Australian student visa requirements
The student visa you need depends on your chosen course of study. As a guide, the typical key requirements you will need to meet are:
Australia introduced a simplified student visa framework (SSVF) on July 1st 2016. Under the SSVF all visa applications by international students and education agents are processed online by creating an account on ImmiAccount.
Student visa (Subclass 500)
All of the following types of study are included on this visa. For more information about student visa, visit Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP):
- Independent ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students)
- Schools (primary and secondary)
- Secondary school exchange program
- Vocational education and training (VET)
- Higher education
- Postgraduate research
- Non-award courses
- International students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs or Defence
Other visa options
For shorter periods of study, you can apply for a Visitor or Working Holiday Visa. There is also a visa option specifically for student guardians or relevant work experience into consideration:
Visitor Visa (Subclasses 600, 601, 651)
- Maximum 3 months study
- Intention to visit Australia is genuine
- Meet health and character requirements
- Sufficient money to support yourself during stay in Australia
Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 and 462)
- Maximum 4 months study.
- Aged 18 to 30 years and hold an eligible passport
- Principal purpose to holiday in Australia
- Enter or remain in Australia as a genuine visitor
- Meet health and character requirements
- Sufficient funds for airfares and personal support for stay in Australia
Student Guardian (Subclass 590)
- Provides for certain persons to reside with a student in Australia, where the student requires a guardian, ie: the student is under 18 years of age
- Study up to 3 months or study ELICOS for 20 hours per week for duration of visa
- Meet Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement
- Sufficient funds for airfares and living costs
- Meet health and character requirements
- Acceptable health insurance
Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485)
- This visa allows eligible international students who have completed an Australian education to stay in Australia to gain work experience
- You can work in Australia for a period of 18 months and up to 4 years, depending on your qualification
- This visa does not restrict the type of work you may do or the number of hours you may work
- Applications for this visa must be made in Australia and you must hold an eligible student visa in the last 6 months
- You must meet Australian study, English proficiency, health insurance, health and character requirements
- You must meet the specific requirements of the stream in which you are applying for this visa
More info about study in Australia:
READY TO STUDY IN AUSTRALIA?