Find out about the Student visa (subclass 500) including study types, work restrictions and fees.
Types of study covered
The student (subclass 500) visa allows you to study the following study types:
- higher education
- Vocational and Education Training (VET)
- pathway courses
- English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
- primary and secondary school
- secondary school exchange programs
- postgraduate research
- non-award courses (such as Study Abroad and Exchange semesters), and
- International students sponsored by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) or Defence.
- You will need to enrol in a course at an Australian education or training provider first and then apply for a student visa after you have been issued a confirmation of
enrolment (CoE) from the provider. For more information on applying for courses, visit the How to Apply to study page
Fees and processing time
In Australia, student visa fees are from AUD$2,000 per visa application unless you are exempt. Australian student visa processing times vary from person to person. Visa processing times are available on the Department of Home Affairs website. You can also get tips on how to improve your processing time.
Student visa conditions
Your Student visa comes with some important conditions. These include that you must:
- Notify your education or training provider of your residential address within 7 days of arriving in Australia
- meet your course requirements, remain enrolled, do and maintain satisfactory attendance, and complete course progression – tell your provider if you are sick or have any other issues that may affect your attendance
- maintain adequate health insurance for visa holders for the whole of your stay in Australia, and
- not overstay your visa period in Australia.
You can check your visa status and the full list of conditions any time at the Department of Home Affairs Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO).
Student visa work rights and restrictions
Student visa holders have working rights while in Australia. The number of work hours allowed on a Student visa in Australia is a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight. If you fail to comply with this visa condition, you may have your student visa cancelled.
This limit on work hours applies to all of the following times:
- during study terms and semesters, including when exams are being held
- before your course starts (unless you hold a different visa that permits you to work prior)
- When you take another course that will count towards your main course during a term break, this is a mandatory requirement as listed under CRICOS for your main course.
At other times, you can work unlimited hours on a Student visa, as follows:
- During scheduled course breaks
- If your course was deferred or suspended in line with Standard 9 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students
- If you hold a valid visa and have completed your course as listed on your Confirmation of Enrolment
- If your enrolment has been cancelled due to the default of your education provider, until you get a new enrolment and start that course.
Students in a Master's by Research or Doctoral degree program may work more than 48 hours per fortnight at any time during their studies, after the course has started.
Check the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO) to see the work conditions that apply to you.
International students are protected by Australia's workplace laws. Find out more on our Working in Australia page.
Course packaging’ on a Student visa (subclass 500)
You can apply to study two or more courses on your Student visa (subclass 500) where there is clear progression from one course to another. This is known as course packaging.
You will need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course you plan to take. The final course in your package will be your main (or ‘principal’) course of study.
For your visa application, the Department of Home Affairs will use your main course of study to work out what evidence of finances and English language you need to provide at lodgment. If you are not required to provide evidence of finances and English language at lodgment, the Department of Home Affairs may still ask you to provide this while they are processing your application. For more information, visit the Document Checklist Tool.
If your Student visa application includes a package of courses, course gaps must be less than two calendar months. This gap can be longer (three to four months) if:
- The first course finishes at the end of the Australian academic year (November), and
- The following course starts at the beginning of the next academic year (February).
Standard visa grant periods apply to packaged courses. To learn more about the most popular pathway (or packaged study) options, visit our Pathways page.
Applications lodged outside Australia
Student visa applicants with a genuine intention to study in Australia are welcome to apply for a Student visa from offshore (outside Australia).
Applications lodged inside Australia
Holders of certain visas, including Visitor, Temporary Graduate, and Maritime Crew visas, cannot apply for Student visas while in Australia.
Make sure your visa application is complete.
You must lodge a visa application as early as possible and make sure your application is complete.
Applications from students already in Australia now require a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Not providing a CoE at the time of application will make an application invalid.
Visa processing takes longer if applications contain incorrect information or if documents are missing. Your visa may even be refused. Find out more here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1 What is the Student Visa Subclass 500?
The Student Visa Subclass 500 allows international students to study full-time at a registered educational institution in Australia. It permits students to stay in Australia for the duration of their course, usually up to 5 years.
Q.2 Which types of study programs are covered under the Subclass 500 visa?
This visa allows students to enroll in programs such as higher education, Vocational Education and Training (VET), pathway courses, ELICOS, primary and secondary school, exchange programs, postgraduate research, and non-award courses.
Q.3 What is the visa application fee for the Student Visa Subclass 500?
The student visa application fee in Australia generally starts from AUD $1,600 per application, unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption.
Q.4 How many hours can international students work on a Subclass 500 visa?
Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study terms. If students exceed this limit, their visa may be cancelled.
Q.5 Can family members accompany a student on a Subclass 500 visa?
Yes, students can include family members such as their spouse or dependent children in the same visa application or add them later as subsequent entrants.
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