Student visa Australia (subclass 500)
Who is the Student visa for?
Home Affairs describes the 500 as a visa to study full-time in a recognised educational institution. If you are the parent or guardian of a student under 18, there is a separate Student Guardian visa (590).
What changed on 2 October 2026?
These changes:
- Applying from inside Australia: most temporary visa holders, including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand holders, can no longer apply for a Student visa onshore. Student visa holders generally cannot apply for another one onshore unless an exemption applies.
- Family members: you cannot include family members in a first or further Student visa unless an exemption applies. You cannot add family members after the visa is granted, and there are no exemptions to that.
- Existing visas and applications: current Student visas are not affected, and applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the rules at the time of lodgement.
Details are on our page: Student visa changes from 2 October 2026.
What else should I check?
| Topic | Page |
|---|---|
| How much money must I show? | Student visa financial requirements |
| How many hours can I work? | Student visa work hours |
| What does it cost? | Visa fees table |
| What do my conditions mean? | Visa conditions explained |
| What happens after I finish? | Temporary Graduate visa (485) |
FAQ
Can I apply for a Student visa from inside Australia?
Only if you are not barred by the new rules. Most temporary visa holders can no longer do so, and Student visa holders need an exemption. Check the changes page.
Can my partner and children come with me?
Not usually, since 2 October 2026. Exemptions apply to doctoral students, Pacific and ASEAN nationals, fully funded foreign government scholarship holders and DFAT or Defence sponsored students.
Is my current Student visa affected?
Home Affairs and current Student visas are not affected.
How much does the Student visa cost?
See fees.
How long does it take?
Home Affairs' August 2026 median for Student visas was 22 days. See processing times.
In this section
- Change course or provider on a Student visaWhen you can change course or education provider on an Australian Student visa without a new visa, what changes after six months, and when a new visa.
- The 485 visa after studyHow students move from a Student visa to the Temporary Graduate 485 visa after study: when to apply, the A$5,750 charge and the family rules.
- Genuine Student (GS) requirementWhat the Australian Genuine Student requirement is, what the form asks, the 150-word limit and what evidence to include.
- Student visa changes from 2 October 2026What changes for the Student (500) and Guardian (590) visas from 2 October: onshore applications, exemptions and family members.
- OSHC explainedOSHC explained: what Overseas Student Health Cover is, who needs it, when it must start and why a gap breaches condition 8501.
- Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)Student Guardian visa 590: who can be a guardian, work and study limits, health insurance, funds and family members.
- Student visa checklistA checklist for the Australian Student visa 500: Genuine Student answers, proof of funds, OSHC, English results and visa conditions.
- Student visa English requirementsMinimum English test scores for the Australian Student visa (500): IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, ELICOS reductions and who is exempt.
- Student visa evidence levelsHow Student visa evidence levels work: Regular and Streamlined evidence, what the Document Checklist tool decides, English test validity and what you.
- Student visa financial requirementsHow much money you must show for an Australian Student visa: living costs of A$29,710, partner and child amounts, school costs, tuition, travel and.
- Student visa length of stayHow long a Student visa 500 is granted: the 2-month rule, the 15 March end date, the 6-year maximum and primary school cases.
- Student visa work hours (48 hours a fortnight)How many hours can you work on an Australian Student visa? The 48-hour fortnight limit, course breaks, PhD students and what happens if you go over.
- Student visa to permanent residency in AustraliaStudent visa to PR in Australia: how international students may move to permanent residence via the 485, skilled visas or an employer.