Subclass 500 / 590
Student Visa & Extensions (Subclass 500)
Undertake a registered course of study in Australia and lay the foundation for your long-term migration pathway.
4–8 Weeks
$710 AUD
Course Length
48 Hrs/Fortnight
Overview
What is the Student Visa & Extensions (Subclass 500)?
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) allows you to undertake full-time study at an Australian CRICOS-registered educational institution. It is the entry point for most international students and, when approached with a long-term migration strategy in mind, becomes the first step in a pathway that leads through the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa to permanent skilled migration.
The Subclass 590 is the Student Guardian visa, for parents or relatives who wish to accompany a student under 18 who is studying in Australia. The 590 does not allow the guardian to work in Australia and is not a migration pathway in itself.
The 2026 student visa environment is one of the most heavily scrutinised in Australia's immigration history. The Genuine Student (GS) requirement — which replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test — demands that applicants demonstrate a genuine intention to study and a credible plan to depart Australia at the conclusion of their studies, unless they qualify for a further visa. Expert preparation of the GS statement is critical.
2026 Policy Updates
Critical 2026 Changes
Important — Read Before Applying
Australia's 2025–26 student visa framework continues to operate under the Genuine Student (GS) requirement introduced in March 2024. Processing times have extended significantly compared to pre-2023 benchmarks. All applicants should lodge as early as possible.
Genuine Student (GS) requirement: applicants must complete a GS declaration and may be required to attend an interview — preparation of a compelling, honest GS statement is the single most important factor in visa success
Financial capacity threshold updated: applicants must demonstrate access to AUD 29,710 per year for living costs, plus full tuition for the first year of the course, and return airfare — bank statements must show these funds held for at least 3 consecutive months
English language: minimum IELTS 5.5 overall (6.0 for most bachelor's and master's programmes) — PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge C1 Advanced are also accepted
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) must be arranged with an approved provider before the visa is lodged — the cover period must span the entire student visa period
Work rights while studying: 48 hours per fortnight during academic sessions (revised from unlimited in 2024); full-time work is permitted during scheduled course breaks
Previous visa refusals in any country must be declared — undisclosed refusals, if discovered, can result in a 3-year bar on Australian visa applications
Eligibility Criteria
Do You Qualify?
Enrolment
Must hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered Australian educational institution
The course must be a full-time programme — part-time study is generally not permitted on a student visa
A CoE is issued by your educational institution after you have accepted the offer and paid the first semester's tuition
English Language
VET / TAFE courses: IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) or equivalent
Bachelor's degree / Postgraduate Coursework: IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) or equivalent
Master's / PhD (research): IELTS 6.5 overall or equivalent — some universities require higher
Foundation / English language courses: an approved English test may not be required if the course is an ELICOS
Financial Capacity
Must demonstrate access to AUD 29,710 per year for living costs, plus the first year's tuition fees
Funds can be demonstrated via personal savings, family support (with evidence of relationship and source of funds), scholarships, or institutional loans
Bank statements must show the full amount available for at least the last 3 months
Health & Character
Health examination required — the type depends on your country of passport and the duration and nature of your course
Must meet the character requirement — police clearances required from each country lived in for 12+ months from age 16
OSHC must be purchased before lodgement — the cover must be continuous for the entire student visa period
Step-by-Step Process
Your Application Journey
Receive an Offer from a CRICOS-Registered Institution
Research and select a course and institution that aligns with your academic background, budget, and long-term migration goals. Submit an application to the institution — Maven can assist with university selection and application preparation.
Accept the Offer & Receive your CoE
Pay the initial tuition fee deposit and accept your offer. The institution will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) — a unique reference number required for the visa application.
Purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Arrange OSHC from an approved provider (e.g., Medibank, BUPA, NIB, AHM, or Allianz Care). The cover must commence before your visa start date and continue for the entire visa period.
Prepare Your Genuine Student Statement
Write a clear, honest GS statement explaining your study intentions, why you chose Australia and the specific institution, your career goals, and your ties to your home country. This is the most scrutinised part of your application.
Complete Health Examinations
Undergo a health examination with an approved panel physician. You can complete the health examination before lodging the visa application — results are uploaded directly to the Department's eMedical system.
Lodge the Visa Application via ImmiAccount
Submit the visa application online through ImmiAccount, attaching all supporting documents (CoE, OSHC, English test results, financial evidence, GS statement, health results, and police clearances). Pay the visa application charge at lodgement.
Visa Grant
The Department will assess and grant the visa, currently taking 4–8 weeks for complete applications. Your visa grant notice will confirm conditions including the 48 hrs/fortnight work restriction and the requirement to maintain satisfactory course attendance.
Costs & Fees
Understanding the Full Cost
The student visa application charge is among the lowest in the Australian visa programme, but the ancillary costs (OSHC, health exam, English test, translations) add substantially to the total outlay. The most significant cost — tuition fees — is paid directly to your institution. Note that if you change courses or institutions, you may need to obtain a new CoE and in some cases a new visa.
All fees are current as at July 2025 and are subject to annual indexation. Maven Consulting Group's professional fees for preparation and lodgement are separate to the Department of Home Affairs visa application charges. Contact us for a full cost outline.
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