Australia is one of the more popular destinations for international students attending its higher education institutions and other education providers. Australian Department of Education data show that 851,780 international students were commencing or continuing their studies in Australia in 2025. International students generally apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) to study in Australia.
If you’re thinking of studying in the land Down Under, here’s what you need to do to apply for a student visa in Australia.
Steps on Applying for an Australian Student Visa
Here’s a step-by-step process that you need to follow:
Step 1. Prepare All the Requirements
Gather the documents that apply to your circumstances. The Australian Department of Home Affairs encourages applicants to apply well before their course commencement date. Use the Document Checklist Tool to see which documents you need to attach.
Some applicants also need to complete health examinations. The requirements for temporary visa applicants depend on factors such as the visa, the intended length of stay, tuberculosis risk, age, planned activities, and special circumstances. For example, applicants from a country with a higher tuberculosis risk who plan to stay for six months or more generally need a medical examination and, if they are aged 11 or older, a chest x-ray. Applicants aged 15 or older may also need a serum creatinine/eGFR test. Applicants aged 15 or older who intend to work as, or study or train to become, doctors, dentists, nurses, or paramedics need additional tests, including HIV and hepatitis B and C tests.
To help avoid delays, review your application carefully and provide all the requested information and supporting documents.
Step 2. Apply for the Australian Student Visa
You can apply online by creating an ImmiAccount or logging in to an existing account. Once you have an account, you can complete your application and attach the required documents.
Make sure to review all the documents you have attached before submitting your application and paying the applicable visa charges.
Step 4. Pay for Your Visa Application
Unless exempt, the standard base application charge for a Student visa starts at AUD 2,000. From March 22, 2025, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. Visa charges can change, so check the Visa Pricing Estimator before submitting your application.
If you qualify for a visa payment exemption, upload the supporting evidence requested in ImmiAccount.
Step 5. Wait for Your Visa Application Status
Student visa processing times vary. Use the Australian Government’s Visa Processing Times Guide for an indication based on recently decided applications. The guide is not a guarantee and is not specific to your application. Missing or incorrect information can delay a decision.
After submitting your application, check ImmiAccount regularly for messages, status updates, and requests for more information. If Home Affairs asks you to provide biometrics, you will generally have 14 days to do so. You may also be asked to complete health examinations or provide additional documents. If you gave an incorrect answer in your application, notify the department by submitting Form 1023, which is the Notification of incorrect answer(s) form.
Step 6. Check Your Visa Outcome
Once your application has been processed, the Australian government will inform you of its decision in writing. If your visa is granted, you will be notified of your visa grant number, the date your visa expires, and your visa conditions.
If your application is refused, you will be informed in writing. The application charge will not be refunded solely because your application was refused.
Documents Needed for Australian Student Visa
To apply for an Australian Student visa, also known as a subclass 500 visa, prepare the documents that apply to your circumstances. Use the Australian Government’s Document Checklist Tool for a personalized list.
VISA
REQUIREMENT | DOCUMENT DETAILS |
|---|
| Passport | Attach a copy of your passport. |
| Proof of Identity | Include a certified copy of your birth certificate, national identity card, or driver’s license where available. If your name has changed, provide supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate or divorce certificate. Check the Australian Government’s Document Checklist Tool for the documents that apply to your circumstances. |
| Enrollment, Support, and Acceptance Forms | Unless you are in a special category, you must provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for all intended courses when you apply. Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-sponsored and Department of Defence-sponsored students must provide a letter of support. Secondary exchange students must provide an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student form. A postgraduate research student who needs to remain in Australia for thesis marking must provide a letter from their education provider. |
| Proof of Financial Capacity | You may need to provide evidence that you have enough money to cover travel costs, 12 months of living costs, tuition fees for yourself and accompanying family members, and school costs for any school-aged dependents. Current living-cost amounts include AUD 29,710 for the student, AUD 10,394 for a partner, and AUD 4,449 for each accompanying child. Add at least AUD 13,502 per year for each school-aged child. Alternatively, you may provide evidence that your parents or partner had a personal annual income of at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply, or at least AUD 102,500 if you bring family members. Check the Student visa page before applying because these amounts may change. |
| Genuine Student Requirement | Student visa applications lodged on or after March 23, 2024, are assessed under the Genuine Student requirement. The online application asks questions about your circumstances, why you want to study your chosen course in Australia, how the course will benefit you, and any other relevant information. Attach supporting documents in ImmiAccount. |
| Proof of English Proficiency | You may need to provide evidence of English language ability or show that an exemption applies. For tests taken on or after August 7, 2025, approved tests completed at a secure testing center include Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, LANGUAGECERT Academic, the Michigan English Test, OET, PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT. Some earlier test results may remain valid for a limited period. Check the Australian Government’s English language visa requirements and your institution’s separate admission requirements. Helpful background guides are also available for IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge exams, and PTE. |
| Health Coverage | You must obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself and any accompanying dependents from at least one week before your course starts and for the duration of your stay in Australia. If you are from Norway, Sweden, or Belgium, you might not have to obtain OSHC. Check the applicable rules before applying. |
| Proof of Visa Payment Exemption (if applicable) | Some applicants may pay no visa application charge. Check the Student visa page and the Visa Pricing Estimator for your circumstances, and upload any supporting evidence requested in ImmiAccount. |
| Partner’s or Dependents’ Documents | If you are applying with family members, attach the documents requested for each applicant in the Document Checklist Tool. Applicants must answer character questions truthfully. Home Affairs may ask for police certificates or other character documents after you apply. |
FAQs: Student Visa Applications for Australia
How Much Money Do You Need for an Australian Student Visa?
Unless exempt, the standard base application charge for an Australian Student visa starts at AUD 2,000. An additional applicant charge may apply for each family member included in a combined application. The amount depends on factors such as the visa type, the applicant’s age, and whether the applicant is in or outside Australia when the application is lodged. Use the Australian Government’s Visa Pricing Estimator for an estimate based on your circumstances.
You should also allow for related costs, such as health examinations and police certificates, if requested.
With the right preparation and guidance, studying in Australia can be an exciting adventure. Securing the appropriate visa is an important step toward turning your plans into reality.
We hope this article on applying for a student visa in Australia was helpful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, check out our Study in Australia and Available Programs for International Students pages for more articles on studying in this country.
