Important
This article is general information only.
Workinitiatives does not provide migration advice, legal advice, education advice, visa eligibility assessments, or visa application support.
Student visa requirements can change. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website or speak with a registered migration agent before making decisions about a visa application.
What is a Student visa?
The Student visa, subclass 500, allows eligible international students to stay in Australia while they complete an approved course of study.
Depending on your circumstances, a Student visa may allow you to:
study in Australia
live in Australia while your course is active
travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid
work limited hours while studying
include eligible family members in your application, where allowed
The Department of Home Affairs states that Student visa holders and their family members can usually work up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session. Different work rules may apply in some situations, such as certain postgraduate research study. (Immigration and citizenship Website)
How long can you stay on a Student visa?
The length of your Student visa depends on the length and type of course you are studying.
The Department of Home Affairs states that the maximum length of stay for a Student visa will generally not exceed 6 years, although tertiary student visa grants generally do not exceed 5 years unless specific packaged course or other circumstances apply. (Immigration and citizenship Website)
Your visa length may depend on:
your course length
your course end date
whether you are packaging multiple courses
your Overseas Student Health Cover, also known as OSHC
any welfare arrangements, if applicable
your individual visa circumstances
Student visa work rights
Student visa holders may have permission to work in Australia, but work rights are usually subject to visa conditions.
Current Department of Home Affairs information states that Student visa holders and their family members can usually work up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session. (Immigration and citizenship Website)
You should always check your visa grant notice or use VEVO to confirm your exact work rights and conditions.
Important: Older information may mention temporary COVID-era relaxation of student visa work restrictions. Those temporary arrangements are no longer the general rule. From 1 July 2023, student visa work restrictions were reintroduced with a 48-hours-per-fortnight cap. (Immigration and citizenship Website)
Common Student visa requirements
Eligibility depends on your situation and the current Department of Home Affairs requirements.
You may need to show that you:
Requirement | What it means |
You are enrolled in an eligible course | You usually need confirmation of enrolment from an Australian education provider |
You are a genuine student | You may need to explain your circumstances, course choice, and reasons for studying in Australia |
You have health insurance | Student visa holders usually need Overseas Student Health Cover |
You meet financial requirements | You may need to show you can support yourself during your stay |
You meet English requirements | Some students may need to provide English language evidence |
You meet health and character requirements | Health checks and police checks may be required |
You agree to visa conditions | You must follow the conditions attached to your visa |
The Department of Home Affairs states that Student visa applicants must satisfy the Genuine Student criterion or relevant dependent criterion. (Immigration and citizenship Website)
Health insurance for students
International students are generally required to have Overseas Student Health Cover, also known as OSHC, for their stay in Australia.
OSHC helps cover some healthcare costs while you are studying in Australia.
Before applying for a Student visa, check the health insurance requirements for your visa and course.
Can a Student visa lead to other visa options?
Some people who study in Australia may later explore other visa options, such as skilled migration, employer sponsorship, or temporary graduate visas.
The right pathway depends on your course, qualification, occupation, work experience, visa history, and current migration rules.
For example, the Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, may allow eligible international students to live, study, and work in Australia after finishing their studies. (Immigration and citizenship Website)
If you are studying with the goal of staying in Australia longer, speak with a registered migration agent before choosing a course or visa pathway.
Where to check official information
For current Student visa information, use official Department of Home Affairs resources.
Useful resources include:
Student visa, subclass 500
Student visa conditions
VEVO
Genuine Student requirement
Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485
ImmiAccount