Overview
What is the Subclass 500 Student Visa?
The Subclass 500 Student Visa is the visa that makes it possible to study in Australia. It allows international students to enrol full-time in a CRICOS-registered course — from English language programs to undergraduate degrees, postgraduate study, and PhDs.
Beyond the classroom, the student visa gives you the right to work part-time, bring eligible family members, and most importantly — build the foundation for a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. Thousands of Indian students use this visa every year as their first step toward a life in Australia.
The rules around student visas have changed significantly since 2024. The old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement was replaced with the new Genuine Student (GS) requirement, and visa fees have increased substantially. Understanding these changes — and getting your application right the first time — is critical.
Fee update — 1 July 2026: The Subclass 500 application fee increased to AUD $2,500 from 1 July 2026. This is the highest student visa fee in Australian history, reflecting the government's efforts to manage international student numbers. Fees are non-refundable once the application is lodged — getting the application right the first time matters more than ever.
Eligibility
Who can apply for the Subclass 500?
To be eligible for the Subclass 500 Student Visa, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) — You must hold a valid CoE from a CRICOS-registered Australian education provider. The name on your CoE must exactly match your passport — even minor discrepancies can trigger delays or refusals.
Genuine Student (GS) Requirement — You must complete the Genuine Student assessment as part of your application. This involves answering targeted questions about your study motivation, why your chosen course suits your background and career goals, and how you plan to comply with visa conditions. This replaced the old GTE statement in March 2024 and is now the most critical part of your application.
Financial capacity — You must demonstrate funds of at least AUD $29,710 per year for living costs, plus full tuition fees and return airfare. Additional amounts apply for family members: AUD $10,394 for a spouse and AUD $4,449 per dependent child.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — You must hold OSHC for the full duration of your visa. OSHC is a mandatory health insurance requirement for all international students in Australia.
English language proficiency — Most courses require a minimum IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent PTE, TOEFL, or OET). English language school enrolments may require IELTS 5.0. Packaged ELICOS plus degree programs require a minimum IELTS 5.0. Check your institution's specific requirements.
Health and character requirements — You may need to undergo a health examination with a DHA-approved panel physician. You must also satisfy Australian character requirements.
Age — There is no upper age limit for the Subclass 500. However, applicants under 18 must have welfare arrangements in place before the visa is granted.
Key Requirement
The Genuine Student Requirement
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement is the most important part of the Subclass 500 application. Introduced in March 2024, it replaced the older Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test.
The GS requirement asks you to demonstrate that your primary reason for coming to Australia is to study — not to work, not to stay permanently, and not to access Australia through the back door. The Department of Home Affairs assesses this through a series of targeted questions in your online application.
Key things the GS assessment looks at:
Why this course? — How does your chosen course relate to your previous education and work experience? Does it make logical sense for your career?
Why Australia? — Why are you studying in Australia and not in your home country or another destination?
Career goals — How will this qualification benefit you when you return home or in your chosen career?
Compliance with conditions — Do you understand your visa conditions and do you intend to comply with them?
JRM Migration tip: A weak or generic GS response is the single most common cause of student visa refusal in 2026. Every response should be specific, genuine, and tailored to your individual background. We help our clients prepare compelling GS responses that clearly demonstrate their genuine student intent.
Documents Required
What documents do you need?
Every document in your application should support your claim that you are a genuine student with the financial capacity and intent to complete your studies in Australia.
Valid passport — current and all previous passports
Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE)
Genuine Student (GS) responses — completed online
English test results — IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or OET
Bank statements — showing sufficient funds (3–6 months)
Evidence of funds source — salary slips, business income, sponsor letter
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) certificate
Academic transcripts and certificates — all previous qualifications
Work experience documents — if relevant to your course
Statement of Purpose — explaining your study plan and goals
Health examination results — if required for your nationality
Police clearance certificate — for applicants 16 years and over
Birth certificate — for dependent children
Marriage certificate — if including spouse as dependent
Fees
How much does the student visa cost?
| Applicant Type |
Fee (AUD) — from 1 July 2026 |
| Primary applicant (student) | $2,500 |
| Additional applicant aged 18 or over | $625 |
| Additional applicant under 18 | $625 |
| Priority processing (optional) | $1,000 extra |
In addition to the visa application charge, you should budget for: OSHC insurance (approximately $500–$700 per year), health examination ($300–$500), English test fees ($300–$400), and police clearances. All government fees are non-refundable once the application is lodged.
Financial requirement reminder: You must demonstrate AUD $29,710 per year for living costs — plus your full tuition fees and return airfare. If bringing a spouse: add AUD $10,394. For each dependent child: add AUD $4,449. These figures are updated annually by the government.
Processing Times
How long does it take in 2026?
Processing times for the Subclass 500 vary depending on your country of passport, the education sector, and how complete your application is. Apply as early as possible — ideally 3 months before your course start date.
Indian Applicants
4 – 6 weeks
Typical offshore processing for Indian nationals in 2026. Apply at least 12 weeks before your course start date.
General — 50th percentile
29 days
50% of all applications decided within 29 days with complete documentation from lower-risk countries.
General — 90th percentile
56 days
90% of all applications finalised within 56 days. Complex cases or incomplete applications take significantly longer.
Priority Processing
3 – 5 days
Available for an additional AUD $1,000. Useful for urgent situations — not always granted.
Visa Conditions
What can and can't you do on a student visa?
✅Study full-time at your enrolled CRICOS-registered institution
✅Work up to 48 hours per fortnight during your enrolled study period
✅Work unlimited hours during official scheduled course breaks
✅Masters by Research and PhD students — unlimited work hours at all times
✅Bring your spouse/partner and dependent children as secondary applicants
✅Travel in and out of Australia during the validity of the visa
✅Apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) after completing your studies
❌Work before your course officially commences — work rights begin from course start
❌Work more than 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session
❌Change to a different course without notifying your institution and potentially DHA
❌Fail to maintain satisfactory course attendance — minimum 80% required
❌Access Australian government welfare or social security benefits
Pathway to PR
Student Visa to Permanent Residency — how it works
One of the biggest advantages of studying in Australia is the clear pathway from student visa to permanent residency. Thousands of Indian graduates make this journey every year.
1
Student Visa — Subclass 500
Study full-time at a CRICOS-registered institution. Choose your course carefully — your field of study directly affects your PR eligibility later.
2
Graduate Temporary Visa — Subclass 485
After graduation, apply for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa. This gives you 2 to 6 years to live and work in Australia — depending on your qualification level and study location.
3
Build your points and experience
Work in your nominated occupation, improve your English score, and accumulate Australian work experience — all of which add points toward a skilled visa.
4
Skilled Migration — Subclass 189 or 190
Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. When invited, apply for permanent residency. The earlier you plan this step, the better your chances.
5
Australian Permanent Residency
Once your skilled visa is granted, you are a permanent resident. After meeting the residency requirement, you can apply for citizenship.
Planning tip: The course you choose matters enormously. Occupations in high demand — nursing, engineering, trades, IT — have a much better chance of receiving an invitation through SkillSelect. Before you enrol, speak to us about which courses give you the strongest PR pathway.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does the student visa cost in 2026? +
From 1 July 2026, the primary applicant fee is AUD $2,500. This is a significant increase from previous years. Additional applicants each pay AUD $625. Priority processing costs an extra AUD $1,000. On top of the visa fee, you will need to budget for OSHC, health examinations, English tests, and police clearances. All fees are non-refundable once lodged.
What is the Genuine Student requirement and how do I pass it? +
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the old GTE statement in March 2024. It requires you to answer targeted questions online about why you want to study in Australia, why you chose your specific course, how it relates to your background and career goals, and how you intend to comply with your visa conditions. There is no separate written statement — it is all done through structured questions in ImmiAccount. The key to passing is being specific, genuine, and consistent. Vague or generic answers are the most common reason for refusals. We help all our student visa clients prepare strong GS responses.
Can I work while studying in Australia? +
Yes — student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (two weeks) while their course is in session. During official scheduled course breaks, there is no hours limit — you can work as much as you like. Masters by Research and PhD students have no work hour restriction at any time. Work cannot commence until your course officially begins. Australia's minimum wage is approximately AUD $24.10 per hour, making part-time work a realistic way to cover living expenses.
How much money do I need to show for the student visa? +
For 2026, you must demonstrate AUD $29,710 per year for living costs for the primary applicant, plus your full tuition fees and return airfare. If you are bringing a spouse or de facto partner, add AUD $10,394. For each dependent child, add AUD $4,449. These amounts are set by the government and updated annually. You can demonstrate funds through personal bank accounts, scholarship letters, financial sponsor declarations, or a combination of these.
Can my student visa lead to permanent residency? +
Yes — Australia has a well-established pathway from student visa to permanent residency. After graduation, most students apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), which gives you 2 to 6 years to live and work in Australia. During this time, you build Australian work experience and accumulate points toward a skilled migration visa, which leads directly to permanent residency. Choosing the right course and occupation from the start significantly improves your PR prospects.
How long does the student visa take to process for Indian applicants? +
Indian applicants typically wait 4 to 6 weeks for a decision in 2026. Priority processing is available for an additional AUD $1,000 and can reduce this to 3 to 5 business days in some cases. We recommend applying at least 12 weeks before your course start date to allow enough time for processing and any requests for further information. A complete, well-prepared application is the best way to avoid delays.
Can I bring my family to Australia on a student visa? +
Yes — your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included in your student visa application as secondary applicants. Your spouse may be entitled to work in Australia depending on your level of study. Children of secondary applicants are generally entitled to study at primary and secondary school at the same rate as Australian students. You will need to demonstrate additional financial capacity for each family member included.
Why JRM Migration
Why use JRM Migration for your student visa?
With student visa fees now at $2,500 and the Genuine Student requirement more important than ever, getting your application right the first time is critical. A refusal is expensive and can affect future visa applications.
At JRM Migration, we guide students through every step — from choosing the right course and institution, to preparing a strong GS response, to lodging a complete, decision-ready application. We understand the specific challenges Indian students face and we prepare applications that directly address them.
We consult in English, Punjabi, and Hindi. Our first consultation is completely free.