Student Visa Australia
Study, Live & Work While You Learn
A Student Visa Australia (subclass 500) lets you study full time at an approved Australian school, TAFE or university, while also giving you limited working rights and the chance to experience life in Australia. With this visa you can take part in an eligible course, travel in and out of Australia, and work up to 48 hours per 14 days while your course is in session (with more flexible hours during scheduled breaks).
Visa4you helps you to choose the right course pathway, to understand the Genuine Student requirements and prepare a strong, well-documented application.
- Focus on Student Visa (Subclass 500) – school, VET, English, higher education and packaged courses
- Up-to-date guidance on work rights (48 hours/14 days), fees and conditions
- Help with Genuine Student (GS) statements and financial proof
- Multilingual support in English, German and Dutch, online or in-office
What Is the Student Visa Australia (Subclass 500)?
The Student Visa (subclass 500) is the main visa for international students who want to study full time in Australia. It allows you to:
- Enroll in an eligible course of study (school, VET, ELICOS, higher education or postgraduate research)
- Stay in Australia for the duration of your course (plus a short period before/after your course dates)
- Work up to 48 hours per 14 days while your course is in session, and increased hours during scheduled breaks
- Include certain family members (partner and dependent children) in the same application
It’s also the starting point for many students who later move on to a Temporary Graduate (485) or other visas
options
after completing their studies.
Who Can Apply for a Student Visa Australia Pathway?
You may need a Student Visa Australia if you plan to:
- Study a full-time course longer than 3 months (shorter courses can sometimes be done on Visitor or Working Holiday Visas).
- Complete a degree, diploma, certificate, language course or school program at a CRICOS-registered provider.
- Bring eligible family members while you study.
General eligibility elements include:
- Letter of offer / Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from an approved education provider
- Meeting English language and academic entry requirements for your course
- Demonstrating sufficient funds for tuition, living costs and travel
- Having Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the length of your stay
- Satisfying the Genuine Student (GS) requirement and other character/health checks
Visa4you analyzes your profile and course goals, giving you a realistic roadmap for your application.
Genuine Student Requirement – Proving You’re Here to Study
In 2024, Australia replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test with a new Genuine Student (GS) requirement for Student Visa Australia applicants.
The GS test looks at whether you:
- Genuinely intend to study in Australia (not just use a course as a way to work full time)
- Have chosen a course that makes sense for your background and future plans
- Understand your visa conditions, including work limits and the need to maintain enrolment
- Have realistic post-study plans (which may include future skilled or graduate visas, if you qualify)
Visa4you helps you to:
- Structure your Genuine Student statement
- Explain your study and career plans clearly
- Address any risk factors that could lead to refusal (previous visa history, education gaps, etc.)
Student Visa Australia – Work Rights & Limits
International students often rely on part-time work. Under current rules:
- You can usually work up to 48 hours every two weeks while your main course is in session
- During scheduled course breaks, you can often work increased hours
- Your work must not interfere with your full-time study load
Recent enforcement examples show students can have visas cancelled for serious work-condition breaches (for example, working far beyond the allowed hours and not maintaining genuine study).
Visa4you explains your work rights clearly, so you can stay compliant and avoid risking your visa.
What Can You Study on a Student Visa Australia?
The Student Visa (500) covers a wide range of CRICOS-registered courses, including:
- English Language (ELICOS) programs
- Vocational Education & Training (VET) – certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas
- Higher Education – bachelor, honours, graduate diplomas, master’s, PhD
- School programs – primary and secondary
- Packaged courses (e.g., English + diploma + bachelor) under a single visa
Short courses under 12 weeks might be possible on a Visitor Visa or Working Holiday Visa instead, but for longer or full-time study, a Student Visa Australia is usually required.
How to Apply for a Student Visa Australia
A typical process looks like this:
1
Choose Your Course & Provider
Compare universities, TAFEs and colleges.
Make sure the course is CRICOS-registered and aligns with your background and goals.
2
Get Your Offer & Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Apply to the institution, meet entry requirements and accept your offer.
Receive your CoE, which you need for the visa application.
3
Prepare Documents
- Passport, CoE, academic transcripts and English test results
- Financial evidence (tuition, living costs, travel)
- OSHC policy details
- Genuine Student statement and supporting documents (CV, work history, ties to home country)
4
Submit Your Visa Application (ImmiAccount)
Create an ImmiAccount, complete the subclass 500 form, upload documents and pay the fee.
5
Biometrics, Health Checks & Extra Requests
Some applicants need to provide biometrics and medicals; you may also get requests for more information.
6
Visa Decision & Next Steps
Processing priorities and timelines are changing frequently, with authorities urging students to submit complete applications early for upcoming intakes.
Once granted, you can arrange travel, accommodation and enrolment steps with your institution.
Visa4you helps you coordinate course and visa timing, especially if you are switching from another visa (such as a Visitor, Working Holiday or another Student Visa).
Costs & Financial Requirements for Student Visa Australia
When budgeting for your move, consider:
- Visa application charge – which has increased several times recently, with proposals for further fee hikes.
- Tuition fees – vary by institution and course level
- Living costs – you must show sufficient funds for yourself (and family members, if included)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – required for the entire visa period
Visa4you helps you navigate documentation requirements and avoid common pitfalls in showing your financial eligibility.
Life After Study – Post-Study Options
A Student Visa Australia doesn’t automatically lead to permanent residency, but it can be an important first step. Depending on your course and circumstances, you may later consider:
- Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) – for many higher-education and some VET graduates
- Skilled migration or employer-sponsored visas, if you meet occupation and points requirements
- Further study or course changes (with careful attention to visa conditions and GS obligations)
Visa4you can map out a long-term plan, so your choice of course supports your broader career and migration goals where possible.
Why Choose Visa4you for Your Student Visa Australia Application?
- Specialised in Australia – We track changes to SID/482, 186, 494 and 191 rules and salary thresholds.
- Support for both workers and employers – We understand the unique needs of HR teams, business owners, and candidates throughout the process.
- Pathway-focused advice – We look beyond the first visa to your long-term plan (PR vs temporary stay).
- Compliance and risk awareness – We help you avoid issues such as underpayment, wrong choice of occupation or weak evidence, which can trigger refusals or future problems.
- Multilingual service – Consultations in English, German and Dutch, online or at our offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Student Visa Australia holders can work up to 48 hours per 14 days while their main course is in session, with more flexible hours during scheduled breaks. Breaching these limits can put your visa at risk.
In many cases, yes. You may be able to include your partner and dependent children as secondary applicants. They will have their own visa conditions, including work and study rules.
Some short courses (often up to 12 weeks) can be taken on a Visitor Visa, and certain longer short courses may be possible on a Working Holiday or Work and Holiday Visa. For longer or full-time study, you usually need a Student Visa (500).
Given current policy settings and processing workloads, Australian authorities are urging students to
submit complete Student Visa applications as early as possible for future intakes, especially at peak times.
If your application is refused, you’ll receive a refusal notice explaining the reasons. Depending on your location and circumstances, you may have review or re-application options, but these can be complex and time-sensitive.
Ready to Start Your Study Journey in Australia?
If you’re serious about studying in Australia, it’s worth getting the course choice, Genuine Student explanation and financial evidence right from the start.
Tell us about your current education, English level, budget and study goals. We’ll help you understand your Student Visa Australia (subclass 500) options, what you need to show, and how your studies can fit into a bigger career and migration plan.
