Applying for a Student Visa? Read These Top 5 FAQs Answered First

For anyone planning to study in Australia, the Student Visa is the foundation that turns ambition into action. A complete insight into how it works allows you to fill out your application in the right direction. The following five FAQs bring together the most common questions in one place to give answers related to all major queries.

1. What are the main requirements for the Student Visa Subclass 500?

The main visa 500 requirements are as follows:

• Offer & Enrolment: You need to get an offer letter from an Australian educational institution and an Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) before proceeding with your admission. The document confirms your official enrolment in a registered course.
• Genuine Student (GS): Applicants must demonstrate that their primary intention is to complete their studies in Australia. This objective is stated through your Statement of Purpose, where you outline your course selection, career goals and understanding of visa conditions.
• Financial Capacity: You must have the capability to cover the accommodation, tuition fees, travel expenses and living costs in Australia till the completion of the study. The current minimum cost of living requirement is AUD 29,710 per year.

• English Language Proficiency: You should be able to demonstrate the results of an official English assessment test unless you are eligible for exceptions. The tests which are accepted as per this requirement are IELTS, TOEFL and PTE Academic.
• Health and Character Requirements: The applicants should fulfil the health and character criteria in Australia through a medical examination and submit police clearance certificates. 
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): The students must maintain their OSHC health insurance during their stay in Australia. It provides them with financial cover in case of emergency medical treatments in hospitals.
• Valid Passport: Your passport needs to have enough validity to match all documents which you will submit for immediate processing. 
• Academic and Supporting Documents: You will need to submit academic transcripts, degree certificates, diplomas and any relevant work experience documents that support your application.

All applications are submitted through your ImmiAccount. When filling out the GS, make sure that your responses clearly reflect your intention to temporarily study in Australia.

Also Read: Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Australia 2026

2. What is the Student Visa Fee for Australia?

The Student Visa fee is defined in the following two areas:

3. What are the new rules for Student Visas? 

There are multiple rules that have been implemented in the past few years for the Australian study visa. For instance, the Government of Australia replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with the Genuine Student (GS) requirement on 23rd March 2024. This step was taken to strengthen the student immigration objective of the temporary stay in Australia for educational purposes. Students must state their course choice, career goals, and compliance with the visa conditions.

The financial capacity requirement is also increased to a minimum of AUD 29,710.

Work rights

• Students can now work for up to 48 hours per fortnight during the completion of their studies.
• Unlimited working hours during holiday breaks.
• Students who are pursuing Master’s and PhD may work for unlimited hours.

Student Volume

In 2026, the Australian Government increased the volume of international student commencements under its National Planning Level (NPL), with allowed applications up to 295,000.

English Language standards

The English proficiency requirements have increased for both student and temporary graduate visas. Some of the common thresholds are as follows:

• IELTS score: 6.0 or above
• ELICOS Score: 5.0 or above
• Minimum score for foundation/pathway programs: 5.5

New processing rules for 2026

In 2026, Australian study visa application priorities are assessed using a traffic light system.

Here is how it influences the 500 visa processing time:

• Priority 1 (Green Zone): This priority is given to educational providers operating below 80% of their allocated capacity.
• Priority 2 (Amber Zone): It applies to institutions operating between 80% and 115% of their student allocation capacity.
• Priority 3 (Red Zone): The priority applies to educational institutions that have exceeded their 115% of allocation capacity.

Visa transition rules:

Since 1st July 2024, Students who have Visitor Visas or Temporary Graduate Visas are not eligible for switching to an onshore visa for students. Applications are now accepted offshore.

Must Read: Pass Your Australian Citizenship Practice Test in 2026 – Free Practice Questions

4. What is the maximum stay duration permitted under the Student Visa in Australia?

The Student Visa (Subclass 500) allows international students to stay up to 6 years in Australia. More time can be given after the course, depending on the course length. The following table shows the average length of stay of various categories of educational programs:

5. Can I apply for PR after studying in Australia?

Yes, you can apply for permanent residency (PR) after studying in Australia. Some of the common pathways to PR after studying are as follows:

• Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): It allows you to work for 2 – 4 years after graduation to gain some work experience to apply for PR.
• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186): The 186 visa lets you get permanent residence with the help of an employer.
• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This points-based permanent visa allows successful applicants to get permanent residency in Australia.
• Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): The 190 permanent visa works through a points-based system and it must be nominated by a government in Australia or a territory.

To get the right PR pathway, you can also consult with migration agents. They can guide you with the submission of the correct documentation for both the subclass 500 visa and permanent residency in Australia.

Final Thoughts

The applicants of student visa must go through each aspect mentioned on the FAQs. Some of these include submission of eCoE, health and character certificates, etc. The student visa application also mandates applicants to have the financial capability to study in Australia, along with a valid health insurance. To help you with that, you may take assistance from regional experts like an education consultant Perth, who can help you achieve the required test score for English language proficiency, police certificates, and guide you to select the right medical insurance. With experts’ assistance, you can smoothly lodge your application for the subclass 500 visa in Australia.