Student Immigration
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Commonwealth Acts of Parliament, federal regulations, and official government guidance. State-level information reflects each state's own Acts and court decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Australia is one of the top destinations for international students, with a structured visa pathway that can lead to post-graduation work rights and permanent residency.
Student Visa (Subclass 500):
- Application fee: Approximately $710 for the primary applicant.
- Requirements: Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at a CRICOS-registered institution, evidence of sufficient funds (at least $24,505 per year for living costs, plus tuition), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and passing the Genuine Student test.
- Work rights: Up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time, unlimited during scheduled course breaks. No work limit for masters by research and doctoral students.
- Processing time: Typically 1 to 4 weeks for straightforward applications from low-risk countries.
Post-Study Work — Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485):
- Graduate Work stream: For graduates with a qualification linked to an occupation on the MLTSSL. Validity: 18 months.
- Post-Study Work stream: For graduates of a bachelor's degree (2 years), master's degree (3 years), or doctoral degree (4 years) from an Australian institution. Application fee is approximately $1,895.
- Regional bonus: Graduates who studied and lived in regional Australia may receive an extra 1 to 2 years on their 485 visa.
The subclass 485 visa provides a bridge to permanent residency by allowing you to gain Australian work experience, which earns additional points on SkillSelect.
When does it apply?
- You have been accepted into a full-time course at a CRICOS-registered institution and have a valid Confirmation of Enrolment.
- You can demonstrate sufficient funds for tuition and living costs.
- You meet the English language requirements for your course level.
- You pass the Genuine Student test — demonstrating that your primary purpose is to study.
- For the subclass 485, you have completed an eligible qualification at an Australian institution within the last 6 months.
What should you do?
- Apply online through ImmiAccount and ensure you have your CoE, OSHC policy, financial evidence, and English test results ready before starting.
- Purchase OSHC before applying — your health cover must span the entire duration of your visa. Major providers include Medibank, Allianz, Bupa, and nib.
- Track your work hours carefully during term time — exceeding 48 hours per fortnight is a visa breach that can lead to cancellation.
- Maintain satisfactory course progress — your institution must report you to the Department if you fail to meet attendance or academic requirements under the ESOS Act.
- Apply for the subclass 485 before your student visa expires — you will receive a Bridging Visa A that lets you stay and work while the application is processed.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't let your OSHC lapse — gaps in health cover can result in visa cancellation.
- Don't drop below a full-time study load without written approval from your institution.
- Don't change education providers in the first 6 months without a release letter from your current institution — this is a visa condition.
- Don't rely on the subclass 485 without planning ahead — check that your qualification and occupation meet the eligibility requirements before enrolling.
- Don't overstay your student visa — apply for the 485 or another visa before your current visa expires.
Common Questions
When does student immigration apply?
You have been accepted into a full-time course at a CRICOS-registered institution and have a valid Confirmation of Enrolment.You can demonstrate sufficient funds for tuition and living costs.You meet the English language requirements for your course level.You pass the Genuine Student test — demonstrating that your primary purpose is to study.For the subclass 485, you have completed an eligible qualification at an Australian institution within the last 6 months.
What should I do about student immigration?
Apply online through ImmiAccount and ensure you have your CoE, OSHC policy, financial evidence, and English test results ready before starting.Purchase OSHC before applying — your health cover must span the entire duration of your visa. Major providers include Medibank, Allianz, Bupa, and nib.Track your work hours carefully during term time — exceeding 48 hours per fortnight is a visa breach that can lead to cancellation.Maintain satisfactory course progress — your institution must report you to the Department if you fail to meet attendance or academic requirements under the ESOS Act.Apply for...
What mistakes should I avoid with student immigration?
Don't let your OSHC lapse — gaps in health cover can result in visa cancellation.Don't drop below a full-time study load without written approval from your institution.Don't change education providers in the first 6 months without a release letter from your current institution — this is a visa condition.Don't rely on the subclass 485 without planning ahead — check that your qualification and occupation meet the eligibility requirements before enrolling.Don't overstay your student visa — apply for the 485 or another visa before your current visa expires.
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