Thinking about studying in Australia? Australia is the third most chosen country for international studies. Did you know Australia has 9 universities that are ranked top 100 in the world?
Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) opens the door to not just great education but also a whole new way of life. From top-ranked universities to part-time work opportunities, this visa lets you experience everything you need to build your future there. If you are an Indian and want to study in Australia, it is mandatory for you to obtain the Subclass 500 Student Visa.
Here’s a simple guide to help you understand how to apply for an Australia study visa, an estimated cost for the visa, eligibility criteria, the application process, and key documents that are required for Indian students.
What is the Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)?
In order for an international student to study in Australia, you need an Australia study permit. This permit is known as the Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500). This visa allows you to undertake a full-time education course in Australia along with a permit to work in the country. Applying for a Student Visa Subclass 500 allows students enrolled in any course in Australia that is listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), to remain in Australia for the duration of the course.
Subclass 500 is significant for all international students, as it acts like a legal backing, which is needed in order to stay in the country and pursue educational courses. If you do not have this visa, then you cannot legally take admission in any Australian educational institutions. The Australia Student Visa is not only helpful for studying but also allows part-time work opportunities. This allows students to reduce their financial load when they are studying and helps in managing the living expenses.
There are certain Australia study visa requirements that are to be fulfilled in order to get the student visa.
Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) Validity and Fee
Validity of Subclass 500 Student Visa
- Subclass 500 Australia student visa permits an international student to live in the country for up to five years, or it can be extended as per the type and duration of the educational course in which the student is enrolled.
- However, if a child is starting primary school in Year 1 to Year 4, the visa is generally given for a maximum of 3 years.
Cost of Subclass 500 Student Visa
The visa fee begins from AUD 2,000 for the main applicant, unless they don’t have to pay due to special conditions. If the student has a scholarship provided by the Australian university, then their visa fee might differ.
If you’re including family members in your application, there will be extra charges for each of them.
You will also need to spend more on things like medical check-ups, police certificates, and giving your fingerprints and photo for identification.
The Australia study visa cost in Indian rupees comes to over one lakh.
What You Can Do With an Australia Student Visa
There are many Australia study visa (Subclass 500) benefits.
- With this visa you can pursue any educational course in Australia for which you are eligible.
- The student visa (Subclass 500) also allows in finding work while studying in Australia.
- The student can work up to 48 hours every fortnight when they are studying.
- With a Subclass 500 visa, you can easily travel in and out of Australia till your visa is valid.
- The study visa further also allows for moving with the spouse and family in future. You can include your family in the application.
Lets see what all eligibility criteria and requirements are there to get a Subclass (500) visa.
Eligibility for Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)
There are certain eligibility criteria which all international students have to fulfil to get a student visa in Australia.
- You must be at least 6 years old.
- You need to show a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for a full-time course listed on CRICOS.
- You must prove your English language ability.
- You must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved Australian provider for your entire stay.
- If you’re under 18, you must have proper care and welfare arrangements in place while in Australia.
- You must meet health and good character standards.
- You should have enough money to support yourself during your stay.
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AAI Study offers expert guidance to make the process smooth and stress-free. From document preparation to visa lodgement, we’ve got you covered every step of the way.
Requirements for Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Let’s take a look at what all academic and visa requirements you need to fulfil in order to get your Australian student visa approved.
Academic requirements for Australian study visa
- Diploma courses in Australia require at least 60% after 12th.
- Bachelor’s degree admission needs a minimum of 65% after 12th.
- Most Australian universities accept a 3-year Indian graduation (like B.A., B.Com., B.Sc.) for master’s admission.
- Some programs may need a 4-year degree or 16 years of education for master’s courses.
- Minimum 65% in bachelor’s is typically required for postgraduate admission, though it may vary.
- Applicants must apply to a CRICOS-registered institution for a valid student visa (Subclass 500 or 485).
- A strong first degree from a reputable Indian university is important for admission.
Letter of Offer
The first key requirement is the letter of offer. Once your course application is approved, you will get a Letter of Offer from the college or university. This letter has all the important details like your course name, rules for joining, and how much you need to pay. Read it carefully and make sure you understand everything, especially the refund rules in case you don’t start or complete the course. If there’s anything you don’t agree with, don’t accept the offer. Once you accept it, it becomes an agreement between you and the education provider. Keep a copy of the letter safe – it can help you later if you need to ask for a refund or raise any issue.
English Language Proficiency
To apply for a Student Visa Subclass 500, you need to meet the English language requirement. This usually means you’ll have to take an English proficiency test like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE, depending on the course and the institution you choose. Each education provider may have its own minimum score, so it’s important to check directly with them. As a general guide, most institutions ask for an
- IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5,
- a TOEFL score between 60 and 79, or a
- PTE score ranging from 50 to 65.
Visa requirements for Australian study visa
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
To apply for a student visa, you must have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the college or university you plan to study at. This document proves that you have been officially accepted into the course. If you are applying for more than one course as part of a study package, you need to provide a CoE for each course included in the package. Without these, your visa application may not be processed.
Financial Capacity Requirement
When applying for a student visa to Australia, you need to show that you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, living costs, and expenses for any family members coming with you. This helps prove that you can manage your stay in Australia without financial trouble. You can show this through documents like recent bank statements, a letter confirming a scholarship, a financial guarantee, or proof of an approved loan. These documents should clearly show that you have access to the required funds.
ImmiAccount
ImmiAccount is the official online system where you apply for your Australian visa, upload documents, and track your application status.
Genuine Student (GS) Requirement
This requirement is replaced by the prior requirement of a 300 word statement. The authority questions the applicant on the reasons and other information about their visit to Australia and study in Australia. This gives the authority idea behind the visit along with the proof which is provided to support the visa application.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
As an international student in Australia, it’s mandatory to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire time you’re staying in the country. Without proof of this insurance, your student visa application can be refused. OSHC helps cover the cost of medical or hospital treatment, most prescription medicines, and emergency ambulance services. When setting up your OSHC, don’t forget to request your OSHC card, as you’ll need it when visiting a doctor during your stay.
Health and Character Requirement
There are certain health requirement criterias which are also to be fulfilled by the visa applicant. Australia wants all international students to be fit and in good condition when they enter the city hence a health test may also be conducted for the same.
There are some types of character assessment which are to be cleared by the applicant. This includes having a police clearance, no previous criminal record etc. This certification is to be obtained from the place where the applicant has been living for the last 12 months to 10 years.
Documents Required for Australia Student Visa
There are many documents that are to be submitted as proof at the time of student visa application. The documents required for an Australia study visa are as follows:
- A valid passport
- English language results
- OSHC health insurance
- Letter of recommendation
- Passport photographs
- Statement of purpose
- Academic certificates
- Evidence of sufficient funds
- Scholarship documentation (if applicable)
- Visa application fee
- Completed application form (Form 157A)
- Copy of birth certificate
- Degree certificates
- Electronic COE
- Proof of enrolment
- Other documents, which may vary case to case
How to Apply for Subclass 50 Student Visa in Australia
There is a process that is supposed to be filled when applying for a student visa in Australia. Following this process makes it seamless for visa applications.
- The first step is to get confirmation of enrolment from the Australian university.
- The next step is to create an ImmiAccount.
- Apply for the student visa through this ImmiAccount.
- Fill in all the required information in the application form and upload the documents that are required.
- After filing the application form, pay the fees as stated.
- There might be a health check up as well.
After this you can wait for the visa decision. The authorities will review the application and verify the documents, and then inform the application about the approval or rejection.
Processing Time for Australia Student Visa
The Australia study visa process time varies from application to application. The aevarge time to process a student visa for Australia is 1 to 3 months. The application can be delayed if correct documents are not uploaded, some information is not filled in the application form, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I directly apply for an Australia student visa (Subclass 500) after 12th class?
Yes, you can directly apply for an Australia student visa (Subclass 500) after 12th class.
Can I work while studying in Australia on a Student Visa (Subclass 500)?
Yes, you can work part-time while studying on an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500). You are allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and full-time during official holidays, as per visa conditions.
How many times can I apply for an Australian student visa (Subclass 500)?
There is no limit for applying for an Australian student visa (Subclass 500). However, you have to mention the reason for rejection in the next application.
What can be the reasons for Australia student visa rejection?
The visa application may be rejected if
- False information is filled on the application form,
- Documents are not uploaded correctly,
- Some information is not filled in properly,
- There is inadequate English language proficiency,
- There are past criminal records, and
- Not meeting health requirements.