Student visa Subclass 500
What is the purpose of a Student visa Subclass 500?
The purpose of this visa is to allow international students to undertake full-time education and training in Australia. This visa enables a student to stay in Australia for the duration of the relevant course.
The student must enroll, or in some cases have a letter of offer, with an Australian education provider before lodging a visa application. The minimum requirements for this visa are set out below:
STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS
The exact requirements for this visa will depend upon the level of risk assigned to your application (the ‘Immigration Risk’), which is a combined immigration risk assessment determined by the risk rating of the education provider and your passport nationality.
As the visa applicant, you must:
-
enrol with an Australian education provider as a full-time student, and obtain written confirmation of this enrolment (predominantly on-line courses are not eligible)
-
genuinely intend to complete the relevant period of study in Australia
-
have the required level of English language proficiency unless exempt
-
have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the period of your intended stay in Australia
-
have access to sufficient funds to cover your return airfares, tuition fees and the cost of living in Australia, as well as costs required for any dependents included in your application.
The exact amount of funds a student requires is set by Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP), and is determined by your chosen education provider, your course of study and other personal circumstances. Please contact us for further details.
Application Process
You must first be enrolled in a full-time course at an Australian education provider, and obtain written confirmation of your enrolment (COE) from that provider. We will then prepare and lodge your visa application with the DIBP. The main criterion is that you meet the requirements referred to above, the exact nature of which will depend upon your passport nationality and the education
provider requirements. You must also meet the relevant health and character requirements.
​
Once the DIBP has granted your visa, you may enter into (or remain in) Australia in order to undertake your course of study. Whilst studying, you must work no more than 40 hours per fortnight whilst your course is in session, and for your initial visa only commence work once your course has commenced. Different work provisions apply to higher education research Masters and Doctoral level courses please discuss with us if appropriate. You should also check the work allowance for any dependents on your application if appropriate.
​
PLEASE NOTE: The actual time taken by the DIBP to approve an application and grant a visa varies from case to case depending upon your particular circumstances. Each application is unique and the processing time may differ based on your country of origin and even the DIBP case officer assigned to your application.