Overview

If you are looking to stay in Australia for an extended period of time to experience the Aussie lifestyle and learn new skills, but are not sure whether you want to migrate, then an Australian Student visa may be the best starting point for you.

A Student visa allows you to work 20 hours a week in Australia during semester and full-time during vacations. It is possible to support yourself through your work while studying. If you have a partner and he or she enrols in a Masters level course, you will be able to work full time.

On completing your Australian studies, you may be able to apply for a Graduate visa that will allow you and your partner to work full time for up to four years. You may also be able to apply for a Skilled visa that will allow you to live in Australia permanently.

The type of course and its length will determine the length of your stay and whether you can apply for a Graduate or Skilled visa.

You can include your partner and dependent children under 18 years of age in your Student visa. In most but not all cases you need to pay the school fees for any dependent school aged children. Dependent family members can also apply for a visa at a later date as subsequent entrants if it is not convenient for them to be included in your initial visa application. Children over 18 or who turn 18 must apply for their own visa.

You can apply for a second and a third Student visa from within Australia if you want to continue studying.

More information about the Student visa and the Subsequent Entrant visa for family members is set out below.

Student
Visa (Subclass 500)

The purpose of the Student visa is to enable international students to undertake full-time education and training in Australia. This visa allows you to live and work in Australia for the duration of your course.

With this visa you can

  • study full time in an eligible course of study in Australia;
  • travel in and out of Australia;
  • include family members;
  • apply for a second or third Student visa from Australia if you want to keep studying;
  • work up to 20 hours a week once your course starts. If you have a partner and study a masters level course, your partner can work full time.
  • How long you can stay

    This is a temporary visa to study up to 5 years. The type of course and its length will determine the length of stay.

    Travel

    You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid. Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa.

To apply for a Student visa, you must:

  • Enrol with an Australian education provider as a full-time student, and obtain written confirmation of enrolment. Post COVID-19 these courses can include on-line courses;
  • Meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement (GTE);
  • Have the required level of English language skills for your course;
  • Have Overseas Student Health Cover for the period of your intended stay in Australia;
  • Have access to sufficient funds to cover your return airfares, tuition fees and the cost of living in Australia, as well as costs required for any dependents included in your application.
  • Funds

    The amount of money required is set by the Australian Government. It is impacted by your chosen education provider, your course of study and other personal circumstances. In most cases you only need to declare, not show, that you have access to funds to cover the cost of living. Please contact us for further details.

    Education of school age dependents

    If you have school-age dependents, you must provide evidence of their enrolment at an Australian school. School-age dependents are defined as children who have turned 5 years of age but not turned 18. In most cases but not all you will need to pay separate school fees. Whether you need to pay school fees depends on the courswe you do and the state you study in.

    If your child is under 5 years of age you do not need to enrol them, but visa conditions 8517 and 8518 will require you to enrol them once they turn 5 years old.

    Should the child be 17, they still fall under the definition of a school age dependent. If, however, it is not compulsory in them in the State or Territory you are living, evidence of enrolment is not required.

Processing times are indicative only and may vary depending on individual circumstances or government policy.

English language (ELICOS) Sector

  • 75% of applications in 90 days;
  • 90% of applications in 5 months.
  • Vocational Education and Training Sector

    • 75% of applications in 3 months;
    • 90% of applications in 5 months.
    • Higher Education Sector

      • 75% of applications in 90 days;
      • 90% of applications in 4 months.

You must have enough money to pay for travel, tuition and living expenses for yourself, your partner and your dependent children for the duration of your stay in Australia. Depending on your country of passport, you must either declare you have the money or show proof that you can meet the financial requirements while you are in Australia.

The visa fee paid to the Australian Government is AUD$620 for the main applicant. There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa:

  • Partner and children over 18: AUD$460;
  • Children under 18: AUD$150.

how to apply for a Student Visa

At VisAustralia we take the time to understand your circumstances and provide you with advice about your education and migration options. Our skilled education consultants have provided assistance and advice for countless students.

Step 1

Contact us. You can call, email or send us an online inquiry with your questions.

Step 2

We will assist you arrange a formal interview with one of our consultants.

Step 3

Our consultant will talk you through a range of options based on your study preferences and assist you develop a budget, strategy, and time frame for moving to Australia.

Step 4

When you have decided on a specific course we will assist you enrol in the intsitution and apply for medical insurance.

Step 5

On paying the first semester fee to the institution we will assist you prepare and lodge your Student visa application.

Explore Study Options

Australia offers a diverse range of study options for international students, with more than 1,100 institutions and over 22,000 courses tailored for you.

Subsequent Entrant Visa (Subclass 500)

You can include dependent family members (your partner and children) in your first Student visa application. If this is not convenient or they are not ready to come to Australia with you,  they can apply for a Subsequent Entry visa at a later date. You must declare your family members in your first Student visa application for them to later apply as a subsequent entrant.

Children over 18 or who turn 18 must apply for their own visa.

Member of the family unit (MoFU)

A member of the family unit eligible for a dependent Student visa is:

  • a spouse or de facto partner of the applicant; or
  • unmarried dependent children under 18 years old.

You must have declared the existence of your family members in your first Student visa application for them to apply as subsequent entrants to Australia.  You must submit the following documents:

  • Form 919 and Form 157A;
  • A letter from your institution identifying:
    – the course you are studying;
    – yhe length of the course and your expected completion date; and
    – whether you are satisfying the course requirements;
  • Evidence that you can financially support your dependent family members;
  • Evidence of family ties such as marriage certificate or birth certificate;
  • Evidence of school enrolment for school-aged children; and
  • Evidence of health insurance for dependants.
  • Education of school age dependents

    If you have school-age dependents, you must provide evidence of their enrolment at an Australian school. School-age dependents are defined as children who have turned 5 years of age but not turned 18. In most cases but not all you will need to pay separate school fees. Whether you need to pay school fees depends on the courswe you do and the state you study in.

    If your child is under 5 years of age you do not need to enrol them, but visa conditions 8517 and 8518 will require you to enrol them once they turn 5 years old.

    Should the child be 17, they still fall under the definition of a school age dependent. If, however, it is not compulsory in them in the State or Territory you are living, evidence of enrolment is not required.

Subclass 500 Subsequent Entrant (student dependent visa) processing times are currently about 2 to 8 months for many people. Note that processing times can vary according to individual circumstances or visa processing policy.

You must have enough money to pay for travel, tuition and living expenses for your partner and dependent children for the duration of your stay in Australia. Depending on your country of passport, you must either declare you have the money or show proof that you can meet the financial requirements while you are in Australia.

Government charges for family members who apply for a student dependent visa are as follows:

  • Partner and children over 18: AUD$460;
  • Children under 18: AUD$150

OTHER Visa Options

There are other options for those who want to visit Australia for a holiday, undertake a course less than three months, apply for a Working Holiday visa, or stay longer in Australia after completing your studies.

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