Student Visa (subclass 500)
The Subclass 500 covers all full-time study with a CRICOS-registered provider. Australia uses a Genuine Student (GS) test — replacing the older Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement from March 2024 — to assess whether you are a real student. The bar moved up in 2024 with higher financial thresholds and stricter scrutiny of agents.
- Processing
- 29–69 days for higher education; 6 weeks median for most African applicants
- Validity
- Course length + 1–4 months depending on completion date
Who this visa is for
Full-time students enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course: schools, ELICOS English programs, VET, higher education and postgraduate research.
Eligibility requirements
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered provider.
- Genuine Student (GS) statement answering five mandatory questions about your background, study choice and post-study plans.
- Financial capacity: AUD 29,710/year living costs (since May 2024) + tuition + travel.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full visa duration.
- English at IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) overall, depending on course type.
- Health examination and police clearance, depending on country of residence.
Application stages, in order
- 1Receive CoE
Provider issues an electronic CoE after you accept the offer and pay required tuition deposit and first-semester OSHC.
- 2Genuine Student statement
Answer the 5 GS questions in your own words: previous study, ties to home country, study choice rationale, intended stay, additional info.
- 3Apply online via ImmiAccount
Lodge the subclass 500 application on the Home Affairs portal. Upload all evidence at lodgement — incomplete files get refused, not delayed.
- 4Health & character
Book a HAP-ID health exam at an Australian-approved panel clinic. Provide police clearance for any country lived in 12+ months.
- 5Biometrics
VFS Global handles biometric collection in most African posts. Some applicants are exempt.
- 6Decision & travel
Decision via ImmiAccount. You can enter Australia up to 90 days before your course start date.
Costs breakdown
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application charge | AUD 1,600 | Increased from AUD 710 in July 2024 — the highest student visa fee globally. |
| OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) | AUD 600–900 per year (single) | Mandatory. Cost depends on provider (Bupa, Medibank, Allianz). |
| Health examination | USD 200–350 | Paid at the panel clinic. Chest X-ray + medical exam. |
| Police clearance | Varies (USD 30–100 per country) | Required for any country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years. |
| Biometrics | USD 0–40 | Depending on VFS Global service centre. |
On-shore work rights while studying
Term-time work
Up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session (reinstated cap from 1 July 2023).
Vacation work
Unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
Postgraduate research
Master's by research and PhD students can work unlimited hours once their course has started.
Post-study work pathway
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
Official guidanceDuration: 2 years Post-Higher Education Work stream for bachelor/master's; 3 years for PhD
Eligibility: Completed at least 2 academic years of CRICOS-registered study in Australia, applied within 6 months of course completion, under 35 years old at time of application (lowered from 50 in 2024).
Unsponsored work rights for the duration. The Graduate Work stream for VET-qualified trades graduates is also available. Regional study (outside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) earns an additional 1–2 years on the 485.
Common refusal reasons
- Genuine Student statement reads as boilerplate or agent-written. Each of the 5 questions needs a specific, personal answer.
- Financial evidence does not cover the full AUD 29,710 living-cost threshold per year + tuition + dependants.
- Career progression argument is weak — moving from a master's back to another master's, or from a high-skill job to a low-skill course.
- Unsuitable course for stated career goals (e.g. diploma in cookery after an engineering degree without explanation).
- Funds in account for too short a period or sourced from suspicious lump-sum deposits without provenance.
Recruiter tip
Write the Genuine Student answers yourself, in your voice, with specifics: name your previous lecturer, name the Australian academic whose work you want to study, cite the exact unit codes. Australia's risk-tier framework (Levels 1–3) means applicants from higher-risk countries get the strictest scrutiny — generic answers refuse, specific ones approve.
Editorial guidance reflects NAFSA-aligned recruiter practice and current government postings as of the last quarterly review.
FAQs
What is the difference between GTE and Genuine Student?▾
From March 2024, the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test was replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) test. GS is a 5-question written statement assessing whether you are a real student, while still allowing the possibility of permanent residence later — GTE required you to argue you would leave.
How much money do I need to show?▾
AUD 29,710 for 12 months of living costs (raised from AUD 24,505 in May 2024), plus full course fees and a return ticket. Add AUD 10,394 if bringing a spouse and AUD 4,449 per child.
Can I work full-time on a subclass 500?▾
No — capped at 48 hours per fortnight during term, unlimited during scheduled breaks. PhD and master's by research students can work unlimited hours once their course starts.
Can I switch to permanent residence after the 485?▾
Yes, via the skilled migration program (subclass 189, 190, 491) or employer-sponsored pathways (482, 186). The 485 gives you Australian work experience that improves your points score under the General Skilled Migration framework.
Do I need an agent to apply?▾
No. The Department of Home Affairs strongly recommends applying directly via ImmiAccount. If you do use one, only use a registered MARA agent (Migration Agents Registration Authority).
Visa fees, processing times and policy change frequently. Spotted something out of date?Send a correction →