Subclass 500 Student Visa

Eligibility

This visa allows prospective students to participate in an eligible course of study in Australia for up to 5 years (course lengths will determine the upper limits of your stay). 

The visa will allow you unrestricted travel in and out of Australia for the length of your course, and some limited working rights whilst you are here. 

  • certificate of enrolment (CoE) for a full time course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) 
  • be at least 6 years of age
  • have competent English, evidenced by an English language test score (exemptions apply for nationals from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland) 
  • obtain and maintain health insurance – Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  • fulfil health and character requirements
  • prove you have sufficient money for your stay
  • be a “genuine temporary entrant”
  • sign the Australian Values statement 
  • not have any prior visa cancellations

 

Considerations

You may be onshore or offshore when this application is made. Similarly, you may be onshore or offshore at the time of the Department’s decision. 

You can include family members when you lodge your visa application. Family members are restricted to partners and dependent children who are not married and under 18 years of age. It is recommended to declare your family members in your student visa application even if they are not travelling with you to Australia. Doing so will allow your family members to apply as a subsequent entrant under your student visa in future, even after you have arrived. 

There are multiple travel facilities for this visa, meaning that you can enter and exit Australia for the length of your visa grant.

Subclass 485  Temporary Graduate Visa

Eligibility

This is a temporary visa, ranging from 18 months to 4 years, allowing international students  live, study and work after the completion of your studies. There are two streams you can apply for, the Graduate Work Stream or the Post-Study Work Stream. Both streams share the same visa code. 

Post-Study Work Stream 

This stream is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian Institution, as part of their CRICOS course. Obtaining a visa grant under this stream will allow you to stay from 2 to 4 years, depending on the qualification you have. 

Bachelor degree/Masters by course work: 2 years 

Masters by Research: 3 years 

Doctoral Degree (PHD): 4 years 

  • a current student visa OR a bridging visa A or B
  • in the past 6 months leading up to your application, you must meet the Australian study requirement (at least 16 months of living in Australia and study amounting to 92 weeks in an Australian university) 
  • be under 50 years of age 
  • have competent English, evidenced by an English language test score (exemptions apply for nationals from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland) 
  • obtain and maintain health insurance – Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  • fulfil health and character requirements
  • have skills and qualifications as required on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) 
  • skills assessment for your qualifications 
  • sign the Australian Values statement 
  • not have any prior visa cancellations

Graduate Work Stream  

This stream is for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications pertaining to specific occupations that Australia requires. It allows you live, study and work in Australia temporarily for a period of up to 18 months.

  • a current student visa OR a bridging visa A or B
  • in the past 6 months leading up to your application, you must meet the Australian study requirement (at least 16 months of living in Australia and study amounting to 92 weeks in an Australian university) 
  • be under 50 years of age 
  • have competent English, evidenced by an English language test score (exemptions apply for nationals from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland) 
  • obtain and maintain health insurance – Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  • fulfil health and character requirements
  • have skills and qualifications as required on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) 
  • skills assessment for your qualifications 
  • sign the Australian Values statement 
  • not have any prior visa cancellations

Considerations

You may be onshore or offshore when this application is made. Similarly, you may be onshore or offshore at the time of the Department’s decision. 

You can include family members when you lodge your visa application. Family members are restricted to partners and dependent children who are not married and under 18 years of age. It is recommended to declare your family members in your student visa application even if they are not travelling with you to Australia. Doing so will allow your family members to apply as a subsequent entrant under your student visa in future, even after you have arrived. 

There are multiple travel facilities for this visa, meaning that you can enter and exit Australia for the length of your visa grant.