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Student Visa Australia (Subclass 500): Requirements, Fees & Processing Time

What you know about Student Visa

Complete guide on Australian student visa requirements and the application process

Australia is a popular destination for international students, offering world-class education and a vibrant multicultural environment. If you're planning to study in Australia, obtaining a Student Visa (Subclass 500) is a crucial step. This blog post will guide you through the requirements, fees, and processing times for the Subclass 500 visa.

Understanding the Subclass 500 Visa

The Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500), introduced in July 2016, is designed to span the entire length of your educational program. It permits a stay in Australia for a maximum of five years, aligned with your course enrollment date. The standard fee for this visa application is 710 AUD. This visa offers several benefits, including the ability to bring a family member to Australia, enroll in a qualified study program, and the convenience of applying online from either within or outside Australia for your chosen course.

To be eligible for the Student Visa 500, the following criteria must be met:
  • You must be at least 6 years old.
  • You need to provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for a full-time course that is listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
  • You and any accompanying family members must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved Australian health insurance provider for the duration of your stay in Australia.
  • If you are under 18 years of age, adequate welfare arrangements must be in place for your stay in Australia.
  • Fulfill health and character requirements.
  • Possess sufficient funds to support your stay in Australia.

Australia Student Visa Fee (Subclass 500)

Visa Subclass Base Application Charge Additional Applicant Charge 18 And Over Additional Applicant Charge Under 18 Non-Internet Application Charge Subsequent Temporary Application Charge
Student visa (subclass 500)
AUD 710.00
AUD 530.00
AUD 175.00
N/A
AUD 170.00

Australian Student Visa Requirements

If you’re an international student aiming to study in Australia, it’s important to meet the following requirements for a study visa:

Enrollment and Proof of Study

Your application for an Australian student visa must include proof of enrollment, typically provided in one of these formats:

  • Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE): This is issued to students who are accepted into full-time courses registered on CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students).
  • Packaged Courses & CoEs: If you’re applying for multiple courses, your application should include all the CoE codes. Without these, your student visa will only be valid for the duration of the course(s) specified in the provided CoE(s).
  • Course Continuity: You can enroll in multiple courses where one leads to the next. The break between these courses should not exceed two months, except when the first course concludes at the end of the academic year and the next starts at the beginning of the new academic year.
  • Letter of Support: Students accepted into a full-time study or training program funded by the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade scholarship schemes can use their letter of support as enrollment evidence. The same applies to students funded by the Australian Department of Defense.
  • Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Students (AASES): Exchange students heading to Australia should include this document in their application.
  • Letter from Educator: Postgraduate students needing to remain in Australia while their thesis is being marked must submit a letter from their educator confirming this requirement.

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement

As part of your application, you’ll need to compose a GTE statement, ideally in English. If it’s written in a different language, you must provide a translated version. The purpose of the GTE statement is to assess whether applicants are seeking a student visa for reasons beyond education, such as attempting to obtain or maintain permanent residency in Australia. Therefore, crafting a sincere and convincing GTE statement is crucial.

Maintaining Adequate Health Insurance

Applicants for the Australian student visa, along with their family members, must secure and maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). You can acquire OSHC by choosing an approved insurance provider in Australia and paying for the selected policy. If any family members join you after your arrival in Australia, you must present proof of their OSHC to the immigration department. This health insurance should cover the entire duration of your intended stay in Australia.

English Language Proficiency Criteria

Applicants needing to demonstrate their English language skills can do so by submitting scores from approved tests. Below, you’ll find the minimum score requirements for various English Language Proficiency (ELP) exams recognized by the department.

Exam Minimum Score Minimum Score for at least 10 weeks ELICOS Minimum Score for at least 20 weeks ELICOS
IELTS
5.5
5
4.5
TOEFL-iBT
46
35
32
CAE
162
154
147
PTE
42
36
30
Occupational English Test
B for each test component
N/A
N/A

Student Visa Australia Process

International applicants should apply for an Australian student visa at least six months prior to the start of their course. Next, we’ll outline the overall process for obtaining your Australian student visa to study at top universities:

  1. Organize your health exams
  2. Get help with your visa application
  3. Get a valid passport
  1. Proof of Identity
  2. CoE, letter of acceptance and support
  3. Evidence of having enough money to stay
  4. Provide evidence of having genuine access to the money
  5. Evidence that you are exempted from paying visa application charge, if applicable
  6. Evidence of OSHC
  7. GTE documents
    Partner documents, if valid.
  8. Documents for dependents and children, if applicable.
  9. Find out specific documents required with this Document Checklist Tool

Apply online for the student visa Australia by:

  1. Create a login for ImmiAccount
  2. Attach the above-mentioned documents; maximum 60 files/ person of up to 5 MB.
  3. Pay Visa application fees
  4. Australian student visa fees can be paid via MasterCard (including Debit MasterCard), VISA (including VISA Debit Card), American Express, Diners Club, JCB, China Union Pay, Prepaid credit cards, PayPal, and BPAY.

After Completing your applications you must complete the following through ImmiAccount:

  1. Provide Biometrics
  2. Get health examinations and medical referral letters
  3. Provide additional information required

You will receive the decision on your Australian student visa application in a written format. If approved, the letter will include your visa grant number, the expiration date of the visa, and any conditions attached to your student visa.

Student Visa Australia Processing Time

Stream 50% processing 90% processing
Foreign Affairs or Defense Sector
4 days
35 days
Postgraduate Research Sector
14 days
13 months
Independent ELICOS Sector
17 days
52 days
Non-Award Sector
14 days
85 days
Vocational Education and Training Sector
41 days
68 days
Higher Education Sector
19 days
57 days

10 Common Reasons for Australian Student Visa Rejection

While Australia is welcoming to international students, it’s not uncommon for student visa applications to be rejected. Here are some frequent reasons for the denial of an Australian Student Visa:

  1. Submission of incorrect or incomplete documents.
  2. Holding an invalid passport.
  3. Selecting a course that doesn’t align with your previous academic background.
  4. Lack of sufficient funds for tuition, living expenses, and other costs in Australia.
  5. Not meeting the required English Language Proficiency standards.
  6. Health-related concerns.
  7. Inability to convincingly demonstrate that you are a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE).
  8. Having a criminal record.
  9. Failing to meet the academic prerequisites.
  10. Indicating intentions of not leaving Australia after your studies.

In summary, securing a student visa for Australia requires meticulous attention to every detail of eligibility and requirements. Think of your student visa application as a crucial step in your journey to studying in Australia. Ensuring that all criteria are met and focusing on the accuracy of your documents will significantly improve your chances of obtaining the necessary approval.

 
 

Need help with your student visa application?

Luminedge is here to guide you through every step of the process. Start your journey with us, and take the first step towards realizing your educational aspirations in Australia.

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