Types of Student Visas for Australia 2026: Visa Subclass 500 & 485, Eligibility, Work Permit
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If you are going to apply to Australia soon for higher education, you should know which student visa type you should apply for. This article will throw light on the different types of student visas in Australia and their corresponding details like visa fees, processing timelines, visa duration and other details.
Planning to study in Australia and unsure which student visa applies to you? With the country tightening its migration rules and revising visa costs almost every few months, understanding the right visa category has never been more important.
Broadly, international students fall under two Australia student visa types: the Student visa (Subclass 500) for those enrolling in a full-time course, and the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) for those continuing their stay in Australia after completing their studies. Each comes with its eligibility, visa duration, and work rights - and, notably, very different (and steadily rising) application fees.
As of 1 July 2026, the Subclass 500 visa fee stands at AUD 2,500, while the Subclass 485 fee has jumped to AUD 5,750 for primary applicants, following two hikes within the same year.
This article breaks down the key differences between these visa subclasses - covering costs, processing times, stay duration, and work permissions- so you can make an informed decision before you apply.
Types of Student Visas in Australia
There are different types of student visas in Australia which vary on the basis of study, post-study work permit, living in Australia and working in Australia. There are two broad visas which are applicable for international students based on the aforementioned areas. These are
- Visa (subclass 500): This visa is for international undergraduate applicants applying for a full-time course of study in Australia. The Subclass 500 Visa is for new and international applicants, coming to study in Australia.
- Temporary (subclass 485) Visa: This visa is for international applicants continuing their education in Australia after pursuing an undergrad course from any Australian university. This temporary (subclass 485) visa is also applicable to new international students applying for postgraduate admissions in Australian universities.
Difference Between Subclass 500 & Subclass 485 Visa in Australia
The table below lists what the different visas mean for international students. Including the eligibility criteria associated with different visa subclasses and which courses you must enrol on for that visa. As working both while studying and after working is also an important aspect of a student’s decision, we have also included the same. Check out about TGV in Australia along with Subclass 500 visa:
| Categories of differentiation |
Visa (Subclass 485) |
Visa (Subclass 500) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa for |
Postgraduate applicants |
Undergraduate applicants |
| Staying in Australia |
Graduate Work Stream: 18 months Post Study Work Stream: 2 - 4 years Second Post Study Work Stream: 1 - 2 years *Replacement Stream: 18 months - 5 years |
5 years depending upon the student's enrollment |
| Cost of Visa |
AUD 5,750 |
AUD 2,500 |
| Visa Processing Time |
|
|
| Holding this visa - |
International students who have recently graduated are allowed to live, study and work in Australia temporarily. Also, applicants are allowed to bring their family members. |
|
| Visa Expiry |
18 months to a maximum of 4 years |
5 years |
| Work Permissions while studying |
Visas granted under this category after April 2008 automatically make you eligible to work |
|
| Work Permit after completing education |
English Language Proficiency courses cannot be used to fulfil the Australian Study Requirement and hence are not eligible for a Post Study Work Permit under sub-clause 485 |
Students completing the Australian study requirement can apply for a Post-study Work Permit under the Post Study Work Stream. |
| Exceptions/ Important to note |
In case a student has been asked to take the English course as a precursor to his/her admission to a regular degree/diploma program, the student should apply for a student visa eligible for the main course |
In case your course duration does not match the Australian Study Requirement, you can undertake two or more programs which would be added to check your eligibility for a Post Study Work Permit. |
Just a word to sum up, the important point for any visa is that you must be enrolled in a registered study program. We highly recommend students check whether the Australian University offers that particular course/program students have applied for is registered with CRICOS. This information is readily available and should be enquired about before a student commits to the institute/ university. Once you know the kind of visa, you can start the process.
Also, international students must note that Visa subclass (570, 572, 573 and 574) are no more applicable. Hence applicants applying for a study visa in Australia must make sure that they apply for the above-given visas only.
Australia Student Visa Fees 2026: Latest Updates
A dedicated section addressing the fee changes head-on, since readers researching this topic right now are almost certainly trying to figure out current Australia student visa costs. This could cover:
- The Subclass 500 fee rising to AUD 2,500 (AUD 2,050 for ELICOS/non-award courses) from 1 July 2026.
- The Subclass 485 fee's rapid climb to AUD 5,750 for primary applicants, with a brief note on the two hikes within the same year.
- Secondary applicant charges (partners, children) for both subclasses,
- A line encouraging readers to verify current charges via the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before applying, since these figures shift often.
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Commonly asked questions
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University Name | Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026 |
|---|---|
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Aishwarya Bhatnagar is a specialised content curator with 8+ years of experience in EdTech content, particularly in studying abroad. She is a Study Abroad Expert at Shiksha.com (InfoEdge India Ltd) si
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