Australian Study Visa

The Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) permits international students to undertake full-time study at a registered education provider in Australia. This visa allows eligible applicants to reside in Australia for the duration of their course, work within permitted limits, and, where applicable, include eligible family members in their application. Applicants must satisfy academic, financial, health, and character requirements, and demonstrate that they intend to stay in Australia temporarily for study purposes.

What Are the Requirements for a Student Visa in Australia?

For an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) application, applicants must provide a valid passport issued by their country of citizenship, and may also be required to submit copies of their national identity card and driver’s licence. Recent passport-sized photographs and biometrics must be provided where requested, including fingerprints if required by the Department. The student visa application form must be completed, signed, and lodged with all supporting documentation.

Applicants must meet specific age requirements. Students must be at least six years old to apply. Additionally, they must be under 17 years of age when commencing Year 9, under 18 when commencing Year 10, under 19 when commencing Year 11, and under 20 when commencing Year 12.

Evidence of enrolment is mandatory. Applicants must submit a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course they intend to undertake. The CoE must remain valid at the time of visa grant. Where multiple courses are undertaken, all relevant CoEs must be provided, and the courses must be structured so that one leads to the next, with no more than a two-month gap between them. In certain cases, such as students sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defence, a letter of support may be submitted in place of a CoE.

Applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency, satisfy character requirements, and submit a written statement addressing the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement, confirming their intention to remain in Australia temporarily for study purposes. Employment history documentation, such as current or previous employment contracts, a curriculum vitae, or academic transcripts (if recently studying), must also be provided where applicable. This requirement does not apply to students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Defence, or secondary exchange students.

Students under 18 years of age must submit Form 157N if nominating a guardian. All applicants must sign the Australian Values Statement. If appointing an authorised recipient or migration agent, the relevant authorised recipient form must be submitted, or a written explanation uploaded via ImmiAccount.

Secondary exchange students must provide an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student (AASES) form. Postgraduate research students required to remain in Australia for thesis completion must submit a supporting letter from their education provider.

Applicants must provide civil documentation, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce documents, adoption papers, and evidence of relationship where applicable. Official documentation confirming any name change must also be submitted.

Adequate health insurance is mandatory. Applicants and accompanying family members must obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved provider, valid from the date of arrival in Australia. Limited exemptions apply to certain students covered under reciprocal health care agreements, including eligible students from Norway, Sweden, and Belgium.

Applicants must demonstrate financial capacity sufficient to cover travel costs, tuition fees, and living expenses for at least one year, including financial support for accompanying family members. Where financial support is provided by family members, evidence must confirm that they meet the prescribed annual income thresholds.

Additional documentation, including parental consent forms for minors travelling without one parent, and letters of support from relevant government departments where applicable, must also be provided in accordance with individual circumstances.