A strong Australian student visa application begins with a clear study plan. Before you lodge the visa, you should understand your course, education provider, fees, living costs, English evidence,…
Overview
A strong Australian student visa application begins with a clear study plan. Before you lodge the visa, you should understand your course, education provider, fees, living costs, English evidence, health cover, financial capacity and why the course makes sense for your future.
The old Genuine Temporary Entrant concept has been replaced by the Genuine Student framework for student visa applications lodged from 23 March 2024. The focus is now on showing that studying in Australia is the primary reason for your stay and that your evidence supports your answers.
VNIS Education tip: do not treat the visa application as a paperwork-only task. Your course choice, financial evidence and Genuine Student answers should tell one consistent story. Current essentials
1. CoE is central You generally need a valid Confirmation of Enrolment from your education provider before applying for a Student visa. 2. Genuine Student answers matter The application form asks targeted GS questions, and supporting evidence carries more weight than unsupported statements. 3. Secure-centre English tests From 7 August 2025, accepted English tests for visa purposes must be taken at a secure test centre; fully online tests are not accepted. 4. Plan for fees and living costs Student visa fees start from AUD 2,000 from 1 July 2025, and financial capacity evidence may also be required depending on your profile. What the visa allows
The Student visa subclass 500 is designed for international students enrolled in an eligible course at an Australian education provider.
1
Study an eligible course at an Australian education provider.
2
Include eligible family members such as a partner, child or partner’s child in the application.
3
Stay in Australia for the course duration, usually up to a maximum of five years.
4
Work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, subject to visa conditions.
Step-by-step process
The sequence below rebuilds the original article into a current, practical visa roadmap for students applying to study in Australia.
01
After applying for your intended course, your chosen education provider may issue a Letter of Offer. Read it carefully before accepting. It usually includes course details, conditions, fees, refund arrangements and your rights as a student.
02
Once you accept the offer and pay the required deposit, your education provider can issue a Confirmation of Enrolment, usually known as a CoE. The CoE confirms your enrolment and is a central document for the Student visa application.
Important: If you apply for more than one course under course packaging, you will need a CoE for each course, with clear progression to your principal course. 03
Some Student visa applicants must provide English language evidence. From 7 August 2025, the accepted English tests for visa purposes changed. Tests must be undertaken at a secure test centre, and the Department of Home Affairs does not accept fully online or remote-proctored English tests for visa purposes.
04
The Genuine Student requirement applies to Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024. The application form asks targeted questions about your current circumstances, why you want to study this course with this provider, and how the course will benefit you.
GS update: The Department prefers applicants to answer the questions in the application form rather than attach a separate GS statement. 05
You may need to show that you have sufficient funds to cover travel, course fees and living costs during your stay. For applications lodged from 10 May 2024, the financial capacity requirement for an individual student was set at AUD 29,710. Actual living costs may be higher depending on city, lifestyle and accommodation.
06
Overseas Student Health Cover is required for international students for the duration of their stay in Australia. Your visa application may be refused if you do not have adequate health insurance arrangements.
07
Student visa applicants must meet health and character requirements. Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to complete health examinations and provide additional character information or police checks.
08
Student visa applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount. You do not legally need an agent to lodge a Student visa application, but only registered migration agents, legal practitioners or exempt persons can provide immigration assistance in Australia.
09
After lodging, monitor your ImmiAccount and email. The Department may request additional documents, health examinations, biometrics or clarification. Respond on time and keep all information accurate.
10
Once your visa is granted, check your visa conditions, travel documents, accommodation, OSHC, arrival date, customs rules and your provider’s orientation instructions. Requirements can change, so review official guidance before flying.
Document checklist
Exact document requirements vary by applicant, education provider, country of passport and risk profile. Always follow the checklist shown in ImmiAccount.
Evidence item What to prepare Why it matters Role in the application Practical action How to prepare it
| Required Confirmation of Enrolment | Confirms you are enrolled in an eligible course and provides the course details used for the visa decision. | Check the CoE code, course name, dates and provider details before lodging. |
|---|---|---|
| Required Passport | Establishes your identity and travel document details. | Make sure your passport is valid and matches all application information. |
| Evidence Genuine Student responses | Shows that your primary purpose is to study in Australia and that your course choice is credible. | Answer in English, stay within form limits and attach supporting documents. |
| Evidence Financial capacity | Shows you can cover travel, tuition, living costs and other expenses without financial hardship. | Prepare savings, sponsor income, scholarship, loan or other financial evidence as applicable. |
| Evidence English language evidence | May be required to show you meet the English level for your visa and course. | Use accepted tests taken at secure test centres and check score validity. |
| Support OSHC | Demonstrates that you have health insurance for your stay in Australia. | Arrange OSHC covering the required period and keep policy details ready. |
| Support Health and character documents | Helps satisfy Australia’s health and character requirements. | Complete health exams and provide police or character documents if requested. |
Note: The document checklist in ImmiAccount and the Department of Home Affairs document checklist tool should be treated as the operational source for your specific application. Important updates
These updates matter because some older articles still refer to the previous GTE framework, older financial figures or older English test rules.
For applications lodged from 23 March 2024, the Genuine Student requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement. Applicants answer targeted questions in the visa form and should support their answers with evidence.
From 1 July 2025, Student visa subclass 500 fees start from AUD 2,000 per visa application, unless an exemption applies.
From 10 May 2024, the financial capacity requirement for an individual student was set at AUD 29,710. This is a minimum visa benchmark, not necessarily your full real-life budget.
From 7 August 2025, English tests accepted for visa purposes changed, and tests must be taken at secure test centres. Fully online or at-home English tests are not accepted for Australian visa purposes.
Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. Different rules may apply for research masters or doctoral students.
Holders of certain visas, including Visitor and Temporary Graduate visas, cannot apply for Student visas while in Australia. Always check your current visa status before planning.
Study in Australia with VNIS Education
A successful Australian visa application depends on more than uploading documents. Your course selection, provider choice, financial evidence, English preparation and Genuine Student answers should support a clear study pathway.
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VNIS Education can support students and families with course selection, application preparation, CoE review, financial planning, Genuine Student evidence and pre-departure readiness for Australia.
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Most international students need a Student visa subclass 500 to study an eligible course at an Australian education provider.
Yes. You generally need a valid Confirmation of Enrolment from your provider before lodging a Student visa application.
The Genuine Student requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement for Student visa applications lodged from 23 March 2024.
From 1 July 2025, Student visa subclass 500 fees are from AUD 2,000 per visa application, unless an exemption applies.
Fully online or remote-proctored English tests are not accepted for Australian visa purposes. Accepted tests must be taken at secure test centres.
Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, subject to visa conditions.
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