Student Visa for Australia (Subclass 500) 2026: Rules, Requirements, Application and Fees

Shivani Mani

9 min read • Jul 8, 2026

Australia’s student visa rules changed significantly in 2025-26. If you researched the Subclass 500 visa before 2025, several details have changed: the visa fee has increased from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000, the minimum financial proof requirement has risen from AUD 24,505 to AUD 29,710 per year, GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) has been replaced by a Genuine Student (GS) statement, and India has been reclassified to Evidence Level 3.

This guide covers the current 2026 rules in full – what has changed, what the requirements actually are, and what the application process looks like for Indian students.

What Changed in 2025-26 – Read This First

What Changed	Old Rule	2026 Rule	Impact on Indian Students
Visa fee	AUD 1,600	AUD 2,000	Rs 1.35 lakh approx. at current rates. Higher upfront cost.
Financial proof required	AUD 24,505/year	AUD 29,710/year	Must show higher bank balance. Add AUD 10,394 for partner, AUD 4,449/child.
Student statement	Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)	Genuine Student (GS) statement	New format, same purpose – prove you intend to study, not migrate.
India risk classification	Evidence Level 2	Evidence Level 3	More stringent documentation review. Stronger English and financial proof required.
National Planning Level	No hard cap	295,000 places for 2026	Institutional caps affect processing priority. Choose institutions wisely.
Processing priority	Standard queue	Ministerial Direction 115 – priority tiered by institution NPL status	Students at institutions with NPL compliance get faster processing.
Subclass 485 streams	GTE/PSW stream names	Renamed: Post-Higher Education Work, Post-VET Work, Second Post-Higher Education	Clearer names but same function – post-study work visa.

Sources: IDP Australia visa rules 2026 (idp.com); AECC Global Australia Student Visa Guide 2026; DHA official Subclass 500 requirements. Always verify current requirements at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying.

What Is the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)?

The Student Visa Subclass 500 is the only student visa for Australia. It replaced several earlier visa types on 1 July 2016 when the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) came into effect. Whether you are pursuing an English language course, a VET diploma, an undergraduate degree, or a master’s program, the Subclass 500 is the visa you apply for.

Subclass 500 Permits	Details
Study duration	Up to 5 years in Australia, aligned with your enrollment period
Course type	Any CRICOS-registered course: English language (ELICOS), VET, undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral
Work rights	Up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods; unlimited hours during scheduled breaks
Family members	A spouse/partner and dependent children may accompany you
Apply from	Inside or outside Australia via online portal
Post-study work	Eligible for Subclass 485 post-study work visa after graduation

Streams Under Subclass 500 – Which One Applies to You?

Stream	Course Type	Examples
English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)	Short-term English language courses	Certificate I-IV English; preparation programs
Vocational Education and Training (VET)	Registered VET courses at TAFE or private institution	Diploma, Certificate III/IV courses in practical fields
Higher Education	Bachelor’s, Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master’s courses	All university undergraduate and postgraduate programs
Postgraduate Research	Doctoral and research master’s programs	PhD, Master of Research
Schools	Primary, secondary, and high school education	Government and private school programs
Non-Award	Courses not leading to a formal qualification	Foundation programs, exchange programs, audit courses
Foreign Affairs or Defence	Arranged by Australian government for specific sponsored students	Government scholarship recipients

Also Read: Study in Australia – Process, Requirements, Documents, Visa and Benefits

Subclass 500 Visa Fees 2026

The base visa application fee for Subclass 500 in 2026 is AUD 2,000 for the primary applicant. Additional fees apply for accompanying family members:

Applicant	Fee (AUD)	Fee (INR approx. at AUD 1 = Rs 67)
Main applicant (student)	AUD 2,000	~Rs 1,34,000
Additional applicant aged 18 or older	AUD 545 (est.)	~Rs 36,515
Additional applicant under 18	AUD 180 (est.)	~Rs 12,060
Repeat or additional visa	Confirm with DHA	Varies

Note: The INR conversion above uses AUD 1 = Rs 67 (approximate June 2026 rate). The conversion rate changes daily. Some sources report the current base fee at AUD 2,000, others at AUD 650 (older data – pre-2025 increase) and AUD 710 (interim period). Always pay fees at the official Department of Home Affairs portal (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) where the current fee is displayed in AUD. Payment accepts Mastercard, Visa, and American Express. Currency conversion charges may apply.

Financial Requirements: What You Must Show

Demonstrating sufficient funds is a non-negotiable component of the Subclass 500 application. You must show you can cover your first year’s costs:

Expense Category	Amount Required	Notes
Living expenses (primary student)	AUD 29,710 per year	Increased from AUD 24,505. Must show this for yourself.
Partner/spouse (if accompanying)	AUD 10,394 per year	Add to primary student living requirement
Each dependent child	AUD 4,449 per year	Add for each child
Tuition fees (first year)	Full first-year tuition	Varies by university and course – get CoE to confirm exact amount
Return airfare	Estimated airfare India-Australia return	Approximately AUD 1,500-3,000 depending on route
Total to demonstrate (student only, no family)	AUD 29,710 + tuition + airfare	Minimum; show more if possible for stronger application

Acceptable proof of funds: bank statements (6-12 months), education loan sanction letter from an Indian bank or NBFC (widely accepted as financial proof), fixed deposit certificate, scholarship letter. A GradRight education loan sanction letter specifically serves as financial proof for visa purposes at most Australian universities.

Need an education loan sanction letter for your Australia visa? GradRight FundRight – competing offers from 18+ lenders in 48 hours, free. Get Your Australia Education Loan Sanction on GradRight

Eligibility Requirements for Subclass 500

Requirement	Details
Enrollment	Must be enrolled full-time in a CRICOS-registered course. Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) required.
Academic qualification	For bachelor’s: Class 12 or equivalent with 60%+ marks. For master’s: bachelor’s with 50%+ marks.
English proficiency	Valid IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or equivalent. Minimum scores depend on course and institution.
Health insurance	Must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for entire visa duration.
Financial capacity	AUD 29,710/year living + first year tuition + return airfare (as shown in table above).
Genuine Student (GS) statement	Must demonstrate genuine intent to study (not primarily to migrate). New format replacing old GTE statement.
Health examination	Chest X-ray and medical check required. Health Identifier (HAP ID) received, examination at approved panel physician.
Character/police clearance	Police clearance certificate may be required depending on countries of residence in past 12 months.
Age	No official minimum age (students under 18 require welfare arrangements). No maximum age, but older applicants face more scrutiny.
Under 18 (welfare arrangements)	Form 157N required, nominating a student guardian. Confirmation of accommodation and welfare from educational institution required.

Documents Required for Australia Student Visa 2026

Valid passport (must be valid for the duration of your intended stay)
Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from your Australian institution
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – must cover full visa period
English proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or equivalent)
Academic documents: Class 10 and 12 mark sheets for UG; bachelor’s degree + mark sheets for PG
Financial proof: bank statements, education loan sanction letter, or scholarship confirmation showing AUD 29,710+ availability
Genuine Student (GS) statement – replaces old GTE statement
Passport-size photographs
Health examination results (HAP ID from approved panel physician)
Police clearance certificate (if resided outside India for 12+ months in past 10 years)
For under-18 students: Form 157N (welfare nomination), welfare confirmation from institution
Additional CoE for each component course (e.g., separate CoE if doing an English prep course before main degree)

The Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) – What It Means for Indian Students

Before July 2016, Australian student visas used a country-based risk Assessment Level (AL) framework where different countries faced different requirements. The SSVF replaced this with a single Subclass 500 applicable to all students, but with country-based Evidence Levels that still affect scrutiny.

India’s reclassification to Evidence Level 3 in 2025-26 means Indian applications now face more stringent documentation review. Practically, this means: stronger English language scores are expected, financial proof must be comprehensive and clearly documented, and the Genuine Student statement must be detailed and convincing.

The National Planning Level (NPL) cap of 295,000 for 2026 adds another dimension: institutions are allocated specific student quotas, and your institution’s NPL compliance status affects how quickly your visa is processed under Ministerial Direction 115. Choosing an NPL-compliant, well-regarded institution matters now more than it did before 2025.

Post-Study Work Visa (Subclass 485) – The Pathway After Graduation

Stream	Who Qualifies	Duration
Post-Higher Education Work Stream (formerly Post-Study Work Stream)	Graduates with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a registered Australian institution	2-4 years depending on qualification level and location studied
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (formerly Graduate Work Stream)	VET graduates whose course relates to an occupation on Australia’s skilled occupation list	Up to 2 years
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream (formerly Second Post-Study Work Stream)	Eligible graduates who studied in a designated regional area	Extension of Post-Higher Education stream

Australia’s post-study work visa pathway is a significant advantage for Indian students. Recent changes to immigration laws allow graduates to work for up to 8 years without a sponsorship visa after their studies, which significantly enhances Australia’s appeal as a study destination. Source: GradRight study in Australia guide (gradright.com/study-in-australia-process-requirements-documents-visa-benefits/).

How to Apply for the Australia Student Visa

Receive your Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from your Australian institution after paying the tuition deposit.
Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full duration of your course.
Complete your health examination at a DHA-approved panel physician in India. Receive your Health Assessment Package ID (HAP ID).
Prepare all required documents as listed above, including your Genuine Student (GS) statement.
Create an ImmiAccount on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au).
Complete and submit your online Subclass 500 application through ImmiAccount. Pay the AUD 2,000 visa application fee.
Await processing. Provide biometrics if requested. Respond promptly to any requests for additional documents or information.
Receive visa grant. Your visa will specify conditions including work rights and any course conditions.

Apply at least 12 weeks before your course start date to allow for processing. Typical processing times range from 29 days to 90 days, with significant variation based on your institution’s NPL status and the time of year. Source: GradRight Australia visa guide (gradright.com/student-visa-for-australia-for-indian-students/).

Also Read: Education Loan for Australia – GradRight

Stay up to date, sign up for our newsletter

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Australia student visa fee in 2026?

The Subclass 500 student visa fee for the primary applicant in 2026 is AUD 2,000 (increased from AUD 1,600 in 2025). Additional fees apply for family members who accompany you: approximately AUD 545 per additional applicant aged 18 or over, and AUD 180 per additional applicant under 18. The INR equivalent at AUD 1 = Rs 67 (approximate June 2026 rate) is approximately Rs 1,34,000 for the primary applicant. Fees must be paid in AUD through the official Department of Home Affairs portal (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au). Always check the current fee on the official portal as it is subject to change. Source: IDP Australia visa rules 2026; AECC Global 2026 guide.

How much financial proof do I need for the Australia student visa?

For 2026, you must demonstrate at least AUD 29,710 per year for living expenses (increased from AUD 24,505). Add AUD 10,394 per year for an accompanying partner/spouse, and AUD 4,449 per year for each dependent child. In addition, you must show funds for your first year’s full tuition fees and return airfare (approximately AUD 1,500-3,000). An education loan sanction letter from an Indian bank or NBFC (such as one obtained through GradRight FundRight) is widely accepted as financial proof by Australian universities and the Department of Home Affairs. Source: DHA Subclass 500 requirements; AECC Global 2026 guide.

What is the Genuine Student (GS) statement?

The Genuine Student (GS) statement replaced the previous Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement in 2025. It is a written statement you submit with your visa application demonstrating that your primary purpose is to study in Australia rather than to migrate. It typically addresses your reasons for choosing Australia and your chosen institution, your ties to India and intention to return, your understanding of the course and career plans, and your financial circumstances and how studying in Australia fits your goals. The format and questions may differ slightly from the old GTE statement – your institution may provide guidance on the expected content.