Guide to Subclass 500 Visa for International Students in Australia
The Australian Student Visa Subclass 500 allows international students to live and study full-time in Australia for up to 5 years while providing flexible part-time work rights and pathways for accompanying family members.
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Navigating the transition to studying in Australia requires a thorough understanding of the legal frameworks, financial obligations, and study parameters set by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The Student Visa (Subclass 500) allows international students to reside and study full-time in Australia for up to 5 years, depending on the course of enrolment. It allows you to undertake a CRICOS-registered programme, travel into and out of Australia, and work part-time during your studies.
Pursuing higher education, vocational training, or primary study in Australia offers access to world-class academic institutions and an enriched multicultural environment. However, maintaining a valid visa status demands continuous compliance with strict legislative requirements. Whether you are applying for an initial visa from overseas or renewing your stay onshore, understanding conditions related to course progress, health insurance, financial stability, and work entitlements is essential for a seamless educational journey.
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Student Visa (Subclass 500) Updates & Regulations
Recent legislative reforms have streamlined visa compliance while reinforcing educational integrity across Australia's international education sector.
- Work Hour Limits (Condition 8105): During study terms and semesters, student visa holders are restricted to a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight. Unlimited work hours are permitted only during university-scheduled course breaks, or if you are enrolled in a Master's by Research or Doctoral (PhD) degree, once the course has commenced.
- Genuine Student (GS) Requirement: The previous Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Form criteria have been replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) Statement requirement. The GS check assesses your genuine intention to gain a quality education in Australia, taking into account academic history, future career pathways, and circumstances in your home country.
- Increased Financial Capacity Thresholds: The minimum annual living cost requirement for a single primary student is AU $29,710.
Student Visa (Subclass 500) - Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Ensure you meet all statutory requirements set by the DHA before lodging your application:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limits (School Students) | Must be at least 6 years old. Age caps apply at entry: under 17 for Year 9, under 18 for Year 10, under 19 for Year 11, and under 20 for Year 12. |
| Proof of Enrolment | Must present a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for a full-time CRICOS-registered course. (Exceptions: Defence/DFAT sponsorship letters, Secondary Exchange Student forms, or university thesis marking letters). |
| Welfare (Under 18s) | Applicants under 18 years of age must have approved welfare arrangements in place before entry. |
| English Proficiency | Must demonstrate required test scores (e.g., PTE Academic, IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT) or meet official exemption conditions. |
| Health Insurance | Must maintain continuous Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) with an approved Australian provider for the entire duration of stay. |
| Financial Capacity | Must prove access to sufficient funds covering 12 months of living costs, full tuition fees, and return travel. |
| Health & Character | Must pass standard health examinations (e.g., chest X-rays, medical checks) and meet Australian character/police check standards. |
| Qualifying Visa (Onshore) | If applying within Australia, you must hold an eligible substantive visa or lodge within 28 days of holding a qualified temporary visa. |
Have questions about your rights while studying in Australia on the Subclass 500 visa? Get all the clarity and guidance during and after your education from our migration experts.
Student Visa Subclass 500 Costs & Fees
The base Visa Application Charge (VAC) for the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) is AU $2,500 for the main applicant.
Subclass 500 Costs & Fees
- Main Applicant Charge: AU $2,500 (Concessions may apply in limited scenarios, such as ELICOS or non-award streams at AU $2,050).
- Dependents: Additional visa application charges apply for each accompanying family member.
- Onshore Surcharge: A Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (currently AU $700) may apply if lodging a subsequent visa application from within Australia.
- Incidental Costs: Health examinations, biometrics collection, police clearance certificates, and health insurance (OSHC) are billed separately by external providers.
Subclass 500 Processing Time
Processing durations vary depending on the course type, completeness of documentation, sector risk level, and departmental queues. Incomplete documents, unpaid fees, or unverified financial sources will cause significant delays or lead to visa refusal.
Subsequent Entrant Visa 500 & Entitlements
Your eligible relatives can apply for a student visa (subsequent entrant) through ImmiAccount. Relatives applying for the visa must satisfy all health, character, financial, and genuine student requirements set by the DHA.
Entitlements on a Subclass 500 Visa
A Subclass 500 visa grants comprehensive study, living, and work entitlements for the duration of your course:
- Full-Time Study Rights: Enrol in and complete an accredited CRICOS-registered program.
- Work Rights: Work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during official study breaks.
- Travel Entitlements: Enter and exit Australia freely as many times as you like while your visa remains valid.
- Family Inclusion: Bring your legal spouse/partner and dependent children under 18 years of age.
How Does the Australian Student Visa Work?
The Australian student visa permits eligible foreign nationals to enter Australia for study purposes. It is valid for up to five years in line with the course duration indicated on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Holders of an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) can:
- Take part in an eligible course of study
- Bring eligible family members to Australia
- Travel in and out of the country freely
- Carry out paid work according to official visa conditions once the course has started
Including Family Members in a Subclass 500 Student Visa Application
You can include eligible family members in your original application or have them apply later as subsequent entrants.
Eligible Relatives
- Your legal spouse or de facto partner.
- Unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age.
Important Rule: You must declare all family members on your initial visa application, even if they do not plan to travel to Australia with you immediately. Failure to declare family members upfront can prevent them from joining you later on a subsequent entrant visa.
Securing and maintaining an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) requires diligence, accurate documentation, and full compliance with DHA guidelines. By staying informed about work hour limitations, financial capacity thresholds, and enrolment obligations, you can focus on achieving your academic and career goals in Australia.
Professional guidance can streamline the application process and ensure your documentation aligns with current migration standards. Ready to explore your options with the Australian Student Visa 500? Contact AECC today for expert guidance and support throughout your visa application process.
Subclass 500 Visa for International Students in Australia FAQs
No. The 48-hour-per-fortnight cap is a cumulative total across all employers while your course is in session. Exceeding this total breaches Condition 8105 and can jeopardise your visa status.
As a primary student, you must show at least AU $29,710 per year for personal living expenses, plus funds for full first-year tuition fees and travel costs (approximately AU 2,000–3,000). Additional amounts are required for accompanying spouses (AU $10,394) and dependent children (AU $4,449 per child).
Upon successfully graduating from an eligible Australian qualification, you may apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485, which offers post-study work rights in Australia without any restrictions.
Yes, but you must remain enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course at the same or higher Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level. Changing to a lower AQF level course requires applying for a new student visa.
Yes. Maintaining continuous OSHC for yourself and any accompanying dependents is a mandatory condition (Condition 8501) for the full duration of your visa.
Trusted Expertise
About the Author
Published and reviewed by AECC counsellors who guide students through every step of their study-abroad journey.
Published by Shairha Munoz Bautista
Australia and New Zealand Student Visa and Pathways Expert | 10+ Years in International Education
Shairha Munoz Bautista is a QEAC-certified Education Counsellor with more than 10 years at AECC, guiding students on study options in Australia and New Zealand. Originally from the Philippines, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies before moving to Australia with her family in 2016. She joined AECC Melbourne that June, spent four years there, and has been with the Sydney office for over six years.
Shairha enjoys helping people make important decisions about their future. What motivates her most is seeing a student go from uncertain to confident about their direction. She starts by understanding the whole student, including their goals, concerns and long-term plans, and she is honest with them even when the answer isn't what they hoped to hear.
In one case, a student from the Philippines with a background in Chemistry came to her after Chemistry-related occupations were removed from the relevant skilled migration pathways. After reviewing his background and goals, they identified a Master of Social Work as a better-aligned pathway. Shairha helped him build a genuine link between the two fields by highlighting transferable skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving and communication. His application was successful, and he went on to build his career in Australia and become an Australian citizen.
Shairha has been named Top Performer of the Year and Top Achiever on several occasions. Driven by a longstanding interest in science and medicine, she is currently studying a Bachelor of Medical Science at UNSW.
Reviewed by Samip Pokharel
Australia Course and Institution Selection Expert | 13 Years in International Education
Samip Pokharel is a QEAC-certified Education Counsellor at AECC Melbourne with 13 years of experience in international education, working in the field since 2013. He holds an MBA and has worked with students from diverse academic backgrounds across every study level.
Samip's approach is built on honest guidance, open communication and a genuine understanding of each student's goals, strengths and academic profile. He has worked on a wide range of applications, including profiles that needed careful positioning, realistic university selection and a well-planned strategy. He particularly enjoys helping students who feel unsure of their options. He helps them identify their strengths and present their profile authentically, while keeping expectations realistic.
Through university and college visits and several familiarisation tours, Samip has gained first-hand knowledge of institutions, campuses, programs and student life. That lets him give students practical insights beyond what brochures and websites can offer.
After 13 years in the field, his commitment remains the same: transparent, personalised and responsible guidance that helps students make decisions they can feel confident about.
