- Published on February 16, 2026
- Bishnu K.
International students intending to study in Australia require a Student Visa (Subclass 500). This visa allows international students to live and study in Australia for the duration of their course.
Visa Application Process
The Student Visa application is submitted online through the Australian Department of Home Affairs website. Students must first be enrolled in a registered course in Australia and pay their enrolment deposit to receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), which is required to lodge the visa application
Required Documents
The specific documents required vary depending on your individual circumstances, but in general, students must prepare the following as part of their visa application:
Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE):
Issued by the education provider after enrolment and deposit payment.
Evidence of financial capacity:
Proof you can financially support yourself (and any family members) during your stay.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC):
Health insurance for the entire duration of your stay.
Evidence of English language proficiency:
Acceptable test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.) meeting Department of Home Affairs requirements.
Genuine Student (GS) response:
Evidence showing you genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily for study.
Partner and dependent documents:
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, or proof of relationship if applicable.
You should use the Department’s Document Checklist Tool online to confirm exact documents required for your application.
Additional Visa Requirements
Most student visas decisions are based on the information and documentation the student provides with their visa application. Students from some countries, or in special cases, may need to provide additional information through a health exam, biometrics or an interview.
Health Examination
Some students may be asked to take a medical and/or a radiological check-up to show they’re in good health. If the student is asked to complete a health exam, they must see a doctor who has been approved by the Australian immigration department. A health exam is a requirement for students from most South Asian countries.
Biometrics
Some students might need to provide biometrics. Most applicants will be advised immediately after submitting an application if they need to provide biometrics. Applicants will receive a letter and will also be able to see this request on their online application account. Students will have 14 days to provide biometrics so it is important to arrange an appointment quickly using the instructions in the request letter.
Interview
Most visa decisions are based on the information submitted with the visa application. In some cases, an interview might be required.
Welfare Arrangement
If the student is under 18, they must have a student guardian who is either travelling to Australia with them or already living in Australia. The legal guardian must be a parent, legal custodian or relative over 21 years of age. The guardian must have enough money to support themselves and the student, and be able to provide accommodations, welfare and other support that the student needs. If the guardian will be travelling to Australia with the student, they can apply for the Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) along with the student’s visa application.
Traveling with Family
Students can bring their family with them by including them in their study visa application. For student visas, a family member is the student’s partner and their dependent children. The family members should be declared on the student visa application even if they do not plan to travel to Australia with the student, or they will not be able to get a visa in the future.
Length of Stay
The length of stay is based on the course the student intends to study. The study visa for tertiary education courses are typically issued for the full study duration, and up to a maximum of five years. Students will need to apply for a new study visa if they decide to enroll in another course after completing their current course.
Processing Times
Processing times vary significantly depending on the Priority Tier of your education provider (based on Ministerial Direction 115).
Priority 1
(Schools, Research Degrees, & Low-Risk Providers): Typically processed in 1 to 4 weeks.
Priority 2
(Standard Providers): Generally takes 6 to 8 weeks (often includes VET and Higher Ed providers nearing their caps).
Priority 3
(Providers over Allocation): Can take 12 weeks or longer.
Actual times may vary based on application volume and complexity. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website for the latest estimates.
Visa Decision
The student will be notified about the visa decision in writing once their application is processed.
If the student is approved for the visa, the communication will include:
The visa grant number,
The date the visa expires,and, the visa conditions, which the student must meet throughout their stay in Australia.
Since the visa is not stamped on a passport in Australia, students must keep this decision letter with them throughout their stay, and travelling to or from Australia.
If the visa is rejected, the written communication will include why we refused and whether the student has the right to a review of the decision.
Visa Rejections
Some of the common reasons why a visa application might be rejected include:
Failure to show that student has the financial capacity to support themselves (and family, if applicable) in Australia
Failure to convince the visa officer that the main purpose of travel is to study
Failure to convince the visa officer that the student will leave at the end of the study
Insufficient English language proficiency
Falsified or incomplete documents
Failure to satisfy medical or character requirements
The reason for rejection will be included in the visa decision letter. Students can re-apply for a visa after strengthening their application based on the information they received from the Department of Immigration. In some cases, students can also request a review of the visa decision.