Australia is a popular destination for international students. In the year to date through February 2026, 622,043 international students studied in Australia across education sectors, including at higher education institutions. For students coming to Australia to study, the most common visa is the Student visa (subclass 500), although another short-term or temporary visa may suit some study plans.
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
Start gathering your documents early and use the Australian Government’s Document Checklist Tool to identify the evidence required for your circumstances. The Department of Home Affairs recommends applying well before your course commencement date.
You may also need a health examination. The examinations required for temporary visa applicants depend on factors such as the visa, intended length of stay, tuberculosis (TB) risk, and planned activities in Australia. Applicants from low-TB-risk countries generally do not need health examinations unless special circumstances apply. Applicants from higher-TB-risk countries who plan to stay for six months or longer generally need a medical examination, a chest x-ray if they are age 11 or older, and a serum creatinine/eGFR test if they are age 15 or older. Applicants age 15 or older who intend to work as, or study or train to become, a doctor, dentist, nurse, or paramedic need additional tests, including HIV and hepatitis B and C tests.
Providing all required information and documents can help you receive a faster outcome. Missing or incomplete information can delay a decision or lead to a refusal.
Step 2. Apply for the Australian Student Visa
Apply online by creating an ImmiAccount or logging in to an existing account. Upload the required documents and check your ImmiAccount regularly for messages and requests for more information.
Review your application and attachments carefully before paying the visa application charge and submitting the application.
Step 4. Pay for Your Visa Application
The base application charge for a Student visa (subclass 500) is from AUD 2,000 unless you are exempt. Check the Australian Government’s Visa Pricing Estimator before applying because visa charges can change. Online applications can be paid by debit or credit card, PayPal, UnionPay, or BPAY. Home Affairs lists surcharges of 1.40% for American Express, JCB, MasterCard, and Visa; 1.90% for UnionPay; and 1.01% for PayPal. The surcharge also applies to Debit Visa and Debit MasterCard payments.
If you qualify for an exemption or a reduced charge, follow the instructions in ImmiAccount and attach any requested evidence. A lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
Step 5. Wait for Your Visa Application Status
Student visa processing times vary. Check the Australian Government’s Visa Processing Times Guide for an indication based on recently decided applications. The guide is not a guarantee for an individual application. Processing may take longer if information is missing or additional checks are required.
If biometrics are required, you will receive a letter and see the request in ImmiAccount. You will generally have 14 days to provide them. You may also be asked to complete health examinations or provide additional documents. If you gave an incorrect answer in your application, use Form 1023 to notify the Department of Home Affairs.
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, keep the grant notification and check your visa details and conditions.
If your application is refused, you will also be informed in writing. Visa application charges are not generally refunded merely because an application is refused or unsuccessful.
Documents Needed for Australian Student Visa
To apply for the Australian student visa — also known as the Student visa (subclass 500) — prepare the documents required for your circumstances. Use the Australian Government’s Document Checklist Tool and follow any requests in ImmiAccount.
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 you have these. If anyone included in the application has changed their name, include certified evidence of the change, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll certificate. Use the Australian Government’s Document Checklist Tool for the list that applies to your circumstances. |
| Enrollment, Support, and Acceptance Forms | Unless you are in a special category, provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for all intended courses. Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-sponsored and Department of Defence-sponsored students should provide a letter of support. Secondary exchange students should provide an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student form. A postgraduate research student who needs to remain in Australia for thesis marking should provide a letter from the education provider. |
| Proof of Financial Capacity | Provide evidence that you can cover travel costs, 12 months of living costs, tuition fees for yourself and accompanying family members, and school costs for school-aged dependents. Current living-cost figures include AUD 29,710 for the student, AUD 10,394 for a partner, and AUD 4,449 for each 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 AUD 102,500 if a family member is accompanying you. |
| Genuine Student Requirement | Student visa applications lodged on or after March 23, 2024, are assessed under the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. Answer the GS questions in the online application form and attach supporting documents in ImmiAccount. Home Affairs prefers responses in the application form rather than a separate GS statement. |
| Proof of English Proficiency | If required, provide evidence that you achieved the minimum score on an approved English language test or that an exemption applies. For tests taken on or after August 7, 2025, approved tests include Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, LANGUAGECERT Academic, MET, OET, PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT. Check the current Home Affairs guidance for the required score, applicable exemptions, and transitional rules for older results. Completely online or at-home tests are not accepted for Australian visa purposes. |
| Health Coverage | Provide evidence of 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. Some students from Norway, Sweden, or Belgium may qualify for exemptions under special arrangements; check the official OSHC guidance. |
| Proof of Visa Payment Exemption (if applicable) | Do not assume that exchange or scholarship status automatically makes your application fee-free. If ImmiAccount or the Visa Pricing Estimator indicates that you qualify for an exemption or reduced charge, follow the instructions and provide any requested evidence. A lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. |
| Partner’s or Dependents’ Documents | If family members are included in your application, provide the documents required for each person. Depending on your circumstances, these may include identity documents, evidence of your relationship, OSHC details, parental consent, welfare arrangements for applicants under age 18, and evidence of school enrollment for school-aged dependents. |
FAQs: Student Visa Applications for Australia
How Much Money Do You Need for an Australian Student Visa?
The base application charge for a Student visa (subclass 500) is from AUD 2,000 unless you are exempt. Charges for additional applicants depend on their age and circumstances. Check the Australian Government’s Visa Pricing Estimator immediately before lodging your application.
You may also need to pay for related requirements, such as biometrics, police clearances, health examinations, and English language testing.
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 study 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.
