Student Visa Australia (Subclass 500)
Simplify Your Path with Our Streamlined Student Visa Application Services.
Applying for an Australian student visa is more involved than filling in a form. The documentation has to be right, you have to meet the Genuine Student requirement, and you have to understand the conditions attached to the visa. A slip at any stage can cause delays, or a refusal that throws off your whole study plan. This page explains the subclass 500 requirements, the Genuine Student test, work rights, costs, and your options after you finish.
Our registered student visa agents in Melbourne handle subclass 500 applications for international students worldwide. We check your eligibility and prepare your application properly, then make sure everything’s in order before we lodge it. We keep you posted throughout, and we’ll explain your work rights and conditions, plus your options for staying in Australia after you finish.
What is the Student Visa (Subclass 500)?
The subclass 500 student visa lets international students live in Australia and study full-time with a registered course provider. It covers a broad range of study options, including English language courses, vocational and technical training, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and doctorates. You can also read more about studying in Australia on our dedicated page.
The visa is granted for the length of your course, plus a short period after your course end date. While your course is running you can work up to the permitted hours per fortnight, and during scheduled course breaks there’s no limit. Your accompanying family members can live in Australia with you for the length of your study too.
Subclass 500 Student Visa Requirements
To be granted a subclass 500 visa, you need to meet the following requirements.
Hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a registered education provider in Australia.
Meet the health and character requirements assessed by the Department of Home Affairs.
Have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, travel costs and living expenses.
Meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, showing that you intend to study in Australia and follow your visa conditions.
Hold adequate health insurance through Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your visa.
Meet the English language requirement for your course and institution.
The Genuine Student (GS) Requirement
On 23 March 2024, the Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for all student visa applications. It’s the most closely examined part of a subclass 500 application, so getting it right the first time really matters.
What the Genuine Student Requirement Is
The Genuine Student requirement is an integrity check the Department of Home Affairs Department of Home Affairs uses to confirm that a student visa goes only to someone who genuinely intends to study here and to follow their visa conditions while they’re in Australia. The old GTE process usually meant writing a long personal statement. The GS requirement instead asks a set of specific questions, each capped at 150 words, which gives visa officers a clearer and more consistent picture of each applicant.
What the Department Assesses
Why the GS Requirement Matters in 2026
Student visa applications have come under more scrutiny in recent years, and the move from GTE to the Genuine Student requirement was part of tightening up the program. The Australian Government has also introduced a National Planning Level, effectively a cap of 295,000 international student places for 2026, with processing prioritised by education provider. On top of that, from 8 January 2026 several countries, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan, were moved to Evidence Level 3, which means more documentation and closer checks. Visa officers are trained to pick out answers that are vague, generic or inconsistent, so preparing early and answering honestly and clearly matters for every applicant.
How We Help With the GS Requirement
Meeting the Genuine Student requirement isn’t only about answering the questions. It’s about understanding what the Department is really looking for and presenting your situation accurately and convincingly. Our registered agents work with students worldwide to work out which GS questions apply to your situation, write honest and specific answers that line up with the Department’s guidelines, check your supporting documents so everything is consistent, and get you ready for any follow-up requests. Whether it’s your first Australian visa application or a renewal, we’ll make sure the Genuine Student requirement doesn’t get in the way of your study plans.
Student Visa Working Hours
On a subclass 500 visa you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session, and as much as you like during scheduled course breaks. The cap went up from the old 40-hour limit to help students with living costs. Dependent family members can generally also work up to 48 hours a fortnight, though partners of some postgraduate students have unlimited work rights.
Keep a careful eye on your hours, because going over the limit breaches your visa conditions and can have serious consequences, including cancellation. If you’re ever unsure about your work rights, get in touch and we’ll sort it out for you.
Student Visa Fee and Costs
The student visa application charge for the primary applicant is currently AUD 2,000, with extra charges for any secondary applicants (currently AUD 2,000 for a partner aged 18 or over and AUD 500 for a child under 18). It was AUD 710 until mid-2024 and has risen twice since, so always check the current figure on the official Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge. The charge is non-refundable, even if the application is unsuccessful.
On top of the application charge, budget for your English language test, health checks, OSHC and police clearances. You’ll also need to show you have enough money to cover your tuition and living costs for your stay. The Department currently sets the living-cost figure at around AUD 29,710 a year for a single student, with additional amounts required for a partner and each child. This figure is reviewed and can change, so we’ll walk you through the full cost picture so you can plan properly before you lodge.
Student Visa Processing Time
Processing times depend on your country of citizenship, your provider’s priority status, how complete your application is, and how many applications the Department is working through at the time. For higher education, around half of applications are decided within about a month and most within two months, while vocational and postgraduate research applications can take several months. You can check current processing times on the Home Affairs site. Complex cases, or applications with missing documents, can take a good deal longer.
The best way to avoid delays is to lodge a complete, well-prepared application, so we check every part of yours before it goes in and make sure all your documents meet the Department’s requirements.
Extending or Renewing Your Student Visa
If your student visa is close to expiring and you want to keep studying in Australia, you can apply for another subclass 500. You’ll need to meet all the requirements again, including the Genuine Student requirement. Get in touch well before your visa expires so we can check your eligibility and lodge the new application without any break in your lawful status.
Pathways After You Finish Studying
Finishing your studies doesn’t have to mean leaving Australia. The subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa lets recent graduates live and work here after they finish. From there, a lot of graduates move toward permanent residency through general skilled migration or employer sponsorship. We talk through your post-study options while you’re still studying, so you’re ready by the time you graduate.
When you’re ready, book a free consultation and we’ll go through your study plans and which student visa pathway fits.
Student Visa FAQs
For 2026, a single student generally needs to show around AUD 29,710 for a year of living costs, on top of your tuition fees and travel. You’ll need additional funds for a partner or children. The funds have to be genuine and accessible, usually shown through bank statements held for at least three months, a loan letter, or a scholarship.
You can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Going over the limit breaches your visa conditions, so it’s important to track your hours across all jobs.
It’s an integrity check that replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant test in March 2024. Instead of one long statement, it asks a set of targeted questions, each capped at 150 words, about why you’re studying here, your ties to home, and your plans. It’s the most closely examined part of the application.
The application charge for the primary applicant is currently AUD 2,000, with AUD 2,000 for an adult partner and AUD 500 per child. It’s non-refundable, so check the current figure and get the application right before you lodge. You’ll also budget for OSHC, English tests, health checks and police clearances.
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children, and they can live in Australia for the length of your study. Your partner can generally work up to 48 hours a fortnight, and partners of some postgraduate students have unlimited work rights. You’ll need to show extra funds and OSHC for each family member.
It depends on your course level, your provider’s priority status and your country. For higher education, around half of applications are decided within about a month, while vocational and research applications can take several months. A complete, well-prepared application is the best way to avoid delays.
Most graduates apply for the subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa, which lets you live and work in Australia after you finish. From there, many move toward permanent residency through skilled migration or employer sponsorship. It’s worth planning this while you’re still studying.
