Study full-time
Any CRICOS-registered course
Universities, vocational (VET) courses, schools and English-language programs are all covered by the one subclass, for the full duration of your enrolment.
Australian Student Migration
Student Visa Australia 500Your Proven Study-to-PR Path
Subclass 500 · study, work & a pathway beyond
The subclass 500 lets you study full-time at a registered Australian institution, bring your family, and work up to 48 hours a fortnight. For many, it is the first step on a longer journey to permanent residency.
✓ Work 48 hrs / fortnight
✓ Family included
✓ Partner work rights
✓ Pathway to 485 & PR
What the Student visa (subclass 500) gives you
The Student visa (subclass 500) is a single visa covering every level of study — from English language courses to a PhD. It is granted for the length of your course, and one application can include your whole family.
Work while you study
48 hours per fortnight in session
Work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is running, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. Masters by Research and PhD students have no cap.
Bring your family
Partner & children included
Your partner and dependent children can be included. Your partner can usually work up to 48 hours per fortnight, and school-age children can enrol in school.
Key eligibility requirements
A student visa is granted on four core pillars. The Genuine Student requirement is where most refusals happen — it is an assessment of whether you are a genuine temporary entrant, not just a box to tick.
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- A CoE from a CRICOS-registered course and provider — issued after you accept an offer and pay your deposit
- One CoE per course; packaged courses each need their own
Genuine Student (GS) requirement
- Replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test in 2024
- Answered in a structured set of questions about your study, ties and plans
- Weak or copied responses are the leading cause of refusal — this is where we add the most value
Financial capacity
- Show access to at least $29,710 for 12 months of living costs (from 1 July 2026), plus tuition and travel
- Additional amounts for a partner ($10,394) and each child ($4,449)
- Funds must be genuine and, where required, held for a minimum period
English, health & OSHC
- Minimum IELTS 5.5 overall (or equivalent) for most applicants; providers often ask for more
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your entire stay
- Health and character requirements for you and your family
From student visa to permanent residency
A student visa is temporary, but it can be the start of a genuine migration plan. The most common route runs through post-study work rights into skilled migration.
Step 1 — Graduate (subclass 485)
- After finishing an eligible qualification, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) gives 2–6 years of full work rights
- Time to gain skilled Australian work experience and sit a skills assessment
Step 2 — Skilled or employer sponsored PR
- Use that experience to claim points for the skilled visas (189 · 190 · 491)
- Or convert a graduate job offer into an employer sponsored visa (482 · 186 · 494)
The course you choose in year one shapes what is possible later — your occupation, whether it appears on a skilled list, and where you study all matter. We plan the destination before you enrol, not after you graduate.
How the process works
From offer letter to visa grant, the sequence matters — especially the Genuine Student evidence, which we prepare before lodging.
- Offer & CoEAccept your course offer and obtain the Confirmation of Enrolment.
- Evidence & GSWe prepare your financial evidence, English results, OSHC and Genuine Student responses.
- Lodge & biometricsApplication lodged through ImmiAccount; biometrics and health checks as required.
- GrantVisa granted for your course duration — you can travel, study and work.
Our professional fees
Fixed fees, payable in two instalments. Consultation fees are credited towards our agreement if you engage us.
| Service | AUD (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation & assessment — online | $190 |
| Face-to-face consultation — Melbourne or Adelaide | $290 |
| Student visa application — Subclass 500 | $2,500 |
| Student visa — including partner / dependants | $3,000 |
Professional fees only. The Government Visa Application Charge, OSHC, English tests, health checks and police clearances are additional — current government charges are confirmed in your consultation and on the Department of Home Affairs website. See our full fee schedule.
Government costs & work rights
The figures below apply from 1 July 2026. The application charge is non-refundable, even if the application is refused — which is why getting it right the first time matters.
| Item | Detail (from 1 July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Visa Application Charge — primary applicant | $2,500 |
| ELICOS (English-language only) applicants | $2,050 |
| Financial capacity — living costs | $29,710 per year (+ $10,394 partner, + $4,449 per child) |
| Work rights while course in session | 48 hours per fortnight (unlimited during scheduled breaks) |
| Masters by Research & PhD | No work-hour limit |
Additional charges apply for family members included in the application, plus OSHC, English tests, health examinations and biometrics. Processing times vary widely by provider and country and change regularly — current published times are confirmed in your consultation and on the Department of Home Affairs website. You can calculate the exact charge for your own family composition with the official Visa Pricing Estimator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the student visa fee for Australia in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the Student visa (subclass 500) application charge is AUD $2,500 for the primary applicant. A separate, lower rate of AUD $2,050 applies to ELICOS (English-language only) applications. The charge is non-refundable even if the application is refused, and additional charges apply for family members.
How much money do I need to show for an Australian student visa?
From 1 July 2026 you must show access to at least AUD $29,710 for 12 months of living costs, plus your tuition and travel. If your partner comes with you, add AUD $10,394, and AUD $4,449 for each dependent child. This financial capacity amount is separate from the visa application charge.
How many hours can I work on a student visa?
You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Masters by Research and PhD students have no work-hour limit once their research has commenced. Working over the cap can breach your visa condition and risk cancellation.
What is the Genuine Student requirement?
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant test in 2024. It assesses whether you are a genuine applicant coming primarily to study, through a structured set of questions about your background, ties and plans. Weak or generic responses are the leading cause of student visa refusals, so preparing them carefully is critical.
Can I bring my family on a student visa?
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children in your subclass 500 application. Your partner can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight, and school-age children can attend school. Additional application charges and higher financial capacity amounts apply for each family member included.
Can a student visa lead to permanent residency?
Not directly, but it is a common first step. After finishing an eligible qualification, many students move to the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) for post-study work rights, then use that Australian experience to pursue the skilled visas (189, 190, 491) or an employer sponsored visa (482, 186, 494). The course and occupation you choose shape whether that pathway is open.
What English level do I need for a student visa?
Most applicants need a minimum of IELTS 5.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent such as PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT. However, your education provider often sets a higher requirement — commonly IELTS 6.0 to 7.0 depending on the course. Citizens of some English-speaking countries may be exempt from testing.
Planning to study in Australia?
Tell us your course, your country and your longer-term plans — we will tell you honestly how strong your Genuine Student case is, what funds you need to show, and whether the course sets you up for the PR pathway you want.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not take your personal circumstances into account. It is not migration advice. Sam Lotfollahi · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 0901704 — verify on the OMARA register.