Australia
General visa requirements for travelling to Australia. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Student visa (Student Visa (subclass 500))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Processing time
- 35 to 61 days
- Fee
- AUD $2,000
- Validity
- Duration of course plus additional period (usually 1-2 months)
- Entry
- Multiple entry
For international students enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course in Australia. Fee increased to AUD $2,000 from 1 July 2025. Students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. A cap of 295,000 international student places applies for 2026, allocated across institutions. Applicants from Pacific nations, Timor-Leste, scholarship holders, and pathway students may be eligible for fast-track processing.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Open to all nationalities
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Purpose of visit
Must have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered education provider for a full-time course
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Financial
Must demonstrate genuine access to sufficient funds for tuition, living costs (AUD $29,710/year), and travel
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Age
Must be at least 6 years old. If under 18, must have appropriate welfare arrangements
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Health
Must meet health requirements including health examination and maintain OSHC
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Criminal record
Must meet character requirements and provide police clearances
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
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Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements, loan approval, scholarship evidence, financial declaration, government sponsorship; Minimum amount: AUD $29,710 per year for living costs plus tuition and travel
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Admission letter
Must be notarized: No; Must be original: No; Must show program dates: Yes
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Police clearance
Countries required: All countries lived in for 12+ months in last 10 years; Validity months: 12
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Health exam
Panel physician required: Yes, must use approved panel physician; Validity months: 12
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Language test score
Accepted tests: IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAE, OET; Minimum score: Varies by course level. Minimum IELTS 5.5 overall for visa, higher for specific courses
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Private health insurance
Coverage territory: Australia; Minimum coverage: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for duration of visa
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Genuine student statement
Maximum word count: 2000; Statement type: Genuine Student Requirement (GSR)
How to apply
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Document gathering
Obtain Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), arrange OSHC, prepare Genuine Student statement, and gather financial evidence
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Online application
Apply online through ImmiAccount
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Fee payment
Pay the AUD $2,000 visa application charge
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Biometrics
Provide biometrics at an Australian Visa Application Centre if required by nationality
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Processing wait
Wait 35-61 days for processing. Complex cases may take longer
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Visa collection
Visa is granted electronically and linked to passport number