Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) in 2026

The Student visa (subclass 500) is Australia's main visa for full-time study in a CRICOS-registered course. It is a temporary study visa, not a guarantee of post-study work or permanent residence.

Core application requirements

A student generally needs a current Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the intended course, Overseas Student Health Cover (unless exempt), evidence meeting the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, and evidence of financial capacity where required. Health, character and identity requirements also apply.

The GS requirement applies to applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024. It focuses on whether studying in Australia is genuinely the primary reason for the visa, while recognizing that students may later develop lawful career or migration plans.

Financial capacity

Home Affairs' current student guidance publishes the following 12-month living-cost amounts for financial-capacity evidence:

  • student: AUD 29,710;
  • spouse or partner: AUD 10,394;
  • dependent child: AUD 4,449; and
  • school costs for each school-age child: at least AUD 13,502 per year.

Applicants using the alternative parent/partner annual-income method face published thresholds of AUD 87,856 where there is no accompanying family member and AUD 102,500 where family members accompany. Course fees and travel costs must also be considered under the applicable evidence method.

These are immigration evidence settings, not a prediction of the student's real annual budget.

Work rights

Most student visa holders can work no more than 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session and can work more during scheduled course breaks, subject to their conditions. Masters by research and doctoral students have different settings, including no ordinary work-hour cap once the research course has commenced. Family-member conditions also vary by the student's course level.

Work rights do not excuse failure to maintain enrolment, attendance or course-progress obligations.

Visa duration and fees

Subclass 500 can be granted for the period appropriate to the course and circumstances, in some cases up to six years. Home Affairs increased student visa charges again from 1 July 2026; because charges are dynamic and family composition matters, use the official pricing estimator for the exact amount rather than relying on an older fee article.

Post-study routes are separate

The Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 can be relevant after eligible Australian study, but it has its own qualification, age, timing and stream requirements. Completing a course does not guarantee a 485, skilled invitation, employer sponsorship or permanent residence.

Return to the Australia visa hub, Oceania or student visa routes.

Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, verified 16 September 2026.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Australia