The subclass 500 student visa in Australia is the single visa that covers international students studying at any registered Australian institution in 2026 — from English language courses and vocational training through to undergraduate degrees, postgraduate programs, and doctoral research. Whether you are planning to study in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, or Perth, the subclass 500 is the visa you need.
Here is a complete guide to the subclass 500 student visa in Australia for 2026, based on publicly available information from the Department of Home Affairs.
What Is the Subclass 500 Student Visa?
The subclass 500 student visa is Australia’s primary visa for international students. It is issued by the Department of Home Affairs and allows the holder to study full-time at a CRICOS-registered education provider in Australia for the duration of their enrolled course — up to a maximum of five years.
The visa covers all levels of study including English language intensive courses for overseas students (ELICOS), vocational education and training (VET), undergraduate degrees, postgraduate coursework, and postgraduate research including Masters by Research and PhD programs.
Once granted, the subclass 500 student visa allows the holder to live in Australia for the duration of the course, travel in and out of Australia freely during the visa period, work part-time during study, and bring eligible family members as dependants.
Key Changes to the Subclass 500 Visa in 2026
Several significant changes have affected the subclass 500 student visa in recent years that every applicant must understand before applying.
Genuine Student requirement replaces GTE: From July 2024, the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test was replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. Under GS, applicants must answer targeted questions — each with a maximum of 150 words — explaining their reasons for choosing their course, how the course aligns with their background and career goals, and how they will comply with visa conditions. Unlike the old GTE test which focused solely on temporary intent, the GS requirement acknowledges that applicants may eventually seek permanent residency, provided their primary motivation is genuine education.
Visa fee increased to $2,000: The visa application charge for the subclass 500 increased to $2,000 AUD — making it one of the more expensive student visa fees globally.
English requirement lifted: The minimum IELTS score for direct university entry is now 6.0 overall. For packaged ELICOS plus degree courses, the minimum is 5.0. For foundation and pathway programs, the minimum is 5.5.
New priority processing model: From 14 November 2025, the Department introduced Ministerial Direction 115 — a traffic-light priority system for offshore applications based on each institution’s management of its approved enrolment cap. Priority 1 institutions can see applications processed in as little as 7 days. Institutions in the red zone — those using more than 115 per cent of their approved enrolment cap — face significantly slower processing.
National Planning Level: For 2026, Australia has set a National Planning Level of 295,000 international student commencements. This is not a hard cap on visa grants but a prioritisation framework that guides how quickly applications are processed.
Subclass 500 Student Visa Requirements in 2026
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 Confirmation of Enrolment from a CRICOS-registered Australian education provider. The CoE is issued through the PRISMS system after you accept your offer and pay any required deposit. The name on your CoE must exactly match your passport — even minor discrepancies can trigger delays.
Genuine Student (GS) Requirement You must complete the Genuine Student assessment as part of your online application. This involves answering targeted questions about your study motivation, how your chosen course relates to your background and career goals, and how you plan to comply with visa conditions. Answers are limited to 150 words each.
Financial capacity You must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover living expenses, tuition fees, and travel costs. The minimum living expense requirement for 2026 is $29,710 AUD per year. If you are bringing family members, additional funds are required — $10,394 AUD for a partner and $4,449 AUD per dependent child. Your financial evidence must show a consistent history of funds — a large lump-sum deposit made in the weeks before application is a common red flag that can trigger delays.
English language proficiency You must provide a valid score from an approved English language test. Accepted tests include IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, and OET. The minimum for direct university entry is IELTS 6.0 overall. Your specific institution and course will set their own minimum scores which may be higher than the visa minimum — always check your offer letter for the exact requirement.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) You must have OSHC health insurance covering the full period of your visa — from the day you arrive until the day your visa expires. You must purchase OSHC before applying for your visa. Average cost is approximately $600 to $1,000 AUD per year depending on the provider and level of cover.
Health and character checks You must undergo a health examination with an approved panel physician if required. You must also provide police clearance certificates from all countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Subclass 500 Student Visa Fees in 2026
The government visa application charge for the subclass 500 student visa is $2,000 AUD for the primary applicant. The fee is non-refundable — if your application is refused, you do not receive a refund.
Additional costs beyond the visa application charge include:
- OSHC health insurance: $600 to $1,000 per year
- English language test: approximately $300 to $450 depending on the test
- Health examination: approximately $300 to $500 per person
- Police clearance certificates: varies by country
- Biometrics: required for some nationalities, cost varies
Total out-of-pocket costs before arriving in Australia — excluding tuition and living expenses — typically range from $3,500 to $5,000 AUD for most applicants.
Work Rights on the Subclass 500 Student Visa
One of the most important aspects of the subclass 500 student visa for international students is the right to work while studying. In 2026, the rules are:
During study sessions: Students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight — equivalent to approximately 24 hours per week. You cannot start working until your course commences — if you arrive in Australia before your course starts, you cannot work during that period.
During university holidays and official breaks: Students can work unlimited hours during scheduled holiday periods.
Masters by Research and PhD students: Once your research or doctoral thesis has commenced, there is no cap on working hours at any point during your enrolment.
Compulsory work components: If work is a mandatory part of your curriculum — such as a compulsory internship or integrated industry placement — there is no hourly limit on those hours.
These work rights make Australia one of the more attractive student visa destinations — the 48-hour fortnightly allowance is meaningful income support for students managing the cost of living in Australian cities. For context on how much things cost in Australia, see our cost of living vs the world guide — Australia’s Cost of Living vs the World in 2026 — How Do We Actually Compare?
Subclass 500 Visa Processing Times in 2026
Processing times for the subclass 500 student visa vary significantly depending on the institution’s priority status under Ministerial Direction 115 and the applicant’s country of origin.
Under the new traffic-light priority model:
- Priority 1 institutions (those managing their enrolment cap well): applications can be processed in as little as 7 days
- Standard applications: typically 4 to 6 weeks
- Complex cases or high-volume countries (India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines): 3 months or more
Applicants from high-volume countries should plan for longer processing times. The Department of Home Affairs publishes monthly processing time estimates — always check the current figures before lodging.
The general recommendation is to apply at least 3 months before your course commencement date to allow sufficient time for health examinations, biometrics, and any requests for additional information.
How to Apply for the Subclass 500 Student Visa — Step by Step
Step 1 — Accept your offer and receive your CoE Apply to your chosen CRICOS-registered institution, accept your offer, pay any required deposit, and receive your Confirmation of Enrolment. Verify that all details on the CoE exactly match your passport.
Step 2 — Purchase OSHC Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover before lodging your visa application. Many institutions offer group OSHC arrangements — check with your institution before purchasing separately.
Step 3 — Complete your English language test Ensure your English test score meets both the visa minimum and your specific institution’s requirements. Scores must be current at the time of application.
Step 4 — Gather your financial evidence Compile bank statements, loan approval letters, scholarship letters, or sponsor financial documents showing you meet the $29,710 per year living expense requirement plus tuition and travel costs. Ensure statements show a consistent history — not a recent large deposit.
Step 5 — Create an ImmiAccount and lodge your application Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and create an ImmiAccount. Complete the online application form, upload all required documents, complete the Genuine Student assessment, and pay the $2,000 application fee.
Step 6 — Complete biometrics and health examination If requested, attend a biometrics appointment and complete a health examination with an approved panel physician. Respond to any requests for additional information within the timeframe specified.
Step 7 — Receive your visa grant Track your application through ImmiAccount. Once granted, you will receive a visa grant notification by email. Your visa will be linked electronically to your passport — there is no physical visa label.
After Your Studies — The Post-Study Work Pathway
Upon completing your studies in Australia on the subclass 500 visa, you may be eligible to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa — subclass 485. This visa allows graduates to remain in Australia and work after completing their studies, gaining local work experience that can support pathways to permanent residency.
Post-study work rights under the subclass 485 vary by qualification level. From 2024, students who are 35 years of age or older at the time of application are excluded from the post-study work stream. Post-study stay periods also vary — Masters by Research and PhD graduates receive up to 3 years of post-study work rights.
For skilled workers who have gained Australian work experience on the post-study work visa, the General Skilled Migration program — including the subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa — becomes a natural next step. For a full guide to the points-tested permanent residency pathway, see our subclass 189 visa guide — Subclass 189 Visa Australia 2026 — Skilled Independent Visa Points Test, Requirements and How to Apply.
Key Takeaways — Subclass 500 Student Visa Australia 2026
The subclass 500 student visa in Australia for 2026 comes with a $2,000 application fee, a $29,710 living expense requirement, and a new Genuine Student assessment replacing the old GTE test. Students can work 48 hours per fortnight during study and unlimited hours during holidays. Processing times range from 7 days for Priority 1 institutions to 3 months or more for high-volume applicant countries.
Australia remains one of the world’s most popular study destinations — with 9 universities in the QS World Rankings top 100, strong post-study work pathways, and high-quality lifestyle. Understanding the full cost of living before you arrive is essential planning. See our grocery prices guide — Australia’s Grocery Bill in 2026 — What the Data Actually Shows — and our rent prices guide — Australia’s Rent Crisis in 2026 — What the Data Actually Shows — for a realistic picture of day-to-day costs.
This article is for general informational purposes only and reflects the author’s own research and understanding of publicly available information. It does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Visa rules, fees, and requirements change regularly — always verify current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or through a registered migration agent.
