In short: To study in Australia as an international student you apply for: Student visa (subclass 500). Apply online through ImmiAccount. From AUD2,500 for the main applicant, plus a charge per family member; lower cost for eligible Pacific, Timor-Leste and ASEAN citizens. No fixed time; use the processing time guide tool. Every line on this page was read on an official page, which is linked beside it; the facts were last checked on 13 October 2026.
| Visa or permit | Student visa (subclass 500) |
|---|---|
| Application fee | AUD 2,500 one-off (studyaustralia.gov.au) |
| Money to show | AUD 29,710 12 months living costs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) |
| Processing time | No fixed time; use the processing time guide tool. (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) |
| Where you apply | Apply online through ImmiAccount. (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) |
| Last checked |
Authority: Department of Home Affairs. Official portal: Australian Home Affairs.
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for all intended courses, valid at lodgement and at decision.
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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: studyaustralia.gov.au · checked on
| Charge | Amount | What the official page says | Source, checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (government) | AUD 2,500 one-off | 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. | studyaustralia.gov.au, 13 October 2026 |
| Biometrics fee | amount not stated on the official page | Health, police, biometrics costs extra. | studyaustralia.gov.au, 13 October 2026 |
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: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
You create or log in to ImmiAccount, fill in the online application and attach your documents there. Biometrics may be requested after you submit.
ImmiAccount: online.immi.gov.au
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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.
Official tracking page: online.immi.gov.au
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
Steps as read on the official pages; checked on 15 September 2026.
No fixed time; use the processing time guide tool. Offshore applications lodged from 14 November 2025 follow Ministerial Direction 115 priorities.
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
Biometrics may be requested after submission; arrange an appointment within 14 days and before travelling to Australia.
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
Applicants and family members aged 16+ must meet the character requirement; police certificates may be requested at extra cost.
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
Translate all non-English documents into English. Translators in Australia must be NAATI-accredited; translators outside must state their qualifications and experience.
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
Documents do not need to be certified; no apostille requirement is stated.
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
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: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
Partner and dependent children can be included or apply later; declare all family members. They need OSHC, funds, and health and character checks.
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
OSHC must start on the day you arrive, not the course start date; you may be refused entry without it.
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · checked on
The official pages say more for applicants in: Pakistan.
Which office handles applications from some other countries, as the official pages state:
ForiForeign prepares your student visa application with you and guides you through each step: the documents, the forms and the order to do them in. You file the application yourself with the authority named above, and that authority decides. ForiForeign is not a visa office or an agent of Australia, and no one can promise a visa. Rules, fees and dates change: confirm each one on the official page linked beside it before you pay or travel.
The same facts for software and AI assistants: /facts/visa/au.json.
ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.
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