Subclass 500 visa: Student

Changes from 2 October 2026

Home Affairs' Student visa page says new rules apply from 2 October 2026:

• Most Student visa applications must be lodged outside Australia.
• Most Student visa holders can no longer apply for a further Student visa in Australia, unless they meet an exemption.
• Most applicants can no longer include family members, and family members can't apply later as subsequent entrants in any circumstance.

Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the rules in place when they were lodged. See Home Affairs' Student visa application rules page.

500 visa requirements

Home Affairs lists these on the Eligibility tab of its Student visa page:

• Enrolment. Enrolled in a full-time course registered on CRICOS, with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for every intended course at lodgement. The CoE must still be valid when the visa is decided. Some applicants use other evidence instead, such as a Foreign Affairs or Defence letter of support or an AASES form for secondary exchange students.
• Age. 6 years or older. School students must also be under 17 when starting Year 9, under 18 for Year 10, under 19 for Year 11 and under 20 for Year 12.
• Welfare (under 18). Adequate welfare arrangements for the stay.
• English. Evidence of English from an approved test, if asked, unless an exemption applies. Home Affairs does not accept fully online "at-home" tests.
• Health insurance. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the applicant and family members for the whole stay, unless exempt.
• Location. Apply from the right location (see below).
• Money. Enough money for the stay (see below).
• Genuine student. Meet the Genuine Student requirement (see below).
• Health. The applicant and family members who apply must meet the health requirement.
• Character. The applicant and family members 16 and over must meet the character requirement.
• Australian values. Applicants 18 and over read the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement.
• Debts. Any debt to the Australian Government has been paid back, or there is an arrangement to pay it.
• Immigration history. A past visa cancellation or refusal may affect eligibility.
• Best interests of the child. Home Affairs may refuse the visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.

Genuine student requirement

Home Affairs' Genuine Student requirement page says applicants must be a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student, and show they understand that studying in Australia is the main reason for the visa. It applies to applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024.

The application form asks about the applicant's current circumstances, why they chose the course and provider, how the course will benefit them, and any other relevant information. There is an extra question for people who have held a Student visa or are applying in Australia from a non-student visa. Each answer has a 150-word limit and must be in English, and supporting documents are attached. Home Affairs says future intentions to apply for permanent residence do not count against an applicant.

Financial capacity

Home Affairs lists these 12-month amounts on its Student visa page (Gather your documents):

Applicants also need the first 12 months of course fees. Stays under 12 months can use pro rata amounts. Instead of savings, applicants can show that a parent or partner had a personal annual income of at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before applying, or AUD 102,500 if family members come too. Applicants must also show genuine access to the money.

Who can apply in Australia

From 2 October 2026, applicants can apply in Australia only if they hold an eligible visa and meet an exemption. Holders of these visas can't apply for a Student visa in Australia, with no exemptions: subclasses 400, 403 (Domestic Worker, Diplomatic/Consular), 407, 408, 417, 457, 462, 482, 485, 600, 601, 602, 651, 771, 988 and 995 (primary holders only).

Student visa holders (as the primary applicant) can apply in Australia under one of six exemptions:

1. They need up to 12 extra months to finish their main course, with the same provider.
2. They are sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defence.
3. They are applying to study a Doctoral degree (PhD). Master's by Research doesn't count.
4. They are applying for primary or secondary school studies.
5. They have completed their main course and are progressing to a course at a higher AQF level.
6. Their education provider has defaulted.

What the visa lets you do

According to Home Affairs' Student visa page, the visa lets holders:

• take part in an eligible course of study in Australia
• travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid
• work up to 48 hours a fortnight when the course is in session (students in a master's by research or doctoral degree, and their families, have no work limit)

The visa can be granted for up to 6 years, depending on the course. Children starting primary school in Years 1 to 4 are generally granted a visa for up to 3 years. Holders must keep a valid enrolment and meet their visa conditions. Students finishing a course may be able to apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

Family members and cost

From 2 October 2026, most applicants can't include family members. Family means a partner, or an unmarried dependent child under 18. Home Affairs lists these exemptions for including family:

• Doctoral (PhD) students
• students sponsored by Foreign Affairs and Trade or Defence
• recipients of a foreign government scholarship that fully funds their studies
• nationals of listed Pacific Island and ASEAN countries
• some current Student visa holders who already have family on their visa

Family members who apply must apply at the same time and from the same location as the student, and meet health and character requirements.

Home Affairs' Current visa pricing data lists these charges for the 500:

The price data also lists a subsequent temporary application charge of AUD 700. It can apply to some applications made in Australia, but not to applications made outside Australia or to a first substantive temporary visa application made in Australia.

Lower charges apply to eligible Pacific Island, Timor-Leste and ASEAN citizens, and to applications in the Independent ELICOS and Non-Award sector. Some applicants pay no charge, such as Australian Government scholarship holders and secondary exchange students. Health checks, police certificates and biometrics can cost extra.

Step by step

This follows the Step by step tab of Home Affairs' Student visa page.

Before you apply

1. Allow enough time before the course starts. Health exams can be done before applying.
2. The applicant and family members need a valid passport to lodge.
3. Use Home Affairs' Document Checklist Tool, with the passport country and education provider, to see which evidence is needed.

Gather your documents

1. A CoE for every intended course (or other evidence of enrolment).
2. Answers to the genuine student questions, with supporting documents.
3. English test results and evidence of financial capacity, if the checklist asks for them.
4. OSHC details covering everyone in the application.
5. For applicants under 18: welfare arrangements and parental consent (Form 1229 or a statutory declaration).

Apply

1. Apply online in ImmiAccount, attach documents and pay the charge for everyone in the application, or provide proof of an exemption.

After you apply

1. Keep a valid CoE until the visa is decided.
2. Provide biometrics if asked, usually within 14 days, and health exams if needed.
3. Applicants in Australia must stay lawful while they wait.
4. Home Affairs tells the applicant its decision in writing. It does not refund the charge if the visa is refused.

Applying in or outside Australia

From 2 October 2026, most applicants must apply from outside Australia and be outside Australia when the visa is granted. Applicants can apply in Australia only if they hold an eligible visa and meet an exemption category (Student visa page).

500 visa processing time

Home Affairs publishes current processing times in its visa processing times guide.

Compare: 500 and 590