Pathway

Australia Student Visa

Australia Residency

Last updated August 20, 2026

Pathway overview

At a glance

Australia's Student visa is for people accepted into eligible study in Australia.

Type: Student residence
Study plan: Eligible Australian course with enrollment evidence
Core requirements: Enrollment, funds, health cover, and admissibility
What to know: Temporary, but can connect to post-study options
What it gives: The holder can study the approved course, travel while the visa is valid, and generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session.
Main limit: Subclass 500 is not a general work visa and not permanent residence.

Summary

The Student visa (Subclass 500) allows an international student to undertake an eligible course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). It can cover higher education, vocational training, school, English-language study, postgraduate research and other recognized sectors.

The visa is temporary and tied to genuine study. The student normally needs a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), sufficient financial capacity, any required English evidence, and a credible explanation under the Genuine Student requirement.

Eligibility

The applicant generally must:

be enrolled in an eligible Australian course and hold a valid CoE when Home Affairs decides the application;
satisfy the Genuine Student requirement applying to applications lodged since 23 March 2024;
show funds for travel, 12 months of living costs, tuition and relevant family or school costs, or use an accepted parent/partner annual-income method;
hold OSHC for the required period unless an exemption applies;
meet the applicable English-language requirement;
be at least 6 years old; and
have approved welfare arrangements if under 18.

The Genuine Student assessment asks why the course and provider were chosen, how the study fits the person's education and career, their circumstances and ties, and the value of the course to their future. A future hope of permanent migration does not automatically fail the test, but genuine study must be the primary reason for the visa.

Financial-capacity amounts and accepted English tests can change. Use the current Home Affairs document checklist and legislative instrument rather than an old fixed figure. If the checklist says English or financial evidence is required, it must be attached at lodgment or refusal may follow without a request.

An onshore applicant must hold an eligible substantive visa. Restrictions introduced in 2024 prevent holders of specified temporary visas from switching to Student status onshore, so location and current subclass matter.

What This Route Allows

The holder can study the approved course, travel while the visa is valid, and generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session. Work is normally unrestricted during scheduled course breaks.

Students studying a master's degree by research or a doctoral degree, and their family members, have no 48-hour limit after the course has commenced under the current Home Affairs rules. Other family members' limits can differ, so VEVO controls.

The visa period follows the course and can be up to 6 years depending on the sector and circumstances. Eligible family members can be included or later join, subject to disclosure, funds, insurance and other requirements.

What This Route Is Not

Subclass 500 is not a general work visa and not permanent residence. Work cannot replace the primary study purpose, and breaching hours, enrollment, attendance, progress or insurance conditions can jeopardize status.

A CoE and tuition payment do not guarantee a visa. Home Affairs separately assesses genuine study, immigration history, funds, English, health and character.

Australian study also does not guarantee a Temporary Graduate visa or skilled migration. Those routes have their own age, timing, qualification, occupation and invitation requirements, which can change during a course.

Next Steps

Verify the course and provider in CRICOS.
Obtain the CoE and read the provider's refund, deferral and attendance rules.
Answer the Genuine Student questions in specific plain language and attach records supporting education, employment, finances and future plans.
Use the current Home Affairs checklist for English and financial evidence; do not rely on an old threshold.
Arrange OSHC for the correct period and welfare arrangements for any applicant under 18.
Check whether the current visa permits an onshore application.
After grant, use VEVO for work, study and travel conditions and notify the provider/Home Affairs of relevant changes.