Australian Student visa

Here you can read about the Australian Student visa (Subclass 500) and its basic requirements.

Anyone may study in Australia regardless of their age provided that the educational institute has obtained a permission to educate foreign students. With a student visa you can take part in English language courses, vocational courses or college and university study programmes.

The main and common attribute of the Australian student visas is that they contain a work permit for an average of 20 hours a week for you and your accompanying direct relative (spouse, partner). Additionally, if you are studying for an Australian Master's degree, your direct relative is entitled to a full-time work permit. The student visa has got another advantage: it is freely extendable and can serve as a gateway to employee visas or even to permits of residence.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has completely altered the Student visa system in July of 2016. One of the two main changes is that one can only apply online and the second one is that there is now only one visa subclass (Subclass 500) instead of the several used before. The Australian government hopes to make the Student visa application easier and quicker with these changes (with more or less success).

Basic requirements

• Confirmation from the Australian educational institute about the successful payment of the tuition fee.
• Valid health insurance which is accepted by the Australian government.
• Valid reservation for a flight.
• The fee of the visa must be paid.
• Verification of a stable financial background (if the administrator asks for it).
• General medical examination (if the administrator asks for one).

The requirements listed above are only indicative and since every application is different and unique the administrators of the Australian Department of Home Affairs may ask for any additional documents they see relevant e.g. employer’s certificate, proof of ownership of properties or any family related documentation.

Besides the things mentioned above it is important to note, that the Australian Department of Home Affairs may reconsider the status of each country several times a yaer. This is important regarding visa applications, because the risk factor ranking of the home country can affect the evaluation of the student visa.

If you are already in Australia and you would like to apply for a Student visa onshore, click on our Next visa menu.

Last, but not least we are an agency registered in Australia, therefore we always have up to date information about the changes concerning the student visa.

If you have any questions reach out to us in our office in Australia or in Hungary.