Australia Student Visa (subclass 500)

The Student Visa (subclass 500) is a temporary visa that allows international students to study in Australia for up to 5 years. The duration of the visa depends on the type and length of the course enrolled in.

For primary school children enrolled in years 1-4, the maximum duration of the visa is 3 years. If students wish to continue studying in Australia beyond this period, they must apply for a new student visa.

If a student's current student visa expires before they graduate, they may be eligible for a visitor visa (subclass 600), but they will need a letter from their educational provider confirming their graduation date.

International students can include their partner or dependent child in their student visa application. However, the Australian Government cannot grant a student visa to a child if their parent is only 18 years old at the time of the visa application.

It is essential to register all family members on the student visa application, even if they are not planning to travel to Australia with the student. Failure to do so may make family members ineligible for a student visa to join the student in Australia.

To apply for a student visa, school students (excluding those on secondary school exchange programs) must be at least 6 years old. Students must also meet age requirements for specific school years, such as being less than 17 years old to begin Year 9.

If a student applies for multiple courses in their visa application, they must include all Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) codes. If they fail to do so, the visa period may only consider the duration of the course as provided by the CoE. However, if the courses lead to each other, students can apply for two or more courses on their student visa.

Students do not need to provide their CoE if they are enrolled in a full-time course of study or training under an approved scholarship scheme or sponsored by the Australian Defense Department. Postgraduate research students who need to stay in Australia while their thesis is marked must provide a letter from their educational provider.

Proof of English language proficiency is not required for citizens of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland or for foreign affairs, defense, or secondary exchange students. Students enrolled in specific registered courses or those who have completed at least 5 years of study in English in certain countries may also be exempt.

To be eligible for the student visa, applicants must meet the health requirements and must be of good character. They must acknowledge the Australian Values Statement and respect the Australian lifestyle and laws. Applicants who have had their visa canceled or refused while in Australia may not be eligible for the student visa.

International students wishing to study in Australia must comply with the visa requirements and ensure that they provide all necessary documents to avoid visa delays or rejection.

Eligibility criteria for the Australia Student Visa (subclass 500)

Certainly, here are some of the eligibility criteria for the Australia Student Visa (subclass 500):

Enrollment in a registered full-time course: You must be enrolled in a full-time course at a registered Australian education provider. The course must lead to a degree, diploma, or trade qualification.

English language proficiency: You must meet the English language proficiency requirements of your chosen course. This may involve providing evidence of your English language ability, such as through an IELTS or TOEFL test.

Financial capacity: You must have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses while in Australia. The amount of funds required will depend on your course, location, and other factors.

Health and character requirements: You must meet health and character requirements set by the Australian government. This may involve undergoing a medical examination and obtaining a police clearance certificate.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): You must have OSHC or equivalent health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Australia.

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement: You must demonstrate that you are a genuine temporary entrant to Australia and intend to return to your home country after completing your studies.

Age requirements: If you are under 18 years of age, you must have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements in place.

Note that these are some general eligibility criteria and there may be additional requirements depending on your specific circumstances and course of study. 

Where to Apply for Australia Student Visa (subclass 500) Application?

The Australia Student Visa (subclass 500) application can be submitted online or through the Australian embassies or consulates that accept visa applications in your home country. The application process can be initiated by visiting the official governmental website, where you can fill out the application form and upload the necessary documents.

The online application process is generally quicker and more convenient than the paper-based application process, and allows you to track the progress of your application in real time. However, if you prefer to apply in person or through the mail, you can still do so by visiting the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Regardless of the application method, it is important to ensure that all the required documents are submitted accurately and in a timely manner. This includes evidence of enrolment in a registered course, financial capacity, health insurance, and meeting the English language proficiency requirements. Failure to provide complete and accurate information can lead to delays or rejection of your visa application.

It is recommended to consult with a registered migration agent or the Department of Home Affairs for further guidance on the visa application process.

How to apply for the Australia Student Visa (subclass 500)

To apply for an Australia Student Visa (subclass 500), follow these steps:

Choose your course and education provider: You must first choose the course you want to study and the education provider you want to attend. The course must be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Gather the required documents: You will need to gather several documents, including your passport, English language proficiency test results, confirmation of enrolment, financial capacity evidence, and health insurance policy.

Create an ImmiAccount: You will need to create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website if you haven't already done so. This is the online portal where you will submit your application.

Complete the application form: Fill out the online application form on the ImmiAccount portal. Make sure you provide accurate and complete information.

Pay the application fee: You will need to pay the visa application fee when you submit your application. The fee varies depending on the country you are applying from and the length of your course.

Submit your application: After you have completed the application form and paid the fee, you can submit your application through the ImmiAccount portal. Make sure you have uploaded all the required documents.

Attend a visa interview if required: In some cases, you may be required to attend a visa interview at the Australian embassy or consulate in your home country.

Wait for a decision: After submitting your application, you will need to wait for a decision. You can track the status of your application through your ImmiAccount.

It is important to note that visa processing times can vary depending on your location and individual circumstances. It is recommended to submit your application well in advance of your intended travel dates to allow for any delays in processing.

Documents required for the Australia Student Visa (subclass 500) application

Australia Student Visa (subclass 500) is a visa that permits eligible international students to study full-time in Australia at an accredited educational institution. To apply for this visa, you need to provide certain documents as evidence of your eligibility. Here are the required documents:

Passport: A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months beyond your intended stay in Australia. The passport must not be older than ten years and have at least one or three blank visa pages.

Photo: A recent passport-sized photograph in JPG or PNG format, with a size range between 10 KB and 1 MB. The photo must show your full face, without spectacles, with a plain white or light-colored background, and your head centered in the frame.

ID Card Copy: A copy of your identity card.

Residence Permit/Visa Copy: A copy of your valid visa or residence permit if your country of residence and citizenship are different.

Birth Certificate: A copy of your birth certificate showing the names of both your parents. If you can't obtain a birth certificate, provide an identification document issued by the government, family book, or a court document that verifies your identity.

Photocopies: Copies of the main page of your passport and previous visas.

Health Insurance: Evidence of adequate health insurance coverage through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Proof of Financial Means: Evidence that you have enough funds to cover your travel costs, living expenses for 12 months, and school fees for you and any accompanying family members. Alternatively, you can provide evidence that your spouse or parents have an annual income of at least AUD 60,000 (about 46,560 USD) for single students or AUD 70,000 (about 54,318 USD) for students accompanied by family members. If you are a secondary exchange student, you need to provide an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Students form. If you are sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defense, provide a letter of support.

Character Documents: Provide an Australian police certificate if you've stayed in Australia for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16. If you've lived in another country for 12 months or more in the last ten years, provide an overseas police certificate. If you've served in the military, provide your discharge papers or military service records.

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): A confirmation of enrolment from an accredited educational institution registered in the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Overseas Student Courses (CRICOS).

Evidence of English Language Ability: Evidence of English language proficiency through an approved test score.

Evidence of the Genuine Temporary Entrant: Provide evidence of employment history or academic transcripts to demonstrate your intention to study in Australia temporarily.

Evidence of Relationship: Provide evidence of your relationship with your spouse or de facto partner.

Employment History: Provide evidence of your employment history and study for the past five years, including payslips, contracts, transcripts, or curriculum vitae.

Research Students: If you are a research student, provide a copy of your research topic and curriculum vitae or resume.

Migration Agent - Form 956 Advice by a Migration Agent/Exempt Person: If you are using a migration agent, provide a completed Form 956.

Please note that the Australian government can ask for additional documents or information during the application process. It's important to provide accurate and complete information to avoid delays or visa refusals.

Processing time and fees for the Australia Student Visa (subclass 500)

The processing time for the Australia Student Visa (subclass 500) varies based on the country and nationality of the applicant. On average, it can take anywhere from 10-15 days for the visa to be processed.

The cost for the Australia Student Visa (subclass 500) starts at AUD 620, equivalent to approximately USD 482, with fees varying based on the applicant's nationality and country of origin. Other fees, such as courier service fees, may also be applicable, based on the country and location of the visa application submission.

1. a) Applicants who are secondary exchange students or enrolled in courses approved under the Commonwealth-approved student training scheme in Australia, and their accompanying family members, may be exempt from paying the basic application fee.

1. b) If you are applying for a new student visa (subclass 500) due to a default education provider, you do not need to pay the basic application fee.

1. c) If you are applying for a new student guardian visa (subclass 590) due to a default education provider, you do not need to pay the basic application fee.

1. d) If you are in Australia when you apply, you may need to pay the Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (STAC). However, you may be exempt from this fee if you currently hold or were recently granted a visa due to a default educational provider.

1. e) The basic application fee is waived for students enrolled in the foreign affairs or defense sector.

Work and study rights for holders of the Australia Student Visa (subclass 500)

Holders of the Australia Student Visa (subclass 500) have limited work and study rights in Australia. They are allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight (two weeks) while their course is in session and an unlimited number of hours during scheduled course breaks. Additionally, they are allowed to study in Australia for the duration of their visa and may apply for further student visas to continue their studies. It's important to note that the student visa is a temporary visa and does not provide a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. However, some students may be eligible for other visas or pathways to permanent residency after completing their studies.

Renewing or extending the Australia Student Visa (subclass 500)

If you are currently on an Australia Student Visa (subclass 500) and wish to continue studying in Australia, you may be able to renew or extend your visa. Here are some important points to keep in mind:

Apply before your current visa expires: You should apply for a new visa at least two months before your current visa expires to allow sufficient processing time.

Meet the visa requirements: To renew or extend your student visa, you must continue to meet the requirements for the visa subclass 500, including maintaining enrolment in a CRICOS registered course and having adequate health insurance.

Provide updated documents: You will need to provide updated documentation to support your visa renewal application, such as a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your education provider, and evidence of sufficient funds to cover your living and study expenses in Australia.

Apply online: All student visa applications, including renewals and extensions, must be submitted online through the Department of Home Affairs website.

Check processing times: Processing times for visa renewals and extensions can vary depending on a range of factors, including the volume of applications being received and the completeness of your application. It is important to check the current processing times on the Department of Home Affairs website to ensure you allow enough time for your application to be processed before your current visa expires.

Seek professional advice: If you are unsure about the visa renewal or extension process, or have any concerns about your eligibility to renew or extend your student visa, it may be helpful to seek professional advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer. They can provide guidance on the visa application process and help you understand your options.

Common reasons for visa application rejections and how to avoid them

There can be various reasons for visa application rejections, including:

Incomplete or incorrect application: One of the most common reasons for visa application rejections is incomplete or incorrect application. Applicants must ensure that they provide all the required information and documentation and fill out the forms correctly. Double-checking the application before submitting can avoid this.

Insufficient funds: Some countries require applicants to show proof of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay. Failing to provide adequate proof of financial support can result in a visa application rejection.

Criminal record: A criminal record may make an applicant ineligible for a visa, particularly if the offense is serious. It is important to check the visa requirements and declare any criminal history in the application.

Health issues: Some countries require applicants to undergo medical examinations to ensure that they are healthy and do not pose a risk to the public. Failing to provide medical clearance or having a health issue that is deemed to pose a risk to public health can result in visa application rejection.

Travel history: If an applicant has a history of overstaying visas or has been denied entry to a country before, it can be a red flag for the visa officer. Providing evidence of a strong travel history can help avoid this.

Unconvincing purpose of visit: The visa officer must be convinced that the purpose of the visit is genuine and that the applicant intends to return to their home country after the visit. Providing strong evidence of the purpose of the visit, such as invitation letters or travel itineraries, can help avoid this.

To avoid visa application rejections, applicants should ensure that they follow the guidelines and requirements of the visa they are applying for, provide all the necessary information and documentation, and be honest in their application. Additionally, seeking professional help or guidance from a visa agent or consultant can help increase the chances of success.

Frequently Asked questions