Subclass 500

Student Visa

Study full-time in Australia at a CRICOS-registered institution.

Visa type
Temporary
Duration
Length of course, up to 5 years
Work rights
Up to 48 hrs/fortnight in term
Dependents
Can be included

Overview

The Subclass 500 covers every level of study in Australia — from ELICOS and VET courses through to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral research — under one visa, with conditions that vary depending on what you're enrolled in.

Who it's for

  • International students with a confirmed enrolment at a CRICOS-registered Australian institution
  • Anyone studying from English language courses through to a PhD
  • Students under 18 (with a parent or guardian on a Student Guardian visa)

Key requirements

  • Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your institution
  • A Genuine Student (GS) statement
  • Evidence of funds for course fees, living costs and travel
  • An accepted English test result — required score depends on your course
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your full course duration
Good to know

Processing speed can depend on your institution's compliance rating under the Department's priority system, so approved institutions can move noticeably faster. Financial capacity figures are set by the Department and indexed annually — we'll confirm the current numbers before you apply.

Not sure if this is the right visa for you?

Tell us your situation and we'll confirm whether the Student Visa fits, or point you to the one that does.

Book a free visa assessment

Visa subclasses, eligibility criteria, streams, salary thresholds and fees are set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and change periodically, often each July. The information above reflects publicly available guidance as of mid-2026 — your Rigpa House adviser will confirm current figures and eligibility before you apply.