Subclass 500
The Subclass 500 visa is the gateway to Australia’s world-class education system.
The 500 Student Visa
The Subclass 500 is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years (6 years for some postgraduate research) to participate in a full-time course of study.
Whether you are pursuing ELICOS, schools, VET, Higher Education, or Postgraduate Research, this visa can help you pursue your academic dreams.
Key Factors:
- Genuine Student Requirement: The Department assesses your ties to your home country, economic circumstances, course value, and immigration history.
- Sufficient Funds: You must demonstrate genuine access to funds covering travel, 12 months of living costs ($29,710 AUD in 2026), and your tuition fees.
- OSHC: You must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover for the entire duration of your visa.
Higher Education & VET
What it is for: Diplomas, Bachelor's, Master's degrees, and Vocational certificates (VET).
What it allows: Stay for the duration of the course; work up to 48 hours per fortnight; include family.
Key Requirements:
- A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
- Meet English requirements (e.g., IELTS 6.0 for Higher Ed, 5.5 for VET).
- Satisfy the GS requirement specific to the career outcome of the course.
Length of Stay: Generally up to 5 years.
Postgraduate Research
What it is for: Masters by Research or PhD students.
What it allows: Extended stay; unlimited work rights for the primary applicant once the course commences.
Key Requirements:
- Research proposal and academic transcripts.
- A letter of support or CoE from the university.
Length of Stay: Up to 6 years.
Independent ELICOS
What it is for: Standalone English language intensive courses.
What it allows: Full-time English study; work up to 48 hours per fortnight.
Key Requirements:
- CoE for an ELICOS course.
- Strong GS justification for why English study is required.
Length of Stay: Duration of the course (usually up to 2 years).
Schools & Exchange
What it is for: Primary or secondary school students and exchange participants.
What it allows: Study in an Australian school; welfare arrangements must be in place if under 18.
Key Requirements:
- AASES form (for exchange) or CoE (for schools).
- Welfare and accommodation approval (CAAW).
Length of Stay: Duration of the school program.
Maintaining compliance
- Condition 8105 (Work): You must not work more than 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. Work is unlimited during scheduled course breaks.
- Condition 8202 (Academic): You must maintain enrolment in a registered course, satisfactory attendance, and course progress. You must remain in a course at the same or higher AQF level.
- Condition 8533 (Contact): You must notify your education provider of your Australian residential address within 7 days of arriving in Australia and update them within 7 days of any change.
- Condition 8501 (Health): You must maintain adequate OSHC for yourself and all family members for the duration of your stay.
The 500 Application Process
Enrolment
Secure your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered provider.
Evidence Gathering
Collect your GS evidence, English test results, and financial documents.
Lodgement
Submit your application via ImmiAccount. You must include all CoE codes if you are applying for a packaged course.
Health & Biometrics
Complete any requested medical examinations and provide biometrics.
Finalisation
Once the Department assesses your GS status and processing priority, the visa is decided.
For 500 Visa Applicants
The Subclass 500 is a study-first visa. If the Department suspects the primary purpose of your stay is work rather than education, the application will be refused under the GS criteria. At Immilex, we assess your "Statement of Purpose" and educational gaps to ensure they are logically explained and supported by evidence.
It is also important to plan for Packaged Courses. If you are taking a "foundation" or "English" course before your main degree, you must provide CoEs for the entire package at the time of lodgement to receive a visa for the full duration.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must maintain satisfactory progress to comply with Condition 8202. If your provide rreports you for unsatisfactory progress, your visa may be subject to cancellation.
Yes. Even if your family members are not traveling to Australia, you may still be required to show that you have the financial capacity to support them in your home country while you study.
No, you cannot make a valid application for a Student visa if you hold a Visitor visa (600) or an ETA (601) while inside Australia. You must apply from offshore.
Yes. If family members are included in the application, you must show you have the financial capacity to support them, including school costs for any school-aged children.
Yes, but you must remain in a course at the same or higher AQF level. If you move to a lower-level course, you may breach your student visa condition (some exemptions apply).