Student Visa Australia
The Student Visa Subclass 500 allows international students to live and study in Australia for up to 5 years. Here’s an easy-to-understand breakdown of what you need to know about this visa.
Key Points about Student Visa 500
- Study Requirements-
- You must be enrolled in a full-time course registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
- You can study various levels of education, including primary, secondary, vocational, and higher education.
- Family Inclusion-
- You can include your partner and children in your visa application, allowing them to live in Australia with you.
- Work Rights-
- You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during your course and unlimited hours during course breaks. For research students (master’s or doctoral degrees), there are no work hour limits.
- Travel-
- You can travel in and out of Australia multiple times while your visa is valid.
Benefits of Student Visa Subclass 500
- Stay Duration– Stay in Australia for up to 5 years, depending on your course length.
- Online Application– Apply online from anywhere, whether you are in Australia or abroad.
- Work Rights– Work up to 20 hours a week during your course and unlimited hours during breaks.
- Travel– Travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid.
- Family Visits– Your family can visit Australia if they meet certain conditions.
Requirements for Student Visa Subclass 500
- Health Insurance– You and your family need health insurance from an approved Australian provider for your stay.
- Proof of Finance– Show you have enough money to cover tuition, living expenses, and travel. If you are under 18, you also need to show welfare arrangements.
- Temporary Entrant Clause– You must plan to return home after your course or within five years.
- Character Requirement– You and any family members over 18 must pass health and character checks, like police certificates and health exams.
- English Language Proficiency– You need to show you know enough English by taking an approved test.
English Language Test Requirements
| English Language Test | Minimum Score | 10 Weeks ELICOS | 20 Weeks ELICOS |
| IELTS | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 46 | 35 | 32 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | 162 | 154 | 147 |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | 42 | 36 | 30 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | B for each test module | N/A | N/A |
Eligibility Criteria for Student Visa Subclass 500
- Age Restriction–
- Primary School Students– Must be at least 6 years old.
- Secondary School Students–
- Year 9- Under 17 years old.
- Year 10- Under 18 years old.
- Year 11- Under 19 years old.
- Year 12- Under 20 years old.
- Proof of Enrolment– You need a Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) for a full-time course registered with CRICOS.
- Exemptions from CoE–
- Students with an Australian Government grant.
- Sponsored by the Australian Department of Defense.
- Secondary exchange students with an AASES form.
- Master’s research students awaiting thesis marking.
- No Previous Invalidation– You shouldn’t have a history of visa withdrawal or refusal.
- Welfare Arrangements– Show proof of welfare arrangements if you are under 18.
- Health Insurance– Proof of health insurance for you and your family.
- Genuine Student Criteria – Show you plan to return home after your studies. This is now know as GS.
- Health and Character Requirements– Pass health and character checks and sign the Australian values statement.
- Clearing of Debt– Pay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government.
- Best Interest of the Child– The visa must be in the best interest of applicants under 18.
Student Visa 500 Checklist
Before applying, make sure you have-
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course.
- Proof of age.
- Documents showing courses are related and start within 60 days.
- Proof of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
- English language test scores.
- Health and character documents.
- Financial and welfare arrangement proof.
- Genuine temporary entrant statement.
- Proof you don’t hold certain prohibited visas.
- Evidence of funds for your stay.
- Signed Australian values statement.
- Proof of paying any debts to the Australian Government.
- No history of visa refusal.
Student Visa Australia Processing Time
| Visa Sector | 75% of Applications Processed | 90% of Applications Processed |
| Higher Education Sector | 76 days | 7 months |
| Vocational Education and Training | 8 months | 16 months |
| Independent ELICOS Sector | 81 days | 18 months |
| Schools Sector | 5 months | 9 months |
| Non-award Sector | 7 days | 22 days |
| Postgraduate Research Sector | 4 months | 8 months |
| Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector | 87 days | 7 months |
Student Visa Australia Cost
The cost for the Student Visa Subclass 500 varies depending on the specifics of your application:
| Applicant Type | Base Application Charge | Additional Applicant (18 and above) | Additional Applicant (below 18) |
| Primary Applicant | AUD 650 | AUD 485 | AUD 160 |
| Subsequent Entrant | AUD 650 | AUD 485 | AUD 160 |
| Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Postgraduate Research Sector | AUD 650 | Nil | Nil |
| Student Guardian (Subclass 590) | AUD 650 | Nil | Nil |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the new rules for student visa in Australia 2024?From 10 May 2024, the financial requirement that applies to Student and Student Guardian visas will be set at $29,710 for an individual student. The new financial requirement applies to any visas lodged on or after 10 May 2024.
- What is the age limit of student visa Australia? You can apply for an Australian Student Visa at any age. However, special conditions apply if you are under 18 years old.
- Can I take my wife with me on student visa in Australia? Immediate family members are called dependents and may include your spouse (or de facto partner) and children under the age of 18.
- How many hours can you work on subclass 500? The number of work hours allowed during study terms and semesters is capped at 48 hours per fortnight. If you fail to comply with this visa condition, you may have your student visa cancelled.
Navigating the complexities of the Student Visa Subclass 500 can be challenging. Our expert student visa agent Perth is here to guide you through every step, ensuring a smooth and successful application process. Contact us today to make your dream of studying in Australia a reality!
