Student visa reference
The subclass 500 student visa in simple terms. What it costs. What you must prove. What you are allowed to do. Where the official rules are. This is not migration advice.
This is information, not advice. In Australia, only a registered migration agent or a lawyer can give advice about your own visa case. This page explains published rules. It cannot tell you if you will get a visa. It does not know your situation. For that, use a registered agent. Checking that someone is registered is free. Always check before you pay anyone.
What the subclass 500 is
It is the visa that lets you live in Australia while you study. Your course must be on the CRICOS register. Every course on this site is on that register. That is the first requirement.
The visa lasts as long as your course, up to five years. It covers English language courses, vocational courses, university degrees and research degrees.
It is not a work visa. It is not a path to permanent residency by itself. You cannot get it for a course that is not on CRICOS.
What you pay to apply
| Applicant | Charge |
|---|---|
| Main applicant, standard | A$2,500 |
| English (ELICOS) or non-award course | A$2,050 |
| ASEAN passport holders | A$2,050 |
| Pacific and Timor-Leste passport holders | A$745 |
| Partner aged 18 or over | A$2,500 |
| Each child under 18 | A$625 |
You pay this when you apply. You do not get it back if your visa is refused. Your charge depends on your passport and your course type. Check yours with the official estimator. Do not guess.
Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 2026-09-15. Figures change without much notice — verify on the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on them.
Money you must show
This is different from what you pay. You must prove you can access money for your first 12 months. This covers course fees, living costs, flights, and any family coming with you.
| For | Amount per year |
|---|---|
| You | A$29,710 |
| Partner | A$10,394 |
| Each child | A$4,449 |
| School fees for each school-age child | A$13,502 |
These amounts are in addition to your course fees and flights. They do not replace them. The cost planner adds everything together for you.
Effective 10 May 2024. Checked 2026-09-15. Figures change without much notice — verify on the Home Affairs student visa page before you rely on them.
Common problems with money evidence
Weak money evidence is one of the most common reasons student visas are refused. Usually the problem is not the amount. The problem is the history behind it.
A bank balance that appeared last week looks very different from savings you have held for months. If a large amount arrives suddenly, from a source you cannot explain, just before you apply, the case officer will ask questions.
You can hold money in more than one account. Support from a parent, husband, wife or partner is usually accepted. But you must document both the relationship and where the money came from. The rules about what evidence is accepted, and how long you must hold the money, are set by Home Affairs. Check the official page for the current rules.
The Genuine Student requirement
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test on 23 March 2024. You no longer write a separate statement. You now answer specific questions inside the application form.
The question it asks is simple: are you really coming to study? The Department looks at your situation at home, your study history, your visa history, why you chose this course and this school, and what you plan to do afterwards.
A course that does not match your background will be checked closely. For example, a course at a much lower level than your current qualification, or in a completely different subject, or a school chosen only because it is cheap.
What you can do while you study
- While your course is running: up to 48 hours every two weeks. This counts all your jobs together.
- During official course breaks: no limit.
- Masters by Research and PhD students: no limit at any time.
- You must stay enrolled and pass your course.
- You must have health insurance for your whole stay.
If you break these work rules, you can lose your visa. An employer who asks you to work more hours will not lose anything. You will.
Health insurance
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is required for your whole visa. You normally buy it before you apply. Insurance companies set the price, not the government. It changes by company, policy and state. For one person, about A$600 to A$900 per year is a reasonable estimate for planning. Get a real price from an insurer before you budget.
After you finish
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets some graduates work in Australia after they finish. As of 1 July 2026, the charge for the main applicant is A$5,750. There is an age limit of 35.
This fee has increased several times and quickly. Check the current amount before you plan around it.
You do not get this visa automatically. It depends on your qualification, your subject and your situation. Talk to a registered migration agent about this.
Your rights as a student
International students in Australia are protected by the ESOS framework. It sets rules for schools about what they must tell you, how they handle complaints, and what happens to your money.
- ESOS framework and student rights — what your school must do for you
- Tuition Protection Service — what happens if your school closes during your course
- Fair Work Ombudsman — your rights at work, whatever your visa
- OMARA register — check a migration agent before you pay them
Official sources
Everything above is a summary. These pages hold the real rules. Check them on the day you apply.
- Student visa (subclass 500) — Department of Home Affairs
- Visa Pricing Estimator — Department of Home Affairs
- Document Checklist Tool — Department of Home Affairs
- Study Australia — Australian Government
- Official CRICOS register
For migration agents
If you advise students, this site saves you time on one task: finding and comparing registered course fees. You can filter every CRICOS course by subject, level and campus location, and sort by cost. The fee data is rebuilt from the official monthly export. The snapshot date is printed at the bottom of every page, so you can see how current it is. Each course page shows the CRICOS course code and links to the official listing.
This site does not interpret rules for any individual. That is your work.