Australia · Student Visa Guide

Australia Student Visa Guide: International Student Guide 2025

Complete guide to the Australian student visa (Subclass 500) — eligibility, application steps, costs, and health insurance requirements for international students.

June 9, 2026·12 min read·Official sources cited

Australia Student Visa Guide: International Student Guide 2025

Australia remains a top destination for international students, renowned for its world-class education system, diverse culture, and high quality of life. For those aspiring to study in Australia in 2025, obtaining a student visa (subclass 500) is a crucial step. This guide provides a detailed overview of the application process, requirements, costs, and essential tips to help prospective students navigate their journey successfully.

1. Overview of the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)

The Student visa (subclass 500) allows international students to stay in Australia to study a full-time course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). As of 2025, this visa generally permits you to:

  • Undertake an eligible course of study.
  • Bring eligible family members with you to Australia.
  • Work up to 48 hours per fortnight during your course and full-time during scheduled course breaks.
  • Stay in Australia for the duration of your course, up to 6 years.

It is important to understand that the primary purpose of this visa is study, and applicants must demonstrate a genuine intention to study and comply with their visa conditions.

2. Key Requirements for the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)

To be eligible for an Australian Student Visa (subclass 500) in 2025, applicants must meet several key criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs. These include:

a. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

You must be enrolled in a full-time course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Your education provider will issue you a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) once you have accepted your offer and paid any required deposits. This is a mandatory document for your visa application. For detailed information on CoE, refer to the Department of Home Affairs website.

b. Genuine Student (GS) Requirement

The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement. It "applies to student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024". All applicants must "be a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student" and "be able to demonstrate an understanding that studying in Australia is the primary reason for applying for a student visa." Under GS, a later wish to apply for permanent residence does not count against you: "Future intentions of this kind do not count against an applicant under GS."

You address the GS requirement by answering questions in the online application form, not in a separate statement. The Department says: "We prefer applicants to respond to the above questions in the application form rather than attaching a separate GS statement. There is a text limit of 150 words per response." The questions ask you to:

  • Give details of your current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances.
  • Explain why you wish to study this course in Australia with this particular education provider, and your understanding of the course and of studying and living in Australia.
  • Explain how completing the course will benefit you.
  • Give any other relevant information. There is an extra question if you have held a student visa before or are applying in Australia from a non-student visa. Attach supporting documents to your ImmiAccount: "We give more weight to statements supported by evidence in assessing the GS requirement." Detailed guidance is on the Department of Home Affairs Genuine Student requirement page.

c. English Language Proficiency

Unless exempt, you must provide evidence of your English language proficiency. Acceptable tests and minimum scores as of 2025 include:

  • IELTS Academic: Overall score of 6.0.
  • TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 67 (when registering, select 'Taking TOEFL for Australia').
  • PTE Academic: Overall score of 47.
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced: Overall score of 161.
  • OET: Overall score of 1210. Exemptions may apply if you hold a passport from a majority English-speaking country (e.g., UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland) or have completed at least five years of study in an English-speaking country. Check current requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website.

d. Financial Capacity

You must have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs for the duration of your stay. The minimum 12-month living cost for a student is AUD 29,710. If you are bringing family members, additional funds are required. Evidence can include:

e. Health and Character Requirements

  • Health: You may be required to undergo a medical examination with a panel physician to ensure you meet Australia's health standards.
  • Character: You must meet Australia's character requirements, typically assessed through a police certificate from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. More details on health and character can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.

f. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

All international students must have valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of their stay in Australia. Your education provider can often arrange this, or you can purchase it directly from approved providers. This covers medical and hospital care during your time in Australia. For official OSHC information, refer to the Department of Health and Aged Care.

g. Age Requirements

Applicants must be at least 6 years old. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have acceptable welfare arrangements in place, such as staying with a parent, legal guardian, or a relative over 21 years old who is approved by the Department, or residing in accommodation approved by your education provider.

3. Step-by-Step Application Process with Costs and Timeline

The application process for an Australian Student Visa (subclass 500) involves several stages.

Step 1: Choose Your Course and University

  • Action: Research courses and universities that match your academic and career goals. Consider location, tuition fees, entry requirements, and reputation.
  • Resource: The official Australian government website for international students, Study Australia, offers a comprehensive course and institution search tool.
  • Timeline: 1-3 months (or more, depending on research).

Step 2: Apply for Admission and Obtain your CoE

  • Action: Submit applications to your chosen educational institutions. Once accepted and tuition deposit paid, you will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
  • Cost: Application fees for universities can range from AUD 50 - AUD 200, non-refundable. Tuition deposits vary widely, potentially thousands of AUD.
  • Timeline: 2-6 weeks for offer, plus time for acceptance and payment.

Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents

  • Action: Collect all necessary documents, including:
    • Passport bio-page.
    • Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
    • Answers to the Genuine Student (GS) questions (in the application form) and supporting evidence.
    • English proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.).
    • Evidence of financial capacity (bank statements, loan approvals, scholarship letters).
    • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) certificate.
    • Academic transcripts and qualifications.
    • Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume.
    • Police certificates (if required).
    • Medical examination results (if required).
    • Birth certificate.
    • Photos (passport-sized).
  • Resource: The Department of Home Affairs document checklist tool is essential.
  • Timeline: 1-2 months (especially for police certificates and medicals).

Step 4: Create an ImmiAccount and Lodge Your Visa Application Online

  • Action: Go to the Department of Home Affairs website and create an ImmiAccount. Complete the online application form (Form 157A). Upload all gathered documents.
  • Cost: From 1 July 2026, the base application fee for the Student Visa (subclass 500) is AUD 2,500. Additional charges apply for accompanying family members. OSHC costs typically range from AUD 500 to AUD 1000 per year, depending on the provider and coverage.
  • Timeline: 1-2 hours to complete the form, depending on preparation.

Step 5: Attend Biometrics and Medical Examinations (if required)

  • Action: After lodging your application, you may be contacted to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) or to undergo a medical examination.
  • Cost: Biometrics fees vary by location (approx. AUD 20-50). Medical examination fees vary significantly by country and clinic (approx. AUD 100-300).
  • Timeline: This step usually occurs within a few weeks of application submission.

Step 6: Await Decision

  • Action: Processing times vary greatly depending on country, visa subclass, and completeness of your application. The Department of Home Affairs publishes current visa processing times.
  • Timeline: The Department does not publish a fixed timeframe. Its visa processing time guide tool shows "the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application." Applications lodged outside Australia are processed according to government priorities set in a Ministerial Direction (Ministerial Direction 115 for applications lodged on or after 14 November 2025); see Student visa processing priorities.

Step 7: Visa Grant

  • Action: If your visa is granted, you will receive notification with your visa grant number, visa conditions, and expiry date. Review these carefully.
  • Timeline: Upon decision.

4. Tips and Common Mistakes

Tips for a Smooth Application:

  • Start Early: Begin your application process at least 3-6 months before your intended course start date.
  • Honest GS Answers: Be truthful and specific in your answers to the Genuine Student questions (150 words each), and back them with evidence.
  • Organize Documents: Keep all physical and digital documents well-organized and clearly labelled.
  • Check Requirements Regularly: Visa requirements can change. Always refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date information.
  • Seek Advice: If unsure, consider consulting a registered migration agent in Australia. You can find a registered migration agent through the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Incomplete Application: Submitting an application with missing documents or information is a leading cause of delays or refusal.
  • Misleading Information: Providing false or misleading information in your visa application can lead to serious consequences, including visa refusal and future bans.
  • Not Meeting GS: Failing to show that studying in Australia is the primary reason for your student visa application.
  • Insufficient Funds: Not providing sufficient evidence of financial capacity for your entire stay.
  • Expired Passport: Not ensuring your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
  • Incorrect OSHC Dates: Your OSHC must cover the entire proposed period of your stay.

5. Official Resources

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I work on an Australian Student Visa in 2025? A1: Yes, as of 2025, Student visa (subclass 500) holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight during an active study period and full-time during scheduled course breaks. There are some exceptions for specific visa subclasses (e.g., doctoral research students). Always check your visa conditions upon grant.

Q2: Can my family members accompany me to Australia on my student visa? A2: Yes, eligible family members (partners and dependent children) can be included in your student visa application or apply for their own dependent visas. They will also need to meet health, character, and financial requirements.

Q3: What if my visa is refused? A3: If your visa is refused, you will receive a notification outlining the reasons. Depending on the refusal grounds, you may have options to appeal the decision or reapply. It is advisable to seek professional advice from a registered migration agent in such cases.

Q4: How long does a Student Visa (subclass 500) last? A4: Your student visa will typically be granted for the duration of your course plus a short grace period (e.g., 2-3 months after course completion), depending on the length and type of your course.

Q5: What are my obligations as a student visa holder? A5: You must comply with all visa conditions, including: maintaining your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), remaining enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course, maintaining satisfactory course attendance and academic progress, and notifying your education provider and the Department of Home Affairs of any change in circumstances (e.g., address).

Sources

Disclaimer

The information provided in this guide is for general informational purposes only and is accurate as of 2025 based on publicly available information from official Australian government sources. Visa requirements, regulations, and processing times can change without prior notice. This guide does not constitute legal or migration advice. We strongly recommend consulting the official Department of Home Affairs website or a registered migration agent for personalized advice regarding your specific circumstances. Lexplair Brain is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken based on the information presented herein.

⚠For informational purposes only. Always verify with official sources.
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