Australia still tops the wish list for thousands of students every year, and it’s easy to see why. World-ranked universities, generous work rights, and a welcoming culture make the country hard to beat. But getting there means navigating the Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500), and 2026 has brought real changes to how the Department of Home Affairs assesses applications.
This guide covers what the visa includes, who qualifies, required documents, current fees, and the mistakes that trip up otherwise strong applicants. If you’d rather have an expert handle the paperwork, Kangaroo Migration Consultants supports students through every stage, from choosing a course to lodging a complete application.
What Is the Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)?
The Subclass 500 lets international students study full-time at a CRICOS-registered Australian institution, whether that’s a university, a vocational college, or an English language centre. It’s a multiple-entry visa tied to the length of your course, so you can travel in and out of Australia while you study. You can also work part-time, and eligible family members can join you.
Key features worth knowing:
● Full-time enrolment at a registered provider is compulsory; casual study loads don’t qualify.
● You can bring your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children on the same application.
● Work rights kick in once your course starts, letting you earn while you study.
● The visa opens the door to graduate and skilled migration pathways once you finish your course.
What’s Changed for Student Visa Australia 2026
A few updates matter this year. The Genuine Student (GS) requirement has replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant test, asking targeted questions about your study plans, ties to home, and career goals directly in ImmiAccount rather than a free-form essay. Financial thresholds have risen, English benchmarks are enforced more strictly, and processing now runs on a priority system tied to each institution’s enrolment numbers. None of this makes the visa harder if your application is genuine and well-documented, but sloppy paperwork stands out more than before.
Benefits of the Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)
● Study at globally ranked universities and specialist colleges across every state.
● Earn international qualifications that employers recognise worldwide.
● Work part-time during term and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks.
● Bring your partner and children, with your partner generally allowed to work too.
● Live in a genuinely multicultural country with a strong student support network.
● Build a pathway toward graduate visas and, eventually, skilled migration.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility rests on a handful of pillars: a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered course, a satisfactory Genuine Student response, proof of financial capacity, an accepted English test result, Overseas Student Health Cover for your entire stay, and a clean bill of health and character. There’s no fixed age ceiling, though applicants under 18 need welfare arrangements confirmed by their institution.
Financial and English Language Requirements
You’ll need to show funds covering living costs, tuition, and travel. Below is a snapshot of the widely reported 2026 figures, though these are reviewed periodically, so always check the Department of Home Affairs website for the current numbers before you apply.
| Requirement | Approximate 2026 Figure (AUD) |
| Primary applicant living costs (per year) | $29,710 |
| Spouse or de facto partner | $10,394 |
| Each dependent child | $4,449 |
| Visa application charge (base rate) | Reviewed regularly — confirm current fee |
English test scores vary by course and provider, but general benchmarks are:
| Test | Typical Minimum for University Entry |
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 |
| PTE Academic | Around 50 |
| TOEFL iBT | Around 64 (secure test centre only) |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / OET | Course-dependent — check your offer letter |
Some nationalities, including citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, and Ireland, may be exempt from formal English testing.
Step-by-Step Application Process
● Choose a CRICOS-registered course and institution that fits your academic goals.
● Accept your offer and receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
● Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your full intended stay.
● Gather your documents: passport, academic transcripts, English test results, and financial evidence.
● Complete your Genuine Student responses and lodge your application through ImmiAccount.
● Attend biometrics collection and any requested medical examination.
● Wait for a decision, tracking timelines through the Department’s published processing data.
Documents You’ll Typically Need
A valid passport, your CoE, Genuine Student supporting evidence, financial documents (bank statements, loan letters, or sponsorship declarations), academic transcripts, English test results, proof of OSHC, recent photographs, and any requested health or character checks.
Processing Time and Visa Fees in 2026
Processing varies by institution and country of application, with priority given to providers managing their enrolment caps responsibly. Many applicants see decisions within four to twelve weeks, though peak periods and incomplete documentation can extend this. Visa fees have risen in 2026 and continue to be adjusted, so confirm the exact current charge on the official Home Affairs fee schedule rather than relying on last year’s figure. Budget separately for OSHC, biometrics, and your English test on top of the base visa charge.
Work Rights on a Student Visa
Most Subclass 500 holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight once their course begins, with no cap during scheduled course breaks. Postgraduate research students, including Masters by Research and PhD candidates, generally face no hourly restriction at all. You’ll need a Tax File Number before you start any paid work.
Bringing Family Members
Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included on your application or apply separately later. Partners typically gain work rights of their own, and school-age children become eligible to enrol in local schools once they arrive.
Visa Conditions to Keep in Mind
Holding a Subclass 500 visa means maintaining enrolment in your registered course, meeting satisfactory academic progress, keeping your OSHC current, updating your address details, and staying within your permitted work hours. Breaching these conditions can jeopardise your visa and future applications.
Why Applications Get Refused, and How to Avoid It
Common refusal reasons include a weak or inconsistent Genuine Student response, unexplained financial evidence, incomplete documentation, English scores below the course requirement, and factual inconsistencies across forms. Improve your odds by choosing a course that logically fits your background, keeping your financial history clean, applying early, and having your file reviewed before submission.
What Happens After Your Visa Is Granted
Once you land, you’ll enrol in classes, open a local bank account, sort out accommodation, and, if you choose, start part-time work. It’s also worth mapping out what comes next early: many students move on to a Temporary Graduate visa after finishing their studies, and from there toward skilled or employer-sponsored migration pathways.
Pathways After Your Studies
Graduates commonly transition to the Temporary Graduate visa, explore Australia Skilled Migration through the points-tested system, pursue employer sponsorship, or, over time, work toward permanent residency. Your course choice now can meaningfully shape which of these pathways stays open later, which is why early planning pays off.
Why Choose Kangaroo Migration Consultants
Our team handles eligibility assessments, course and university guidance, document preparation, and Genuine Student requirement support, then carries your application through to lodgement and decision. We keep track of policy changes so you don’t have to, and we tailor advice to your specific background rather than offering one-size-fits-all templates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)?
It’s the visa that lets international students study full-time at a CRICOS-registered Australian institution, with rights to work and travel while enrolled.
How much does the visa cost in 2026?
Fees have increased this year and are reviewed periodically, so check the current charge on the official Department of Home Affairs website before budgeting.
How long does processing take?
Most applications are decided within four to twelve weeks, though this depends on your institution’s priority status and how complete your documents are.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, generally up to 48 hours per fortnight during term, with no cap during scheduled breaks.
Can I bring my spouse and children?
Yes, eligible family members can be included on your application or apply to join you later.
Is Overseas Student Health Cover compulsory?
Yes, you must hold OSHC for your entire stay in Australia.
What happens if my application is refused?
You’ll receive written reasons for the refusal, and depending on your circumstances, you may be able to reapply with a stronger application or seek a review.
Final Thoughts
The Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) remains one of the most accessible and rewarding pathways into world-class education, but 2026’s tighter Genuine Student scrutiny and higher financial thresholds mean preparation matters more than ever. Get your eligibility, documents, and Genuine Student response right from the start, and the rest of the process tends to fall into place.
Ready to start your Australia study journey? Talk to Kangaroo Migration Consultants for a personalised eligibility assessment and end-to-end support with your Subclass 500 application.