Student Visa for Australia: Process, Cost & Requirements

 

To study in Australia, you need a student visa for Australia, officially called the Subclass 500 visa. This visa allows you to stay in the country for the full duration of your course, which can be up to five years. It also lets you work part-time while studying, up to 48 hours every two weeks.

Australia is one of the top destinations for Indian students, with over 120,000 currently enrolled. The country offers top universities, safe living conditions, and strong career opportunities after graduation.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the student visa process. It covers who can apply, what documents are required, how much the visa costs, how long it takes, and common reasons why applications get rejected. This information is especially useful for Indian students applying for higher study in Australia.

What Is the Student Visa for Australia? Key Highlights

If you're planning to study in Australia, you will first have to apply for Student Visa (Subclass 500). 

The Australian Student Visa lets you stay in the country by the time you complete a full-time course at a registered university or college.

The table below covers the key pointers you need to know about the Student Visa (Subclass 500).

Feature	What It Means
Visa Subclass	Subclass 500
Stay Duration	Covers your course + extra 1–2 months
Work Hours Allowed	48 hours every two weeks while studying
Health Insurance	Must have OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)
Course Requirement	Must be a CRICOS-registered program

You can also bring your close family, like your husband, wife, or kids, if they meet the rules. This visa is a good choice if you want to study and also work part-time in Australia.

Types of Australian Student Visas

Australia gives international students three types of student visas. The most common one is the Student Visa (Subclass 500), which most full-time students apply for. The other two are for guardians and special training programs.

The following are the 3 types of Student Visas in Australia.

Visa Type	Purpose	Who It’s For
Subclass 500	Full-time study in Australia	Students enrolled in a registered course
Subclass 590	Guardianship of an under-18 international student	Parents or legal guardians
Subclass 407	Workplace-based training to improve job skills	Individuals in occupational training programs

Now that we have seen the classification of the three types of Student Visas, let us know the eligibility criteria for the same.

Who Can Apply for an Australian Student Visa?

For being eligible to apply for the Student Visa in Australia, following requirements are needed to be followed. 

Requirement	Details
Enrollment in a Course	• You must have a Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from an Australian school • The course should be full-time
English Test Scores	• You'll need to take a test -  IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE • Minimum score depends on your course and university
Genuine Study Intent	• You should plan to stay in Australia just for your studies • You may need to write a short statement explaining this
Proof of Finances	• You must show enough money for tuition, living costs, and travel • Cost of Living in Australia is about AUD 24,505 (INR14,02,000) per year
Health Insurance	• You need to get Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before applying
Health and Background Check	• Some students may need a medical check-up • A police clearance certificate might also be needed

The following requirements help ensure your visa approval with minimal issues. 

Application and Documentation Requirements

Follow the following steps to get your Subclass Visa 500.

Step	What to Do
1. Get your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)	This step helps you ensure your enrollment in the country.
2. Create an ImmiAccount	Register at the official Australian immigration website to start your application.
3. Collect your documents	Scan all documents clearly. All your documents should be in English.
4. Fill out the online form	Log in to ImmiAccount and fill out the Subclass 500 visa form.
5. Pay the visa fee	The fee is AUD 710 (INR 40,000). Pay using a debit or credit card.
6. Attend medical or biometrics (if required)	You may be asked to get a health check or give fingerprints.
7. Wait for the result	4-6 weeks.

While registering for Ausralian Visa, make sure to have the following documents in hand.

• Valid passport
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
• GTE statement (why you want to study in Australia)
• IELTS, TOEFL, PTE score report
• Proof of funds for tuition and living costs
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Statement of Purpose (if required)
• Birth certificate or national ID
• Passport-size photo
• Medical or police checks (if asked)

After understanding the process and documentation, now we will understand the costing of Australian Student Visa.

Cost of Student Visa for Australia

Here’s what you need to pay for the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500):

• AUD 710 (₹40,668) – for the main applicant
• AUD 530 (₹30,358) – if your partner is applying as a dependent
• AUD 175 (₹10,024) – for each child applying as a dependent

You need to pay this fee online through your ImmiAccount.

Payment can be done through credit card, debit card, PayPal, or UnionPay.

Other possible costs:

• Medical tests (if asked): Charges depend on the doctor and your country
• Police certificate (if needed): Cost varies by country
• Biometrics (if required): Local charges may apply

Note: This is to note that the Visa Fee won’t be refunded even if your visa is not approved.

Processing Time for Australian Student Visa

It usually takes between 3 to 12 weeks to get your Australian student visa. The exact time depends on your course type and how complete your application is. For most higher education courses, it takes about 4 to 5 weeks. 

If you're applying for a research course, it can take up to 3 months. 

So, it’s a good idea to apply at least 6 to 8 weeks before your classes start.

Common Reasons for Australian Student Visa Rejections

Your student visa for Australia can be refused if something is missing or doesn’t seem right. These are some common reasons:

• Incomplete form – If you skip any part of the form or forget to attach a document, your visa might not be accepted.
• Not enough money shown – You need to show that you have enough money to pay for your studies, travel, and living costs in Australia.
• Weak GTE letter – Your Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) letter should clearly explain why you want to study in Australia and that you plan to return home after your course.
• Poor marks or unrelated course – If your grades are low, or if the course you chose doesn’t match your past studies, your visa might be questioned.
• Low English test score – If your IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE score is below the required level, your visa can be rejected.
• Wrong or missing documents – If you upload the wrong file or forget to send something important, your application won’t go through.
• Health or police issues – Any serious health problem or a police record can also lead to rejection.

Tip: Take your time. Before you submit, check everything carefully. Make sure your documents are correct, your scores meet the requirements, and your GTE letter is strong and clear.

How Can upGrad Help You Get Your Australian Student Visa

Planning to study in Australia but not sure how to go about the visa process? upGrad makes it easier for you. 

Here’s how:

• 1-on-1 expert help – You get a personal counselor who guides you through every step of your visa process.
• Help with paperwork – From filling out forms to gathering all the required documents, upGrad helps you avoid common mistakes.
• GTE letter support – Experts help you write a strong Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) letter that clearly explains your goals and reasons to study in Australia.
• Mock interviews & prep – If needed, they help you get ready for any interviews with tips and practice questions.
• Support till approval – From start to finish, upGrad stays with you until your visa gets approved.

Book your free 1:1 counselling session now.

Conclusion

Getting your Australian student visa is not that hard. If you follow the steps, give the right papers, and stay honest in your answers, they are almost a full chance of getting the approval. The processing time can be different depending on how well your application is and the time you take to answer the queries of the visa office. 

Small mistakes, like missing documents or weak reasons for studying, may lead to delay and rejection. So, be careful and take your time to check everything.

If you have any doubts, getting help from someone who knows the process can save you time and stress. A little support can make your student visa journey much smoother.