Studying in Australia has always been popular among students worldwide. To complete their studies, applying for a student visa is an essential step. While the Australian government has adjusted its immigration policies to attract more international students, obtaining or renewing an Australian Subclass 500 Student Visa is still a challenging task. It’s almost inevitable to encounter difficulties during the application process unless you fully understand the relevant policies and requirements and make thorough preparations. If you’re wondering how to apply for an Australian student visa, who needs to apply for a student visa under subclass 500, or have other related questions, then today uhomes brings you this guide to answer all your questions.
1. Basic Information of Australia Student Visa
As one of the most familiar visa types, whether you are studying undergraduate programs, masters, doctoral, or graduate diploma courses, you need to apply for a 500 student visa.
The 500 student visa is a short-term visa, allowing holders to study full-time courses in Australia for up to 5 years (the specific duration of stay in Australia is determined by the type and length of the applicant’s course); at the same time, 500 student visa holders have certain work rights in Australia, allowing applicants to work in Australia (work must commence after commencing study, and a maximum of 40 hours every two weeks); eligible family members can also accompany.
In general, applying for a 500 student visa mainly requires meeting two major eligibility criteria:
First, being accepted by an Australian full-time educational institution; Second, having sufficient financial support during the stay in Australia.
1.1 Applicable Population of Australia Student Visa
In Australia, you can apply for a Student Visa (Subclass 500) for the following types of study:
- English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
- Primary or secondary school
- Secondary school exchange program
- Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses – registered VET courses, diplomas, or advanced diplomas
- Higher education courses – bachelor’s or associate degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma, master’s degree by coursework, or higher education diploma or advanced diploma
- Postgraduate research degree – master’s or doctoral degree by research
- Non-award courses – foundation studies course or other course that does not lead to an award
- Courses sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defence
1.2 Age Requirement
According to the new policy, international students in Australia must meet certain age requirements if they are undertaking compulsory education. To be granted an Australian Student Visa, students must:
- Be at least 6 years old at the time of application.
- Be under 18 years old at the start of Year 10.
- Be under 19 years old at the start of Year 11.
- Be under 20 years old at the start of Year 12.
For children under 6 years old, they can apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) to attend courses in Australia for up to 3 months.
1.3 Validity Period
The validity period of an Australian Student Visa varies based on the duration of the course:
- If the course exceeds 10 months and concludes at the end of the Australian academic year (November-December), the visa’s validity will end on March 15th of the following year.
- If the course exceeds 10 months (ending between January and October), the visa’s validity period is typically extended by two months beyond the course duration.
- If the course duration is less than 10 months, the visa’s validity period is usually extended by one month beyond the course duration.
1.4 Proof of Financial Capacity
If applicants need to provide proof of financial capacity, the documentation can include any of the following:
- Evidence of funds to cover living expenses, tuition fees, and schooling costs for school-age children for 12 months in Australia, including any accompanying family members.
- Proof of meeting annual income requirements.
- Submission of AASES (Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Students), applicable only to secondary school exchange students.
- Letter of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defense.
- Types of funds can include annual income, savings or loans, government loans, scholarships, or grants.
Annual Income
The annual income of the student’s financial guarantor(s) must be at least AUD 60,000. If accompanying family members are included, the annual income should be at least AUD 70,000.
Note that only personal income from the student’s spouse or parents can be considered. If both parents work, their total income can also be accepted.
Savings
From July 1, 2016, the reference values for 12 months of living expenses are:
- Student/guardian: AUD 19,830
- Spouse: AUD 6,940
- Child: AUD 2,970
Therefore, if only the student is studying abroad, savings proof of approximately AUD 19,830 is required. If accompanying family members are included, savings of approximately AUD 60,000 are needed.
Loans
Consultation with a local bank is required. The loan amount should match the conditions mentioned above.
1.5 Language Requirement
If not exempt from English, applicants must provide English proficiency scores from within the last two years. The following are the minimum score requirements for accepted language tests (Note: TOEFL paper-based tests are only accepted from specific countries):
Exemptions from English Language Requirement:
- Completion of at least five years of study in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or Ireland.
- Holding a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland.
- Completion of high school or subsequent courses in English with a student visa in the two years preceding the student visa application.
- Enrolled in courses where:
- The language of instruction is not English;
- Registered language courses (ELICOS);
- Registered school courses;
- Registered research-based postgraduate courses.
2. How to Apply for the Australia Student Visa?
Application Meterials
The following are the documents required for processing an Australian student visa application.
| Category | Required Documents |
|---|---|
| Identification | Passport and birth certificate |
| Confirmation of Enrollment | Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) |
| Health Insurance Proof | Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) |
| Financial Evidence | Proof of funds, such as bank statements |
| English Proficiency Proof | Acceptable tests include IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson, Cambridge English tests, and OET occupational English test |
| Temporary Residence Declaration | Statement and proof indicating that the visa application is solely for temporary entry into Australia for study purposes |
| Work and Study Proof | Previous work contracts, academic transcripts, and the latest CV or resume |
| For Applicants Under 18 | Parental consent form, along with welfare arrangements proof (Form 157N/ accommodation confirmation issued by the educational institution/ AASES form) |
REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR VISA APPLICATION
3. Process of Student Visa Application for The First Time
A medical examination form will be generated by the system, and an appointment for the examination should be scheduled at the designated hospital.
Materials to bring for the examination:
1. Original/copy of passport and ID card;
2. Examination fee (cash is recommended);
3. Medical examination form.
Examination contents include urine test, blood pressure measurement, height and weight check, vision test, and chest X-ray.
4. Australia Student Visa Fees and Processing Time
As of July 1, 2023, the Australian government has increased visa application fees: Business investment visa fees have surged by up to 40%, tourist visas and some temporary work visa fees by up to 15%, and other visa fees have risen by 6% corresponding to the CPI index.
| Student Visa Subclass | Base Application Fee | Additional Applicant Fee | Additional Applicant Fee (Under 18) | Subsequent Temporary Application Fee (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) | AUD650 | AUD485 | AUD160 | AUD700 |
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) (Subsequent Entrants) | AUD650 | AUD485 | AUD160 | AUD700 |
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) – Diplomatic or Defence Sector | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) – Postgraduate Research Sector | AUD650 | Free | Free | Free |
| Student Guardian (Subclass 590) | AUD650 | Free | Free | AUD700 |
AUSTRALIA STUDENT VISA FEES
Processing Time
The Australian 500 student visa application takes 35-86 working days, typically 1-3 months to obtain the visa. We strongly recommend that you submit your visa application at least 3 months before the start date of your course and refrain from booking flights until the visa is granted.
5. How to Extend and Renew an Australia Student Visa?
The validity period of the Australian Subclass 500 student visa generally lasts up to 5 years (for primary school students, the visa duration is a maximum of 3 years), but the actual validity period granted by the relevant authorities will depend on the length of the course you are enrolled in and welfare arrangements (if applicable).
| Course Length | Visa Validity |
|---|---|
| 10 months or more, with the course expected to be completed by the end of the year (November/December) | March 15 of the following year |
| 10 months or more, with the course expected to be completed between January and October | 2 months after the completion of the course |
| Less than 10 months | 1 month after the completion of the course |
If enrolled in a master’s research program, the visa validity period can be extended for an additional 6 months to allow students to wait for thesis evaluation.
5.1 Requirement of Visa Extension
The extension of an Australian student visa requires meeting certain conditions:
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- The current visa has not expired.
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- The student can demonstrate the need to continue studying in Australia.
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- The student’s academic performance is satisfactory.
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- The student has sufficient financial resources to pay for tuition and living expenses.
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- The student has appropriate health insurance.
Materials required
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- Completing the application form in full.
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- Copies of the current passport and visa documents.
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- The most recent academic transcript.
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- A letter from the school certifying the intention to continue studies.
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- Proof of recent tuition and living expenses.
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- Appropriate health insurance documents.
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- Any other supporting documents that may be required.
Online application steps
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- Create an ImmiAccount
Before applying for a visa extension, applicants need to create a personal user account (ImmiAccount) on the website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs in order to log in and manage the visa application.
- Create an ImmiAccount
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- Fill out and submit the application form
After logging into ImmiAccount, applicants need to fill out and submit the visa extension application form. During the form-filling process, applicants must provide personal information and relevant documents as required.
- Fill out and submit the application form
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- Pay the application fee
After submitting the application form, applicants need to pay the corresponding application fee. The fee amount may vary depending on the duration of the visa extension and individual circumstances.
- Pay the application fee
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- Submit the application and wait for the result
Once the application form and fee are submitted, applicants need to wait for the approval result from the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Typically, applicants will be notified of the application result within a few weeks. During the waiting period, applicants can log in to ImmiAccount to check the progress of their application.
- Submit the application and wait for the result
The entire application process usually takes some time, so students should plan ahead and ensure timely submission of their application.
5.2 Renewal Fees
According to the current visa fees of the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the application fee for the first renewal within Australia is AUD 650 (for the student) / AUD 485 (for accompanying spouse) / AUD 160 (for accompanying minor children); starting from the second renewal within Australia, there will be an additional charge of AUD 700 per person for the Subsequent Temporary Application Charge. In addition, there will be a credit card surcharge of 1% to 2% for payments made by credit card.
6. The Latest Requirements for Australia Students Visa in 2024
When applying for an Australian student visa, there are two important points to pay extra attention to:
- You must not demonstrate any intention to immigrate to Australia, as this may lead to refusal of the visa application.
- It is essential to prepare a GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) statement, outlining your study plans in Australia and indicating your intention for temporary entry to Australia, as well as your commitment to leave the country upon completion of studies.
- International students planning to study in Australia in the future will be able to express their “immigration intentions” when applying for student visas. This means that the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement will be replaced by the Genuine Student Test (GST).
- After the reform, students will no longer need to conceal or deny their immigration tendencies. This change will make the application process more transparent, helping to alleviate students’ stress and allowing them to express their true intentions more freely.
However, it is worth noting that as of the publication of this article, the Australian government has not yet announced the implementation requirements for GST. This means that, for now, applications still need to follow the requirements of GTE. Further legislative measures are awaited to confirm specific requirements.
Therefore, if you plan to study in Australia in the future, it is important to closely monitor relevant policy changes. Once detailed information about GST is released, you will need to apply according to the new requirements. Until then, be sure to adhere to the current GTE requirements to ensure a smooth application proce
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FAQ
Yes, you can. You can use a Letter of Offer as a substitute for the COE. If you are required to complete a master’s thesis within Australia, you can provide a letter from the school confirming that students are required to complete their thesis within the country.
First and foremost, it’s important to emphasize that staying in Australia after the expiration of a student visa constitutes unlawful overstaying, which violates Australian immigration laws and the terms of the student visa. Once overstaying occurs, it can directly affect future visa applications in Australia or even other countries, and individuals may face deportation and a ban on re-entry to Australia for at least three years.
Generally, if a student visa has expired within 28 days, it is possible to submit a new student visa application. If the visa has been expired for more than 28 days, there is still a remedial grace period, but individuals only have one opportunity in their lifetime. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to submit a new visa application before the visa expires.
If your studies are not yet completed and your visa is about to expire, you can apply to the Australian Department of Immigration for another student visa until the completion of your course; if your studies have already been completed but you have not attended the graduation ceremony yet and your visa is about to expire, you can return to Australia again by applying for a tourist visa to attend the graduation ceremony.
