The Student Visa Subclass 500 is the official visa you need to study full-time in Australia at a CRICOS-registered institution. It allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of your course, work part-time (up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying), and include family members on your application. This visa is issued by the Department of Home Affairs and is the most common visa for international students. Understanding the Subclass 500 is crucial because it governs your legal right to study and live in Australia. You must apply for this visa before you travel, and it requires you to meet conditions such as enrolling in a CRICOS-registered course, maintaining Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and demonstrating genuine temporary entrant (GTE) intent. If you ignore these requirements, your application may be refused or your visa cancelled. Australia has over 1,500 CRICOS-registered providers offering more than 26,000 courses to international students, all of which are eligible for this visa. The ESOS Act provides legal protections for students on this visa, ensuring quality education and consumer rights.
The Student Visa Subclass 500 is a temporary visa that allows international students to study full-time in Australia at a CRICOS-registered institution. It is the standard student visa introduced in July 2016, replacing the previous multiple subclasses (570-576). Key features include: the right to study any CRICOS-registered course at any level (from ELICOS to doctoral degrees), the ability to work up to 48 hours per fortnight when your course is in session (and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks), and the ability to include family members (spouse/partner and dependent children) in your application. The visa duration typically covers your course length plus additional time (e.g., 1-2 months for course completion, or up to 2 months for gap periods). You must maintain enrolment, satisfactory attendance (if required by your provider), and valid OSHC for the entire stay. The visa is subject to the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement, which assesses your intent to genuinely study in Australia without permanent migration intentions. Note that this visa does not lead directly to permanent residency, but may serve as a pathway through other visas like the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) after graduation.
To apply for the Student Visa Subclass 500, you must meet several requirements: 1) Be enrolled in a full-time CRICOS-registered course and provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course. 2) Meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement, which includes providing evidence of your ties to your home country, financial capacity, and study intentions. 3) Satisfy English language proficiency requirements (e.g., IELTS 5.5 for diploma courses, 6.0 for bachelor's degrees, or 7.0 for teaching/medicine). 4) Hold adequate health insurance (OSHC) for yourself and any family members included in the application. 5) Meet health and character requirements, including a medical examination and police check if requested. 6) Provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition, living costs (at least AUD 21,041 per year as of 2026 for a single student), and travel. 7) Be at least 6 years old (for school students). The application is made online via ImmiAccount, and processing times vary from a few weeks to several months. Always check the Department of Home Affairs website for current processing times and fee (AUD 710 as of 2026, plus additional costs for family members and OSHC).
Lucas is a 22-year-old student from Brazil who wants to study a Bachelor of Business at the University of Sydney (CRICOS code 00026A). After receiving his CoE from the university, he applies for the Student Visa Subclass 500. He gathers his documents: passport, CoE, OSHC policy from Medibank (AUD 600 per year), proof of sufficient funds (his parents' bank statements showing AUD 30,000), IELTS score of 6.5, and a GTE statement explaining his intention to return to Brazil after graduation. He pays the visa fee (AUD 710) and submits the application. Three weeks later, his visa is granted, allowing him to stay until March 2028 (course finish date plus 2 months). Lucas can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the semester and unlimited during breaks. This example shows how the Subclass 500 works in practice: it requires careful document preparation and meeting all conditions. If Lucas ignores the GTE requirement, his application could be rejected. He must also ensure his OSHC is renewed annually.
Ready to study in Australia? Explore CRICOS-registered courses and providers on HeadStart Academy. Remember, this glossary page is for informational purposes only; for visa applications, consult a registered migration agent.