Student Visa (Subclass 500)

Study in Australia with a Student Visa (Subclass 500). This visa allows you to study full-time at an Australian educational institution, work part-time, and bring your family members to Australia.

Study in Australia

Pathway to quality education and work experience.

Student visas in Australia, supporting international students in achieving their educational goals.

What is the Student Visa (Subclass 500)?

The Student Visa (Subclass 500) is a temporary visa that allows international students to study full-time at an Australian educational institution. This visa replaced several previous student visa subclasses and is now the main visa for international students in Australia.

The Subclass 500 visa allows you to study, work part-time (with restrictions), and bring eligible family members to Australia. It is valid for the duration of your course, plus additional time depending on your course length.

Key Features of the Subclass 500 Visa

Type: Temporary visa for full-time study
Length: Valid for the duration of your course, plus additional time
Work Rights: Can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods, unlimited hours during holidays
Study Rights: Must study full-time at a registered Australian educational institution
Family: Can include partner and dependent children
Multiple Entries: Can travel in and out of Australia
Pathway to PR: Can lead to permanent residency through skilled migration pathways

Student Visa 500 Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a Student Visa (Subclass 500), you must:

Be enrolled in a registered course: Must have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a registered Australian educational institution
Meet Genuine Student requirement: Must demonstrate you are a genuine student intending to study in Australia
Meet English language requirements: Must have adequate English language proficiency (varies by course and institution)
Meet financial requirements: Must demonstrate you have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses
Meet health requirements: Must pass medical examinations
Meet character requirements: Must provide police clearances
Have adequate health insurance: Must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay
Meet age requirements: Generally, must be at least 6 years old (for school students)

Genuine Student Requirement

The Genuine Student requirement is a key assessment criterion. The Department of Home Affairs will consider:

Your circumstances in your home country
Your potential circumstances in Australia
The value of your course to your future
Your immigration history
Any other relevant matters

Student Visa 500 Work Rights

Student visa holders have specific work rights:

During study periods: Can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (2 weeks)
During holidays: Can work unlimited hours
Work must not commence: Until your course has commenced

Note: Work rights are automatically included in your visa. You do not need to apply separately for work permission.

Student Visa 500 Processing Times

Processing times for Student Visa 500 vary based on several factors:

Your country of citizenship
The type of course you are studying
Completeness of your application
Current processing volumes

Generally, processing times can range from:

75% of applications: Processed within 1–2 months
90% of applications: Processed within 2–3 months

Note: Some applications may take longer, especially during peak periods.

Student Visa 500 Costs

The Student Visa 500 application fee is approximately $710 AUD (as of 2025).

Additional costs may include:

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Required for the duration of your stay
Tuition fees: Varies by course and institution
Medical examinations
Police clearances
English language tests (if required)
Translation of documents
Migration agent fees (if using professional assistance)

Note: Fees are subject to change. Always check current fees with the Department of Home Affairs.

Pathway to Permanent Residency

While the Student Visa 500 is a temporary visa, it can provide a pathway to permanent residency:

Complete your studies in Australia
Apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) after graduation
Gain work experience in Australia
Apply for skilled migration visas (Subclass 189, 190, or 491)
Meet points requirements and other eligibility criteria

Let Us Help You Secure Your Student Visa

At Hays Migration, we understand that applying for a student visa is an important step in your educational journey — but you don’t have to do it alone.

Our experienced team of MARA-registered agents and migration lawyers are here to guide you through every step, from course selection and enrolment to preparing your visa application and demonstrating the Genuine Student requirement.