Australia Student Visa: Subclass 500 Requirements, Documents, Fees & Visa Agent Guide

The Subclass 500 is the visa every international student needs to study full-time in Australia at a CRICOS-registered provider — whatever your course or university.

This guide covers eligibility, documents, fees, processing time, and when a student visa consultant can actually help.

Key Takeaways

• Subclass 500 is required for all international students studying full-time at a CRICOS-registered provider in Australia, regardless of course or university.

• AUD $2,500 for the primary applicant, effective from 1 July 2026 (excludes OSHC, health checks, biometrics).

• Applicants must show approximately AUD $29,710/year for living costs, plus tuition and return airfare. Additional amounts apply for a partner or children.

• Replaced the old GTE test on 23 March 2024. It's now built into the visa application form as structured questions, not a separate statement.

• Up to 48 hours per fortnight during term, unlimited during scheduled breaks. No cap for Master's by Research or Doctoral students once their course starts.

• CoE from a CRICOS-registered course, GS requirement, financial capacity, OSHC, English proficiency (where required), and health/character checks.

• No fixed number — varies by country, application completeness, and current volumes. Always check the Department of Home Affairs' published times.

• Missing or mismatched documents, generic GS answers, incomplete financial evidence, and applying before the CoE is issued.

• Generally requires a new student visa application (not a simple extension), especially if moving to a lower AQF course level.

• Not mandatory, but useful for complex cases (previous refusals, complicated finances). No agent can guarantee approval — always verify MARA registration before engaging one.

• No fixed industry rate. Always request a written quote before committing, and separate this from government charges (visa fee, OSHC, health exam).

• Partners and dependent children can be included in the application or apply later, subject to their own GS and financial assessment.

What Is the Subclass 500 Visa?

It lets you live in Australia while studying, for up to five years, and travel in and out while it's valid. It also allows eligible family members to join you.

It covers almost any course type:

• Higher education (bachelor's, master's, PhD)

• Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Pathway and foundation courses

• ELICOS (English language courses)

• Primary and secondary school

• Secondary school exchange

• Postgraduate research

• Non-award study, including exchange semesters

You can also combine courses under one visa ("course packaging") if there's a clear progression between them, with gaps usually under two months.

Who Is Eligible?

You'll need to meet all of these:

• A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered course

• The Genuine Student requirement

• Enough financial capacity for tuition, living costs, and travel

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your full stay

• English language evidence, if your course requires it

• Health and character checks

• A valid substantive visa (not a Visitor visa) if applying onshore

Under 18? You'll also need proof of welfare arrangements in Australia.

Genuine Student Requirement

On 23 March 2024, the Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test. It's now a set of structured questions in the visa form, not a separate essay.

A strong response covers:

• Why you chose this course and provider

• How it fits your academic or career background

• Your circumstances at home and in Australia

• That you understand your visa conditions

Generic or copied-sounding answers are a common reason applications get flagged for extra review.

Financial Capacity

As of 2026, you need to show approximately AUD $29,710/year for living costs (primary applicant), plus tuition and return airfare. Additional amounts apply for a partner or children.

This figure is reviewed periodically — check the Department of Home Affairs website for the current amount.

Tip: Funds held for several months look stronger than a large deposit made right before you apply.

English Language Requirements

Most applicants need a recognised test result — IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL. The minimum score depends on your course and provider, not a single fixed number.

Health and Character

You may need a health exam with an approved panel physician, and in some cases, police clearance certificates.

Document Checklist

Your exact list depends on nationality, course level, and personal circumstances.

What the Visa Allows

Work rights:

• Up to 48 hours/fortnight while studying

• Unlimited hours during scheduled breaks

• No cap at all for Master's by Research or Doctoral students once the course starts

Family:

• Partners and dependent children can join you, in your original application or later

• They're assessed against the Genuine Student requirement too

• Financial capacity threshold rises for each added family member

Visa conditions to maintain:

• Tell your provider your Australian address within 7 days of arrival

• Keep satisfactory attendance and course progress

• Maintain OSHC without gaps

• Don't overstay your visa

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Choose a CRICOS-registered course and provider

2. Get your CoE once you accept your offer

3. Gather your documents — identity, finances, English results, OSHC, GS responses

4. Lodge via ImmiAccount and pay the application fee

5. Complete health/character checks — exam, biometrics, or police checks if required

6. Wait for a decision, tracking status in ImmiAccount. 

Fees and Processing Time

Cost

From 1 July 2026, the base application charge is AUD $2,500 for the primary applicant (some Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders are exempt). This doesn't include OSHC, health checks, or biometrics.

Processing time

Varies by country, application completeness, and current volumes. Check the Department of Home Affairs' published processing times for the current estimate.

Common delays:

• Missing or mismatched documents

• Generic or inconsistent Genuine Student answers

• Delayed health exam or biometrics

• Requests for extra information after lodgement

• Applying during peak intake periods

Common Application Mistakes

• Financial evidence that doesn't add up

• Copy-pasted Genuine Student answers

• Incomplete document sets

• Lodging before the CoE is issued

Do You Need a Student Visa Agent?

You can apply yourself if your situation is straightforward. A subclass 500 visa consultant is worth considering if you've had a previous refusal, your finances are complex, or you'd rather have expert oversight.

A good agent will:

• Review your specific situation, not use a template

• Help build a complete, consistent document set

• Advise on course and pathway options

• Support you through the full process, including any follow-up requests

Important: No agent can guarantee visa approval. Decisions are made solely by the Department of Home Affairs. Be cautious of anyone who claims otherwise.

An affordable student visa 500 consultant for Australia doesn't have to mean cutting corners — look for transparent fees and realistic expectations.

If Your Visa Is Refused

Read your refusal notice carefully — it explains exactly which requirement wasn't met.

Common refusal reasons:

• Unclear or insufficient financial evidence

• Inconsistent or generic Genuine Student responses

• Missing or incomplete documentation

• Concerns about study intentions or circumstances

Depending on your decision type, you may have review rights through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) — eligibility and timeframes vary by case.

Getting subclass 500 visa refusal help from migration agent professionals can help you understand your options. No agent can guarantee a review or reapplication will succeed.

Extending Your Student Visa

When you'd need to: Your course runs longer than planned, you're continuing to further study, or your circumstances change.

What's involved:

• A new CoE for your continuing or new course

• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement again

• Current OSHC

• Lodging before your existing visa expires

Note: Moving to a lower AQF course level requires a new visa application, even with time left on your current one.

How an agent helps: Checks eligibility, sorts your new CoE, updates your GS statement, and lodges with enough time to avoid a visa gap.

Choosing a Genuine Subclass 500 Visa Agent

• Confirm MARA registration on the official Migration Agents Registration Authority register

• Get a written fee breakdown before agreeing to anything

• Avoid guaranteed-approval promises — a clear red flag

• Ask how they handle refusals, not just successful cases

• Check their experience with your country, course level, or refusal history

A MARA-registered migration agent is bound by a professional code of conduct — an unregistered "consultant" isn't.

What It Actually Costs

There's no standard rate for subclass 500 visa agent fees in Australia. Always ask for a written quote before committing.

Finding a Local Consultant

Searching "Australia study visa consultant near me"? Apply the same checks regardless of location:

• MARA registration

• Relevant experience with your situation

• Clear, upfront fees

FAQs

How much does an Australia Student Visa cost? 

AUD $2,500 for the primary applicant from 1 July 2026, plus OSHC and health exam costs. Confirm the current rate on the Department of Home Affairs website.

How long does it take to process? 

Varies by country and application completeness. Check the Department's published processing times.

What documents are needed? 

CoE, passport, financial evidence, OSHC, English test results (if required), and your GS responses. Your list may vary.

What are the English requirements? 

A recognised test result like IELTS or PTE, with the minimum score set by your course and provider.

Can I work while studying? 

Yes — up to 48 hours/fortnight during term, unlimited during breaks. No cap for Master's by Research or Doctoral students once the course starts.

Can I extend my student visa? 

You'll generally need a new student visa application rather than a simple extension.

Can I bring my family?

 Yes — partners and dependent children can join you, subject to their own assessment.

Is a MARA agent required? 

No, it's not mandatory. But for complex cases, many applicants find it worthwhile.

Next Steps

The Subclass 500 visa involves several moving parts, including the Genuine Student requirement, financial evidence, and supporting documents. Fees and thresholds can change, so always confirm time-sensitive requirements with the official Department of Home Affairs website before applying.

Need help with your application? MyGlobalTouch guides students applying for the Subclass 500 student visa, including eligibility, documentation, and application support. Speak with the team to discuss your situation and next steps.