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financial proof requirement has risen from AUD 24,505 to AUD 29,710 per year, GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) has been replaced by a Genuine Student (GS) statement, and India has been reclassified to Evidence Level 3.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.
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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
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