The Student Visa (subclass 500) allows you to stay in Australia to study full-time in a recognised education institution.  It is possible to attend primary school, secondary school or tertiary education institution under the Student Visa, as long as your study is full-time study. 
When you have started your course of study in Australia, you can generally work up to 40 hours per fortnight when your course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. 
Students completing a Masters’ degree by research or a doctoral degree (PhD) do not have work restrictions.
Your family members can work up to 40 hours per fortnight, after you have started your course of study in Australia. If you are doing a postgraduate course, such as a Masters degree, your family members can work unlimited hours once you start your study.

Before you can apply for the Student Visa you must:

  • Been accepted to study full-time at a recognised educational institution in Australia
  • Organised appropriate welfare arrangements for the duration of your intended stay in Australia if you are under 18 years of age.

How long does the Student Visa last?

  • This visa allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of your course.

Criteria to apply:

  • With limited exceptions, you must be enrolled in a course of study that is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and courses for Overseas for Overseas Students (CRICOS)
  • If you are under 18 years of age, you need to have welfare arrangements in place while you are in Australia
  • You must be considered to be a “Genuine Temporary Entrant”. That is, you must satisfy the Department of Immigration that you have a genuine intention to stay in Australia only on a temporary basis
  • You must meet the English language requirements
  • You must be considered to be financially capable of supporting yourself during your stay in Australia. You will need to documented evidence to show that you have enough money that is genuinely available to you, to pay for your course fees, and travel and living costs for you and your accompanying family members while you are in Australia
  • You must have adequate health insurance whilst you are in Australia. There are minor exceptions to this requirement
  • You must meet health requirements and undergo a physical examination
  • You must be of good character and be able to demonstrate that you meet the ‘character requirements’

For information on your eligibility for student visas, please contact us for a free assessment.