Overview
The Subclass 500 Student visa lets you live in Australia and study full-time in a registered (CRICOS) course for the length of your program. You need a Confirmation of Enrolment, must meet the Genuine Student requirement, show adequate funds and English, and hold Overseas Student Health Cover. You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session.
The Subclass 500 Student visa lets you study full-time in Australia in a CRICOS-registered course. To be granted the visa you need a Confirmation of Enrolment, must satisfy the Genuine Student requirement, and must show adequate funds, English and Overseas Student Health Cover. Below are the details students most often ask about.
What changed on 2 October 2026?
From 2 October 2026, people in Australia on many other temporary visas — including working holiday (417/462), 482 (both Skills in Demand and Temporary Skill Shortage), 400, 407 and 408 holders — must apply for a Student visa from outside Australia, and be outside Australia when it is granted. Most current students applying for another Student visa must also apply offshore, with limited exceptions (for example, finishing the same course with the same provider within 12 months, or doctoral students). Most new students can no longer include family members, or add them later, unless an exception applies (for example doctoral students, Pacific or ASEAN passport holders, or foreign-government-funded students). Applications lodged before 2 October are assessed under the old rules. Source: Home Affairs
Changing provider: until 30 June 2027, a provider generally can’t enrol a student transferring from another provider until they have completed 12 months of their main course (up from 6). It returns to 6 months from 1 July 2027; school transfers aren’t affected. Source: legislation.gov.au
How many hours can you work?
While your course is in session you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (a fortnight is any 14-day period starting on a Monday). During scheduled course breaks there is no work limit. Students who have commenced a masters by research or a doctoral (PhD) degree also have no limit. These conditions are set by the Department and can change, so confirm the current rule on the official work-conditions page linked below.
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement
The Genuine Student requirement replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test. Rather than one free-text statement, you respond to targeted questions about your choice of course and provider, your circumstances at home and in Australia, and how the study fits your future plans. Clear, consistent answers backed by your documents are what matter here.
Money you need to show (financial capacity)
You must show you can cover 12 months of living costs, your course fees and travel — for you and any family members on the application. The living-cost figure is set and indexed by the Department, so check the current amount on the official source below. Where school-age children are included, schooling costs are added, and applications lodged outside Australia include a travel component. Funds must be genuinely available to you (for example savings, an approved loan, a scholarship or sponsorship).
English language
You generally need to meet the English level required for your course, usually evidenced by an accepted test (such as IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge or OET). Some applicants are exempt — for example certain passport holders, or where you have studied in English. Your provider’s offer and the Department set the exact level, so check what your course requires.
Health cover (OSHC)
You must hold Overseas Student Health Cover for the whole length of your stay, for you and any family members. Arrange it before you lodge and keep it current for the life of the visa.
After you graduate: the 485 pathway
Many students move on to the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) for post-study work, and some use that time to build toward a skilled or employer-sponsored permanent visa. Because the course level, field and location you choose can affect your later options, it is worth mapping the pathway before you enrol — not after.
Who is eligible for the Subclass 500 visa?
- Have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) in a CRICOS-registered course
- Meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirement
- Show adequate financial capacity for 12 months of living costs, course fees and travel
- Meet the English language requirement for your course
- Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and meet health and character requirements
How much does the Subclass 500 visa cost?
The base application charge is A$2,500. An additional A$1,530 applies per applicant aged 18 or over. For most students (ELICOS and non-award courses are A$2,050). A A$700 subsequent temporary application charge can apply if you apply from inside Australia on another temporary visa. Plus Overseas Student Health Cover and health checks. Checked against the official Home Affairs pricing table on 29 October 2026. See every Subclass 500 stream's charge and processing time, or compare every visa on our Australian visa fees table. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.
How long does the Subclass 500 visa take to process?
For the Higher Education Sector stream, around 75% of applications are finalised within 49 days, and 90% within 4 months.
| Stream | 75% finalised within | 90% finalised within |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector | 10 days | 22 days |
| Postgraduate Research Sector | 50 days | 55 days |
| Independent ELICOS Sector | 34 days | 53 days |
| Schools Sector | 57 days | 7 months |
| Vocational Education and Training Sector | 7 months | 7 months |
| Higher Education Sector | 49 days | 4 months |
| Non-Award Sector | 18 days | 43 days |
Official figures as at 29 September 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times. Compare all visas on our processing times tracker. Times are a guide only — complete, decision-ready applications are generally faster.
How do you apply for the Subclass 500 visa?
- Get a Confirmation of Enrolment. Accept an offer and obtain a CoE from your CRICOS-registered provider. We can also help you choose the right course and provider and enrol before you lodge the visa.
- Prepare Genuine Student evidence. Answer the Genuine Student questions about your course choice, circumstances and study plan (this replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant statement).
- Evidence funds and English. Show financial capacity and the English test result required for your course.
- Lodge and arrange OSHC. Apply with health insurance covering your whole stay, and meet health and character checks.
How it compares
| Your situation | How much you can work |
|---|---|
| Course in session | Up to 48 hours per fortnight |
| Scheduled course breaks | No work limit |
| Masters by research or a doctoral (PhD) degree | No work limit |
Frequently asked questions
How many hours can I work on a Subclass 500 student visa?
Up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and with no limit during scheduled course breaks. Students who have started a masters by research or a doctoral (PhD) degree have no work-hour limit. A 'fortnight' is any 14-day period starting on a Monday.
What replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement?
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement. Instead of one free-text statement, you answer targeted questions about your course, your circumstances and how the study fits your plans.
How much money do I need to show for a student visa?
You must show funds to cover 12 months of living costs, your course fees and travel, for you and any family members included in the application. The living-cost figure is set and indexed by the Department — check the current amount on the official source linked below. Schooling costs are added for school-age children.
Can I bring my partner or children?
Yes. Family members can be included in, or added to, your student visa, provided you can meet the additional financial-capacity and health-cover requirements for them. School-age children usually must be enrolled in school.
Can I stay in Australia after I finish studying?
Many graduates move onto the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) for post-study work, and some use that time to work toward a skilled or employer-sponsored permanent visa. Plan the pathway early — the course and location you choose can affect your later options.
How long does a student visa take to process?
Processing times vary by course level, country and how complete your application is. See the current published figures below, and lodge a decision-ready application (CoE, funds, English, OSHC and Genuine Student evidence) to avoid delays.
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- Visa Refused? Your Appeal Options and the ART Review
- The medical examination for your Australian visa
- Complete guide to Australian immigration in 2026