Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) Checklist — 2026 Guide

Everything you need before you apply — updated for current Department of Home Affairs requirements.

Australia's international student cap and rising fees have made the Subclass 500 process stricter than it used to be. This checklist walks you through every requirement, in order, so you can apply once and get it right.

1. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

• [ ] Accept your offer from a CRICOS-registered Australian institution
• [ ] Pay any required tuition deposit
• [ ] Receive your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) via PRISMS
• [ ] Double-check your name on the CoE matches your passport exactly — mismatches are a common cause of delay

You cannot lodge a Subclass 500 application without a valid CoE.

2. Genuine Student (GS) Requirement

Since March 2024, the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test has been replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. This is now the single most scrutinised part of the application.

Your GS statement should clearly address:

• [ ] Your current circumstances (education, employment, family ties)
• [ ] Your reasons for choosing this specific course and provider
• [ ] How the course fits your study and career plans
• [ ] Your understanding of, and intention to comply with, visa conditions

Tip: Generic, copy-pasted statements are one of the top refusal reasons. Be specific about your course, your university, and your plan after graduation.

3. Financial Capacity

You must show genuine access to enough funds to cover your stay — not just a bank balance that appeared last week.

• [ ] Personal living costs: AUD $29,710 for 12 months (2026 figure — confirm current amount before applying, as this is indexed annually)
• [ ] Additional AUD $10,394 if bringing a spouse/de facto partner
• [ ] Additional AUD $4,449 per dependent child
• [ ] First year of tuition fees
• [ ] Return airfare
• [ ] Evidence funds have been held for a reasonable period (bank statements, loan documents, scholarship letters, or sponsor declarations)

4. English Language Proficiency

• [ ] Valid result from a Department-approved test (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge)
• [ ] Typical minimum: IELTS 6.0 overall (some courses require 6.5+)
• [ ] Check whether your nationality or prior study qualifies you for an English test exemption

5. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

• [ ] Arrange OSHC through an approved provider for your entire visa duration, not just your course length
• [ ] Budget roughly AUD $500–$700/year for a single applicant (more for families)
• [ ] Keep proof of purchase — it's required at lodgement

6. Health and Character Checks

• [ ] Complete a health examination with a Department-approved panel physician (required for most applicants; cost varies by country, typically AUD $300–$500)
• [ ] Provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) if required for your nationality — AUD $45 fee
• [ ] Be prepared to provide police clearance certificates if requested

7. Visa Application Fee

• [ ] AUD $2,500 for the primary applicant (from 1 July 2026 — confirm the current fee, as it is indexed annually and non-refundable)
• [ ] Reduced fee of AUD $2,050 for ELICOS/non-award courses and for eligible ASEAN passport holders
• [ ] Additional fees apply for a partner or children included on the same application

8. Lodge Through ImmiAccount

• [ ] Apply online — there is no paper application option
• [ ] Upload all documents as clear, correctly labelled scans
• [ ] Apply as early as possible once your CoE and documents are ready (many students apply 3–4 months before course start)

Work Rights While Studying

• Up to 48 hours per fortnight during term
• Unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks
• No work-hour cap at all for most Masters-by-research and PhD students

Common Reasons for Refusal

1. Weak or generic Genuine Student statement
2. Insufficient or unclear evidence of funds
3. Name mismatches across CoE, passport, and financial documents
4. Missing or expired OSHC
5. Incomplete English test evidence

After You Graduate

Most students move on to the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) as their next step — worth researching before you enrol, since eligibility (course length, age limit, English score) is tied to decisions you make now.

Disclaimer: Visa fees, financial thresholds, and requirements are set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and are updated periodically (often each 1 July). Always confirm current figures at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging your application. This guide is for general informational purposes and is not migration advice.