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Subclass 500

Subclass 500 — Student visa

Australia's standard student visa for non-citizens enrolling in a full-time CRICOS-registered course.

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Pathway

Temporary

Processing time

1–4 months

Government fee

AUD 2,500+

Visa duration

Until end of course + grace period

Overview

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Detailed legal content below is being updated. Contact VisaAffairs directly for an assessment of your specific circumstances.

Subclass 500 (Student visa) lets non-Australians come to Australia to study full-time in a CRICOS-registered course. It is the standard student visa, covering English (ELICOS), vocational (VET), undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Defining features:

  • Requires Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered provider.
  • Assessed against Genuine Student (GS) — the new criterion replacing GTE.
  • Limited work rights.
  • OSHC mandatory.

Detailed legal content (full 500.211 criteria, GS factors, exact financial thresholds) is being updated to current rules. Book a consultation for an assessment of your specific file.

Key eligibility

  • Enrolled full-time in a course with a CRICOS code (Confirmation of Enrolment / CoE required)
  • Meet Genuine Student (GS) criterion — replaced GTE from March 2024
  • Have funds for tuition, living costs and airfare
  • Meet English requirement (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL or equivalent, level depending on the course)
  • Meet health and character requirements
  • Maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for visa duration

Process

  1. 01

    CoE from your institution

    You receive a Confirmation of Enrolment after paying initial tuition to a CRICOS-registered education provider.

  2. 02

    Prepare GS statement + finances

    Draft Genuine Student statement, gather financial evidence, academic transcripts, employment history and any family ties.

  3. 03

    Lodge via ImmiAccount

    Submit online with OSHC, English, health, AFP check (if required) evidence.

  4. 04

    Visa granted

    Post-arrival support: OSHC card, bank, TFN, accommodation.

Estimated cost

Department of Home Affairs fee (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) AUD 2,500+
VisaAffairs service fee Quoted after initial consultation
Third-party costs (health, AFP check, translations, etc.) Varies by case
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All figures are indicative as of last update. Department of Home Affairs fees change periodically — verify on the official site before lodging. immi.homeaffairs.gov.au →

How VisaAffairs helps

Clear eligibility assessment

VisaAffairs reviews your full situation against current rules — no boilerplate templates.

Document set reviewed item-by-item

Every piece of evidence is checked before lodgement — minimising the risk of request for further information.

Case officer tracking

VisaAffairs monitors ImmiAccount and responds to case officer requests on time.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work on a Subclass 500 visa?
Yes. From 1 July 2023, students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study, unlimited during official breaks. Rules may change — verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Can my partner come with me?
Yes, via the dependent 500 visa. Additional relationship and financial evidence required.
If my 500 is refused, can I reapply?
Yes. Offshore applications have no AAT review right. Reapplying with a stronger file is the usual path — we analyse the refusal reason before deciding strategy.

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