Australia Student Visa Process in 2026
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Seeking Australian student visa, here's how to apply, the required documents, processing times and processing fee
Australia’s student visa rules have changed several times since this guide was first written. This version covers the subclass 500 student visa as it stands in 2026, so use it as a starting point and confirm the details on the Department of Home Affairs website before you apply.
Three changes matter most. Since 23 March 2024, applicants must meet the Genuine Student requirement, which replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant test. From 1 July 2026, the student visa application charge is AUD 2,500, up from AUD 2,000, and the Temporary Graduate visa charge is AUD 5,750, up from AUD 4,600. And a single applicant must show AUD 29,710 for 12 months of living costs, on top of tuition fees and travel.
Best wishes for an amazing academic journey!
Types of visa for Australia
Australia offers visas for various purposes. Here are some common types:
Student Visa (Subclass 500)
This visa category allows international students to pursue full-time studies at registered educational institutions in Australia. The programmes are wide ranging and include higher education, vocational education and training, and English language courses. The visa lets you work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session, and without that limit during scheduled course breaks. The visa’s duration depends on the course length.
Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)
This visa is for parents or legal guardians of international students under 18 years of age studying in Australia. This visa allows the guardians to accompany their wards and provide care and support during their studies. The eligibility criteria include being at least 21 years of age, possessing adequate financial means, and meeting health and character requirements. The visa duration is typically aligned with the student's visa or till the student turns 18. This visa does not provide working rights, though it allows limited study. Adequate health insurance coverage and financial resources are required, and compliance with visa conditions is essential.
Training visa (Subclass 407)
This is a temporary visa curated for individuals who want to undertake workplace-based training to enhance their skills and knowledge in a specific occupation, industry, or field of expertise. It allows applicants to participate in structured training programmes provided by approved Australian organisations, enabling them to acquire practical experience and improve their skills.
This visa requires sponsorship by an eligible organisation and has various streams, including Occupational Training, Professional Development, and Research Activities. The visa’s duration depends on the nature and length of the training programme, and requires applicants to meet specific criteria related to qualifications, English language proficiency, and health insurance.
Student visa prerequisites
Certain prerequisites must be fulfilled and requirements met to be eligible for an Australian student visa. Here are the main requirements:
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): You must have a valid Confirmation of Enrolment issued by an Australian educational institution. The CoE confirms you have been accepted into a registered course of study.
Genuine Student requirement: Since 23 March 2024 you must show that you are a genuine student who intends to study in Australia. Your circumstances, your study plans and your reasons for choosing your course and provider are assessed. This replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement.
Financial capacity: You must show evidence of sufficient funds. For 12 months, that is AUD 29,710 for a single applicant, plus AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 for each child who comes with you, on top of your tuition fees and travel costs. The funds must be genuinely available to you.
English Language Proficiency: You will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency through a test such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic. Home Affairs sets a minimum score for the visa, and universities set their own requirements, which are often higher.
Health and character requirements: You will be required to undergo a medical examination to demonstrate you meet the country’s health requirements. You must also provide a police clearance certificate or evidence of good character.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): International students must have health insurance coverage called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their stay in Australia.
Documents required for an Australia Student Visa
Here are some commonly required documents for an Australian student visa:
Valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Your Genuine Student responses, completed in the online application
Valid passport
Completed visa application form
English language proficiency test results
Financial documents
Health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover - OSHC)
Academic documents (transcripts, certificates, diplomas)
Character documents (police clearance certificates)
Biometric data (fingerprints, photographs) for certain nationalities
Australia student visa fees
The base application charges below apply from 1 July 2026. Additional applicants, such as a partner or children, pay separate charges, so use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for your exact total.
| Visa type | Base application charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa (subclass 500) | AUD 2,500 | Up from AUD 2,000 before 1 July 2026 |
| Student visa (subclass 500) for citizens of ASEAN countries, Pacific countries and Timor-Leste | AUD 2,050 | Reduced charge |
| Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Post-Higher Education Work stream | AUD 5,750 | Up from AUD 4,600 before 1 July 2026 |
| Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Second Post-Higher Education Work stream | AUD 2,265 | For graduates who study and live in regional areas |
| Student Guardian (subclass 590) and Training visa (subclass 407) | See the Visa Pricing Estimator | Charges differ by applicant |
How to apply for a student visa for Australia
The Australia student visa application process is typically completed online through the official Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
Apply as soon as you hold your Confirmation of Enrolment, and well before your course starts. Processing times change throughout the year, so check the current figures on the Home Affairs website, and allow extra time for peak application periods. Also check the validity of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to ensure it covers the course duration.
Here is a step-by-step guide to the Australia student visa application process:
Research and select a course of study and an educational institution that is registered and recognised by the Australian government.
Check and fulfil the admission requirements set by the educational institution you are applying to, including academic qualifications, English language proficiency, and any other specific prerequisites.
Once accepted into a course, obtain the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) document issued by the educational institution, which is essential for your visa application.
Prepare the necessary documents for the application, including evidence of your funds.
Create an ImmiAccount on the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs and complete the online application form for the student visa (Subclass 500). Provide accurate and complete information, including your answers to the Genuine Student questions.
Pay the required visa application fee online through the ImmiAccount portal.
Depending on your country of residence and duration of stay, you may need to undergo a medical examination. You will receive instructions on how to complete this process.
Ensure all documents are in the prescribed format and meet the specified requirements, upload them, and submit the application.
Depending on your nationality, you may be required to provide biometric data (fingerprints and photographs) at a designated location. Follow the instructions provided on your application or on the official website.
Use your ImmiAccount to track the progress of your application. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information or documents from the Department of Home Affairs.
You will receive a decision on your visa application once it has been thoroughly assessed. You will be notified if approved, and your visa grant letter will be electronically provided. Ensure your health insurance is active and plan your arrival according to the course start date.
What can you study in Australia as an international student?
The Subclass 500 student visa allows international students in Australia to pursue a wide range of programmes in various sectors. Here are some of the programmes and sectors eligible for a student visa holder under Subclass 500:
Higher Education: This includes university-level courses such as:
Master's degree
Postgraduate diploma
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral degree
Vocational Education and Training (VET): This sector offers practical and skill-based training courses such as certificates, diplomas, and advanced diplomas. It covers areas pertaining to business, hospitality, automotive, construction, beauty, and more.
English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students: Collectively termed ELICOS, these courses are designed to improve English language skills and are typically taken before or alongside other courses. They can range from short-term intensive programmes to longer-term courses.
Schools: The student visa allows international students to study at primary or secondary schools in Australia, including government and non-government schools.
Non-Award Courses or Bridging Programmes: These are non-degree courses taken for skill enhancement, professional development, or as a prerequisite for further studies.
Foundation Studies: They prepare students for entry into university-level courses, and provide a strong academic foundation in subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science.
Research: You qualify for a student visa if you are pursuing research-based programmes such as a Master's or a Ph.D.
Professional Development Programmes: These focus on specific professional fields in areas such as business, finance, healthcare, IT, engineering, and more.
Australia student visa processing time
The processing time for an Australian student visa varies with the sector of your course, your country of application, the time of year and the volume of applications received. Home Affairs publishes current global visa processing times by visa and sector, so check the latest figure when you apply rather than relying on an older estimate.
Australia student-dependent visa
Your immediate family members can join you in Australia during your course of study. Eligible family members are your spouse or de facto partner and your dependent children. They are included as secondary applicants on a Subclass 500 application, either together with your own application or separately afterwards, and the process is generally completed online.
You must show additional funds to support your family members: AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 for each child, on top of the AUD 29,710 for yourself. Health insurance is mandatory for every family member. The visa duration matches your own student visa, and the work and study conditions for your family members depend on your course, so check the conditions on their visa grant.
FAQs
Q1. What English score do I need for an Australia student visa? Home Affairs sets a minimum English test score for the student visa, and universities set their own requirements, which are usually higher. For postgraduate programmes, universities commonly ask for an overall IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 with no band score below 6. Check the exact requirement with your university and course.
Q2. What PTE score is required for an Australian student visa? Universities set their own PTE Academic minimums. For postgraduate courses these are commonly an overall score between 58 and 65, so check your university and programme.
Q3. How can funds for a student visa in Australia be shown? They can be shown through the applicant's personal savings, financial support from parents or legal guardians, scholarships or grants, relatives or friends acting as sponsors, government or employer sponsorship, or loans from financial institutions. Regardless of the source, applicants must provide genuine evidence of their financial capacity to cover expenses during their stay.
Q4. How much money do I need to show for an Australian student visa? For 12 months, you must show AUD 29,710 for yourself, plus AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 for each child who comes with you. This is on top of your tuition fees and travel costs.
Q5. What are the medical requirements for obtaining an Australian student visa? Applicants may need to undergo a medical examination conducted by an approved physician panel. The examination typically includes physical assessments, blood tests, urine tests, and chest X-rays. Applicants are responsible for paying the medical examination fees directly to the doctors or clinics conducting the tests. The fees vary by clinic and by country.
How to finance your education in Australia as an international student
Financing education in Australia as an international student can be tricky, as high tuition and living costs are usually involved. However, there are many ways—besides family support—to get help in financing your education in Australia. You can explore scholarships and grants or financial aid and assistance offered by educational institutions. These programmes may offer support in the form of fee waivers, grants, or other financial assistance options.
Another option is part-time work. If your student visa permits, you can work part-time while studying. International students are typically permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during an academic semester and without that limit during scheduled breaks.
Further, exploring the availability of education loans from financial institutions in your home country is a great idea. Opt for agencies that offer education loans specifically for international students. Understand the terms and conditions, interest rates, repayment options, and eligibility criteria before considering a loan.
For a full overview of costs, universities and funding, see our guide to studying in Australia.
