an approved panel physician.

Step 5: Await Decision

• Track application status via ImmiAccount.
• Wait for the decision.

How much money is required for an Australian student visa?

The Australian Visa application fee starts from AUD1,600.00, unless exempted. This is the base application charge. The base application charge is not payable if you are applying for a new Student visa (subclass 500). Other charges such as if you are under 18 (AUD 390) or over 18 (AUD 1,190) can also be added. Plus a subsequent temporary application charge of AUD 700 is also applicable. Eligible students from Pacific Island and Timor-Leste can apply for a partial refund of the cost. 

You can check the exact pricing and exemption on the Visa Pricing page under the Department of Home Affairs.

Australia Student Visa Processing time

The Australian Student Visa processing time varies on a case- by- case basis. For example, in the Higher Education Sector, 50% of applications are processed within 18 days, while it took 4 months to complete 90%. While in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Sector, 50% were processed in 26 days, with 90% completed within 5 months.

You can check your visa processing time on this Visa processing time guide tool. This gives you an estimated timeframe of how long your visa application may take to process. However, keep in mind that this is an estimation and the exact time may vary a little. 

You don’t always need a student visa! If your course is less than 3 months, you can study on a tourist visa (Subclass 600, 601, or 651)

Reasons for Variations in Visa Timings

There could be a variation in visa processing time because of one of the following reasons:

• Whether you have submitted all the required documents along with the application.
• Whether you have applied online or on paper. Online applications generally speed up the process.
• Your response time to requests for additional information can impact processing duration.
• Influenced by mandatory checks and verifications by relevant authorities; delayed while awaiting information from external agencies, particularly for health assessments, character evaluations, and national security clearances.
• The number of available spots in the migration program can also influence the processing of permanent visa applications.

Work Conditions and Restrictions

• You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during your course of study or training. A fortnight is a period of 14 days starting on a Monday.
• You can work unlimited/ full time during breaks or university holidays. However, you can also extend this period if it is a mandatory part of your course.
• Students pursuing masters degree by research or doctorate degree, are allowed to work more than 48 hours.
• Family Members: Can work 48 hours per fortnight (if the student is studying a master’s or PhD).
• You can change your course of study, thesis or research topic, but it should not be without the approval of the Minister.
• Students must continue to satisfy the criteria for the grant of the visa.

Australian Student Visa Validity and Extensions

• The visa is valid until the course completion 
• If the course extends, apply for a visa extension before expiry.
• Graduates can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa (Subclass 485).

Common Reasons for Visa Rejection

• Failure to meet GTE requirements.
• Insufficient financial proof.
• Low English proficiency.
• Incomplete documentation.
• Inadequate health insurance coverage.

FAQs