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Australian Student visa (subclass 500), step by step
In short: to get an Australian Student visa (subclass 500) you need a Confirmation of Enrolment, health cover (OSHC), the money to show (AUD 29,710 living costs for a year plus first-year fees and travel), usually an English score such as IELTS 6.0, and answers to the Genuine Student questions. You apply online from outside Australia; the fee is from AUD 2,500 and is not refunded if you are refused. You can work up to 48 hours a fortnight during term. Since 2 October 2026 most students cannot bring family.
Key facts
| Item | What Home Affairs says |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | From AUD 2,500 (lower for some Pacific, Timor-Leste and ASEAN citizens, and ELICOS and non-award students). Not refunded if the visa is refused. |
| Money to show | Living costs of AUD 29,710 for 12 months, plus the first 12 months of course fees and travel: AUD 2,000 from most countries, AUD 2,500 from East or Southern Africa, AUD 3,000 from West Africa. Or show that a parent or partner earned at least AUD 87,856 in the last 12 months. |
| English (tests from 7 Aug 2025) | Minimum IELTS Academic 6.0, PTE Academic 47 or TOEFL iBT 67; lower scores (IELTS 5.5 or 5.0) if your course is packaged with 10 or 20 weeks of English (ELICOS). Home-taken online tests are not accepted. Your Document Checklist result says whether you must show a score. |
| Health cover | Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved insurer, starting on the day you arrive and kept until you leave. |
| Genuine Student | You answer a set of questions in English in the online application. |
| Work | Up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session. |
| Family | From 2 October 2026 you cannot bring a partner or children unless you meet an exemption. |
| Stay | Up to 6 years, in line with your enrolment. |
The steps
- Get your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): Accept your offer and pay what the institution asks; it issues the CoE, which must still be valid when the visa is decided.
- Arrange OSHC: Buy Overseas Student Health Cover from an approved Australian insurer (many institutions arrange it with the CoE).
- Gather your documents: Use Home Affairs’ Document Checklist Tool with your passport country and institution. It says what evidence you need (for example English or money). Check it again just before you apply.
- Apply online, from outside Australia: Apply in ImmiAccount and pay the fee. Submit a complete, decision-ready application: missing documents can mean refusal or delay. Most people must apply from outside Australia.
- After you apply: Answer any request for information quickly and check ImmiAccount for messages. Do not book travel before the decision.
- The decision: You are told in writing: your visa grant number, expiry date and conditions. A refusal letter gives the reasons and says whether you can ask for a review.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, Subclass 500 Student visa (Overview, Eligibility and Step by step), read 7 Nov 2026. Figures change; check the page and the Document Checklist Tool before you apply.
Before you start
- Compare the money with other countries: student visas compared, cost calculator.
- Health cover in each country: student health insurance.
- Family rules: bringing your family on a student visa.
- If you are refused: what you can do next.
Questions
How do I apply for an Australian student visa?
to get an Australian Student visa (subclass 500) you need a Confirmation of Enrolment, health cover (OSHC), the money to show (AUD 29,710 living costs for a year plus first-year fees and travel), usually an English score such as IELTS 6.0, and answers to the Genuine Student questions. You apply online from outside Australia; the fee is from AUD 2,500 and is not refunded if you are refused. You can work up to 48 hours a fortnight during term. Since 2 October 2026 most students cannot bring family.
How much money do I need for an Australian student visa?
Home Affairs asks for AUD 29,710 for 12 months of living costs, the first 12 months of course fees, and travel costs (AUD 2,000 from most countries, more from Africa). Alternatively, a parent or partner’s income of at least AUD 87,856 in the last 12 months.
What IELTS score do I need for an Australian student visa?
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, or 5.5 with at least 10 weeks of English study (ELICOS) packaged with the course, or 5.0 with at least 20 weeks. The Document Checklist Tool says whether you need to show a score at all.
How many hours can I work on a student visa in Australia?
Up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session, according to Home Affairs.