Student visa
Study full time at a registered Australian education provider.
What this visa is for#
The Australian Student visa, subclass 500, is for one main purpose: Study full time at a registered Australian education provider. It sits in the student category and the Study stream.
This visa is used for approved full-time study in Australia. The course must be with an education provider that is registered to enrol overseas students. In practice, that usually means the study is listed on CRICOS, the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.
A subclass 500 visa can cover different education sectors, depending on the course. These can include schools, English language courses, vocational education and training, higher education, postgraduate research and some non-award study. The exact documents and enrolment details can differ by provider and course level.
The visa process usually links the applicant, the education provider and the Department of Home Affairs. The provider issues enrolment documents, the applicant prepares and lodges the visa application, and the Department decides the application under the migration rules in force at the time of decision.
Who it is generally for#
This visa is for people who want to undertake full-time study in Australia with a registered education provider.
This visa is for people who have been accepted into an eligible course of study and need a visa that matches that study arrangement. It is also used where family members are included as part of the application, if the migration rules allow that.
This visa is for people whose main reason for being in Australia is study during the visa period. It is designed around enrolment, ongoing attendance, course progress and maintaining arrangements such as health cover where required by the visa framework.
This visa is not a general visitor visa or a general work visa. Its purpose is tied to study, so the application process usually focuses heavily on course details, provider documents, identity documents, financial evidence and other material the Department asks for.
What it costs#
The current government visa application charge listed for this visa is:
- Main applicant: $2,500
- Additional applicant 18 or over: $1,870
- Additional applicant under 18: $610
These are government charges for the visa application itself. They are separate from any amount charged by a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner to prepare, lodge or manage the application.
The government charge is the same no matter who lodges the application. Using a professional does not reduce the Department's visa application charge, and lodging without a professional does not increase it.
Charges are indexed and usually change on 1 July. Before lodging, it is sensible to check the current figure published by the Department, because the amount payable on the day of lodgement is the amount that applies.
There can also be other third-party costs connected to the process, depending on the case. These often include health examinations, police certificates, translations and obtaining official documents. Those amounts are not part of the visa application charge.
How long it takes#
The published processing guidance for the Student visa, subclass 500, is: Commonly 4-12 weeks; varies sharply by provider and country.
That range is only a general guide. Processing can be faster or slower depending on how complete the application is, whether extra checks are needed, how quickly health and character documents are finalised, and whether the Department asks for more information.
Provider and country settings can make a big difference. Two applications lodged on the same day can move at very different speeds if they involve different education sectors, document checks or verification steps.
A visa is not granted simply because the published timeframe has passed. Processing times shift over time, and the Department can take longer where information is missing, inconsistent or needs further review.
What the process involves#
The process usually starts with getting a place in a course with a registered Australian education provider. After that, the provider generally issues enrolment documents needed for the visa stage, such as the Confirmation of Enrolment, often called a CoE.
The visa application is then prepared with identity documents, course documents and any other evidence required by the Department. Depending on the applicant's circumstances, this can include documents about finances, health cover, previous study, family members and genuine temporary stay-related matters where requested under the current settings.
The application is lodged online through the Department's system. The visa application charge is paid at lodgement, and the application is then assigned for processing under the rules and policy settings that apply at that time.
After lodgement, the Department may request more information. Common follow-up steps include biometrics in some countries, health examinations, police certificates or updated documents if something has expired or changed since the date of application.
If family members are included, their identity and relationship documents are usually checked as well. Each included person can have separate document requests, even though they are part of the same application.
While the application is being processed, it is important to keep records consistent across the provider, the Department and any third parties supplying evidence. Names, dates of birth, passport numbers, course dates and addresses should match the official documents being relied on.
At the end of the process, the Department grants or refuses the application. If granted, the visa grant notice sets out the visa period and conditions. Those conditions matter because they govern things like study, work rights and ongoing obligations during the visa period.
What commonly goes wrong#
A large number of delays come from incomplete evidence. An application can be lodged without all the right supporting material attached, or with documents that do not clearly show what they are meant to prove. Missing passport pages, unclear scans, absent translations and unexplained gaps in study history are common practical problems.
Another common issue is using documents that expire during processing. Passports, health assessments, police certificates and some provider documents can go out of date before a decision is made. When that happens, the Department may ask for fresh documents, which can add time and cost.
Details often become inconsistent between the education provider and the visa application. A change in course start date, provider, campus, passport number or family composition can create confusion if one system is updated and another is not. Even small mismatches in names or dates can trigger requests for clarification.
Some applicants forget to tell the Department about a change of address or other important contact details. If the Department sends a request and the message is missed, the response deadline can pass. That can lead to delays, or a decision being made on the material already on file.
There is also confusion about visa status while a new application is pending. Some people assume a bridging visa carries the same rights as the substantive one, but that is not always the case. Work rights, travel rights and other conditions can differ, so the actual grant notice for the bridging visa needs to be read carefully.
Health and character steps also cause delays. If a health examination is booked late, or if a police certificate takes longer than expected to arrive, the visa application can sit idle while the Department waits for the result. In some cases the Department asks for updated health or character documents if too much time passes.
Another practical problem is relying on informal documents instead of official ones. Screenshots, partial letters, bank summaries without identifying details and untranslated records are often less useful than applicants expect. The Department typically wants documents that are official, complete and easy to verify.
Finally, timing around course commencement can be mishandled. If an application is lodged very close to the start date, there may be little room to deal with document requests, health steps or provider changes. Where dates shift, the provider and the Department usually need consistent updated information.
Frequently asked questions#
How much is the Student visa 500 application fee?#
The listed government charge is $2,500 for the main applicant. It is $1,870 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over, and $610 for each additional applicant under 18. These amounts are separate from any professional fees charged by a registered migration agent or lawyer.
How long does a Student visa 500 take to process?#
The published processing guidance is Commonly 4-12 weeks; varies sharply by provider and country. Some applications move faster, while others take longer because of document requests, health steps, police checks or provider-related verification. The published range is a guide, not a guarantee.
Can family members be included in a Student visa 500 application?#
In many cases, family members can be included, and the government charges listed for additional applicants apply where they are part of the application. Separate identity and relationship evidence is usually required for each included person. The Department may also ask those family members for health or character documents.
Do I need a migration agent or lawyer for a Student visa 500?#
A visa application can be lodged by the applicant, or it can be prepared and lodged by a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner. Professional fees are separate from the government charge, and the government charge is the same no matter who lodges it. If professional help is used, it is worth comparing itemised quotes so the scope of work is clear.
What documents usually cause delays in a Student visa application?#
The most common delay points are incomplete identity documents, expired passports, late health examinations, delayed police certificates and missing translations. Inconsistent details between provider documents and the visa application can also slow things down. Clear, current and matching documents usually make the process more straightforward.
About this page. This is general information about how the Student visa (subclass 500) works. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you rely on it, and check any agent's registration on the OMARA register.