Student visa (500)
Since 2 October 2026 most people apply for a Student visa from outside Australia. We help offshore students choose a course that keeps their future open, and lodge a strong application.
- Category
- Student
- Visa
- Student visa (subclass 500), up to 6 years
- Where to apply
- Mostly from outside Australia since 2 Oct 2026
- Government charge
- A$2,500 main applicant (from 1 Jul 2026)
- Funds to show
- 12 months' fees, A$29,710 living costs and travel
- Our fee
- From A$1,100
Start here
Do this
- Choose a course that fits your study and work history
- Write your Genuine Student answers in your own words
- Show genuine access to your funds
- Check whether an onshore exemption applies before travelling
Avoid this
- Assuming you can extend your student visa in Australia
- Using templated Genuine Student answers
- Moving to a lower qualification to stay
- Expecting your partner to join later
What a wrong turn can cost: A refusal costs the A$2,500 charge, your enrolment start date, and can affect future applications.
Are you on the right track?
- Do you have a Confirmation of Enrolment for a full-time course?
- Can you explain your course choice in your own words?
- Can you show 12 months of fees and living costs?
Unsure about any of these? Talk it through on a free call — you're not alone in this.
Is this you?
- You're overseas and planning your first Australian course.
- You're a current student finishing within 12 months or moving up a level.
- You studied here before and want to come back.
What changed
2 Oct 2026 Holders of 17 excluded visas — including 482, 485, visitor and working holiday — must apply from outside Australia and be outside at grant.
2 Oct 2026 Most current students also apply offshore, unless finishing within 12 months, moving up a level, doing a PhD, at school, affected by provider default, or DFAT/Defence sponsored.
2 Oct 2026 Family members can be included only in limited cases, and only when applying.
1 Jul 2026 The main applicant charge rose to A$2,500.
Who qualifies
- A Confirmation of Enrolment for a full-time CRICOS course.
- The Genuine Student requirement — short answers on your ties, course choice and plans.
- Financial capacity: 12 months' fees, A$29,710 living costs, travel, plus A$10,394 for a partner and A$4,449 per child if eligible.
- English if required: IELTS 6.0, or 5.5 with 10+ weeks of English study, or 5.0 with 20+ weeks (PTE 47, 39 or 31).
- Overseas Student Health Cover, health and character.
Step by step
- ConsultationCourse choice checked against future pathways; offshore or exemption confirmed.
- AdmissionOffer and Confirmation of Enrolment.
- Evidence planFunds, English, health cover, study and work history.
- Genuine Student answersYour own words, backed by documents.
- Quality check and lodgementFrom outside Australia, or onshore if exempt.
- Grant and arrival briefingVisa conditions explained.
Document checklist
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
Common problems
Myths and facts
How we help you with Student visa
- 1UnderstandA consultation on course choice and your future pathway.
- 2PlanA written plan: course, costs, timing and funds.
- 3PrepareEvidence and Genuine Student answers prepared with you.
- 4LodgeLodged from outside Australia, with updates until the decision.
- 5DestinationArrival briefing and your future skilled pathway mapped.
What you'll receive
How we keep in touch: WhatsApp updates through admission and the visa, wherever you are in the world.
Three ways to do it
An honest look at your options. Some people do this themselves, and that can work well.
| Topic | With Omar Nafiz | Doing it yourself | With another provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course choice | Matched to your history and future pathway | Often the cheapest course | Often the provider that pays commission |
| Genuine Student answers | Coached, in your own words | Often templated | Sometimes templated |
| Onshore or offshore | Exemptions checked before you travel | Often assumed | Varies |
| Funds | Evidence plan for genuine access | Last-minute deposits | Varies |
| After grant | Your skilled pathway mapped | Not considered | Rarely |
Free mini-course: Studying in Australia after 2 October
3 short lessons and quick checks. About 10 minutes.
A situation like yours
An illustrative situation, in Omar's words. Names and details are fictional. See all situations.
Starting a degree from overseas
- Age 22
- English Competent
- 🎒 Student visa
The situation. Arjun is 22 and lives in Pune. He wants a business degree in Melbourne. A friend told him to arrive on a visitor visa and sort the student visa once he is here.
How I'd approach it
What I check first. Visitor visa holders now have to apply for a Student visa from outside Australia, and be outside Australia when it is granted. So the plan is closed before it starts. I check that first, because it decides everything else.
The options. Choose a course that keeps his future open, not just the cheapest one. Lodge from Pune with funds and course evidence that match. Time the application around his intake.
Age and English. At 22 he is in the 18 to 24 band. That scores 25 on the federal test, and 300 on Victoria's test (ages 20 to 29). His English is Competent, which scores 0 on both. It does not stop him studying. It is the cheapest thing to improve before he ever thinks about points.
My caution. A new visa is never guaranteed. The government charge for most students is A$2,500 (as at 1 July 2026). I tell him that on day one.
Illustrative situation. The names and details are fictional.
Questions people ask
I'm on a 485. Can I apply for a student visa in Australia?
No. The 485 is on the excluded list. You'd apply from outside Australia and be outside when it's granted.
I'm a current student. Do I have to leave?
Usually, unless you're finishing within 12 months, moving up a qualification level, doing a PhD, at school, affected by a provider closure, or DFAT/Defence sponsored.
How much money do I need to show?
12 months of course fees, A$29,710 living costs and travel, plus A$10,394 for a partner and A$4,449 per child if they're eligible.
Can I work?
Up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session; unlimited during official breaks.
Pricing
Consultation
A full review of your situation and a written plan.
Student Visa — Offshore
Evidence plan, Genuine Student coaching, review, lodgement, responses and arrival briefing.
Student Visa — Complex
Previous refusals, study gaps, course changes, PhD with family or onshore exemption cases.
Study to Career Plan
Student visa plus a course choice mapped to a future 485 and skilled pathway.
Government visa charge (Department of Home Affairs, as at 1 July 2026)
| Visa | Main applicant | Extra 18+ | Extra under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa (500), all other students | A$2,500 | A$1,530 | A$500 |
| Student visa (500), ELICOS or Non-Award | A$2,050 | A$1,255 | A$410 |
| Student visa (500), Postgraduate researchThe official table shows N/A for extra applicants. Check the official page before adding family members. | A$2,500 | N/A | N/A |
Checked 22 October 2026. Official pricing table · Estimate for your family
Our prices as at 22 October 2026. Packages are paid in stages, only after you sign a written service agreement. All services and fees.
Book
Talk to us about Student visa
Start with a free 15-minute phone call. If you need full advice, book a A$110 consultation — it comes off your package.
Often considered alongside
Official sources
Figures checked 8 October 2026. Visa rules and charges change — we confirm everything for your situation before you pay for a package.