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Australia continues to remain a leading destination for international students, and the government has now updated the cost structure and processing rules for the Subclass 500 Student Visa. The latest guidance from the Department of Home Affairs outlines how much students can expect to pay, who qualifies for exemptions, how long the visa allows them to stay, and which rules apply depending on when and where the application is lodged. The updates aim to give applicants clearer expectations as demand for Australian education remains steady.

Visa Cost

The Student Visa (Subclass 500) starts from AUD 2,000, and this base charge applies to most applicants.

A revised fee structure introduced on March 22, 2025 offers a lower visa cost for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens applying for a Student Visa or Student Guardian Visa.

Students are advised to use the Visa Pricing Estimator for an approximate figure. The tool does not include additional expenses such as health examinations, biometrics, English tests, police clearances or insurance charges.

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How Long You Can Stay

The visa allows students to stay in Australia for up to six years, depending on the duration of their enrolled course. Visa holders can travel in and out of Australia throughout their study period and can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.

Processing Rules

All offshore student visa applications are processed under specific Ministerial Directions:

• Applications submitted before November 14, 2025 are processed under Ministerial Direction 111.
  
  
• Applications lodged on or after November 14,2025 follow Ministerial Direction 115.
  
  

These directions set the order in which cases are assessed. Processing time estimates are available through the department’s visa processing time guide tool, which lists timelines based on recently finalised applications. The department notes these are indicative and may vary.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for a Subclass 500 visa, students must:

• Submit the application online
  
  
• Be enrolled in a registered course in Australia
  
  
• Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) or fall within an exemption category
  
  
• Be 6 years or older
  
  
• Provide approved welfare arrangements if under 18
  
  
• Hold a valid substantive visa if applying from within Australia
  
  

The department also states that once a new substantive visa is granted, any previous substantive visa will no longer remain in effect.

The Department of Home Affairs advises applicants to lodge complete documents, respond promptly to requests for information and follow the steps outlined in the “Applying for a student visa” guidance. The department states that well-prepared applications help reduce delays.