All About Subclass 500 Student Visa in Australia

Are you applying for a full-time undergraduate course in Australia? You’d need a Subclass (500) visa in Australia to pursue your course as an international student. If you need details about the Subclass (500) visa, check out this article for information on the application process, the embassy fee for Australia study visa and others. 

Among the different types of visas in Australia, the most important ones are the Subclass (500) visa for undergraduates and postgraduates to study in Australia. Since a large number of international students study UG courses in Australia, they would require a Subclass (500) visa. Check out the article and understand how holding a Subclass (500) visa will help students complete their course of study in Australia. 

What's New for Subclass 500 Visa in 2025?

What is Subclass 500 Student Visa in Australia? 

A Subclass 500 visa is a student visa in Australia applicable for full-time international students enrolled across universities in Australia. Once the international students receive their Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), they can apply for a student visa. Students enrolled in a four-year course can apply for a Subclass 500 visa. The Subclass 500 visa is a five-year-long visa and can be extended in exceptional cases. 

What can you do with a Subclass 500 Visa?

Once you are granted a Subclass 500 visa in Australia, applicants can do the following:

• With a Subclass 500 visa, applicants can study, live and work in Australia.
• Applicants can also travel in and out of Australia while maintaining their Subclass 500 visa. 
• Pursue the course for which they applied for a student visa.

• Be eligible to work for 48 hours a fortnight part-time in Australia.

• Also, applicants can apply for a post higher work education in Australia after graduation. 

Read more about:

Australian Subclass 500 Visa Eligibility 

In order to be eligible for an Australian Subclass 500 Visa, international students will have to fulfil the following criteria:

• Applicant should be 17 or above when applying for a Subclass 500 visa.
• Have CoE for the designated course of study in Australia before applying for a student visa. 

• If the student is under 18 years of age then necessary welfare arrangements must be made for them while they study in Australia. 

• Meet English language requirements and must have the scores in any of the following ELP tests to study in Australia:

• • TOEFL iBT: 64

• • IELTS: 6.0

• • Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 169

• • PTE: 50

• • OET: B for each test’s component

• Get an OHSC based on your duration of study. If your course is three years long, then you’d need OHSC for three years. University OHSC can be more expensive than private providers, such as AHM, CBHS Health, and others. 

• Proof of sufficient funding for the entire course duration in Australia.

• Genuine Student requirement fulfilment.

• Health examination results, to be submitted on the immiAccount.

• Have a strong moral character.
• Should not have an Australian visa cancelled in the past. 

Embassy Fees for Australia Study Visa - Subclass 500

International students applying for a Subclass 500 student visa in Australia will have to pay AUD 2,000 (approximately INR 1,12,937). Applicants must apply for a Subclass 500 visa through the online application only. The applications for the Subclass 500 visa are not acceptable through the offline mode earlier. Thus, applicants fling for a Subclass 500 visa must keep a valid credit card for making the payment. 

Key Pointers to Apply for Subclass 500 Visa

New international students may struggle to understand the process and how to go about submitting Subclass (500) visa applications. Here’s what you need to do and take care of:

1. Before You Apply for Subclass (500) Visa

• Ensure you have a valid passport. 

• Plan to submit your application at least 8 weeks before your course commences. 

• Check out all the medical reports you’d need to submit along with your application.

2. Gathering Your Documents for Subclass (500) Visa 

You should have the following documents ready when applying for Subclass (500 visas:

• Passport
• CoE

• Welfare arrangements for applicants below the age of 18

• Parental consent

• Health insurance

• GS requirement

• Financial documents to show funding for the course of study

Check: Documents Required for Australian Student Visa for Indian Students

3. After Applying for Subclass (500) Visa 

• Regularly check the status of your application
• Check when a biometrics request comes up and submit it within 14 days.

• Ensure you have your health examinations in check either before or after applying for a Subclass (500) Visa.

• In case you are already holding a visa in Australia, then ensure it is lawful so that your application is assessed without any hurdles.

• In the case of minors, i.e. younger than 18 years of age, applicants may want to add family members in their student visa.

How to Apply for Australian Visa Subclass 500?

Applicants can apply for an Australian Subclass (500) visa through ImmiAccount. The applications are submitted online through https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login official website. Students should ensure they are applying through the correct medium and official website only. 

Australian Subclass 500 Visa - Processing Time 

The Subclass (500) visa processing time can vary, but usually, these are the processing times:

51% of the applications are processed within 0-41 days, while 90% of the applications are processed within 95 days. In case the applications are not processed within these timeframes, there is either a lot of applications or there is a problem in your application. 

Subclass (500) Visa Outcomes

Once you submit your application for a Subclass (500) visa, you have to wait for the application decision. If your application is accepted then the following details will be shared by the Consular Office:

• Visa grant number

• The date when your visa will expire
• Visa conditions

Overall, you have to be careful about your Subclass (500) application and how you submit it. Ensure all details are correct and true so that you do not need to face a rejection.

Also Read:

• What should be your next step if your visa gets rejected
• Reasons for the Rejection of Australia Student Visa