500 VISA – Student Visa Subclass 500
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) allows international students to come and study in Australia. The stay period is up to 5 years, depending on the type and length of the studies. You must have been enrolled in an Australian education provider prior to your visa application, or in some cases, you must have a letter of offer. Normally, this can be proven by providing the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Your application will not be processed if you do not provide sufficient evidence of any enrolment. If eligible, you will be allowed to work.
Student Visa (Subclass 500) Basic Eligibility
- You must be 6 years or older.
- You must be enrolled in an education or training provider in Australia.
- You must meet the English, financial, character, and health requirements.
- You must have a genuine intention to study in Australia.
Student Visa Requirements
As a Student Visa (subclass 500) applicant, you must:
- be 6 years of age or older to apply for this visa, if you are still of school age (but not participating in a high school student exchange program). As well as:
- under 17 years of age when commencing 9th year studies
- under 18 years of age when commencing 10th year studies
- under 19 years of age when commencing 11th year studies
- under 20 years of age when commencing 12th year studies
- have enrolled in a course of study (evidence must be provided);
- have an adequate arrangement of welfare (if aged under 18 years);
- meet the English requirements;
- have a health insurance;
- hold a substantive visa other than Visitor Visa and Temporary Graduate Visa (if applying onshore);
- have the financial capacity (evidence must be provided);
- pass the Genuine Student Test;
- meet the health and character requirements;
- sign a statement (Australian Values).
Student Visa (Subclass 500) Application Process
The application process for a Student Visa (subclass 500) would be as follows:
- You must be enrolled as a full-time student at an Australian education provider and receive a written Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- We will prepare everything and submit your Student Visa application to the Department of Home Affairs. The main requirement is that you fulfil the above-mentioned requirements. The specific requirements will vary based on your home country and the demands of the educational institution. Additionally, you must fulfil the necessary character and health requirements.
- After the Department of Home Affairs grants your Student Visa (subclass 500), you can enter and stay in Australia to complete your study term.
- You can work 40 hours fortnightly while enrolled in classes and start working for your visa only once classes have started. Research Master’s and doctorate-level courses are subject to different work provisions.
- Where applicable, you should also verify the labor allowance listed for any dependents on your application.
Student Visa (Subclass 500) Processing Time
The processing time for this visa may vary depending on the type of your study:
Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector
- 50% of applications in 13 Days
- 90% of applications in 45 Days
Postgraduate Research Sector
- 50% of applications in 20 Days
- 90% of applications in 4 Months
Non-Award Sector
- 50% of applications in Less than 1 Day
- 90% of applications in 29 Days
Schools Sector
- 50% of applications in 29 Days
- 90% of applications in 86 Days
Independent ELICOS Sector
- 50% of applications in 50 Days
- 90% of applications in 7 months
Vocational Education and Training Sector
- 50% of applications in 7 months
- 90% of applications in 8 months
Higher Education Sector
- 50% of applications in 19 Days
- 90% of applications in 4 months
Your application might take longer to be processed, if:
- you do not fill in your application correctly
- you do not include all the necessary documents or Department of Home
- Affairs needs more information from you
- it takes more time for the Department of Home Affairs to verify your inforation
English language requirements
The following English language requirements are applicable from 23 March 2024:
| Type of English Test | Minimum Test Score | Minimums core if principal course is accompanied with 10 weeks ELICOS or a Foundation Program or an eligible Pathway program | Minimum score if principal course is accompanied by 20 weeks of ELICOS |
| IELTS | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| TOEFL iBT* | 64 | 46 | 35 |
| Cambridge English | 169 | 162 | 154 |
| PTE Academic | 50 | 42 | 36 |
| OET | B for each test component | B for each test component | B for each test component |
*The Australian Government will not accept TOEFL iBT test completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024.
You must have taken one of the test above no more than 2 years before you apply for a Student Visa.
Student Visa Financial Requirement
There’s a financial requirement you must fulfil. You must have enough money to pay for your course fees, travel, living cost, and daily necessities while you are in Australia. Due to the complex financial necessities, the Australian Government has set the following financial requirement:
| Financial Requirement | |
| Main applicant | AUD29,710 |
| Spouse/de facto partner of main applicant (doesn’t apply to Student Guardian applicant) | AUD10,394 |
| Dependent child | AUD4,449 |
| Annual school cost | AUD13,502 |
| Personal yearly income (with no family member) | AUD87,856 |
| Personal yearly income (with family member) | AUD102,500 |
You must prove your financial capability by presenting one of the following documents:
- You must have taken one of the test above no more than 2 years before you apply for a Student Visa.
- proof that your yearly income meets the requirements as well as an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Students (AASES) form (for secondary students only).
- an endorsement letter from the Department of Defense or Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Genuine Student Test for Student Visa
Since 23 March 2024, the Australian Government has replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with the Genuine Student Test (GST).
The Genuine Student Test requires you to answer a series of targeted questions, and you must do so before submitting your Student Visa application. With the new GST, you’re not required to write a GTE statement letter.
Student Visa (Subclass 500) Cost 2025
As of July 2024, the student visa cost is as follows:
- AUD 1,600 for main applicant
- AUD 1,190 for additional applicant aged 18 or older
- AUD 390 for additional applicant aged under 18
The above fee is as of July 2024. Please note that the visa fee might increase in July every year.
What you can do with Student Visa Subclass 500
- You can study in Australia.
- You can travel anywhere inside Australia.
- You can come in and out of Australia multiple times.
- You can work in Australia up to 48 hours fortnightly (students of Master by research and doctoral degree, and their families, have work rights with no time limitation).
Student Visa Subclass 500 Frequently Asked Questions
ONEderland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448) is here to answer your 500 visa Australia questions!
- Can I include my family in this visa?
- Yes, you can include your family members in your application. You can only bring your partner and/or child who has not married yet and aged under 18. If your family members are not included on your application, they can later join you in Australia by applying as subsequent entrants.
- You will not be able to extend for this visa. If you wish to continue your study, you will need to apply for a new Student visa. You will need to apply for a different visa if you wish to stay longer for a different purpose.
- Can I apply for this visa offshore?
- Yes, you can apply for this visa offshore and onshore. The same applies to when you receive the decision of your Student visa application.
- Can I get an English exemption when I apply?
- Yes, you can get an exemption to provide English proficiency evidence if you:Are a citizen and hold a passport of these countries: UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland, or
- Are an applicant who is sponsored by the Foreign Affairs or Defence or part of the Secondary Exchange student (AASES), or
- Are enrolled in a principal course of study that is a registered school course, a standalone English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS), a course registered to be delivered in a language other than English, or a registered post-graduate research course, or
- Have completed at least 5 years’ study in English in one or more of the following countries: Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or the Republic of Ireland, or
- In the 2 years before applying for the student visa, you completed, in Australia and in the English language, either the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or a substantial component of a course leading to a qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV or higher level, while you held a student visa.
- Yes, you can get an exemption to provide English proficiency evidence if you:Are a citizen and hold a passport of these countries: UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland, or
- What kind of health insurance should I get for this visa?
- You will need to have an Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC) by any health insurance provider. Your health insurance must cover you since the day you arrive in Australia throughout your entire period of stay.
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“Massive thanks to all the team specially Indah and Jamie. My visa conditions was very complicated but they did a great job. Definitely one of the best.”
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Indah Melindasari, B.Com
Lead Migration Agent – MARN 0961 448
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