The Student visa (subclass 500) is Australia's primary visa for international students wishing to undertake full-time study in a registered course at a Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)-registered provider. It replaced several older student visa subclasses when the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) was introduced in 2016. The subclass 500 covers all education sectors — primary and secondary school, English language courses (ELICOS), vocational education and training (VET), higher education (undergraduate and postgraduate), and other standalone institutions.

The visa is temporary — its duration is determined by the length of the enrolled course plus a travel period. It does not confer permanent residence. For current eligibility requirements, application guidance, and processing times, refer to the DHA subclass 500 page.

• Migration Regulations 1994 — Subclass 500 (Student) — the visa criteria
• Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) — the consumer protection and compliance framework for international students and registered providers
• Ministerial Direction No. 106 — assessment of the Genuine Entry and Stay requirement for student and student guardian visas (from 23 March 2024)
• DHA: Student visa (subclass 500) — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/student-500
• DHA: Genuine Student requirement — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/student-500/genuine-student-requirement
• DHA: Work restrictions for student visa holders — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/student-500/work-restrictions

The Simplified Student Visa Framework

The subclass 500 operates within the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), which consolidated multiple student visa subclasses into a single visa. Under the SSVF, a student applies for and holds one visa (the subclass 500) regardless of which education sector they are enrolled in. If a student changes from one CRICOS-registered course to another, they typically do not need to apply for a new visa — the same subclass 500 can cover the new course, subject to any conditions. Providers must be registered on CRICOS to enrol international students.

Genuine Student requirement — from 23 March 2024

For applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024, the applicant must satisfy the Genuine Student (GS) requirement under Ministerial Direction No. 106. This replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test. The GS requirement is broader than the former GTE — it recognises that students may develop skills Australia needs and may choose to apply for permanent residence after their studies, and this future intent does not count against the applicant.

Under the GS requirement, the applicant must provide written answers (in English, maximum 150 words per question) to three questions covering:

• Their current circumstances — ties to family, community, employment, and economic circumstances in their home country
• Why they want to study this course with this provider in Australia, and their understanding of the course requirements and living and studying in Australia
• How completing the course will benefit them

A decision-maker assesses the responses against the Direction No. 106 criteria. For current guidance on what the GS requirement involves, refer to the DHA Genuine Student requirement page.

Confirmation of Enrolment (COE)

A current Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) from a CRICOS-registered provider must be uploaded to ImmiAccount as part of the application. The COE confirms the applicant's enrolment in a specific course at a specific provider. The visa duration is generally tied to the course end date on the COE, plus an additional travel period (typically up to 2 months after the course ends for courses of more than 10 months).

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

The student visa requires the applicant to hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). OSHC must:

• Start at least 1 week before the course start date
• Cover the full duration of the student's stay in Australia (not just the course period — including any periods of travel or stay beyond the course end date)
• Cover any accompanying dependants

OSHC is provided by approved Australian health insurers — it is a separate product from standard Australian private health insurance. International students are not eligible for Medicare during their study unless covered by a bilateral health care agreement (for example, students from some countries may have limited Medicare access under specific arrangements). For current OSHC requirements, refer to the DHA student visa page.

Work rights — 48-hour fortnightly limit

From 1 July 2023, student visa holders may work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight while their course of study or training is in session. A fortnight is a 14-day period beginning on a Monday. There is no work restriction when the course is not in session (during scheduled breaks). The 48-hour limit applies to all work (including multiple jobs combined).

Key exceptions to the 48-hour limit:

• Students enrolled in a masters degree by research or doctoral degree may work more than 48 hours per fortnight
• Student visa holders working as a registered nurse or carer may have had temporary unlimited hours apply — refer to the DHA work restrictions page for current status

Exceeding the work restriction is a visa condition breach and may lead to visa cancellation. See the student visa work restrictions page for more detail.

Health and character requirements

The applicant and any accompanying family members must meet Australia's health and character requirements. The health requirement typically requires a medical examination (conducted by a DHA-approved panel physician). The character requirement includes police clearances. For current health and character assessment requirements, refer to the DHA student visa page.

Including family members

Eligible family members — including a spouse or de facto partner and dependent children — can be included in the student visa application. Included family members receive a visa tied to the primary applicant's visa. A Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) is available separately for guardians accompanying school-age students.

Student visa processing priorities

DHA applies processing priorities to student visa applications — not all applications are processed in lodgment order. Applications from students seeking to study at higher education or postgraduate level, or from countries with lower risk profiles, may be processed more quickly. For current processing times and priority information, refer to the DHA student visa processing priorities page.

The shift from the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test to the Genuine Student (GS) requirement in March 2024 was intended to better reflect Australia's interests in attracting students who may contribute skills to the labour market after graduating, while maintaining the integrity of the student visa program. The GS assessment looks at the student's circumstances and the plausibility of their educational goals — it is not an automatic rejection of applicants who express interest in remaining in Australia after study. For current processing times, OSHC providers, and COE requirements, refer to the DHA subclass 500 page. For the post-study pathway, see the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).