Student Visa

An Australian Student Visa (subclass 500) allows international students to study full-time at a registered education provider in Australia. The visa is administered under the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) and the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) by the Department of Home Affairs. To be granted a Student Visa, you must be enrolled in a registered course, meet genuine temporary entrant requirements, and satisfy health, character, and financial capacity criteria.

Key Takeaways

The Student Visa (subclass 500) is the primary visa for international students intending to study in Australia
You must be enrolled in a registered course (CRICOS-registered) before applying
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) or Genuine Student (GS) requirements must be satisfied
The visa permits part-time work (48 hours per fortnight) and dependent family members may be included
Visa conditions vary and breaching them can lead to cancellation or refusal of future applications

What Is the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)?

The Student Visa (subclass 500) replaced several older student visa categories in 2016 and is now the single streamlined visa for international students across all education sectors — from English language courses to PhD programs. It is a temporary visa that permits the holder to remain in Australia for the duration of their enrolled course, plus associated holiday periods.

The Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) set out the legislative framework for this visa, including the criteria that must be met at time of application and at time of decision. The Department of Home Affairs assesses each application on its merits.

Key Conditions Attached to a Student Visa

Student visas typically include the following mandatory conditions:

Condition 8105 — Work limitation of 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session
Condition 8202 — Maintain enrolment in a registered course, meet course progress requirements, and maintain satisfactory attendance
Condition 8501 — Maintain adequate health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover)
Condition 8516 — Continue to satisfy the criteria for visa grant
Condition 8517 — Ensure school-age dependants are enrolled in schooling

Breaching any of these conditions can result in visa cancellation under section 116 of the Migration Act and may affect future visa applications.

Practical Application in Australia

International students apply directly through the Department of Home Affairs online portal (ImmiAccount). Processing times vary depending on the education provider, country of passport, and whether a health assessment or character clearance is needed.

In Queensland, major education providers include the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University, and TAFE Queensland institutions in Brisbane and regional areas. Students studying in Brisbane benefit from a large international student community, dedicated support services, and post-study work options.

The visa duration is generally aligned with the course length. For example:

A three-year bachelor degree typically attracts a visa valid for up to five years
Shorter courses (English language, certificates, diplomas) attract a visa for the course duration plus two months

Common Risks and Mistakes

Insufficient financial evidence — Home Affairs requires genuine access to funds for tuition, travel, and living costs. Underestimating this or providing unclear documentation is a frequent cause of refusal.
Genuine Student requirement not properly addressed — The Genuine Student (GS) criteria (formerly GTE) assess your intent to study and return home. A poorly drafted statement or weak ties to your home country can lead to refusal.
Working before course start date — Work is not permitted until the course begins. This is a breach of condition 8105.
Changing providers without notification — Students who change education providers without enrolling in a new course risk condition 8202 non-compliance.
Letting health insurance lapse — This breaches condition 8501 and can be grounds for cancellation.

Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a Student Visa

Choose a course and provider — Confirm the provider is CRICOS-registered and the course meets your academic goals.
Receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) — The provider issues a CoE once you accept the offer and pay the required deposit.
Gather supporting documents — Passport, CoE, financial evidence, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), English language test results, Genuine Student statement, and any associated documentation (health check referrals, biometrics).
Lodge the visa application online — Complete the online form in ImmiAccount, pay the application fee (currently AUD 1,600 for the main applicant as of 2025–26), and attach all supporting documents.
Submit biometrics and undergo health checks — Follow the instructions provided after lodgement.
Wait for a decision — Processing times vary; check current estimates on the Home Affairs website.
Receive visa grant — If approved, review all conditions attached to your visa and ensure you comply.

Table Comparison: Student Visa vs Graduate Visa

Feature	Student Visa (subclass 500)	Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)
Purpose	Study full-time	Work after study
Work rights	Up to 48 hours per fortnight	Unlimited work rights
Dependants	Can be included	Can be included
Duration	Up to 5 years	2–4 years depending on qualification
Pathway to PR	Indirect (via graduate visa)	Direct (if skilled occupation)

Practical Next Steps

If you are considering studying in Australia or need assistance preparing a Student Visa application, it is advisable to seek professional advice to ensure your application is complete and addresses the Genuine Student criteria.

Contact our immigration law team for a consultation about your student visa options
Learn more about our immigration practice including student visas, graduate visas, and family applications
Meet our lawyers who specialise in Australian immigration law
Read more articles on our blog about Australian visa pathways and requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a student visa take to process?

Processing times vary. As of 2025, 75 per cent of applications are processed within 4–8 weeks in most streams, but some applications take longer if additional checks are required.

Can I work full-time on a student visa?

During holiday periods, you can work unlimited hours. During study periods, you are limited to 48 hours per fortnight.

Can I include my family on my student visa?

Yes, you can include a spouse or de facto partner and dependent children in your application. They may have work rights depending on your course level.

What happens if my student visa expires while I am in Australia?

You must either apply for a new visa before expiry or depart Australia. Overstaying may result in an unlawful non-citizen status and potential exclusion periods.

Can I change my course or provider after arrival?

Yes, but you must maintain enrolment in a CRICOS-registered course and notify Home Affairs if the course is shorter than the original CoE.

Do I need to attend classes?

Yes. Attendance requirements are set by your education provider and compliance with condition 8202 requires satisfactory course progress and attendance.

Can I apply for permanent residence from a student visa?

Not directly. Most students transition to a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) and then apply for skilled migration through employer sponsorship or a General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa.

What if my student visa is refused?

You may apply for a merits review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) if the refusal is reviewable, or lodge a fresh application addressing the reasons for refusal.

Is health insurance mandatory?

Yes. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory condition and must be held for the entire visa duration.

Can I travel outside Australia while on a student visa?

Yes, the Student Visa is a multiple-entry visa. You may travel and re-enter Australia as long as your visa remains valid and you continue to satisfy course requirements.