How to Apply for Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)

The Australia Student Visa brings an excellent opportunity to genuine international students. It lets a student stay in Australia for up to five years. Mature students can also bring in their members to Australia.

How Much Money Should You Have To Live and Study in Australia?

The following formula should work for you:

Total cost = Your Annual Tuition Fees + Annual Living Cost for the student

An average living cost is around AUD$ 21,041, however, it may vary from place to place.

In case you have a dependent, then an average annual living cost for him/her will be AUD$ 7,362.00

How Many Hours Can You Work Part-time?

The international students are allowed to for 20 hours per week. However, you can work more than 40 hours per week if you work in the following sectors:

• working for an aged care Approved Provider or Commonwealth-funded aged care service provider with a RACS ID or a NAPS ID (including if you are engaged by a labour hire company or recruitment agency)
• working for a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider​ (including if you are engaged by a labour hire company or recruitment agency)
• enrolled in a health care related course and you are supporting the health effort against COVID-19, as directed by health officials
• working in the agriculture sector
• working in the tourism and hospitality sector
• working in a supermarket, or associated distribution facility, located in an area impacted by COVID-19 lockdown restrictions for the duration of the lockdown.

For more information, you can refer to Temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holders for more details.

Can You Recover Your Fees and Living Costs by Working Part-Time?

Absolutely not, you can not recover all the study and living expenses. On a normal course, you can recover a part of your living expenses. With the exception, you can recover a substantial part of your expenses, provided you are paid very high.

What are the Visa Requirements?

• Admission Offer. Must have Confirmation of Enrolement by enrolling for a course at a recognised Australian educational institution. Refer the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
• Academic English. Must meet the academic english language requirements as per the type of course. You must provide acceptable evidence of your academic english language skills. Refer Document Checklist tool to find out more.
• Age. You must be in an appropriate age group related to the course
• Health Insurance. Must have obtained Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) ; it may not be required if you fall in one of the exemption categories
• Financial Arrangement. You must have money to pay for your tuition fees, your living expenses, and also the travel to and from Australia. You need to provide evidence in the form of documents. Refer Gather Documents in the ‘Step by Step’
• Intention to Leave. You must have intention to return back from Australia after completion of the allowed period of stay by Australian Immigration
• Character Certificate. You must provide the evidence of good character such as police clearance
• Respect to Australian Values. You must read  Life in Australia booklet. In addition, you must read about the way Australian live their life, and the relevant laws in Australia. You must carefully read and sign  Life in Australia booklet
• If you are under 18 then you must have adequate welfare arrangements for student visa holders.

How to Apply for Student Visa (500 Class)?

Step 1: Have at enough time to get visa decision

You must apply for a visa in well advance from the date of intended travel to Australia. However, it’s suggested to better apply as early as you can.

You must understand the visa processing time mentioned on the Australian Immigration and Citizenship website:

• Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector
  • 75% of applications in 3 months
  • 90% of applications in 5 months
• Postgraduate Research Sector
  • 75% of applications in 5 months
  • 90% of applications in 7 months
• Non-Award Sector
  • 75% of applications in 6 months
  • 90% of applications in 12 months
• Schools Sector
  • 75% of applications in 6 months
  • 90% of applications in 8 months
• Independent ELICOS Sector
  • 75% of applications in 82 days
  • 90% of applications in 8 months
• Vocational Education and Training Sector
  • 75% of applications in 4 months
  • 90% of applications in 6 months
• Higher Education Sector
  • 75% of applications in 3 months
  • 90% of applications in 5 months

Step 2: Prepare Your Documentation

Scan and prepare files for required documents for your visa, and collect all the documents.

You must provide a comprehensive set of evidence to prove that you fulfil all the visa requirements. Use Document Checklist Tool in order to be fully sure about your file.

Step 3: Obtain Overseas Student Health Cover

You must obtain the health cover Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)  for the entire period of your study in Australia. In case you have dependents, then you have to buy the health cover for all the dependents.

Step 4: Go Through A Health Eaxmination

Before you apply for a visa, you must go through a health examination that includes a set of medical tests, and observations by a physician authorised by Australian Immigration.

You can check the location for you your the health examination available in your country via the immigration office nearest to you. Look for the “Panel Physician” section.

Step 5: Submit Online Visa Application

Apply your visa online and make sure that you upload the clearly visible document scans.

1. Create or log in to ImmiAccount and apply
2. Attach documents
3. Pay the visa application charge

Step 6: Regularly Check Updates

You should often log on to ImmiAccount to check the new updates on your visa applications. Particularly related to biometrics submission and health exams.

Step 7: Biometrics

You will receive a letter to arrange an appointment to submit your biometrics within 14 days. You shall be provided adequate instructions to book the appointment and the location where you will be going for your biometric submission.

Australian Immigration Contacts in Your Country

You can check contact details on the Australian Immigration Contact Us Page.

Once you select your country, you can see various sections:

1. Australian Visa Application Centre
2. Australian Embassy/High Commission/Consulate-General
3. Panel physician
4. Police check