Student visa (subclass 500)
The student visa australia pathway runs through subclass 500. It allows international students to undertake full-time education and training in Australia and stay for the duration of their course — up to five years. It covers every study level, from school and English language programs through to bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees.
You must be enrolled with a CRICOS-registered Australian education provider before lodging your application — offshore applicants need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), while onshore applicants can lodge with a letter of offer in some cases (though a CoE is still required before grant). Predominantly online courses are not eligible. New to the process? Start with how to apply to study in Australia.
Not sure you qualify? Get a free student visa assessment before you enrol.
500 Visa Requirements: How to Choose the Best Course & Check Your Eligibility
Meeting the 500 visa eligibility criteria starts with the right course choice — under the Genuine Student rules, a logical study choice is itself part of a strong application. If permanent residency is your longer goal, compare courses with good PR prospects before enrolling.
The exact evidence requested with your application can vary with your education provider and passport nationality, but every applicant must:
- Enrol full-time with an Australian education provider and obtain written confirmation of enrolment — predominantly online courses are not eligible
- Genuinely intend to complete the relevant period of study in Australia (the Genuine Student requirement)
- Meet the English language requirement, unless exempt
- Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full period of stay
- Have access to sufficient funds covering return airfares, tuition fees and living costs for you and any dependants included in your application
Student (SC 500) English Language Requirement — Increased From 23 March 2024
The 500 visa English requirement increased for applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024, and these settings still apply:
- Minimum test score for the English proficiency requirement increased from IELTS 5.5 to 6.0 (or equivalent)
- Minimum score for a packaged English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) increased from IELTS 4.5 to 5.0 (or equivalent)
- Students in recognised university foundation or pathway programs delivering reputable English training need IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) — these programs are listed on the Department’s website
- No change for students studying English only through ELICOS
The exact amount of funds you must show is set by the Department of Home Affairs and depends on your education provider, course of study and personal circumstances — see the full breakdown further down this page, or contact us for a personal estimate.
Related: Student visa fees
Application Process & 500 Visa Processing Time
First, enrol in a full-time course with an Australian education provider and obtain your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). We then prepare and lodge your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs. The main criterion is that you meet the requirements set out above — the exact evidence required depends on your passport nationality and education provider. You must also meet the relevant health and character requirements.
The base application charge is currently AUD 2,000 — see the full breakdown on our student visa fees page.
Once granted, you may enter (or remain in) Australia to undertake your course. While studying, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session — and work rights on your initial visa only commence once your course has commenced. Different provisions apply to masters by research and doctoral students, who can work unlimited hours — discuss with us if this applies to you. You should also check the work allowance for any dependants on your application.
Please note: preparing and lodging your application typically takes several weeks, largely depending on how promptly you (and your sponsor, if applicable) provide the necessary supporting information and documents.
500 visa processing time depends on the Department’s service standards and can vary due to a number of factors, including case complexity, perceived risk factors and processing priorities. Contact us for current timeframes, or see student visa processing times.
English language test score
| English language test providers | Minimum test score | Minimum test score where combined with at least 10 weeks ELICOS | Minimum test score where combined with at least 20 weeks ELICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| TOEFL internet based test | 64 | 59 | 52 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English) | 169 | 162 | 154 |
| Pearson Test of English Academic | 50 | 42 | 36 |
| Occupational English Test | B for each test component | N/A | N/A |
The test must have been taken no more than two years before you apply for your student visa. Note: only TOEFL iBT tests taken on or after 5 May 2024 are accepted for student visa purposes.
500 Visa Cost: Financial Capacity & Funds You Must Show
You need enough money, genuinely available to you, to pay for your course fees, travel, and living costs for you and your accompanying family members while you are in Australia. The current 12-month living cost amounts are:
- AUD 29,710 — primary student
- AUD 10,394 — spouse or de facto partner
- AUD 4,449 — per dependent child
- AUD 13,502 — annual schooling costs per school-aged dependant
If you need to provide evidence of financial capacity, you can demonstrate it with one of the following:
- Evidence of funds to cover travel to Australia and 12 months’ living, course and (for school-aged dependants) schooling costs for the student and accompanying family members
- Evidence that you meet the annual income requirement
- An Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Students (AASES) form — secondary exchange students only
- A letter of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Department of Defence
Subsequent entrants — family members who apply after the primary applicant has been granted their visa must also provide documentary evidence of financial capacity. This must be one of the options above.
Packaged Courses
You can study two or more courses on one Student visa (subclass 500) where there’s clear progression from one course to the next — for example, ELICOS into a diploma, then a bachelor degree. This is known as course packaging.
You must provide a confirmation of enrolment (CoE) — or prove that a CoE is not required — for each intended course in your visa application.
The final course in your package is your main (principal) course of study, and it determines your financial and English language evidentiary requirements.
Genuine Student (GS) Requirement — Previously GTE
The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement was replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement on 23 March 2024. The department still assesses whether you genuinely intend to study in Australia — but now through targeted questions in the application form rather than a free-form statement.
To build a strong GS case, we prepare evidence such as:
- Your current circumstances — family, community and economic ties to your home country. This is very important: your family’s financial situation can be shown through bank accounts, a family business, house or other assets consistent with your family background
- Ties to your home country — financial and personal ties that would provide sufficient inducement for you to return at the end of your studies, plus a list of family members and other social ties (friends, previous co-workers)
- Why this course and this provider — how your study choice fits your education history and career direction
- Evidence of past study and work experience — including employment for at least the previous 12 months, tax returns or financial statements where relevant
- Employer support — a letter from your employer or a statement attesting to a need for improved skills for your employment or career prospects, or evidence of professional/academic outcomes supporting a new career direction
- Immigration history — and for onshore applicants, the reasons for applying for a further student visa
Read our full Genuine Student (GS) guide before drafting your answers — weak or generic GS responses are now one of the most common refusal reasons.
Extending Student Visas & Working When Out of Session
Extending student visas — Under Australian migration law, it is not possible to extend a student visa. You need to apply for a new visa if:
- you cannot return to your home country and your visa is expiring
- you need more time in Australia to complete your course
You should apply for a new Student visa around six weeks before your existing Student visa expires.
If your study in Australia is ending, you can apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) — you need to do this before your Student visa expires. If you’re a recent graduate, also look at the Temporary Graduate 485 visa.
Working in Australia — course is “out of session” — You can work unlimited hours if your course is considered “out of session”. Courses are “out of session” during scheduled course breaks, or once a student has finished their course as scheduled.
Studying a masters by research or a doctorate course
Once you have commenced a masters by research or doctoral course, you may work unlimited hours.
Studying online
You cannot work more than 48 hours per fortnight when your course of study is “in session”, regardless of whether you attend classes physically or online. A course is considered “in session” for the duration of the advertised semesters (including periods when exams are being held), even if you’re studying online.
Approved deferral of your course
You can work over 48 hours per fortnight if your course has been formally deferred.
Australian study requirements
The Department of Home Affairs does not regulate mode of study requirements. Contact your education provider, and refer to the joint TEQSA and ASQA statement relating to flexible delivery.
Planning to work towards PR after your course? See your after graduation options.