Australia Student Visa Guide
Student Visa (Subclass 500)
For full-time study at registered Australian institutions. The Genuine Student (GS) requirement (formerly GTE) is the central credibility test.
Last checked against the official source on 2026-09-30.
- Application fee
- AUD 2,500
- Processing
- 4–8 weeks (varies)
- Validity
- Up to 5 years (course-dependent)
- Work rights
- 48 hrs/fortnight during semester; unrestricted in breaks. Temporary Graduate visa (485) afterwards: usually 2 years after a bachelor’s or coursework master’s, up to 3 years for research degrees.
Australia student visa costs
| Cost | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application charge | AUD 2,500 | About ₹1.7 lakh; from 1 July 2026 |
| Living funds to show | AUD 29,710 a year | About ₹20.1 lakh; plus tuition and travel |
| Tuition (per year) | Typically AUD 30,000–55,000 | About ₹20–37 lakh; varies by course |
| Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) | Varies by provider | Required for your whole stay |
| Health examination | Varies by clinic | When requested by Home Affairs |
Document checklist
- ✓Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- ✓Genuine Student (GS) statementReplaces GTE since 2024.
- ✓Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)For the duration of stay.
- ✓English proficiencyIELTS 6.0 or an accepted equivalent for the visa (lower with an English course package); your university may require more.
- ✓Financial capacity proofLiving costs of at least AUD 29,710 a year (Home Affairs, applications from 10 May 2024) + tuition + travel.
- ✓Health examination
- ✓Statement of Purpose / Personal Statement
- ✓Academic transcripts + qualifications
Step-by-step process
- 1
Receive offer + pay deposit
Convert offer to CoE.
- 2
Buy OSHC
Health cover from Bupa, Medibank, etc.
- 3
Draft GS statement
Genuine intent: course choice, ties to home, post-study plans.
- 4
Apply online (ImmiAccount)
Upload all documents and pay the visa application charge (AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026).
- 5
Biometrics + medicals
When notified — usually within days.
- 6
Decision
Visa grant notice via email; no stamp on passport.
Interview tips
- GS interview can happen — be specific about your course, why Australia (not US/UK), and career plans back home.
- Have your funding numbers and CoE on hand.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Generic GS statement copied from samples online.
- Insufficient living-cost evidence, or relying on an old figure (the amount was raised in 2024).
- OSHC not purchased before application submission.
Frequently asked questions
How much bank balance is needed for an Australian student visa?
At least AUD 29,710 a year for living costs (for applications from 10 May 2024), plus tuition and travel costs.
What is the Australia student visa fee?
AUD 2,500 per application from 1 July 2026.
How many hours can I work on an Australian student visa?
Up to 48 hours a fortnight during study periods, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks.
What is the Genuine Student requirement?
You must show you genuinely intend to study, explaining your course choice, circumstances and plans. It replaced the GTE requirement in 2024.
How long can I stay in Australia after studying?
The Temporary Graduate visa (485) is usually 2 years after a bachelor’s or coursework master’s, and up to 3 years after a research degree.
Practise your Australia visa interview
Oxbrivy’s AI mock interview scores your answers and tells you what to improve.
Scholarships for students going to Australia
Each award links to the funder’s own page, with the eligibility and deadline facts we could confirm.
Guides for students heading to Australia
Other student visa guides
Official source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500. General guidance only — verify current requirements before applying.