Your Student Visa Guide
Disclaimer: The information provided on our website or on any of our social media platforms is published for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided on our website or on any of our social media platforms about the migration regulations, policies and legislation is current as of the time it is published, and may be subject to change. Your use of the general information published on our website or our social media posts does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and Inclusive Migration, and you should seek legal advice about your options from a legal practitioner or migration advice from a migration agent registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority before proceeding with any application.
Are you thinking of studying in Australia? Embarking on an educational journey in Australia is an exciting prospect, offering access to world-class institutions and a vibrant multicultural environment.
At Inclusive Migration, we understand that applying for a Student visa can feel overwhelming. The requirements of the Student Visa Program can be complex, and recent changes to immigration policies, including proposed caps to the number of Student Visas granted in each financial year, may raise questions about your eligibility for a Student Visa.
To empower you with the knowledge to pursue your studies in Australia, we have created this Free Student Visa Guide which will assist you with understanding of the Student (Subclass 500) Visa, its general requirements, and take you through some recent updates to the Student Visa Program.
At the end of this Free Student Visa Guide, we also explain migration options you may have if you wish to remain in Australia beyond the completion of your studies. If you have questions or need professional guidance, our experienced immigration lawyers at Inclusive Migration are here to support you every step of the way.
Understanding the Student (Subclass 500) Visa
The Student (Subclass 500) Visa allows you to live, study, and work in Australia as an international student for the duration of your course.
Key features of the Student (Subclass 500) Visa are as follows:
Your Student Visa can be granted for up to 5 years, in line with your enrolment.
As a Student Visa Holder, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Exemptions may apply to international students undertaking certain Postgraduate studies (Master’s Degree and/or PhD courses).
You may include eligible family members in your application, or be accompanied by your Student Guardian who may be eligible for a Student Guardian (Subclass 590) Visa.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Student Visa, you must meet several requirements:
Enrolment in a CRICOS-Registered Course:
You must have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from an Australian educational institution registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), and your studies must be undertaken on a full-time basis.
Genuine Student Requirement:
Introduced on 23 March 2024, this replaces the previous Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criterion. The Department of Home Affairs assesses factors such as your circumstances, immigration history, and intentions to determine if you are a genuine student.
Financial Capacity:
You must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover tuition, travel, and living expenses for yourself and any accompanying family members. As of 10 May 2024, financial requirements have increased by approximately 21% to reflect current living costs.
English Language Proficiency:
Provide evidence of English proficiency through accepted tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic, unless exempt.
Health Insurance:
Obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay.
Health and Character Requirements:
Undergo medical examinations and provide police clearance certificates as required.
Application Process
Enrol in a CRICOS-Registered Course:
Secure your place with an Australian educational institution and receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Prepare Necessary Documents:
Gather your CoE, passport, financial evidence, English test results, OSHC policy, and any additional documents for family members.
Submit Your Application:
Apply online through the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount portal.
Attend Health Examinations and Provide Biometrics:
Complete these upon request.
Await Processing and Visa Grant:
Processing times vary and you should ensure that your application is complete to avoid processing delays.
Travel to Australia:
Upon the grant of your Student (Subclass 500) visa, you may travel to Australia for the commencement of your studies.
Recent Legislative Changes
As of 1 July 2024, certain temporary visa holders, including those on Visitor Visas (Subclass 600), can no longer apply for a Student Visa while in Australia. This change aims to prevent continuous extensions of stay through the Student Visa program. For more information, read our blog post on applying for a Student Visa as a Visitor Visa holder.
The Genuine Student Test
If you are applying for a Student visa, you must demonstrate that you are a genuine student. This means that your primary purpose for coming to Australia is to study, rather than to remain in the country without a real intention to complete a course.
On 23 March 2024, the Australian Government introduced the Genuine Student requirement, replacing replacing its predecessor - the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement (which previously required that Student Visa Applicants demonstrate their genuine intention to remain in Australia temporarily).. This change reflects the government’s increasing focus on ensuring that Student visas are granted only to individuals who genuinely intend to study in Australia, and not to those seeking a pathway to remain indefinitely without any real intention to complete a course.
On its face, the abolishment of the GTE requirement is a positive development for Student Visa Applicants and Student Visa Holders in Australia, as they will no longer be penalised for intending to seek permanent residence in Australia after the completion of their studies. However, the Genuine Student Test is also designed to “weed out” applicants who are trying to use the Student Visa Programme as a backdoor to gain working rights in Australia, and certain Student Visa Applicants are also subject to greater scrutiny when being assessed under the Genuine Student Test.
The Genuine Student Test assesses whether an applicant satisfies the Genuine Student requirement, i.e. whether the applicant is coming to Australia primarily to study, and whether they demonstrate intentions, capacity, and circumstances that align with being a genuine student. Under the Genuine Student Test, the Department will now consider the following factors when deciding whether an applicant is a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student (or as a member of the family unit of the person who holds a Student Visa):
the applicant’s circumstances;
the applicant’s immigration history;
if the applicant is a minor - the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant;
the applicant’s record of compliance with any condition of a visa previously held by the applicant (if any);
the applicant’s stated intention to comply with any conditions to which the visa may be subject; and
any other relevant matter.
Ministerial Direction 106
Ministerial Direction 106 provides specific instructions to the Department of Home Affairs’ decision makers on how to assess whether a person meets the Genuine Student requirement. Officers are required to consider the following key factors:
Your circumstances in your home country
Reasons for choosing to study in Australia instead of your home country
Your personal, family, or employment commitments in your home country
Any economic, political, or security reasons that may have influenced your decision
Your potential circumstances in Australia
Any family members or close connections currently living in Australia
Whether your course aligns with your previous education or career aspirations
Your previous study or work history in Australia, if applicable
The value of your chosen course to your future
How this qualification will benefit your career or professional development
Whether your course is a logical progression from your past studies or work experience
Your immigration history
Any past visa refusals, cancellations, or overstays in Australia or any other country
Your history of compliance with visa conditions
Additional relevant factors
Whether you meet the English language requirements
Your financial capacity to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses
Whether you are receiving financial support from a family member or a sponsor
These factors are not assessed in isolation. Rather, the Department of Home Affairs will consider the totality of the applicant’s circumstances in assessing whether you meet the Genuine Student requirement.
Further scrutiny
Additionally, under Ministerial Direction 106, the Department may further scrutinise Student Visa Applications where:
information in statistical, intelligence and analysis reports on migration fraud and immigration compliance compiled by the Department indicate the need for further scrutiny;
the applicant or a relative of the applicant has an immigration history of reasonable concern;
the primary applicant for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa intends to study in a field unrelated to their previous studies or employment;
there are apparent inconsistencies in information provided by the applicant in their visa application;
the applicant holds a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa, a Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa, a Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority) visa or a Subclass 651 (eVisitor) visa; or
the applicant holds a student visa, or previously held one or more student visas.
If you fall into the above categories, we strongly recommend that you consult with an immigration lawyer about your eligibility for a Student Visa, so that you obtain the right advice about the appropriate information and documentation you should providing in support of your Student Visa Application, and are aware of the potential issues in your application.
How To Address The Genuine Student Requirement
As part of your Student Visa Application, you will need to answer the following questions in the online application form, including an additional question where you have previously held a Student Visa, or where you are lodging an onshore Student Visa Application while holding a non-Student Visa:
These questions are current as of 4 April 2025 and are subject to change.
The exact answers each Student Visa Applicant is required to answer will depend on the individual circumstances of each case.
It is imperative that you answer the above questions carefully and in detail, as well as provide supporting documents which substantiate your answers, as generic statements which are unsupported by evidence are not given significant weight in the Genuine Student assessment. This means that any unsubstantiated claims and/or answers will not be taken into account if they are not backed by documentary evidence.
To properly answer these questions, you should address the following points to show that you are a Genuine Student:
Knowledge of course and education provider
Your understanding of the course you have enrolled in (including its content)
Your understanding of the education provider
Alternative course options you may have investigated in your home country or another country, and what those investigations reveal about the alternatives (including about course content, duration and costs)
How the course will assist you
Details of how studying this course with this education provider will assist you to obtain employment or improve employment prospects in your home country
What remuneration you could expect to receive in your home country or another country
If you are already studying in Australia or have previously studied in Australia, you should provide a detailed history of your study record in Australia, including:
Your original course of study for which you were granted a visa (include progress in all courses undertaken)
Details of subsequent enrolments (include cancelled and uncompleted courses, changes in course sector or Australian Qualification Framework level, and courses not related to original course/s of study, unsatisfactory course progress or attendance)
Any change(s) of education provider
Any study gaps of more than 2 months during the academic year
Any other information the relevant to your study record in Australia.
To further demonstrate your satisfaction of the Genuine Student requirement, you should provide documentary evidence of the following points in their Student Visa Application, where applicable:
Previous study
Academic transcripts showing qualifications achieved
Name of the education provider(s)
Length of study
Certificates of attainment
Previous study in Australia
A complete history of study record(s) in Australia
Reasons for change of course and/or education providers
Details of information on course progress
Study gaps of more than 2 months during an academic year
Any other information relevant to your study record in Australia
Current or past employment
Details of your current/ past employer and company address
Period of employment
Details of position(s) held
The name and contact details of someone who can confirm the circumstances of your declared employment
Circumstances in your home country or country of residence
The nature of your applicant’s personal ties eg. example family, community and employment
Why you are not studying in your home country if a similar course is available.
Economic circumstances in your home country or country of residence
Documents showing employment or business activities for 12 months before lodging an application
Potential employment offers including salary and other benefits, after course completion
Income tax return or bank statements
Situations in your home country or country of residence
reason for not studying in their home country or region if a similar course is available there
the nature of the applicant’s personal ties to their home country
economic circumstances
military service commitments political and civil unrest in their home country
Potential situation in Australia
level of knowledge of the proposed course and education provider
research the you have undertaken into your proposed course of study
previous study and qualifications
planned living arrangements
financial stability
Value of the course to your future
if the course is consistent with your current level of education and if the course will assist you to obtain employment or improve employment prospect in your home country or another country
if the course is relevant to past or proposed future employment in your home country or another country
expected salary and other benefits in your home country or another country obtained with your qualifications from the proposed course of study
Immigration history
visa and travel history for Australia and other countries
previous visa applications for Australia or other countries
visa refusals or cancellations
Any other relevant matter
English Language Requirements for Student Visa
You must meet at least one of the following English language requirements in the table below, unless you fall under one of the prescribed exemptions:
The following persons are exempt from the English language test requirements:
An applicant who is a citizen and passport holder of one or more of the following countries -
Canada
New Zealand
the Republic of Ireland
the United Kingdom
the United States
An applicant who is enrolled in one of the following courses, where that course is the only course of study enrolled in for the purposes of the Student Visa:
a course of study registered to be delivered in a language other than English
an ELICOS
a registered school course
a registered post-graduate research course
An applicant who is -
a Foreign Affairs student;
a Defence Student; or
a Secondary exchange student.
An applicant who in the 2 years before applying for a Student Visa, has successfully completed -
the requirements for a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, in a course that was conducted in Australia and in English; or
a substantial component of a course leading to a qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV level or higher that was conducted in Australia and in English, while the applicant was holding a Student Visa.
An applicant who has successfully completed a minimum of 5 years of study in English undertaken in one or more of the following countries -
Australia
Canada
New Zealand
South Africa
the Republic of Ireland
the United Kingdom
the United States of America
Please note that these requirements are current as of 29 April 2024 and are subject to change.
Financial Requirements - Minimum Funds for Student Visa
Under the streamlined processing arrangements and the simplified student visa framework (SSVF), certain Student Visa Applicants from specified countries and/or who are enrolled in a course of study with a particular education institution in Australia may not be required to provide documentary evidence of their satisfaction of the financial requirement.
Notwithstanding these streamlined arrangements, you must generally provide evidence that you have the financial capacity to cover the following minimum expenses in at least one of the following ways:
Money deposit with a financial institution, loan with a financial institution, government loan or scholarship/financial support, that covers:
Annual living costs of AUD29,170 for a primary applicant who intends to stay in Australia for 12 months or more (or the pro rata equivalent if the applicant intends to stay for less than 12 months); and
The relevant course fees for the first 12 months of study in Australia, minus any amount already paid (or for the entire course of study where the period of study is less than 12 months); and
Travel expenses; and
AUD2,500 for travel costs if you are applying from East or Southern Africa.
AUD3,000 for travel costs if you are applying from West Africa.
AUD2,000 for travel costs if you are applying from anywhere else outside Australia.
AUD1,000 for travel costs if you are applying in Australia. If you will be returning to Africa include AUD1,500.
If applicable, annual living costs for each secondary applicant who intends to stay in Australia for 12 months or more (or the pro rata equivalent if the secondary applicant intends to stay for less than 12 months) -
AUD10,394 for a spouse or de facto partner; and
AUD4,449 for a dependent child.
If applicable, school fees for each school-aged dependant who intends to stay in Australia for 12 months or more (or the pro rata equivalent if the school-age dependant intends to stay in Australia for less than 12 months)
AUD13,502 (exemption available to school-aged dependants enrolled in a course of study at a State or Territory government school where the fees have been waived, and the the Primary Applicant is enrolled in a course as a doctoral degree student, a Foreign Affairs student, a Defence student or a Commonwealth sponsored student.)
Official Government documentation of personal income issued in the 12 months immediately before the application is made, demonstrating that the Student Visa Applicant’s parent, spouse or de facto partner has a personal annual income (in the 12 months before the application is made) that is:
if there is no secondary applicant - at least AUD87,856;
if there is a secondary applicant - at least AUD102,500.
For Secondary Exchange Students, a completed Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student (AASES) form from the relevant State or Territory education authority containing -
a declaration made by the student’s exchange organisation, accepting the student; and
a declaration made by the student’s parent or the person(s) having custody of the student, agreeing to the exchange.
For Foreign Affairs Students, a letter of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
For a Defence Student, a letter of support from the Department of Defence.
Health Insurance For Student Visa
Student Visa Applicants must provide evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover which covers not just the entire duration of their study in Australia, but also their entire visa period as this will be a condition on their Student Visa.
You can generally purchase Overseas Student Health Cover and compared plans and prices from the following health insurers:
Migration Options After Completing Your Studies On A Student Visa
After completing your studies, you may be considering your migration options for remaining in Australia to gain work experience or pursue permanent residency. One such option may be the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa, which allows you to live, study and work in Australia temporarily after completing your studies.
Broadly, the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa can be granted for a period of up to 3 years, depending on which stream of the Subclass 485 visa you are eligible for. The Subclass 485 Visa Program presently comprises of 2 main streams:
1. Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This stream is for international students who have recently graduated with a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree from an Australian institution.
Key Requirements:
You must have completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree from an Australian institution.
Your course must have been registered on CRICOS and completed in no less than 16 calendar months.
You must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application. Exceptions apply for Masters (research), Doctoral degree (PhD) graduates, and Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, who can be under 50 years of age.
You must meet one of the following English language requirement:
You are a citizen of and hold a valid passport from one of the following countries:
The United Kingdom
The United States of America
Canada
New Zealand
The Republic of Ireland.
In the 12 months immediately before the day you apply for your visa, you must have scored the following:
IELTS overall score of at least 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 for each of the 4 parts
TOEFL iBT (other than tests completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024) with a total score of at least 83 with a minimum score of:
7 for listening
8 for reading
18 for writing and
16 for speaking.
PTE Academic overall score of at least 57 with a minimum score of:
43 for listening
48 for reading
42 for speaking and
51 for writing
OET score of at least B for each of the 4 parts
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test with overall score of at least 176 with a minimum score of at least 162 in each of the 4 test components
If you are the holder of a British National (BNO) or Hong Kong passport, in the 12 months immediately before the day you apply for your visa, you must have scored the following:
IELTS overall score of at least 6 with a minimum score of 5 for each of the 4 parts
TOEFL iBT (other than tests completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024) with a total score of at least 64 with a minimum score of:
4 for listening
4 for reading
14 for writing
14 for speaking
PTE Academic overall score of at least 50 with a minimum score of 36 for each of the 4 parts.
OET score of at least B for each of the 4 parts
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test with overall score of at least 169 with a minimum score of at least 154 in each of the 4 test components
Duration of Stay:
Bachelor's degree graduates: 2 years
Master's by coursework graduates: 2 years
Master's by research graduates: 3 years
Doctoral degree (PhD) graduates: 3 years
Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years
Indian nationals may stay for the following periods under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA):
Bachelor degree (including honours) – up to 2 years
Bachelor degree (with first class honours in STEM, including ICT) – up to 3 years
Masters (coursework, extended and research) – up to 3 years
Doctoral degrees (PhD) – up to 4 years.
If you are granted a Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa which was granted to you on the basis of a degree you completed with an Australian educational institution located in a regional area, you may be eligible for a 2nd Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa in the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream where you have lived only in a designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying for your 2nd Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa.
2. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
This stream is for international students who have recently graduated with associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification related to a skilled occupation.
Key Requirements:
You must have completed an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification closely related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Your course must have been registered on CRICOS and completed in no less than 16 calendar months.
You must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
You must obtain a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation. Exceptions apply for:
Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders, who can be under 50 years of age.
You must meet one of the following English language requirement:
You are a citizen of and hold a valid passport from one of the following countries:
The United Kingdom
The United States of America
Canada
New Zealand
The Republic of Ireland.
In the 12 months immediately before the day you apply for your visa, you must have scored the following:
IELTS overall score of at least 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 for each of the 4 parts
TOEFL iBT (other than tests completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024) with a total score of at least 83 with a minimum score of:
7 for listening
8 for reading
18 for writing and
16 for speaking.
PTE Academic overall score of at least 57 with a minimum score of:
43 for listening
48 for reading
42 for speaking and
51 for writing
OET score of at least B for each of the 4 parts
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test with overall score of at least 176 with a minimum score of at least 162 in each of the 4 test components
If you are the holder of a British National (BNO) or Hong Kong passport, in the 12 months immediately before the day you apply for your visa, you must have scored the following:
IELTS overall score of at least 6 with a minimum score of 5 for each of the 4 parts
TOEFL iBT (other than tests completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024) with a total score of at least 64 with a minimum score of:
4 for listening
4 for reading
14 for writing
14 for speaking
PTE Academic overall score of at least 50 with a minimum score of 36 for each of the 4 parts.
OET score of at least B for each of the 4 parts
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test with overall score of at least 169 with a minimum score of at least 154 in each of the 4 test components
Duration of Stay:
Up to 18 months (Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years)
Do I Need Legal Assistance With My Student Visa Application?
It is important to note that recent reforms and changes to the Student Visa Program in Australia have resulted in increased scrutiny of Student Visa Applications as a whole, there has been an increased rate of Student Visa Applications being refused due to failing the Genuine Student Test. In particular, approval rates for Student Visas in Australia have reportedly dropped to the lowest level in almost two decades, with an increase in the refusal of Student Visa Applications from countries such as India, Pakistan and Nepal.
Recent Student Visa changes may have also resulted in lengthier processing times for certain Student Visa Applications, especially where they have provided incomplete and/or incorrect information in their Student Visa Application, or where they have not provided sufficient information to demonstrate that they are a Genuine Student.
Nonetheless, you can certainly lodge your Student Visa Application on your own, and it is ultimately your prerogative as to whether you seek legal advice and/or assistance with your application.
As a matter of prudence, we recommend that all prospective and current Student Visa Applicants consult with an immigration lawyer about their eligibility for a Student Visa, especially where you fall under the following categories of applications which are subject to further scrutiny:
you and/or your relative have an immigration history of reasonable concern;
you intend to study in a field unrelated to their previous studies or employment;
there are apparent inconsistencies in information you have provided to the Department (e.g. between your incoming passenger card, previous visa application(s) and current Student visa application);
you currently hold a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa, a Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa, a Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority) visa or a Subclass 651 (eVisitor) visa; or
you currently hold a student visa, or previously held one or more student visas.
We hope that this Free Student Visa Guide provides you clarity about the Student (Subclass 500) Visa and should you wish to discuss your eligibility for a Student Visa, please do not hesitate to email us at info@inclusivemigration.com.au, submit an enquiry through the contact form on our website, or send us a message on WhatsApp.
