From your first conversation with us to your first week in Australia: the steps, what the student visa requires, the rules that changed on 2 October 2026, and the rules on working during and after your studies.
Your journey in seven steps
- PlanFree consultation and shortlist
We look at your grades, English, budget and goals and shortlist institutions, routes and scholarships. Start nine to twelve months before your intake (February or July; some courses also start in March, May, October or November).
- ApplyApplications
We prepare and submit your applications with certified translations of your documents. Many universities answer within two to six weeks.
- OfferOffer letter
You receive a conditional or unconditional offer with any scholarship. Check the conditions, the fees and the acceptance deadline.
- AcceptAccept, pay the deposit and receive your CoE
You sign the acceptance, pay the deposit and buy health cover (OSHC). The institution then issues your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course in your package.
- VisaStudent visa (subclass 500)
You apply online from outside Australia with your CoE, Genuine Student answers, financial and English evidence and health cover. Biometrics or a medical exam may be requested.
- TravelTravel and arrival
Book flights, accommodation and airport pick-up. Health cover starts on the day you arrive; declare food, medicines and cash of AUD 10,000 or more at the border.
- StartOrientation and enrolment
Orientation week, enrolment in your units, a bank account, a phone and a tax file number if you plan to work.
Student visa essentials
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
A valid CoE for each course, in a full-time CRICOS-registered course, when you apply and when the visa is decided.
- Genuine Student requirement
In the online form you answer questions (up to 150 words each) about your circumstances and ties at home, why this course and provider, and how it will benefit you, with supporting documents.
- English for the visa
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, at least IELTS 6.0, PTE Academic 47 or TOEFL iBT 67 (IELTS 5.5 with at least 10 weeks of English or a foundation programme before the main course; 5.0 with 20 weeks). Your institution may ask for more.
- Money to show
Tuition for the first year, AUD 29,710 living costs and travel, or a parent’s or partner’s income (see Tuition and living costs).
- Health cover (OSHC)
Overseas Student Health Cover for the whole stay, from the day you arrive.
- Visa charge
AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026; not refunded if the visa is refused.
- Processing
Home Affairs aims to start offshore applications in 1 to 12 weeks depending on the institution’s priority level; at 25 October 2026 half of higher-education applications were decided in about 16 days and 90% within four months.
- Length of stay
In line with your course, up to five years for packaged courses (six with clear progression); usually until 15 March after a course that ends in November or December.
Source: Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500), updated 22 October 2026; processing priorities (Ministerial Direction 115), updated 10 November 2025; global processing times read 25 October 2026.
What changed on 2 October 2026
- Apply from outside Australia. Most student visa applications must now be lodged outside Australia, and you must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted. Holders of visitor, working holiday and Temporary Graduate visas, among others, can no longer apply in Australia.
- A further student visa in Australia only in six cases: more time to finish the same course with the same provider (up to 12 months), moving up to a higher-level course after finishing the current one, a PhD, school study, Australian government sponsorship, or provider default.
- Partners and children. New student visas can no longer include a partner or children unless you are a PhD student, sponsored by the Australian government, hold a foreign government scholarship that fully funds your studies, or are a national of an eligible Pacific or ASEAN country. Family members can no longer join later as subsequent entrants.
- Changing provider. Until 30 June 2027 you cannot change provider in the first 12 months of your main course (previously six months) unless your provider releases you under the National Code.
- Packaged courses (English + degree, foundation + degree) are still possible for applications from outside Australia, with a CoE for each course and gaps of less than two months between courses (three to four over the summer break).
Sources: Home Affairs, changes to student visa application rules (pages updated 7–22 October 2026); Department of Education, ESOS framework changes (modified 2 October 2026). Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the earlier rules.
Working while you study
- Up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours in scheduled course breaks. You cannot work before your course starts.
- Work placements that are a registered part of your course do not count; other paid or unpaid work does.
- Master’s by research and PhD students have no limit once their course has started.
- The national minimum wage is AUD 26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026. Your visa’s money requirement must not rely on earnings from work.
After graduation: the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
- Post-Higher Education Work
After a bachelor’s, bachelor honours or coursework master’s: up to 2 years; after a research master’s or PhD: up to 3 years. Any field of study.
- Post-Vocational Education Work
After an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification closely related to an occupation on the skilled list, with a skills assessment: up to 18 months.
- Regional extension
A second 485 for one or two more years if you studied at a regional campus and lived and worked in a regional area (not Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane).
- Australian study requirement
At least two academic years (92 weeks of CRICOS study) completed in at least 16 calendar months in Australia. English courses and foundation programmes do not count; a short master’s alone may not be enough.
- Age and English
Aged 35 or under (under 50 for research master’s and PhD graduates); IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each band, or an equivalent test taken in the last 12 months.
- When and cost
Apply in Australia within six months of finishing your course; the charge is AUD 5,750 from 1 July 2026.
Sources: Home Affairs, Temporary Graduate visa streams (updated 12–13 October 2026) and the 485 Australian study requirement (updated 6 August 2025).
What no one can promise
A visa, a job, an extension or permanent residence is never guaranteed by choosing a particular course, institution or city: Home Affairs decides each application on its own facts, and graduate visa rules can change. We explain the rules as they stand on the date checked and help you prepare a complete, honest application.