School and VET
Primary and secondary school students (with a guardian on Subclass 590 if under 18). VET students doing Certificate III, IV, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma courses.
Main Student Visa · 2026 Rules Applied
Subclass 500 Student Visa, done right.
The Subclass 500 is the visa that brings over 600,000 international students to Australia every year. It looks simple from the outside. In practice, the Genuine Student test, the financial capacity rules, and country-specific risk ratings can turn a straightforward application into a refusal. This page shows you what actually matters.
600,000+ student visas granted each year
GS test is where most refusals happen
Who the Subclass 500 is for
The full range of international students in Australia.
From primary school through to research doctorates. One visa covers all of it, with different conditions applied based on what you study.
University and postgrad
Undergraduate students at Australian universities. Postgraduate coursework (Masters, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma).
Research and ELICOS
Research students (Masters by Research, PhD). Non-award students on exchange or study abroad. ELICOS students doing standalone English courses.
Key requirements in 2026
Eight things every Subclass 500 file needs.
Miss one and the application is either refused or held in limbo waiting for information. Here they are, with what each one actually means.
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Issued by your education provider once you accept your offer and pay the deposit. You cannot lodge a Subclass 500 visa without it.
Genuine Student statement
A statement explaining why you want to study in Australia, why this course and institution, and what you plan to do after. Replaced GTE in 2024.
Financial capacity
Evidence of funds for course fees, living expenses, travel, and any family. Funds need a clear source, not just a balance.
English language proficiency
An accepted test score. IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge English. The required score depends on your course.
Health examinations
Required for most applicants. Where and how depends on country, age, and visa length. The Department will tell you exactly what after lodgement.
Police clearances
From every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, from age 16 onwards.
OSHC health cover
Overseas Student Health Cover, mandatory for the full visa period. Must be paid before the visa is granted.
Character and public interest
You must meet the character requirement. Past criminal records, immigration breaches, or character concerns can lead to refusal.
The Genuine Student test
This is where most refusals happen.
The GS test sits at the centre of the Department's risk assessment. It decides whether your visa is granted. Get this section wrong and the rest of the file barely matters.
What the Department looks forThat you are coming to Australia for genuine study. That you are likely to leave at the end of your visa if you are not on a PR pathway. Your statement needs to show both.
Your immigration historyPrevious visa refusals or cancellations. Anywhere in the world. Honestly declared and properly explained.
Your ties to your home countryFamily, employment, property. The Department wants to see you have something to go back to.
The value of this course to your careerWhy this course. Why this institution. How it fits with your previous study and work. How it moves your career forward.
Your country's risk ratingThe Department assigns risk ratings to applicant countries. Higher-risk countries get more scrutiny. Your statement has to hold up against that scrutiny.
Financial evidence
It is not just the amount. It is the story behind the money.
Financial refusals are the second most common reason after GS failures. The Department wants to verify both that you have the money and that it is yours.
Bank statements 3–6 months
Statements showing a consistent balance over 3 to 6 months, not a sudden deposit right before the application.
Education loan letters
Approval letters from recognised banks. The loan must be formally approved and documented, not just a promise of funding.
Sponsor affidavits
Where a parent or relative is paying. The affidavit must name the sponsor, state the relationship, and confirm the commitment.
Income evidence
Pay slips, tax returns, business financials supporting the declared source of funds. The money has to come from somewhere explainable.
Property valuations
Where family wealth in real estate is being used. Valuation reports from recognised valuers, plus evidence of ownership.
Scholarship letters
Where a scholarship covers fees or living costs. The letter must confirm the scholarship is granted, not just applied for.
What triggers suspicion: Large sums appearing suddenly in accounts without explanation. Funds held in accounts unrelated to the applicant or immediate family. Sponsor documents from people with no obvious capacity to support the applicant. Inconsistent figures between declared income and the source of the study funds.
Australia lets student visa holders bring dependent family.
Not every country allows this. Your partner and children can come with you, and your partner has the same work rights you do. For students who do not want to leave family behind, this is a major advantage of the Australian student visa.
After you lodge
What happens between lodgement and grant.
Four possible outcomes. Three of them can still end in a granted visa if you act correctly.
Request for more information
If the Department needs anything else, you receive a request. The deadline is usually 28 days, sometimes shorter. Missing the deadline can lead to refusal on the existing evidence.
Section 57 natural justice letter
If the Department is considering refusing your visa, you may receive a Section 57 letter. This is your chance to respond before the decision is made. Treat it seriously.
Grant or refusal
If approved, you receive a grant letter with visa details, start date, and conditions. If refused, you have 21 days to lodge an appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Common Subclass 500 questions
The questions we hear most.
Short answers here. For anything specific to your situation, book a consultation.
Can I apply for the Subclass 500 from inside Australia?
Yes, under certain conditions. If you currently hold a substantive visa with no Section 48 bar, you can apply onshore. Whether this is a good strategy depends on your current visa conditions and your long-term plan. Book a consultation before applying from onshore.
What happens if I fail my course?
Failing one subject is usually not a visa problem on its own. Repeatedly failing subjects, not attending classes, or not maintaining enrolment can breach Condition 8202 and lead to visa cancellation. If you are struggling with a course, speak to your institution's international student office before the situation becomes serious.
Can I change courses after arriving in Australia?
Yes, but there are rules around when you can change, particularly in the first six months of your principal course. The rules are technical. Speak to us before making any changes to your enrolment.
Does a previous visa refusal ruin my chances?
Not automatically. But any previous refusal, whether for Australia or another country, needs to be declared and properly explained. Hiding a previous refusal is the quickest way to a fresh refusal on character grounds.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.