Student visa (subclass 500) for Australia: a beginner's guide (2026)

What is the student visa (subclass 500)?

The student visa (subclass 500) is the primary visa category for international students who want to undertake a full-time course of more than three months at a CRICOS-registered provider in Australia. CRICOS (the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) is the official list of Australian education providers and courses that are approved to enrol international students. If a course does not appear on the CRICOS register, a student visa holder cannot lawfully enrol in it.

The subclass 500 replaced the previous suite of student visas (subclasses 570–576) and is managed by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. It covers a wide range of study, including university degrees, vocational education and training (VET) qualifications, TAFE diplomas, English language intensive courses (ELICOS), and school-level study.

The visa is granted for the duration of your principal course plus a short additional period to allow you to finalise arrangements before departing Australia.

Who needs a student visa?

You need a student visa (subclass 500) if you are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, and you want to:

• Study a full-time CRICOS-registered course that runs for more than three months, or
• Undertake an ELICOS (English language) course that is a prerequisite for a longer CRICOS course.

New Zealand citizens have a separate, streamlined pathway and should check their specific entitlements with Home Affairs. Holders of certain other visa subclasses (for example, some working holiday makers) may be permitted to study for up to three months without a student visa, but always verify current conditions before enrolling.

Key requirements for the subclass 500

To be granted a student visa, you must satisfy the Department of Home Affairs on all of the following criteria. Each is assessed holistically and the weight given to individual factors can vary depending on your specific circumstances.

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): You must hold a valid CoE issued by a CRICOS-registered provider. The CoE confirms your enrolment in an approved full-time course and is a prerequisite before you can even lodge your visa application.
• Genuine Student (GS) requirement: You must satisfy the Department that your primary purpose in coming to Australia is to study. Officers assess your personal circumstances, ties to your home country, your immigration history, and how well your study choice aligns with your background and future goals. This replaced the previous Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criterion.
• English-language proficiency: Most applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an accepted test such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The required score varies depending on the course level and provider. Some applicants may be exempt based on their country of citizenship or prior study in English.
• Financial capacity: You must show you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, travel to and from Australia, and living expenses for yourself and any accompanying family members. The Department of Home Affairs sets minimum financial thresholds and acceptable forms of evidence. These figures are updated periodically, so always check the current requirements on the Home Affairs website rather than relying on figures quoted elsewhere.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): You must arrange OSHC from an approved insurer for the entire duration of your visa. OSHC covers you for basic medical and hospital care in Australia. Your provider may arrange it on your behalf, or you can purchase it directly from an approved insurer.
• Health requirements: Depending on your country of origin, intended length of stay, and the nature of your proposed course, you may need to undergo a medical examination by an approved panel physician.
• Character requirements: You must be of good character. This typically involves disclosing any criminal history and may require police clearances from countries where you have lived for an extended period.

How a cheaper course can make your visa application easier

One factor that applicants sometimes overlook is the relationship between tuition fees and the financial evidence you need to provide. Because you must demonstrate enough funds to cover tuition, travel, and living costs, a course with a lower tuition fee directly reduces the total amount you need to show the Department of Home Affairs.

Australia's CRICOS register includes thousands of courses across a wide range of price points. VET and TAFE qualifications, in particular, are frequently available at significantly lower annual tuition fees than university degrees, and they are equally valid for the purposes of a student visa application.

Comparing registered courses by tuition fee before you decide where to study can therefore have a direct, practical impact on your visa preparation, not just on your budget during your studies.

How to apply for the student visa (subclass 500)

The application process is conducted entirely online through the Australian Government's ImmiAccount portal. The broad steps are:

1. Accept your offer and receive your CoE. Once you have accepted an offer from a CRICOS-registered provider and paid any required deposit, the provider issues your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). You cannot lodge your visa application without it.
2. Gather your supporting documents. This typically includes your passport, CoE, evidence of English proficiency, financial evidence (bank statements, scholarship letters, sponsorship letters), and details of any family members applying with you. Prepare certified translations if any documents are not in English.
3. Arrange your OSHC. Purchase Overseas Student Health Cover from an approved insurer (or confirm that your provider has arranged it), covering the full visa period.
4. Lodge your application online via ImmiAccount. Create an ImmiAccount, complete the online form, upload your documents, and pay the visa application charge. The charge is set by the Department of Home Affairs and changes from time to time. Check the current fee on the Home Affairs student visa page before applying.
5. Complete health and biometric checks if requested. Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may be invited to undergo a health examination with an approved panel physician, or to provide biometric information at a designated collection point.
6. Wait for a decision. Processing times vary depending on demand and individual circumstances. You can monitor the progress of your application through ImmiAccount. Apply well in advance of your intended travel date. The Department publishes indicative processing times on its website.

Work rights on a student visa

Most student visa holders are permitted to work in Australia while their course is in session, subject to current visa conditions. Work is currently capped at a set number of hours per fortnight during the academic term. Confirm the current limit on the Department of Home Affairs website, as this figure has been adjusted in recent years and may change again.

During official course breaks (for example, semester breaks), you can generally work more hours. Family members who accompany you on your visa may also have their own work entitlements, subject to conditions.

Work rights do not attach automatically to every student visa — they are granted as a visa condition. If you are unsure whether your visa allows you to work, check your visa grant notice or contact Home Affairs directly. Breaching work conditions can have serious consequences for your visa status.

Obligations after you arrive in Australia

Being granted a student visa comes with ongoing obligations. If you fail to meet these conditions, your visa can be cancelled. Key obligations include:

• Maintain your enrolment: You must remain enrolled full-time in your principal CRICOS course. Deferring or suspending your studies is only permitted in limited circumstances, and you must obtain your provider's agreement and notify Home Affairs as required.
• Meet attendance requirements: CRICOS providers are required to monitor attendance and report students who fall below a set threshold to the Department of Home Affairs. If you are reported for unsatisfactory attendance, your visa may be at risk.
• Maintain your OSHC: Your Overseas Student Health Cover must remain valid for the full duration of your visa. Letting it lapse is a visa condition breach.
• Satisfy course progress requirements: You must maintain satisfactory academic progress as assessed by your provider. Failing multiple subjects or not making progress toward completing your course can trigger a report to the Department of Home Affairs.
• Keep your address up to date: You must notify both your provider and the Department of Home Affairs of any change of address within seven days. This is a frequently overlooked obligation, particularly when students move between share houses.
• Respect work limits: Working more hours than your visa conditions allow is a serious breach that can result in visa cancellation. Track your hours carefully, especially if you hold more than one part-time position.

Bringing family members to Australia

Eligible family members, typically a partner (spouse or de facto) and dependent children, may be able to accompany you to Australia as secondary applicants on your student visa. They can apply at the same time as you, or join you later by applying for their own subclass 500 as secondary applicants.

Secondary applicants may have entitlements to work and study in Australia, though the conditions vary and are subject to change. Including family members in your application means you must also demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to support them for the duration of your stay. This is another reason why understanding the financial requirements thoroughly (and minimising tuition costs where possible) is important.

Eligibility criteria for secondary applicants, and the conditions that apply to them, are set out on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Frequently asked questions