Some of the important points to know when applying for an Australian University and acquiring a student Visa are:
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Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)
- In Australia, I am enrolled in a full-time on-campus programme.
- You must have an OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) or fall into one of the excluded groups.
- You must be at least 6 years old.
- If you are under the age of 18, you must show documentation of a welfare arrangement.
Australia Student Visa Fees
The current charge for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) is AU$575 (US$414). As part of your visa application, you must arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself and any accompanying family members, which must be valid for the duration of your stay.
As an international student, you must pay visa costs according to the categories listed below:
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Visa subclass
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Base application charge
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Additional applicant charges if 18 years or above
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Additional applicant charges if less than 18 years
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The subsequent temporary application charge
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Student visa (subclass 500)
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AUD $630
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AUD $460
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AUD $150
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AUD $700
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Student visa (subclass 500) (subsequent entrant)
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AUD $620
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AUD $460
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AUD $150
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AUD $700
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Student visa (subclass 500) – Postgraduate research sector
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AUD $620
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nil
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nil
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nil
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Australia Student Visa Requirements
- Subclass 500 is the name given to the Australia Student Visa.
- Only if you wish to study a registered course or a portion of it full-time will you be eligible for a student visa.
- The student visa has a maximum validity period of five years.
- The course you want to take must be on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
- You will be sent an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) certificate, which will validate your enrollment in an Australian university.
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement – this is proof that you want to come to Australia simply to study and not to live.
- four passport-sized photos taken recently
- Certified or notarized copies of academic transcripts/documents
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – This health insurance is approved by the Australian government and offers basic medical and hospital coverage. This insurance is available through your university.
- If you are a non-native English speaker, the results of English language examinations such as IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are important.
- Evidence of financial resources to meet all costs during the research period
- Proof of civil status, if applicable
- Prior to your application, the Australian University will notify you of any extra requirements.
- Financial Requirements – In order to get a student visa, you must demonstrate that you have the finances to cover your course fees, travel, and living expenses.
- Character Requirement – You must present a certificate proving that you have no criminal history.
- Proof of visa fee payment – evidence that you have paid the necessary visa costs.
If there are any other additional requirements, the university you have been selected for will let you know about them.
Documents Required to Apply for Student Visa in Australia
When applying for your student visa for Australia, you will generally need:
- Proof of enrolment (your electronic confirmation of enrolment)
- A valid passport
- Your visa application fee
- Your Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
- Academic and work experience documents
- Evidence of your English proficiency skills (such as IELTS test scores)
- Evidence of financial ability (tuition fees, living expenses, expenses for dependents, return airfare)
- Details of your health insurance policy (Overseas Student Health Cover)
- Statement of purpose
- Passport-sized photographs
If you are under 18 years of age, you will also need to provide additional documents such as parental consent.
*Please note that these are the basic requirements, speak with your Starbright Overseas Education counsellor for a detailed list of documents required for visa processing
Eligibility for Student Visa in Australia
As an overseas student wishing to Study in Australia, you must ensure that you meet the following eligibility requirements in order to receive a student visa:
Enroll in a study programme and provide evidence
Your Australian student visa application must include proof of enrolment, which is often accessible in one of the following formats:
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CoE, or Confirmation of Enrollment, is sent to students who have been accepted for full-time courses that are registered on CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students).
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Packaged courses and CoEs: If you are applying for more than one course, your visa application must include all of the CoE codes, or your student visa will only cover the term of residence for the indicated CoE.
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You may apply for two or more courses, with one course leading to the next. The time between the start of the two courses should not be more than two months. When the first course closes at the end of the academic year and the next course begins at the start of the next academic year, the gap time is waived.
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Letter of Support: If you are admitted to a full-time study or training programme sponsored by the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade scholarship programmes, you may submit your letter of support as proof of enrolment.
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Similarly, if you are receiving funding from the Australian Department of Defense, you can apply for a student visa with your letter of support.
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Acceptance Advice for Secondary Exchange Students (AASES): Students considering an exchange degree from Australia might include this in their application.
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Letter from Instructor: PG students who need to stay in Australia while their thesis is being graded must present a letter from their educator confirming this.
Australia Student Visa Process
Australia Student Visa Processing Time
Usually, the student visa for Australia is processed within a month, however, the maximum time it could take is 10 months. However, Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) streamlines the visa processing time. Processing Time for Student Visa is:
| Stream | 75% processing | 90% processing |
| Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector | 45 days | 76 days |
| Postgraduate Research Sector | 3 months | 6 months |
| Independent ELICOS Sector | 4 months | 9 months |
| Vocational Education and Training Sector | 6 months | 10 months |
| Higher Education Sector | 44 days | 6 months |
NOTE – To apply for Student Visa Extension in Australia use ImmiAccount and choose the visa extension option from any of the available options.
How to Apply for Australia Student Visa
You can apply for an Australian Student Visa up to 124 days before the start of your term. You can also visit Australia up to 90 days before the commencement of your study.
- To begin an online application, you must first establish and log into an ImmiAccount.
- Applicants must complete the visa application form for the visa subclass to which they are entitled. (On behalf of the student, education agents and Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) situated in India who are registered to utilise the student online lodgement option can lodge student eVisa applications.)
- To track your application, you will need to sign in to your ImmiAccount one more. You may use your account to upload documents, amend passport information, change your email and address, and track the status of your application.
- A Transaction Reference Number (TRN) is a one-of-a-kind number that is issued to each online application. This will allow you to track and manage your application, determine when you need to contact the visa centre and check your visa entitlements.
Student Dependent Visa Australia
If you are travelling to Australia to study, you may bring family members with you. You can either add them to your initial student visa application or apply for their visas once you begin your education in Australia so they can join you. Dependent visas are available for spouses, partners, and unmarried children under the age of 18.
If you include dependent family members in your original student visa application, you must provide their information on Form 157A. The primary student visa holder must have a visa that is valid for at least 12 months and the requisite cash and insurance to cover all expenditures during that time.
Post-study Work Options for Students
Students with Subclass 500 visas can work up to 40 hours per week. They can also work without limits on the number of hours they can work during breaks or vacations. They cannot, however, begin working until the course begins. Casework is occasionally required as part of the course, and the restriction does not apply in such situations. Students in the Postgraduate Research Sector may work an unrestricted number of hours at the start of their Ph.D. thesis or research project. Those who have completed their studies in Australia may apply for post-study work visas under the Temporary stream-Graduate.
We can assist you on how to proceed with the application process if you are an Starbright Overseas Education student with an offer letter from one of our Australian partner universities. We’ll keep you up to date on the most recent visa criteria and conditions, and we’ll help you prepare the appropriate paperwork for submission.
Our team of professionals will lead you to official websites and authorised immigration representatives to guarantee you get the most up-to-date application paperwork and information. To save you time, we can additionally certify, translate, and courier your documents.
FAQ
1. Can I do business on student visa in Australia?
Australia is looking for business owners! And, yes, you can start a business while on a student visa!
2. Can tourist visa be converted to student visa in Australia?
If you already have a Tourist Visa in Australia, you are eligible to apply for the bachelor’s or master’s degree you desire. You can convert your visitor visa to a student visa while visiting without ever leaving the country. As a result, you can easily extend your stay by obtaining a subclass 500 student visa.
3. Can I apply student visa while in Australia?
If you already have a Working Holiday or Visitor visa in Australia, you can apply online without leaving the country. Given that there are no ‘No Further Stay’ conditions on your current visa, your Working Holiday or Visitor visa will have no bearing on your Student visa application because the two are completely separate.
4. Can I extend my student visa in Australia?
Visas cannot be ‘extended’ past their original expiration date. So, if you need to stay in Australia to finish your course, you should apply for a new student visa if the duration of your course has been extended for a valid reason.
5. Can student visa dependent work in Australia?
The dependent partner can work up to 40 hours per fortnight if the student is pursuing a bachelor’s degree. If the student is pursuing a master’s degree (coursework or research) or a doctorate, the partner will have full and unrestricted work rights.
6. Can a pregnant woman apply for student visa in Australia?
Yes. You are welcome to bring a family member or a friend from home to support you during your pregnancy. If a family member was included as a dependent in your initial visa application, they can apply for a DFAT Student Dependent Visa (subclass 576).
7. Can I bring my family to Australia on student visa?
Most students are permitted to bring immediate family members to Australia by the Department of Home Affairs. Dependents are immediate family members, which may include your spouse (or de facto partner) and children under the age of 18.
8. Can I bring my parents to Australia on student visa?
The Student Guardian (Subclass 580) visa allows parents and other legal guardians of international students to enter Australia with them to provide housing, welfare, and financial support while they study.
9. Can spouse work on student visa in Australia?
The dependent partner can work up to 40 hours per fortnight if the student is pursuing a bachelor’s degree. If the student is pursuing a master’s degree (coursework or research) or a doctorate, the partner will have full and unrestricted work rights.
10. Who can show funds for student visa in Australia?
A student visa applicant would generally meet the genuine access requirements if the student is being funded by one of the six entities listed below through a scholarship or other formal funding arrangement: in Australia, the student’s education provider the Commonwealth Government of Australia.
