Subclass 500
Student
Study at world-class Australian institutions with a compliant, competitive application.
Your options and important requirements.
The Student visa (subclass 500) is for eligible students undertaking full-time study with a registered Australian provider. The Genuine Student requirement applies to applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024. From 2 October 2026, new rules affect who can apply for and be granted a Student visa while in Australia and whether family members can be included. Meloney Kumar can assess how the current rules apply to your circumstances in a paid consultation.
Student visa update · reviewed 6 October 2026
Check the current rules before making visa, study, travel or family relocation plans. The information below is general, not personal migration advice.
Highlights
- Full-time study with a CRICOS-registered provider
- Work limits depend on your visa conditions and course
- Family inclusion is subject to the current rules
- Graduate visa eligibility requires a separate assessment
What you'll need to qualify.
Application location and current visa
Rules effective 2 October 2026 affect onshore applications, further Student visas and family inclusion. Your visa subclass and circumstances must be checked before lodging or making travel plans.
Confirmed enrolment
Provide a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered provider, unless a specified exception applies.
Genuine Student
Explain your circumstances, reasons for choosing the course and provider, and the benefit of your study. Respond to the application questions in English, within 150 words per response, with supporting evidence.
Financial capacity
Demonstrate access to the required funds for travel, tuition and living costs, including eligible accompanying family where applicable. Check the current Home Affairs amounts and evidence requirements rather than relying on an old threshold.
English proficiency
Meet the current visa-specific English test scores, test validity and exemption rules. An education provider’s admission waiver does not automatically waive the visa English requirement.
Health cover, health and character
Maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the required period unless exempt, and meet applicable health and character requirements. Under-18 applicants also need suitable welfare arrangements.
A packet worth the paperwork.
We provide a personalised checklist and review every item before lodgement.
- Passport and current visa details, if applying in Australia
- Valid CoE or evidence of an applicable exception
- Genuine Student question responses and supporting evidence
- Financial evidence covering required tuition, living and travel costs
- Academic transcripts and qualifications
- Accepted English test results or visa-specific exemption evidence
- OSHC confirmation, health and character evidence as required
- Family eligibility and welfare documents where applicable
From engagement to decision.
- 01
Paid eligibility consultation
Check current rules, application location, course plans and family eligibility.
By appointment
- 02
Enrolment
Obtain the required CoE from your provider.
Provider-dependent
- 03
Evidence preparation
Prepare GS responses, financial, English and health-cover evidence.
Case-dependent
- 04
Visa lodgement
Submit only when application requirements and evidence are satisfied.
When ready
- 05
Decision
Home Affairs assesses the application. Check its current processing-time guide.
Variable; not guaranteed
Answers to the common questions.
What changed on 2 October 2026?+
New rules affect who can apply for and be granted a Student visa in Australia, further Student visa applications, and whether family members can be included. Check the official Home Affairs update and obtain advice about your situation before making plans.
Can I apply while in Australia?+
It depends on your current visa and the applicable restrictions and exceptions. Visitor and Temporary Graduate visa holders face onshore restrictions; further Student visa applications also need careful review under the current rules.
How much can I work?+
The usual limit is 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, with exceptions including eligible research students. Work generally cannot start before the course begins. Check your grant letter and VEVO for your conditions.
Can my partner or children join me?+
Family inclusion is not automatic. Rules effective 2 October 2026 changed who can include family members or have them join later. Eligibility must be checked against your circumstances and the current requirements.
Does a Student visa guarantee permanent residency?+
No. Student, Temporary Graduate and permanent visas each have separate requirements. Future eligibility depends on the rules and your circumstances at the relevant time.
Ready to plan your student pathway?
Free 10-minute call to identify the nature of your enquiry. Migration advice and eligibility assessments require a paid consultation. Monday–Saturday, by appointment.
- Meloney Kumar · MARN 2519048
- Paid advice; fees confirmed upfront
- Monday–Saturday, by appointment
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