Pathway

Australia Student Visa

Australia Residency

Updated October 6, 2026

Pathway overview

At a glance

Subclass 500 lets you study an eligible course in Australia. You normally need confirmed enrollment, enough money, student health insurance, and evidence that study is your main reason for applying. Work is limited during term, and later graduate or residence visas have their own requirements.

Enrollment: Normally a valid Confirmation of Enrollment when applying and through the decision
Money and insurance: Tuition, living and travel funds, plus Overseas Student Health Cover unless exempt
Study purpose: Meet the Genuine Student requirement and explain the course and future plans

Summary

The Student visa (Subclass 500) lets an international student take an eligible course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). It can cover higher education, vocational training, school, English-language study, postgraduate research and other recognized sectors.

The visa is temporary and tied to genuine study. The student normally needs a valid Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), enough money for study and living costs, any required English evidence, and a credible explanation under the Genuine Student requirement.

Applying for an Australian Student visa

Choose an eligible course and confirm enrollment Check CRICOS and obtain the required Confirmation of Enrollment.
Prepare the study plan, funds, and insurance Use the current checklist for English, financial evidence, and welfare arrangements.
Apply and follow the study and work conditions Check the visa’s work hours, travel rights, insurance, and expiry date.

Admission and tuition payment do not guarantee a visa or a later route to permanent residence.

Eligibility

The applicant generally must:

be enrolled in an eligible Australian course and provide a CoE when applying and keep it valid until the decision, unless an official exemption applies;
satisfy the Genuine Student requirement applying to applications lodged since 23 March 2024;
show funds for travel, 12 months of living costs, tuition and relevant family or school costs, or use an accepted parent/partner annual-income method;
hold OSHC for the required period unless an exemption applies;
meet the English-language requirement that applies to their course and circumstances;
be at least 6 years old; and
have approved welfare arrangements if under 18.

The Genuine Student assessment asks why the course and provider were chosen, how the study fits the person's education and career, their circumstances and ties, and the value of the course to their future. A future hope of permanent migration does not automatically fail the test, but genuine study must be the primary reason for the visa.

Financial-capacity amounts and accepted English tests can change. Use the current Home Affairs document checklist and official rules rather than an old fixed figure. If the checklist says English or financial evidence is required, it must be attached when applying or refusal may follow without a request.

If applying from inside Australia, you must hold an eligible visa, rather than only a bridging visa. Since 2024, holders of certain temporary visas cannot switch to a Student visa from inside Australia. Check your exact visa and location before applying.

What This Route Allows

The holder can study the approved course, travel while the visa is valid, and generally work up to 48 hours in each two-week period while the course is in session. Work is normally unrestricted during scheduled course breaks.

Students studying a master's degree by research or a doctoral degree, and their family members, have no 48-hour limit after the course has commenced under the current Home Affairs rules. Other family members' limits can differ, so check the actual visa conditions using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).

The visa period follows the course and can be up to 6 years depending on the sector and circumstances. Eligible family members can be included or later join, subject to disclosure, funds, insurance and other requirements.

What This Route Is Not

Subclass 500 is not a general work visa and not permanent residence. Work cannot replace the primary study purpose, and breaching hours, enrollment, attendance, progress or insurance conditions can jeopardize status.

A CoE and tuition payment do not guarantee a visa. Home Affairs separately assesses genuine study, immigration history, funds, English, health and character.

Australian study also does not guarantee a Temporary Graduate visa or skilled migration. Those routes have their own age, timing, qualification, occupation and invitation requirements, which can change during a course.

Next Steps

Verify the course and provider in CRICOS.
Obtain the CoE and read the provider's refund, deferral and attendance rules.
Answer the Genuine Student questions in specific plain language and attach records supporting education, employment, finances and future plans.
Use the current Home Affairs checklist for English and financial evidence; do not rely on an old threshold.
Arrange OSHC for the correct period and welfare arrangements for any applicant under 18.
Check whether the current visa allows an application from inside Australia.
After approval, use VEVO for work, study and travel conditions and notify the provider/Home Affairs of relevant changes.