Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500): Fees, Funds and Work Rights for 2026
Australia’s student visa rules have changed a lot since 2024. This page covers the numbers and steps that apply if you are applying now, and links to the official pages so you can check anything before you pay. Last checked: 8 October 2026.
The key numbers at a glance
| Item | 2026 figure | What to know |
| Visa application charge (subclass 500, main applicant) | A$2,500 | Applies from 1 July 2026, up from A$2,000. Family members pay extra. Confirm your exact total in the Home Affairs pricing estimator. |
| Living-cost funds you must show | A$29,710 per year | On top of your first-year tuition and travel costs. This benchmark has applied since May 2024. |
| Health cover | OSHC for your whole stay | Cost depends on the provider and how long you are covered. For a single student it usually runs from a few hundred dollars to about A$700 a year. |
| Work limit during study | 48 hours per fortnight | No limit during scheduled course breaks. |
| Genuine Student requirement | Written statement plus evidence | Replaced the older Genuine Temporary Entrant test in 2024. |
| National cap for 2026 | 295,000 new overseas students | Each university and college has its own allocation under that cap. |
The order to do things in
- Get an offer from a CRICOS-registered course and accept it.
- Pay the deposit your provider asks for and receive your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE). You cannot apply for the visa without it.
- Buy Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full length of your visa.
- Collect your funds evidence and English test results.
- Write your Genuine Student statement.
- Lodge the application online through ImmiAccount and pay the charge.
- Complete biometrics or health checks if Home Affairs asks for them.
The Genuine Student statement
This is the part that trips up the most applicants. The assessor wants to know why you chose this course, why in Australia, why at this provider, how it fits your education and career so far, and what you would be doing if you stayed at home. Write it yourself and keep it consistent with your transcripts, your work history and your financial documents. A generic statement that could belong to anyone gives the assessor nothing to believe.
Showing your funds
You need to show enough money for 12 months of living costs (A$29,710 for you), your first year of tuition, and your travel. Each family member who comes with you adds to the living-cost figure. Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, an education loan approval letter and certain government or scholarship funding. The money has to be genuinely yours to use. A large deposit that appears shortly before you apply with no explanation raises questions, so keep the paper trail clear. The Home Affairs page lists exactly which evidence it accepts.
Working while you study
You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is running and without a limit during scheduled breaks. Treat that as help with rent and groceries, not a way to pay tuition. Rents in most capital cities are now well above A$600 a week for a whole dwelling, so even a good part-time income goes mostly on living costs.
The 2026 cap and why it matters
The government set a National Planning Level of 295,000 new overseas student commencements for 2026 and gave each provider an indicative allocation. Providers that reach their allocation can see their student visa applications processed more slowly under Ministerial Direction 115. Before you commit to a university, check where it stands on the Department of Education’s allocation reports, and ask the admissions team how it affects visa timing.
After your degree: the Temporary Graduate visa (485)
Most graduates who want to stay and work apply for the Temporary Graduate visa. Points to know:
- Most applicants must be 35 or under when they apply. Research master’s and PhD graduates have a higher limit.
- You apply within six months of finishing your course.
- The length of stay depends on your qualification. A bachelor’s or coursework master’s usually gets around two years, and research degrees get longer.
- Indian graduates may qualify for longer stays for some degrees under the India-Australia trade agreement. Published guides disagree on the details, so check with Home Affairs for your qualification.
- The application charge rose sharply in 2026 and published figures differ, so use the pricing estimator for the current amount.
The 485 is a temporary bridge, not permanent residence. If staying long term is the plan, work out the skilled migration route before you pick a course.
Common slips to avoid
- Quoting old fees. The charge changed on 1 July 2026.
- Showing funds that cover living costs but not the first year of tuition.
- A statement that does not match your documents.
- Choosing a provider without checking its allocation status.
- Leaving the English test until after the offer arrives. Your provider and the visa each set a minimum. Our IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE guide helps you choose.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Australian student visa cost in 2026?
The charge for the main applicant is A$2,500 from 1 July 2026. Add OSHC, English tests and any health checks. Use the official pricing estimator for your exact total.
How long does processing take?
It varies by provider, course level and nationality. Home Affairs publishes current processing times, so check there instead of relying on a blog post.
Which city should I choose?
Rent, climate and course options differ a lot. We have separate guides for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Darwin. For university shortlists, see top universities for Indian students in Australia.
Official sources
- Student visa (subclass 500), Department of Home Affairs
- Visa pricing estimator, Department of Home Affairs
- Cost of living tool, Study Australia
- Department of Education reports on provider allocations under the National Planning Level (education.gov.au)
Rules and fees change often. We check this page against the sources above and update the date at the top when we do. Always confirm figures with Home Affairs before you lodge.
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