Student visa (subclass 500): the basics

Short summary

The subclass 500 Student visa lets you live in Australia and study full time at a registered institution. To get it you need a Confirmation of Enrolment, enough money to support yourself, health insurance for your whole stay, adequate English, and you must meet the Genuine Student requirement. It also lets you work a limited number of hours.

The main requirements

To be granted a subclass 500 visa, you generally need:

• A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from an institution registered on CRICOS, the official register of courses for overseas students. You cannot apply without one.
• Evidence of financial capacity to cover living costs, tuition, and travel. As of 2026 the Department's living-cost benchmark for a single student is AUD 29,710 per year, on top of tuition and travel, with more required if you bring family. The funds must be genuine and accessible, not a balance topped up just for the application.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved insurer, covering your entire stay. Arrange it before you apply.
• Adequate English, shown through an accepted test unless you are exempt.
• A response to the Genuine Student (GS) requirement (see below).
• Health and character requirements, which can include a medical examination and police certificates.

The Genuine Student requirement

On 23 March 2024 the Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the older Genuine Temporary Entrant test. Instead of a separate written statement, you now answer targeted questions inside the visa application. The purpose is to show that you genuinely intend to study and will comply with your visa conditions. Weak or inconsistent answers here are a common reason applications are refused, so answer factually and connect your course to your goals.

What it costs

The student visa application charge increased on 1 July 2026 to from AUD 2,500 per application, unless you are exempt. This is only the visa charge. It does not include tuition, OSHC, living costs, or English testing. Fees change, so confirm the current charge on the Department of Home Affairs website before you apply.

Work rights

While your course is in session, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. During scheduled course breaks you can work unlimited hours. This limit is enforced, and employers must check your conditions, so exceeding it can put your visa at risk. Work income is treated as extra support, not your main way of meeting the financial requirement.

Keeping your visa

Two conditions matter most. You must stay enrolled and keep satisfactory attendance and course progress. And you must keep valid OSHC for your whole stay. Breaching these is a leading reason student visas are cancelled. You can check your exact conditions any time through the Department's VEVO service.

After you finish

Many graduates go on to a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which gives a period of post-study work rights, and some later move toward skilled migration. Your study and time in Australia can also help with points for skilled visas.

What to do next

The financial evidence and the Genuine Student answers are where many student visa applications succeed or fail. If your situation is complex, or you want your application checked before lodging, you can search VisaMatch for verified migration agents and immigration lawyers who handle student visas, filtered by location and language.