Planning to study in Melbourne or anywhere else in Australia? The Subclass 500 student visa is the document that makes it possible. The rules changed a fair bit through 2024, 2025 and into 2026, from higher fees to a tougher Genuine Student test, so this guide walks you through what the visa is, who can get one, what it costs, and exactly how to apply this year. Figures here are current at the time of writing; because they change often, always confirm the latest details on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Quick answer: The Subclass 500 lets international students study full-time in a CRICOS-registered course in Australia, usually for up to five years. In 2026 the visa application charge is AUD $2,000 for the primary applicant, you must show about AUD $29,710 a year in living-cost funds plus tuition and travel, hold OSHC for the full visa period, meet an English requirement (often IELTS 6.0), and satisfy the Genuine Student requirement. You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying.
What is the Subclass 500 student visa?
The Subclass 500 is Australia’s primary visa for international students. It allows you to live in Australia and study full-time in a course registered on the CRICOS register of approved courses and providers. A single Subclass 500 can cover your whole study plan, including packaged courses, for up to five years, and it lets eligible family members join you as dependants. For a broader look at studying here, see our Study in Australia guide.
Student Visa eligibility requirements (2026)
To be granted the visa you must satisfy all of the core requirements below. Each one is assessed, so a gap in any single area can lead to a refusal.
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). A valid electronic CoE in a CRICOS-registered course. A letter of offer alone is not enough.
- Genuine Student (GS) requirement. Evidence that you genuinely intend to study (see below).
- Financial capacity. Proof you can cover living costs, tuition and travel.
- English proficiency. A test score that meets your course’s requirement.
- Health insurance. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full visa period.
- Health and character. A health examination if required, plus good-character checks.
How much does the Student visa cost in 2026?
The visa application charge for the primary applicant is AUD $2,500, in place since 1 July 2025, when it rose from $1,600 (Study Australia). It is non-refundable, even if your visa is refused. Beyond the charge itself, most applicants face several other one-off costs.
Indicative upfront costs for a single applicant, excluding tuition and living expenses.
| Cost item | Typical 2026 amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application charge | AUD $2,000 | Primary applicant; non-refundable |
| OSHC (single, 1 year) | AUD $500 – $700 | Required for the full visa period |
| Health examination | AUD $300 – $500 | If requested, via a panel clinic |
| English test | AUD $395 – $450 | e.g. IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT |
| Biometrics | AUD $45 | Only if required for your country |
| Additional applicants | Separate charges | Use the Home Affairs pricing estimator |
Charges change and depend on your circumstances, so generate an exact quote with the official Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge.
Financial capacity: how much money you need to show
For 2026 you must show genuine access to at least AUD $29,710 for 12 months of living costs, on top of your first year of tuition fees and return travel. Bringing family adds to this: roughly $10,394 for a partner and about $4,449 for each dependent child, plus school costs for any school-aged children.
Just as important as the amount is how the money looks. Case officers want to see genuine access to funds with a believable history, so a single large deposit made just before you apply is a common red flag. Acceptable evidence includes bank statements with a stable history, an approved education loan, a scholarship letter, or sponsor documents. For a full breakdown, read our guide to student visa financials.
English language requirements
You must prove your English with a valid result from an approved test, sat at a secure test centre rather than at home. The visa minimum varies with your course level, and your institution may set a higher score, so always check your offer letter.
| Pathway | Typical minimum (IELTS) | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Direct university entry | 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) | PTE ~50, TOEFL iBT ~64 |
| With packaged ELICOS | 5.5 overall | Lower, topped up by English study |
| Foundation / pathway | 5.5 overall | Varies by provider |
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement
The Genuine Student requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant test in March 2024. Instead of one long statement, the application form now asks targeted questions covering four areas: your current circumstances and ties to home, why you chose this specific course and provider, how the course benefits your future, and any other relevant information such as your immigration history. Importantly, the GS framework accepts that you may later consider permanent residency, as long as your primary purpose is genuine study. Keep answers specific, honest and backed by evidence. A vague or inconsistent response is one of the most common reasons applications fail, so it is worth getting right; see our detailed guide to the Genuine Student requirement.
How to apply for the Student visa: step by step
Once you have your offer, the application runs through seven main steps.
- Accept your offer and get your CoE. Enrol in a CRICOS course, pay any required deposit, and receive your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment.
- Create an ImmiAccount. Set up your account on the Home Affairs portal, where the whole application is lodged online.
- Complete the Genuine Student questions. Answer each question clearly and consistently with your documents.
- Gather your documents. Financial evidence, English results, passport, CoE, academic transcripts and OSHC details.
- Buy OSHC. Arrange cover for the full length of your visa from an approved provider.
- Pay the charge and lodge. Submit your application and pay the non-refundable AUD $2,000 charge.
- Complete checks and await a decision. Provide biometrics and a health examination if requested, then wait for the outcome.
Processing times and visa conditions
Processing times depend on your country of passport, your education sector and how complete your application is. Well-prepared applications are often decided within a few weeks, while complex cases take longer; you can check current times on the Home Affairs website. Once granted, your visa carries conditions you must keep: maintain enrolment and satisfactory attendance and progress, hold OSHC for the whole stay, keep your contact details up to date, and observe the work limit of 48 hours per fortnight while your course is running, with unlimited hours during official breaks.
Common reasons for refusal (and how to avoid them)
- A weak Genuine Student response. Vague answers or ones that don’t match your documents. Fix: be specific and evidence-based.
- Financial red flags. A sudden large deposit or funds that can’t be traced. Fix: show a stable history of genuine funds.
- Inconsistent documents. Names, dates or course details that don’t line up. Fix: check everything matches your CoE and passport.
- Missing OSHC or English evidence. Lodging before these are in place. Fix: complete them before you submit.
- Applying without a CoE. A letter of offer is not enough. Fix: secure your electronic CoE first.
How MyMigration can help
A Student Visa application is mostly about getting the detail right: a strong Genuine Student response, clean financial evidence, and documents that all line up. If you’d like a hand, our team works with students across Melbourne and around Australia on exactly this. Start with our Student Visa (Subclass 500) service, or read more about your options in the Study in Australia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Subclass 500 student visa?
The Subclass 500 is Australia’s main student visa. It lets international students live in Australia and study full-time in a course registered on CRICOS for the length of that course, usually up to 6 years. It also allows limited work and lets eligible family members join you as dependants.
How much does the Subclass 500 visa cost in 2026?
The visa application charge for the primary applicant is AUD $2,500, in place since 1 July 2025. It is non-refundable, even if the visa is refused. On top of that you should budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (about $500 to $700 a year for a single person), a health examination, an English test, and biometrics if required. Additional applicants pay separate charges, so check the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for an exact quote.
How much money do I need to show for an Australian student visa?
For 2026 you must show genuine access to at least AUD $29,710 for 12 months of living costs, in addition to your first year of tuition fees and return travel. If you bring a partner you add roughly $10,394, and about $4,449 for each dependent child, plus school costs for school-aged children. The funds must look genuine, so avoid a single large deposit made just before you apply.
What are the English requirements for the Subclass 500 visa?
Most students applying for direct university entry need around IELTS 6.0 overall, or 5.5 if studying with a packaged ELICOS (English) course, with equivalent scores accepted for PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT. Tests must be sat at an approved test centre, not at home. Your university or college may set a higher score than the visa minimum, so always check your offer letter.
What is the Genuine Student (GS) requirement?
The Genuine Student requirement replaced the older Genuine Temporary Entrant test in March 2024. It is a set of targeted questions in the application form covering your current circumstances and ties, why you chose this course and provider, how the course benefits your future, and any other relevant details. Your answers should be honest, specific and backed by evidence. A weak or inconsistent GS response is now one of the most common reasons for refusal.
Can I work on a Subclass 500 student visa?
Yes. You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Work cannot start before your course officially begins. A partner who joins you as a dependant generally has work rights too, though hours can be limited depending on your course level.
How long does a student visa take to process?
Processing times vary by your country of passport, your education sector and how complete your application is. Many straightforward, well-documented applications are decided within a few weeks, while complex cases or those with missing documents can take considerably longer. Lodging a complete application with a strong Genuine Student response is the best way to avoid delays. Check current processing times on the Home Affairs website.
When should I apply for my student visa?
Apply as soon as you have your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and your supporting documents are ready, ideally a few months before your course start date. You generally cannot lodge without a CoE, and you can usually enter Australia up to 90 days before your course begins, so starting early gives you room for processing and any requests for more information.
