Planning to study in Australia? The Student Visa Subclass 500 is the visa you’ll need, and getting your documents right the first time saves weeks of stress. This guide breaks down eligibility, the paperwork, fees, and timelines in plain English — no jargon, just what you actually need to know.
Whether you’re applying from Rajasthan, Punjab, or anywhere else, working with a Registered Migration Agent takes the guesswork out of a process that trips up thousands of genuine students every year over small, avoidable mistakes.
What Is the Student Visa 500?
Student Visa 500 lets you live in Australia full-time while studying at a CRICOS-registered course — schools, vocational training, or university. It also comes with limited work rights, so you can support yourself while you study.
This single subclass replaced the old system of separate visas for schools, universities, and training providers, which makes the 500 Visa the go-to option no matter what level you’re studying at.
Who Can Apply for Visa Subclass 500?
You’re eligible if you’ve been offered a place in a full-time CRICOS-registered course and can show you’re a genuine student, not just using study as a backdoor into Australia.
Here’s the core eligibility checklist:
- Hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your education provider
- Meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirement (this replaced the older “Genuine Temporary Entrant” test back in March 2024)
- Show adequate financial capacity for tuition, living costs, and travel
- Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your entire visa period
- Meet the English language requirement (usually IELTS 5.5–6.0 overall, depending on your course)
- Pass health and character checks
Student Visa Subclass 500 Conditions: What You Need to Know
Subclass 500 comes with a set of conditions attached to your grant, and breaking them can put your visa at risk. The main ones cover study progress, work hours, and health insurance.
Key conditions include:
- Course enrolment – you must stay enrolled in a registered course and maintain satisfactory attendance and academic progress
- Work limit – up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time, with no cap during official scheduled breaks
- OSHC – you must maintain valid health cover for the full length of your stay
- Address updates – you must notify your provider of any address change within 7 days
- Visa validity – generally granted for the length of your course, up to five years
Ignoring these Student Visa Subclass 500 Conditions is one of the most common reasons visas get cancelled, so keep records and don’t cut corners.
Student Visa 500 Checklist: Documents You’ll Need
A clean, complete application moves faster. Here’s your Student Visa 500 Checklist before you lodge anything through ImmiAccount:
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your CRICOS-registered provider
- Valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity
- Genuine Student statement and supporting evidence
- Proof of financial capacity (bank statements, education loan, scholarship letter)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) confirmation
- English test results (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or equivalent)
- Passport-sized photographs
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Police clearance certificate(s)
- Health examination results, once requested by the Department
If you’re bringing a partner or children, add their passports, relationship evidence, and any relevant school enrolment documents for dependants.
Not sure which documents apply to your situation? Talk to our Registered Migration Agent in Adelaide today for a personalised checklist and a free eligibility check before you spend a single dollar on your application.
How Much Does Student Visa Subclass 500 Cost?
The Student Visa Subclass 500 costs from AUD $2,500 for the main applicant, with concessions applying in limited circumstances. There is also a separate charge for each family member who applies for the visa.
You might also have to pay other costs for:
- Health checks
- Police certificates
- Biometrics
To work out what your visa will cost, use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the other costs listed above.
How Long Does Visa 500 Processing Take?
Processing time for Visa 500 depends on your passport country, course level, and how complete your application is. Straightforward, well-documented cases move faster than incomplete ones.
Most applications are decided within a few weeks to a few months, but complex cases with missing evidence or unclear financials can take considerably longer. Home Affairs updates official processing time estimates monthly, so check before you plan flights or accommodation.
Latest Policy Update (1 July 2026)
From 1 July 2026, the Department of Home Affairs increased the Student Visa 500 base application charge to AUD $2,500 for the primary applicant, as part of a broader round of visa fee indexation across skilled, partner, and student categories. Budget for this higher upfront cost before you lodge.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Student Visa 500
- Get your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your chosen institution
- Purchase OSHC covering your full intended stay
- Gather your financial, academic, and English test evidence
- Create an ImmiAccount and complete the online application
- Pay the visa application charge
- Complete health checks and biometrics if requested
- Wait for a decision and respond promptly to any follow-up requests
Why Work With an Immigration Agent Adelaide?
Even a strong application can be delayed or refused over a small documentation gap or a poorly explained Genuine Student statement. An experienced Migration Agent Adelaide reviews your case against current Home Affairs benchmarks before you lodge, not after something goes wrong.
Our MARA-registered agent works through your paperwork line by line, flags weak points in your financial evidence early, and keeps your application aligned with the latest policy changes – so you’re not caught out by rules that shifted after you last checked.
Ready to Apply for Your Student Visa 500?
Don’t risk a refusal over paperwork you could have gotten right the first time. Book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agent in Adelaide and get a clear, personalised roadmap for your Student Visa Subclass 500 application today.
FAQs
1. What is the minimum bank balance for Student Visa 500?
You need to show access to at least AUD $29,710 for 12 months of living costs, on top of tuition and travel. This threshold is reviewed and indexed periodically.
2. Can I work on a Student Visa Subclass 500?
Yes, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term and unlimited hours during official course breaks. Your work rights are tied directly to maintaining your enrolment.
3. How long is Subclass 500 valid for?
It’s usually granted for the length of your course, up to a maximum of five years. The exact duration depends on your CoE and course level.
4. Do I need OSHC before applying for Visa 500?
Yes, Overseas Student Health Cover is mandatory for the entire duration of your visa. You’ll need proof of cover as part of your application.
5. What happens if I breach my Student Visa Subclass 500 Conditions?
Breaching conditions like the work-hour limit or course attendance can lead to visa cancellation. It’s important to keep records and address any issues with your provider early.
6. Do I need a migration agent to apply?
It’s not compulsory, but a Registered Migration Agent significantly reduces the risk of refusal due to documentation errors. This matters most if your case involves gaps in study, a previous refusal, or complex financial evidence.