Your roadmap to Australia’s student visa in 2026

If you want to start a degree, semester abroad or language course in Australia, you’ll almost certainly need the Student visa (subclass 500). As of July 2026, fees and evidence rules have changed, and officers now assess a Genuine Student statement instead of the older GTE essay. Below you’ll find the current eligibility checklist, the budget you must prove, the application steps and what to expect after you hit submit.

Who is eligible for the Student visa (subclass 500)?

To qualify, you must hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS‑registered provider, meet English proficiency, show financial capacity, maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and satisfy character and health checks. The Department of Home Affairs lists these core criteria on the official subclass 500 page, including the switch to a Genuine Student assessment for applications lodged on or after March 23, 2024 (Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500); see also Study Australia on 2024 changes).

• English requirement: the minimum standard is IELTS 6.0 overall (or equivalent), with lower entry if you package 10–20 weeks of ELICOS; the official instrument (LIN 24/022) sets the exact test score table, and Home Affairs clarifies that remote‑proctored tests are not accepted. From January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT scores are valid only if registered under “Taking TOEFL for Australia” (LIN 24/022: English requirements; Home Affairs subclass 500; Home Affairs: English language).
• Financial capacity: you must show funds for first‑year tuition, travel and living costs. Since May 10, 2024 the living‑cost benchmark is AUD 29,710 for the primary student, with additional amounts for family. Home Affairs references these figures on the subclass 500 page and in program reports; Study Australia also confirms the AUD 29,710 update (Home Affairs subclass 500; Study Australia on financial capacity).
• Genuine Student (GS): decision makers consider your study plan, ties, immigration history and whether study is your main purpose, per Ministerial Direction No. 106; Home Affairs summarises the shift from GTE to GS in its Student Visa Program reports (Home Affairs: Program Report June 2025).

If you’re still mapping programs across countries and visa types, read how degrees, study programs and student visas fit together.

How much does it cost in 2026?

• Visa application charge: from July 1, 2026, the Student visa charge starts from AUD 2,500 per application. A lower amount applies for some exempt cohorts (e.g., certain ASEAN, Pacific and specific sectors). Always check the official pricing table at application time (Home Affairs subclass 500; Study Australia: Student visa 500).
• Health insurance: OSHC must cover you for your entire stay; the government comparison portal lists approved insurers (Home Affairs checklist tool linking to PrivateHealth.gov.au).

Note: Australia raised the fee to AUD 1,600 in July 2024 and then updated charges again in July 2026; always rely on the current Home Affairs table before paying (Minister for Home Affairs statement, 2024; Home Affairs: Fees and charges).

Which study paths does the visa cover?

The subclass 500 covers full‑time study at schools, ELICOS, vocational (VET), higher education and postgraduate research. Your CoE must match the principal course and any packaged ELICOS or foundation program, as defined by Home Affairs and the 2024 English‑requirements instruments for pathway programs (Pathway programs amendment; Home Affairs subclass 500).

If you’re still choosing where and what to study, compare formats and credit transfer in how to choose a study abroad program that fits your degree.

What documents do you need before you apply?

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course in your package (CRICOS‑registered provider).
• English test results that meet the current thresholds or evidence you are exempt (see LIN 24/022), noting the TOEFL iBT registration rule from January 21, 2026 (LIN 24/022; Home Affairs subclass 500).
• Financial capacity evidence covering first‑year tuition, travel and at least AUD 29,710 for living costs (higher if family members apply).
• OSHC policy for the full stay (PrivateHealth.gov.au via the checklist tool).
• Passport, photos and any translations. Use Home Affairs’ online evidentiary checklist tailored by nationality and provider.

How to apply step by step

1. Create your ImmiAccount and start a Student visa (subclass 500) application. Attach your CoE(s), English evidence, OSHC, financials and passport documents as instructed on the subclass 500 page.

2. Prepare your Genuine Student responses. The GS replaces the older GTE and focuses on why your course in Australia makes sense for you, your background, and future plans. Home Affairs explains GS criteria in program reports and the related Ministerial Direction.

3. Pay the visa application charge (check the live amount; as of July 1, 2026 it starts from AUD 2,500) and submit (Study Australia: Student visa 500 and Home Affairs: Fees and charges).

4. Book biometrics/health exams if you receive a request. Keep your OSHC active and your passport valid (Home Affairs details these post‑lodgement steps on the subclass 500 page: Home Affairs subclass 500).

5. Watch for messages in ImmiAccount. Respond quickly to any Request for Information (RFI) by the stated deadline.

What should you double‑check before you hit submit?

• Your funds calculation uses the current benchmark (AUD 29,710 for you, plus tuition and travel; add partner/children if applying together) and matches how you’ll evidence it (bank funds or official income) as set out by Home Affairs and the English/financial instruments (Home Affairs subclass 500; Study Australia on financial capacity).
• Your English test meets the precise score table in LIN 24/022 and, if using TOEFL iBT on/after January 21, 2026, you selected “Taking TOEFL for Australia” (LIN 24/022; Home Affairs: English language).
• Your GS answers clearly connect your course, provider and campus location to your academic background and career plan, reflecting the GS factors used by decision makers.

If cost is a blocker, look at study abroad scholarships while you build your application timeline.

After you apply: what to expect

Home Affairs prioritises complete applications and can request more evidence. Student visa settings and processing priorities continue to evolve under Australia’s Migration Strategy, which introduced the GS test, higher English thresholds and financial updates in 2024; official updates are published by Home Affairs and Study Australia, so keep an eye on these pages while you wait (Migration Strategy (Home Affairs); Study Australia: 2024 changes).