{"about":"Student visa facts for Australia, as read on official pages. Each statement names its source and the day it was checked. Information, not legal advice; the visa authority decides.","publisher":"ForiForeign","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/au/student-visa","destination":{"code":"AU","name":"Australia"},"visa":"Student visa (subclass 500)","authority":"Department of Home Affairs","official_portal":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/","last_checked":"2026-10-13","facts":[{"key":"admission_document","label":"The admission document you need first","text":"Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for all intended courses, valid at lodgement and at decision.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"documents","label":"Documents the official page lists","text":"","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-10-13","list":["Passport pages and national identity card","Confirmation of Enrolment for each course","OSHC details","Genuine Student answers (150 words per question) and supporting documents","Evidence of financial capacity if checklist requires","English test evidence if required","Partner and child relationship documents if applicable","Welfare arrangements and consent forms if under 18","Polio vaccination certificate if from an at-risk country"]},{"key":"funds","label":"Money you must show","text":"Living costs: student AUD29,710, partner AUD10,394, child AUD4,449 per 12 months, plus course fees and travel costs; evidence only if the checklist requires. At a minimum you need your travel (as a guide AUD2,000 when you apply from outside Australia, more from Africa), 12 months of course fees and 12 months of living costs, and at least AUD13,502 a year in school costs for each school-age child. Or show that your parents or partner had a personal annual income of at least AUD87,856 (AUD102,500 if you bring family members) in the 12 months before you apply. The Department may ask for this evidence even when the checklist does not; the evidence it accepts is set by the legislative instrument LIN 19/198.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-10-13","amount":29710,"currency":"AUD","period":"12 months living costs"},{"key":"tuition_evidence","label":"Proof of tuition","text":"Financial capacity includes the first 12 months of course fees (pro rata if shorter), minus amounts already paid with proof such as receipts or CoE.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"application_fee","label":"What the application costs","text":"From AUD2,500 for the main applicant, plus a charge per family member; lower cost for eligible Pacific, Timor-Leste and ASEAN citizens. Health, police, biometrics costs extra. The figure is stated from 1 July 2026; the Migration Regulations 1994 (Schedule 1, item 1222, compilation of 1 July 2026) set the base application charge at AUD2,500 and the charge for each further applicant at AUD1,530 (aged 18 or over) or AUD500 (under 18). The charge is not refunded if the visa is refused.","source_url":"https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-move/your-guide-to-visas/student-visa-subclass-500","checked_at":"2026-10-13","amount":2500,"currency":"AUD","period":"one-off"},{"key":"health","label":"Health insurance","text":"OSHC from an approved Australian insurer is mandatory for everyone on the application, unless an exception applies (e.g. some Norway, Sweden, Belgium). Proof of paid cover for the whole proposed visa period goes in the application form: without it the application is refused. Outside Australia the cover must start on the day you arrive.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-10-13"},{"key":"language","label":"Language","text":"For tests taken from 7 August 2025, IELTS Academic 6.0 (5.5 with 10+ weeks ELICOS, 5.0 with 20+ weeks). Evidence needed only when required; exemptions exist.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"where_to_apply","label":"Where you apply","text":"Apply online through ImmiAccount. From 2 October 2026 most Student visa applications must be lodged from outside Australia: you can apply in Australia only if you hold an eligible visa and meet an exemption category.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-10-13","mode":"online"},{"key":"biometrics","label":"Fingerprints and photo","text":"Biometrics may be requested after submission; arrange an appointment within 14 days and before travelling to Australia.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"processing_time","label":"How long the decision takes","text":"No fixed time; use the processing time guide tool. Offshore applications lodged from 14 November 2025 follow Ministerial Direction 115 priorities.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"tb_or_medical","label":"Medical examination","text":"Health requirement applies; exams may be needed (can be done before applying) and a polio certificate if from a polio-risk country. If you did not have them before you applied, ImmiAccount shows whether you need them, with a medical referral letter and your HAP ID. For a stay of 6 months or more, an applicant from a country with a higher risk of tuberculosis generally needs a medical examination, a chest x-ray (aged 11 or over) and a serum creatinine/eGFR test (aged 15 or over).","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-10-13"},{"key":"police_certificate","label":"Police certificate","text":"Applicants and family members aged 16+ must meet the character requirement; police certificates may be requested at extra cost.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"translation","label":"Translations","text":"Translate all non-English documents into English. Translators in Australia must be NAATI-accredited; translators outside must state their qualifications and experience.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"legalisation","label":"Legalisation of documents","text":"Documents do not need to be certified; no apostille requirement is stated.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"work_rights","label":"Working while you study","text":"Up to 48 hours a fortnight while course is in session, unlimited out of session; no work before course starts. Temporary Graduate visa (485) may follow.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"dependants","label":"Family members","text":"Partner and dependent children can be included or apply later; declare all family members. They need OSHC, funds, and health and character checks.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"on_arrival","label":"After you arrive","text":"OSHC must start on the day you arrive, not the course start date; you may be refused entry without it.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-09-15"}],"fees":[{"kind":"government_fee","label":"Visa fee (government)","amount":2500,"currency":"AUD","period":"one-off","up_to":false,"text":"From AUD2,500 for the main applicant, plus a charge per family member; lower cost for eligible Pacific, Timor-Leste and ASEAN citizens. Health, police, biometrics costs extra. The figure is stated from 1 July 2026; the Migration Regulations 1994 (Schedule 1, item 1222, compilation of 1 July 2026) set the base application charge at AUD2,500 and the charge for each further applicant at AUD1,530 (aged 18 or over) or AUD500 (under 18). The charge is not refunded if the visa is refused.","source_url":"https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-move/your-guide-to-visas/student-visa-subclass-500","checked_at":"2026-10-13"},{"kind":"biometric_fee","label":"Biometrics fee","amount":null,"currency":null,"period":null,"up_to":false,"text":"Health, police, biometrics costs extra.","source_url":"https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-move/your-guide-to-visas/student-visa-subclass-500","checked_at":"2026-10-13"}],"how_to_apply":[{"key":"how_application","label":"How the application is lodged","text":"You create or log in to ImmiAccount, fill in the online application and attach your documents there. Biometrics may be requested after you submit.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-10-06","portal_url":"https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login","portal_name":"ImmiAccount"},{"key":"how_payment","label":"How the fee is paid","text":"The visa application charge is paid online in ImmiAccount when you submit the application. Accepted methods include credit or debit card, PayPal, UnionPay and BPAY.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/applying-online-or-on-paper/online/how-to-pay","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_tracking","label":"Following your application","text":"You follow your application and any requests for information in your ImmiAccount. The Department asks you not to contact it while the application is within standard processing times.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-10-13","tracking_url":"https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login"},{"key":"how_processing_time","label":"Processing time, as the application page states it","text":"Home Affairs aims to start processing offshore student applications within 1 to 4 weeks for Priority 1, 5 to 8 weeks for Priority 2 and 9 to 12 weeks for Priority 3; the priority depends on your education provider. Recent figures are in the visa processing time guide tool.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/visa-processing-priorities/student-visa","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_decision_and_passport","label":"The decision and your passport","text":"The decision is sent in writing with your visa grant number, expiry date and conditions. The visa is linked digitally to your passport and no label is put in the passport, so you keep your passport.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_additional_documents","label":"If more documents are asked for","text":"If the Department asks for more information, it appears in ImmiAccount and you should reply promptly by attaching the documents there; you do not need to wait for the deadline.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500","checked_at":"2026-10-06"}],"steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Enrol and get a CoE","detail":"Enrol in a full-time CRICOS-registered course and get a Confirmation of Enrolment for every intended course.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500"},{"n":2,"title":"Arrange OSHC","detail":"Buy Overseas Student Health Cover for you and family members for the whole stay, starting from arrival, unless exempt.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500"},{"n":3,"title":"Prepare evidence","detail":"Gather identity documents, Genuine Student answers, financial capacity and English evidence if the checklist asks; translate non-English documents into English.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500"},{"n":4,"title":"Health exams (optional before applying)","detail":"You may complete required health examinations before you apply.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500"},{"n":5,"title":"Apply online in ImmiAccount","detail":"Create or log in to ImmiAccount, attach documents and pay the charge (from AUD2,500 for the main applicant).","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500"},{"n":6,"title":"Biometrics and health checks if asked","detail":"If requested, give biometrics within 14 days and before travel; follow any health exam referral in ImmiAccount.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500"},{"n":7,"title":"Wait for the decision","detail":"Use the processing time guide; offshore applications are prioritised under a Ministerial Direction. Keep a valid CoE until decided.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500"},{"n":8,"title":"Travel","detail":"Bring a valid visa and passport; OSHC must be in place from arrival. Complete the Incoming Passenger Card.","source_url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500"}],"not_stated_on_the_official_pages":[],"applicant_country_pages":[{"country":"PK","name":"Pakistan","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/au/student-visa/from/pakistan"}]}