AUG Social Media
AUG Student Services logo
Menu

Australian Student Visa Requirements: A Complete Guide for International Students

International student holding passport and documents for Australian student visa application

September 2026

Australia remains one of the most popular study destinations in the world, welcoming hundreds of thousands of international students every year. Before you can enrol at an Australian university, college, or school, you must meet the Australian student visa requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs. The main visa for full-time international students is the Student Visa (Subclass 500), which allows you to live, study, and work part-time in Australia for the duration of your course.

This guide explains each requirement in plain language, covers the latest updates, and answers the most common questions students ask before applying.

Why You Need to Understand

Understanding the Australian student visa requirements early can save you months of delays and thousands of dollars. Visa refusals often happen not because students are ineligible, but because applications are incomplete, financial evidence is unclear, or the Genuine Student requirement is poorly addressed.

Knowing exactly what is expected helps you:

Prepare documents well before your course start date
Avoid refusals that can affect future visa applications
Budget accurately for tuition, living costs, and health cover
Apply with confidence and reduce processing delays

Requirements for the Australian Student Visa

1. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

You must first be accepted into a full-time course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Once you accept your offer and pay any required deposit, your education provider issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). You need a CoE for every course you include in your visa application.

2. Genuine Student (GS) Requirement

Since 2024, the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement has been replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. Applicants answer targeted questions about:

  • Their current circumstances, including ties to family, community, and employment
  • Why they chose their course and education provider
  • How the course will benefit their future career
  • Their study and immigration history

Answers should be honest, specific, and consistent with the rest of your application. Generic or copied statements are a common cause of refusal.

Preparing documents for study in Australia

3. English Language Proficiency

Most applicants must prove English proficiency through an approved test. As of 2024, the minimum scores were raised:

TestMinimum Score (Student Visa)
IELTS Academic6.0 overall
TOEFL iBT64 overall
PTE Academic50 overall
Cambridge (C1 Advanced)169 overall
Note that many universities set higher entry requirements than the visa minimum, and some students (for example, those from certain English-speaking countries or with prior English-medium study) may be exempt.

4. Financial Capacity

You must show you can cover your expenses in Australia. From May 2024, the required amount for living costs is A$29,710 per year for the primary applicant, plus additional amounts for a partner (around A$10,394) and each dependent child (around A$4,449).

You must also account for:

First-year tuition fees (minus any amount already paid)
Travel costs (typically A$2,000–A$2,500)
School costs for any school-aged dependants

Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, education loans, scholarships, or proof of parental income above the required threshold.

5. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

All student visa holders must maintain OSHC for the entire duration of their stay. This insurance covers hospital visits, some medical services, and emergency ambulance transport. You must purchase OSHC before lodging your visa application, and the policy dates must match your intended stay.

6. Health and Character Requirements

Depending on your country of origin, course, and length of stay, you may need a health examination with a panel physician approved by the Australian Government. You may also need to provide police clearance certificates to demonstrate good character. All applicants must sign the Australian Values Statement.

7. Visa Application Fee

As of July 2026, the base application charge for the Subclass 500 visa is A$2,500. Additional charges apply for family members included in the application. Fees are non-refundable, even if the visa is refused, which makes careful preparation essential.

Terms and Conditions on a Student Visa

Work rights: Students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during official course breaks.
Course attendance: You must maintain enrolment, satisfactory attendance, and course progress.
Address updates: You must notify your provider of your Australian address within seven days of arrival and report any changes.
Family members: Eligible partners and children can be included in your application or join you later.
Post-study options: Graduates of eligible courses may apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) to gain work experience after completing their studies.

International Students planning their Australian study journey

Tips to Consider When Preparing Your Application

Rather than relying on guesswork, here are practical tips that experienced students and advisers commonly recommend:

Start early. Aim to lodge your visa application at least three months before your course begins, as processing times fluctuate.
Choose your course carefully. A clear, logical connection between your previous studies, chosen course, and career goals strengthens your Genuine Student responses.
Keep financial documents clean. Sudden large deposits into bank accounts can raise questions; funds should be traceable and held for a reasonable period.
Be consistent. Ensure the details in your CoE, GS answers, financial evidence, and forms all match. Inconsistencies are a major red flag for case officers.
Compare OSHC providers. Prices and coverage vary, and your education provider may offer a preferred insurer, but you are free to choose your own.
Don’t ignore refusal history. If you have had a previous visa refusal in any country, disclose it and address it honestly in your application.

Australian Student Visa requirements for International Students

FAQ: Australian Student Visa Requirements

How long does the Australian student visa take to process?

Processing times vary from a few days to several months depending on your country, education provider, and the completeness of your application. Most complete applications are processed within one to three months.

Can I work while studying in Australia?

Yes. Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.

Can I bring my family with me?

Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included as family applicants, provided you show additional financial capacity and OSHC coverage for them.

What happens if my visa is refused?

Depending on the reason, you may be able to reapply with stronger evidence or seek a review through the Administrative Review Tribunal. A refusal must be disclosed in future applications, so it is best to get the application right the first time.

Do I need to buy health insurance before applying?

Yes. OSHC must be purchased and valid for your entire intended stay before you lodge your visa application.

Summary

Meeting the Australian student visa requirements comes down to seven key elements: a valid Confirmation of Enrolment, a genuine and well-documented Genuine Student response, sufficient English proficiency, proof of financial capacity, OSHC health insurance, health and character clearances, and the visa application fee. Requirements have tightened in recent years, so preparing early, staying organised, and using official sources are the best ways to secure a smooth approval.

Need a Hand with Your Application?

If you would like personalised guidance on course selection, applications, or your student visa, the team at AUG Student Services offers free counselling for students planning to study in Australia. Get in touch with us whenever you are ready.