The Subclass 500 Student Visa is the primary visa for international students wishing to study full-time in Australia. It covers a wide range of study types — from vocational education and English language courses to undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs at CRICOS-registered institutions.
Key Requirements for 2026
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): You must be enrolled full-time in a CRICOS-registered course and hold a valid electronic Confirmation of Enrolment from your education provider.
- Genuine Student (GS) Requirement: Since March 2024, the old GTE statement has been replaced with targeted questions in the online application. You must demonstrate that your primary purpose for travelling to Australia is to study.
- Financial Capacity: You need to show access to at least AUD $29,710 for 12 months of living expenses, plus tuition fees and return airfare. Add AUD $10,394 for a spouse and AUD $4,449 per dependent child.
- English Proficiency: A valid IELTS (minimum 6.0 overall), PTE, TOEFL, or equivalent score is required. ELICOS programs require a minimum of 5.0.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Mandatory health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Australia.
- Health & Character Checks: You must pass a medical examination and provide police clearance certificates.
Work Rights
The Subclass 500 visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. During scheduled course breaks, there are no limits on work hours. Students enrolled in a Master's by Research or Doctoral degree have unlimited work rights once their course has commenced.
Visa Duration & Cost
The visa is generally granted for up to 5 years, depending on your course length. Primary school students are typically limited to 3 years. The base visa application charge is AUD $2,000 (as of July 2025). Additional fees apply for dependants.
2026 Updates to Know
Australia has introduced a National Planning Level (NPL) of 295,000 international student places for 2026 — an increase of 25,000 from the previous year. The NPL acts as a prioritisation system rather than a hard cap, with fast-track processing available for certain applicants including scholarship holders and students from Pacific nations.
Financial verification has become stricter, particularly for applicants from countries classified under Evidence Level 3. Professional preparation of your application is strongly recommended to reduce refusal risk.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Completing eligible studies in Australia can open pathways to permanent residency through the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa, employer sponsorship, or state nomination programs. Studying in regional Australia may offer additional advantages for your PR journey.