Subclass 500
Student visa
For eligible study in Australia. Course, provider and other requirements can change.
Overview
For eligible study in Australia. Course, provider and other requirements can change.
General factual information. This page does not assess your eligibility and has not been reviewed by a lawyer or registered migration agent.
Requirements
Open the official visa page for its current requirements and stream details. A listing here does not mean applications are open.
Requirements on Home AffairsDocuments & forms
Home Affairs lists the documents for each stream. Your practitioner can prepare a checklist for your matter.
Browse official form linksForms commonly used with this visa
- Form 956: Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person — If you appoint a registered migration agent or legal practitioner to act for you.
- Form 956a: Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient — To name someone (e.g. an education agent) to receive documents on your behalf.
- Form 157n: Student Guardianship Arrangements — If you are under 18 and need student guardianship arrangements set out.
- Form 1022: Notification of Changes in Circumstances — To notify the department of any change in your circumstances after lodging.
- Form 1023: Notification of Incorrect Answer(s) — To correct an answer you realise was incorrect after lodging.
- Form 815: Health Undertaking — If the department asks you to sign a health undertaking as a condition of grant.
Factual associations from a dated snapshot. The official visa page lists what an application actually requires.
Open official visa documents and instructions
General preparation checklist — a printable, official-linked list of common steps and documents. It is not advice.
Published processing times and charges
Official global processing times
| Stream | 25% of applications | 50% | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector | 2 Days | 4 Days | 11 Days | 31 Days |
| Higher Education Sector | 9 Days | 15 Days | 40 Days | 7 Months |
| Independent ELICOS Sector | Less than 1 Day | 6 Days | 21 Days | 62 Days |
| Non-Award Sector | Less than 1 Day | Less than 1 Day | 11 Days | 21 Days |
| Postgraduate Research Sector | 6 Days | 27 Days | 38 Days | 3 Months |
| Schools Sector | 13 Days | 22 Days | 41 Days | 7 Months |
| Vocational Education and Training Sector | 44 Days | 7 Months | 7 Months | 7 Months |
Aggregate figures for applications decided in the period ending 2026-06-30, published 2026-08-04. They describe past decisions and never an individual timeframe. Current official processing times ↗
Visa application charge (published table)
| Published entry | Base applicant | Additional applicant 18+ | Additional applicant under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa (subclass 500) - All other students | $2,500 | $1,530 | $500 |
| Student visa (subclass 500) - Postgraduate research sector | $2,500 | Not published | Not published |
| Student visa (subclass 500) - Foreign Affairs or Defence sector | $0 | Not published | Not published |
| Student visa (subclass 500) - Secondary exchange (Schools sector) | $0 | Not published | Not published |
| Student visa (subclass 500) - ELICOS sector | $2,050 | $1,255 | $410 |
| Student visa (subclass 500) – Non-Award sector | $2,050 | $1,255 | $410 |
Generic published amounts as at 2026-07-01. Government charges are separate from any professional fee, and surcharges or exemptions may apply. Current official pricing ↗
Updates & sources
Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
Source link checked: 9 September 2026. This records a source check, not a guarantee that the information has not changed.
Changes are reviewed before publication. Manage source update preferences or report a correction.
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