Student Visa Australia
Simplify Your Path with Our Streamlined Student Visa Application Services.
Applying for an Australian student visa involves more than just filling out a form. Getting the documentation right, meeting The Genuine Student (GS) Requirement, and understanding your visa conditions are all critical parts of the process. A mistake at any stage can lead to delays or a refusal that affects your entire study plan.
At My Migration, our registered student visa agents in Melbourne manage student visa 500 applications for international students from all over the world. We assess your eligibility, prepare your application thoroughly, and make sure everything is in order before it is lodged. We also keep you informed throughout the process and advise you on your work rights, visa conditions, and options for staying in Australia once your studies are complete.
What is the Student Visa Subclass 500?
The australia student visa allows international students to live in Australia and study full-time at a registered course provider. It covers a wide range of study options including English language courses, vocational and technical training, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and doctoral programmes.
The aus student visa is granted for the duration of your course, plus a short additional period after your course end date. It allows you to work up to the permitted hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and without restriction during scheduled course breaks. It also allows your accompanying family members to live in Australia with you for the duration of your study.
Subclass 500 Student Visa Requirements
Hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a registered education provider in Australia
Be a Genuine Student (GS) Requirement, meaning you intend to study in Australia and return home after your studies
Have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, travel costs, and living expenses
Meet the English language requirement applicable to your course and institution
Hold adequate health insurance through Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your visa
Meet health and character requirements as assessed by the Department of Home Affairs
The Genuine Student (GS) Requirement is one of the most important aspects of a student visa subclass 500 application. The Department assesses this based on your personal circumstances, your study history, your ties to your home country, and the reasons you have chosen to study in Australia. Our student visa agents in Melbourne help you understand this requirement and prepare your application in a way that addresses it properly.
The Genuine Student (GS) Requirement — Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) 2026
From 23 March 2024, the Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for all Australian student visa applications. In 2026, the GS requirement remains the most closely examined part of a Subclass 500 student visa application — and getting it right on the first attempt is essential.
What Is the Genuine Student (GS) Requirement?
The Genuine Student requirement is an integrity measure used by the Department of Home Affairs to confirm that student visas are granted only to applicants who genuinely intend to study in Australia and comply with their visa conditions throughout their stay.
Unlike the old GTE process, which often involved lengthy personal statements, the updated GS requirement asks applicants to answer a series of specific, targeted questions — each with a 150-word limit. This approach is designed to give visa officers a clearer and more consistent picture of each applicant.
What Does the Department of Home Affairs Assess?
When reviewing the Genuine Student requirement, the Department considers the following:
- Current circumstances in your home country — family ties, community connections, employment situation, and financial stability that demonstrate strong reasons to return home after your studies
- Reasons for choosing this course and provider — specific, well-reasoned explanations for why this particular qualification and this particular institution are the right fit for your goals
- Value of the course to your future — a clear and direct connection between the qualification and your intended career path back in your home country
- Immigration and travel history — your record of compliance with previous visas, any refusals, and your overall travel history across different countries
- Intention to comply with visa conditions — evidence and context that supports your commitment to study, follow the rules, and return home upon completing your course
If the applicant is a minor, the Department will also consider the intentions and circumstances of the parent, legal guardian, or spouse.
Why the GS Requirement Matters More Than Ever in 2026
Australian student visa applications have faced increased scrutiny over recent years. The shift from GTE to the Genuine Student requirement was part of a broader effort to strengthen the integrity of the student visa program. In 2026, visa officers are trained to identify vague, generic, or inconsistent responses — and applications that do not clearly demonstrate genuine student intent are at a higher risk of refusal.
This makes early preparation and honest, well-structured responses critical for every applicant.
How My Migration Can Help
Navigating the Genuine Student requirement is not just about answering questions — it is about understanding what the Department is really looking for and presenting your circumstances in the most accurate and compelling way possible.
The registered migration agents at My Migration work with students from across the world to:
- Identify which GS questions apply to individual circumstances
- Craft honest, specific responses that align with Department of Home Affairs guidelines
- Review supporting documentation to ensure consistency across the entire application
- Prepare applicants for any additional information requests that may follow
Whether this is the first Australian visa application or a renewal, the team at My Migration is here to make sure the Genuine Student requirement does not become a barrier to the education goals.
Student Visa Working Hours
International students on a subclass 500 student visa are permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, and without restriction during scheduled course breaks. This change from the previous 40-hour limit was introduced to support international students with living costs.
Dependent family members are also permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight. It is important to keep track of your student visa working hours carefully. Exceeding your permitted work hours is a breach of your visa conditions and can have serious consequences, including visa cancellation. If you are unsure about your work rights at any point during your studies, contact our office and we will advise you.
Student Visa Fee and Costs
The student visa cos for the primary applicant is currently AUD 710 for the australia student visa. Additional charges apply for secondary applicants included in the application. These figures are set by the Department of Home Affairs and are subject to change.
Beyond the application charge, you should budget for the costs of your skills assessment if applicable, your English language test, health checks, and police clearances. You will also need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses for the duration of your stay. The Department currently estimates that international students need approximately AUD 24,505 per year for living expenses. Our agents advise you on the full student visa fees australia picture so you can plan properly before lodging your application.
Student Visa Processing Time
Student visa processing time varies depending on your country of citizenship, the completeness of your application, and the volume of applications being processed at any given time. Most straightforward applications for the student visa 500 are processed within a few weeks to a few months. Complex cases or applications with missing documentation can take considerably longer.
Submitting a complete, well-prepared application is the single most effective way to avoid unnecessary delays. Our agents review every aspect of your application before lodgement to make sure nothing is missing and that all documents meet the Department’s requirements.
Extending or Renewing Your Student Visa
If your aus student visa is nearing its expiry date and you wish to continue studying in Australia, you can apply for a further student visa 500 australia. You will need to meet all visa requirements again at the time of the new application, including the GS requirement. Contact our office well before your visa expires so we can assess your eligibility and manage the application without interruption to your lawful status in Australia.
Pathways After You Finish Studying
Completing your australian student visa period does not necessarily mean you have to leave Australia. The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa allows recent graduates to live and work in Australia after their studies. From there, many graduates pursue pathways through general skilled migration or employer sponsorship towards permanent residency.
Our agents advise students on their post-study visa options throughout their studies so they are well-prepared by the time they graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Genuine Student Requirement
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement is an integrity measure used by the Department of Home Affairs to confirm that applicants for an Australian student visa (Subclass 500) genuinely intend to study in Australia and comply with all visa conditions. It replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement from 23 March 2024.
The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement was officially replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement on 23 March 2024. Any student visa application lodged from that date onwards is assessed under the updated GS framework.
Under the old GTE process, applicants were typically required to submit a lengthy personal statement explaining their intentions. The updated GS requirement is more structured — applicants now respond to a set of specific, targeted questions, each with a 150-word limit per answer. This format gives visa officers a clearer and more consistent basis for assessment.
Yes. Each response to the Genuine Student requirement questions has a 150-word limit. This means answers need to be concise, specific, and relevant — vague or generic responses are unlikely to satisfy the Department of Home Affairs assessment criteria.
If the Department of Home Affairs is not satisfied that an applicant meets the Genuine Student requirement, the student visa application will be refused. This is why it is important to prepare honest, well-structured responses that clearly reflect the applicant’s individual circumstances and genuine study intentions.
Yes. The Genuine Student requirement is a mandatory criterion for the Subclass 500 student visa. If the Department of Home Affairs is not satisfied that an applicant is a genuine student, the application can be refused regardless of whether all other requirements are met.
The registered migration agents at My Migration work with student visa applicants to prepare responses to the GS requirement that are honest, specific, and aligned with current Department of Home Affairs guidelines. From the initial consultation through to submission, the team ensures that every part of the Subclass 500 application — including the Genuine Student requirement — is handled correctly and thoroughly.
