Student Visa
(Subclass 500)
Australia is one of the most sought-after study destinations in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of international students every year. With globally recognised universities, a high standard of living, and the opportunity to gain work experience while studying, it is no surprise that so many choose Australia for their education journey.
To study full-time in Australia, international students need to apply for a Student Visa (Subclass 500). This visa allows you to enrol in an eligible course, live in Australia for the duration of your studies, and work part-time while completing your education. It is the most common visa for students and offers multiple pathways to extend your stay or apply for permanent residency later.
At My Immigration Options, we specialise in helping students secure their Subclass 500 visas with personalised advice and professional guidance. From preparing the right documents to writing a strong Genuine Temporary Entrant statement, our team ensures that your application is well-prepared and lodged with confidence.
Introduction
Australia is one of the most sought-after study destinations in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of international students every year. With globally recognised universities, a high standard of living, and the opportunity to gain work experience while studying, it is no surprise that so many choose Australia for their education journey.
To study full-time in Australia, international students need to apply for a Student Visa (Subclass 500). This visa allows you to enrol in an eligible course, live in Australia for the duration of your studies, and work part-time while completing your education. It is the most common visa for students and offers multiple pathways to extend your stay or apply for permanent residency later.
At My Immigration Options, we specialise in helping students secure their Subclass 500 visas with personalised advice and professional guidance. From preparing the right documents to writing a strong Genuine Temporary Entrant statement, our team ensures that your application is well-prepared and lodged with confidence.
Who Can Apply for a Student Visa?
To be eligible for the Subclass 500 visa, you must be enrolled in a course registered with CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students). This guarantees that the course is recognised for international students.
Other key requirements include:
Having a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from an education provider
Meeting the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement
Demonstrating sufficient funds to support your study and living costs
Holding Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Meeting English language requirements, unless exempt
Satisfying health and character checks
This visa is available to students of all levels, from primary and secondary school students to those pursuing vocational education, higher education degrees, or postgraduate research.
What You Can Do on a Student Visa
The Subclass 500 visa offers flexibility and opportunities that go beyond studying.
Holders of this visa can:
Stay in Australia for the duration of their course, up to five years
Work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study terms and unlimited hours during course breaks
Include eligible family members in their application, such as a spouse or dependent children
Travel freely in and out of Australia while the visa remains valid
This makes the visa attractive not only for study purposes but also for those wanting to experience Australian life more broadly.
The Application Process
Applying for a Student Visa involves multiple steps, and missing any detail can delay or even jeopardise your application. The process typically involves:
Step 1
Apply for a Course and Receive a CoE
Before applying for your visa, you must be accepted into a CRICOS-registered course. Once enrolled, your education provider will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Step 2
Create an
ImmiAccount
Applications are lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs’ portal known as
ImmiAccount.
Step 3
Prepare and Upload Your Documents
Documents include identity papers, financial evidence, health insurance, English test results, and your GTE statement. Providing complete and accurate information is critical.
Step 4
Pay the Visa
Application Fee
The standard fee as of 2025 is AUD $710 for the main applicant, with additional costs for dependants.
Step 5
Health and
Character Checks
Depending on your background, you may be required to attend medical exams and provide police clearances.
Step 6
Wait for a Decision
Processing times vary. Some applications may be finalised within a few weeks, while others can take months depending on complexity and workload.
Why Students Choose Us
We know the challenges international students face, from preparing financial documents to writing a Genuine Temporary Entrant statement that convinces the Department of Home Affairs.
Conditions of the Student Visa
Holders of the Subclass 500 visa must comply with strict conditions to remain lawful in Australia. Some of the most common conditions include:
Course
Enrolment
You must remain enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course and maintain satisfactory attendance and progress.
Work
Limitations
You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during official breaks.
Health
Insurance
You must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of your visa.
Address Notification
Any changes to your residential address must be updated with your education provider and the Department within seven days.
Common questions
Do I need a consultation?
A short consultation quickly clarifies eligibility and the required documents — it often prevents costly mistakes later.
How long does processing take?
Processing varies by visa type and season; we estimate typical student visas at 3–8 weeks and provide tailored timing during consultation.
Can you help with dependants?
Yes — we advise on dependant eligibility, evidence and combined applications where students bring family.
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement
The GTE requirement ensures that applicants genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily for study. While many students go on to apply for graduate visas or permanent residency, your initial application must demonstrate that your primary purpose is study.
In your statement, you should explain:
Your personal circumstances in your home country
Why you chose your particular course and institution
How studying in Australia supports your future plans
The career or study opportunities available once you return home
Many refusals occur because the GTE is vague, inconsistent, or lacks detail. At My Immigration Options, we assist clients in preparing strong and persuasive GTE statements that meet the Department’s expectations.
Financial Requirements
One of the most important parts of a Student Visa application is showing that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependants during your stay in Australia. The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether applicants have genuine access to funds, not just evidence of large deposits in a bank account.
As of 2025, students must demonstrate:
At least AUD $24,505 for 12 months of living expenses for the primary applicant
Additional AUD $8,574 for a spouse or partner if included
Around AUD $3,670 per child, plus schooling costs if dependent children will study in Australia
Tuition fees for at least 12 months or the full cost of the course if shorter
Return airfare costs for yourself and any dependants
Evidence can include personal or family bank statements, government loan documents, proof of income from employment, or a financial sponsorship from a parent or relative. If you are being sponsored, you must show proof of the sponsor’s relationship to you and their financial capacity.
Demonstrating financial capacity correctly is essential, as many refusals occur when applicants cannot explain or justify the source of their funds.
English Language Requirements
English language proficiency is another critical part of the visa process. Unless you qualify for an exemption, you will need to demonstrate your English skills through an accepted test.
The current minimum requirements are:
IELTS: Overall score of 5.5
PTE Academic: Score of 42
TOEFL iBT: Score of 46
Cambridge English (CAE): 162
If you are undertaking an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) before your main study, lower initial scores may be accepted. Certain countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, are exempt from this requirement, as are students who have completed several years of study in English.
Your education provider may have higher entry requirements than the visa itself. Always check with your chosen institution to ensure you meet both sets of standards.
Updated English Language Requirements
From 7 August 2025, Australia expanded its list of accepted English language tests from five to nine, giving students more flexibility while maintaining strong integrity standards.
Approved tests now include:
Cambridge C1 Advanced
CELPIP General
IELTS Academic
IELTS General Training
LANGUAGECERT Academic
Michigan English Test (MET)
Occupational English Test (OET)
Pearson PTE Academic
TOEFL iBT
Including Family Members
The Subclass 500 visa allows applicants to bring their family with them to Australia. This can include a spouse or de facto partner and dependent children under 18. Each dependant must meet health and character requirements, and additional financial evidence will be required to prove you can support them.
Family members included in your application are generally granted visas with the same conditions as the primary applicant. Partners can usually work up to 48 hours per fortnight, except in cases where the primary applicant is undertaking a postgraduate research degree, which allows dependants to work full time. Children will need to be enrolled in school and may require additional visa conditions depending on their age.
Conditions of the Student Visa
Holders of the Subclass 500 visa must comply with strict conditions to remain lawful in Australia. Some of the most common conditions include:
Course Enrolment: You must remain enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course and maintain satisfactory attendance and progress.
Work Limitations: You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during official breaks.
Health Insurance: You must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of your visa.
Address Notification: Any changes to your residential address must be updated with your education provider and the Department within seven days.
Failure to comply with these conditions can result in visa cancellation.
Common Reasons for Refusal
While thousands of Student Visas are granted every year, refusals are also common. The most frequent reasons include:
Weak or vague Genuine Temporary Entrant statement
Insufficient or unverifiable financial evidence
Incomplete documentation or inconsistencies across forms and statements
Low English test scores without valid exemptions
Enrolling in a course that does not align with your academic background or career goals
Many of these issues can be avoided with professional guidance. Migration agents know how to present applications clearly and persuasively, reducing the risk of refusal.
Pathways After Study
For many students, studying in Australia is just the beginning of a longer journey. Once your studies are complete, you may be eligible for other visa options.
The most common next step is the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), which allows you to stay and work in Australia after completing your course. The length of this visa depends on your qualification, with postgraduate students often receiving longer periods.
From there, some students transition to permanent residency through skilled migration or employer sponsorship. Your time as a student can also help you build valuable work experience and connections in Australia, strengthening your future applications.
Ministerial Direction 115: New Student Visa Processing Priorities
Introduced in November 2025 and effective from 14 November 2025, Ministerial Direction 115 replaces MD 111 and introduces a new three-tier system for prioritising offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications. The aim is to improve processing efficiency, uphold program integrity, and encourage higher standards among education providers.
Processing Priorities Under MD 115
Priority 1 (approx. 1–4 weeks): Applications linked to providers below the annual prioritisation threshold, based on PRISMS data.
Priority 2: Providers that exceed the first threshold but remain under the upper limit.
Priority 3: Providers that reach the upper threshold for the year.
This system helps manage application volumes while rewarding compliant, high-performing institutions.
Strengthening Australia’s Student Visa Program
In November 2025, the Australian Government issued an Integrity Alert to education providers in response to rising fraud in the international education sector. Authorities identified issues such as the use of false passport details to obtain Certificates of Enrolment (CoEs), misrepresentation of English language results, and incomplete applications submitted to inflate enrolment numbers. Increased integrity concerns in several South Asian markets have also led to stricter government scrutiny.
To address these issues, the Government is preparing legislative reforms to improve monitoring systems, increase provider accountability, and protect the integrity of the Student Visa Program.
Impact Across the Sector
Together, integrity reforms, expanded English testing options, and tighter scrutiny are reshaping the student visa landscape. Refusal rates have increased, providers face higher compliance expectations, and agents must ensure applications are complete and genuine. While requirements may be more detailed, students benefit from greater choice in English testing.
Links to Skilled Migration Pathways
Although separate from student visas, reforms to the Skilled Visa Program remain relevant, as many international students transition to skilled migration after graduation. Ongoing changes include a redesigned points test and a stronger focus on long-term economic contribution.
Why Apply with My Immigration Options?
At My Immigration Options, we specialise in helping students secure their Subclass 500 visas with minimal stress.
By working with us, you benefit from:
Step-by-step guidance tailored to your situation
Assistance with compiling documents and evidence
Review and drafting support for your GTE statement
Lodgement of your visa application through ImmiAccount
Ongoing updates and communication so you’re never left in the dark
Our goal is to make the process as smooth as possible, so you can focus on preparing for your studies and new life in Australia.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Applying for a Student Visa (Subclass 500) can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation and advice, it can be straightforward and successful. By ensuring you meet all eligibility criteria, preparing strong evidence, and telling your story clearly in your GTE, you give yourself the best chance of approval.
If you are ready to take the next step, contact My Immigration Options today. We’ll review your goals, confirm your eligibility, and guide you through every stage of the application. Whether you’re coming to Australia for a degree, vocational training, or English studies, we’re here to help you start your journey with confidence.
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