Interested in studying at one of Australia’s world-class universities, training colleges or schools? Australia is a popular international student destination, with thousands of highly-regarded educational institutes offering Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) registered courses.
At Australian Education and Visa Centre, we can help you determine the right visa for your needs. There are a number of study visa options, including:
A Student visa (subclass 500) allows a student from overseas to live in Australia while they complete their full-time education.
To apply for this visa, you must already be accepted to study a CRICOS-registered, full-time course at an education institute in Australia.
Student visas are usually granted for a period up to five years. You can work up to 40 hours per fortnight during course time and unlimited hours during course break.
Download our Student Visa (subclass 500) checklist
If you intend to study in Australia, you will need to apply for the Student visa (subclass 500).
You can apply for the following types of study on this visa:
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)
The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criterion has been introduced to improve the integrity of the student visa program. In order to meet the GTE requirement applicants will need to satisfy DOHA that they have a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily, for the purpose of study or to accompany a student as a dependent or guardian.
In assessing GTE, decision makers must consider the following factors:
Enrolled in a Registered Course
All applicants must provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or Letter of Offer with their student visa applicant to evidence that they are enrolled in a registered course.
Financial Requirements
The regulations require international students to show evidence of funds to cover tuition, travel, living costs and school costs for school aged dependents (if applicable).
Evidence of funds can include money deposits, financial institution or government loans, scholarships or sponsorships.
Living costs – From 1 February 2018, the 12 month living cost is:
Travel costs – Around AUD $2000 per person
The annual income option requires a student to provide evidence of personal annual income of at least AUD 60,000. For students accompanied by family members, the requirement is at least AUD 70,000.
Please note Evidence must be in the form of official government documents such as tax assessments. Evidence in the form of bank statements or information directly from an employer is not acceptable.
To ensure you and your accompanying family members have genuine access to the funds shown in your application, you need to provide the evidence of income, assets and employment documentation for you or the other person who is providing the funds
English proficiency requirement
You will need to meet the English language requirement to apply for a student visa.
Acceptable English language test score
Where evidence of English Language is required, the following minimum English language test score from the following providers will be accepted:
| English language provider test | Minimum test score | Minimum test score where combined with at least 10 weeks ELICOS | Minimum test score where combined with at least 20 weeks ELICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 |
| *Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper based | 527 | 500 | 450 |
| TOEFL internet based test | 46 | 35 | 32 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English) | 162 | 154 | 147 |
| Pearson Test of English Academic | 42 | 36 | 30 |
| Occupational English Test** | Pass | Pass | Pass |
A Student visa (subclass 500) allows a student from overseas to live in Australia while they complete their full-time education.
If you pay for your application by credit card, a surcharge will apply. The current surcharge rates are:
* The surcharge will also apply to Debit Visa cards and Debit MasterCards
Applicant in or outside Australia
All charges shown below are in Australian Dollars.
| Visa | Base application charge | Additional applicant charge 18 and over | Additional applicant charge under 18 | Subsequent temporary application charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa | AUD $620 | AUD $460 | AUD $150 | AUD $700 |
Business and Social Study
University Level
Education
College Level
University Level
Engineering and IT
College Level
University Level
Health
University Level
Hospitality
College Level
Your eligible family members can:
If your family members are applying to join you in Australia as a subsequent entrant, they will need to provide the following with their online
Subsequent entrants must also meet the genuine temporary entrant requirement and health and character requirements. Subsequent entrants might need to provide other documentation that is specific to their circumstances.
If you pay for your application by credit card, a surcharge will apply. The current surcharge rates are:
* The surcharge will also apply to Debit Visa cards and Debit MasterCards
Applicant in or outside Australia
All charges shown below are in Australian Dollars.
| Visa | Base application charge | Additional applicant charge 18 and over | Additional applicant charge under 18 | Subsequent temporary application charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa (subsequent entrant) | AUD $620 | AUD $460 | AUD $150 | AUD $700 |
A Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) allows the custodian of a child under the age of 18 years to accompany the child during their studies in Australia.
This visa allows you to stay in Australia for the same duration as the student or until they turn 18, depending which happens first.
You can not work in Australia on this visa, however, you can study an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) for up to 20 hours per week, or a non-ELICOS course for up to three months.
Download our Student Guardian Visa (subclass 590) checklist
A Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) is for clients who intend to stay in Australia as the guardian of a student and is a parent or close relative (over 21 years of age) of an applicant or a current Student visa holder who is under 18 years of age.
In most circumstances, if you are applying for a Student Guardian visa and you have a child under the age of 6, you will not be eligible for the grant of this visa. However under very limited circumstances, you may be eligible for a Student Guardian visa if you satisfy the following:
You need to have enough money genuinely available to support you, the student and children coming with you for the duration of your stay in Australia. You will declare this in your visa application.
a) Twelve months’ funds option- Evidence of funds can include money deposits.
Living costs – From 1 February 2018, the 12 month living cost is:
Travel costs – Around $2000 per person
b) Annual income option
The annual income requirement is AUD 70,000 or more. The income must be one of the following:
showing income earned during a period ending less than 12 months before the visa application was lodged. For example, a tax assessment issued in December 2015, for a visa application lodged in July 2016, would be acceptable.
If you pay for your application by credit card, a surcharge will apply. The current surcharge rates are:
* The surcharge will also apply to Debit Visa cards and Debit MasterCards
Applicant in or outside Australia
All charges shown below are in Australian Dollars.
| Visa | Base application charge | Additional applicant charge 18 and over | Additional applicant charge under 18 | Subsequent temporary application charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Guardian (Subclass 590) | AUD $620 | Nil | Nil | AUD $700 |
Lodging a visa application with Australian immigration authorities can be complicated and time-consuming. At Australian Education and Visa (AEV) Centre, our agents will guide you smoothly through the process.
With expert counsellors at the ready, our team can answer any questions about immigration and visas that you have.
