Student visa (subclass 500)
Updated 22 July 2026
This is general information, not migration advice. Visa rules, fees and eligibility change often — always confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website, and speak to a registered migration agent about your own situation.
Overview
The Student visa (subclass 500) is a temporary visa that lets you come to Australia to participate in an eligible course of study. With it you can study a full-time course registered on CRICOS, travel in and out of Australia, and work up to 48 hours a fortnight when your course of study or training is in session (students studying a masters by research or doctoral degree, and their families, have no work limit). You must be enrolled and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided, hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) unless an exemption applies, and be 6 years or older. The base application charge is a single charge for all applicants (from AUD2,500.00), but lower concession costs apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens, eligible ASEAN citizens, and applicants in the Independent ELICOS and Non-Award sector. How long you can stay: Up to 6 years and in line with your enrolment. The type of course and its length determine the length of stay. Primary school children starting their enrolment in years 1-4 will generally only be granted a Student visa for a maximum period of 3 years. To continue studying in Australia you must apply for a new Student visa - this visa cannot be extended.
Step by step
Step 1: Step 1 - Before you apply: allow enough time before your course starts (or before your current substantive visa expires if you are in Australia), make sure you and your family members hold a valid passport, and decide whether you will get help with your application.
Step 2: Step 2 - Gather your documents: collect your Confirmation of Enrolment, evidence of English language ability, evidence of financial capacity, health insurance (OSHC) and, if you are under 18, welfare arrangements; scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour and keep each document as one legible file.
Step 3: Step 3 - Apply for the visa: apply online in or outside Australia through ImmiAccount and provide accurate information.
Step 4: Step 4 - After you apply: provide biometrics and health examinations if asked, stay lawful in Australia (consider a bridging visa if your current visa expires while your application is being processed), and tell the Department if your circumstances or your education provider change.
Step 5: Step 5 - Visa outcome: the Department tells you the decision in writing; if granted you receive your visa grant number, start date and conditions.
Eligibility & requirements
- Be a certain age - you must be 6 years or older.
- Be enrolled in a course of study and provide evidence - you must be enrolled in a full time course registered on CRICOS and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when we decide your visa; without the right evidence of enrolment your application will not be valid.
- Make welfare arrangements if you are under 18 years - you must have adequate welfare arrangements in place while you are in Australia.
- Meet English language requirements - you might need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you submit your application (use the Document Checklist tool to see what you need).
- Have adequate health insurance - you and your family members must have and maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved Australian health insurance provider for the whole of your stay, unless an exception applies.
- Have this visa if applying while in Australia - you can be in or outside Australia when you apply, but if applying in Australia you must hold an eligible substantive visa (some visas, including subclass 403 Domestic Worker stream, 426, 485, 600 and 601, are excluded).
- Have enough money for your stay - you must have enough money to pay for your stay in Australia and should not rely on work to support yourself or your family.
- Be a genuine student, meet our character requirement, meet our health requirement, sign the Australian values statement, have paid back any debt to the Australian Government, and not have had a visa cancelled or an application refused.
Costs
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Application charge (main applicant) | From AUD2,500.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances). |
| Charge for each family member who applies | Current fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links. |
| Concession cost for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens, eligible ASEAN citizens, and Independent ELICOS and Non-Award sector applicants | Current fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links. |
| Other costs (health checks, police certificates, biometrics) | Current fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links. |
Key links
- Student visa (subclass 500) - main page (opens the official website)
- Student visa length of stay (opens the official website)
- Welfare arrangements for students under 18 (opens the official website)
- Document Checklist tool (opens the official website)
- Adequate health insurance (opens the official website)
- Visa Pricing Estimator (opens the official website)
- Applying for a student visa - check twice, submit once (opens the official website)
- Student visa processing priorities (opens the official website)
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) (opens the official website)
Contacts
- Registered migration agent (MARA)
- For advice about your own circumstances, use a registered migration agent or a legal service. This page is general information only.