Australia Student Visas
Study in Australia with visa support from Intergate Emigration. Expert help with Student Visas 500 & 590, GTE requirements, and family visa inclusion.
- Licensed advice
- Evidence and timing
- Next step
The Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) allows international students to study full-time at a CRICOS-registered institution for the duration of their enrolled course. Applicants must hold a Confirmation of Enrolment, demonstrate sufficient funds, and satisfy the Genuine Student (GS) requirement by showing credible academic and career goals. The Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa is available for parents or legal guardians accompanying students under 18.
Eligibility
- 01
Confirmation of Enrolment from a CRICOS-registered institution
The applicant must hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a school, university, vocational provider, or ELICOS program registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CoE from an unregistered provider is grounds for refusal.
- 02
Sufficient funds for tuition fees and living expenses
Applicants must demonstrate they can pay tuition fees and support themselves during their studies. Evidence typically includes bank statements, scholarship letters, or financial guarantees. The Department has specific minimum-fund benchmarks that must be met for the full course duration.
- 03
English language proficiency matching the course requirements
Student visa applicants may need to provide evidence of English language proficiency, depending on their country of citizenship, education provider, and course details. Where evidence is required, applicants must meet the Department's approved test score requirements, usually IELTS 6.0 or an equivalent score. Lower scores may apply for eligible ELICOS, foundation, or pathway arrangements, and some applicants are exempt from providing English evidence.
- 04
Genuine Student assessment for the subclass 500 visa
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the former GTE criterion. Applicants must demonstrate they are a genuine student seeking to study in Australia temporarily, with credible academic and career goals and evidence of intent to return home after study.
- 05
Health and character requirements
Standard medical examination from a panel physician is required. Police clearances are required for applicants from certain countries or where the course duration triggers the character requirement threshold.
- 06
Overseas Student Health Cover held for the duration of the visa
All subclass 500 holders must maintain OSHC from an approved insurer for the entire period of their visa. The OSHC must be arranged before the visa is granted.
Mistakes that cost a refusal
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Submitting an incomplete or internally inconsistent Genuine Student statement; a vague statement that does not explain the course choice, career goals, and ties to the home country is one of the leading causes of refusal.
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Providing financial evidence that does not cover the full course duration; funds must demonstrably cover both tuition and living costs for the entire period, not just the first semester.
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Enrolling in a course at a CRICOS provider but in a mode (such as external delivery) that does not satisfy the on-campus attendance requirements for visa compliance.
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Mismatching English evidence to course requirements; an IELTS score sufficient for a lower-level course does not automatically satisfy the requirements for a higher-level qualification at the same institution.
From first call to grant
01 · 1-2 wk
Strategy
Course and institution selection, CRICOS registration verification, English level planning, and Genuine Student statement strategy.
02 · 2-4 wk
CoE and funds
Confirmation of Enrolment obtained from the institution, OSHC arranged, and financial evidence compiled to cover the full course duration.
03 · 1-2 wk
GS statement draft
Genuine Student statement drafted, reviewed, and finalised, addressing academic background, course rationale, career goals, and home-country ties.
04 · 1 wk
Lodgement
Visa application lodged online through ImmiAccount with all required documents, OSHC confirmation, and fees paid.
05 · 3-8 wk
Decision and grant
Department processing. Response to any requests for further information, leading to visa grant prior to the course start date.
What that buys you
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MARA-registered agents draft Genuine Student statements that directly address the assessment criteria, drawing on the specific course, institution, and applicant background rather than a generic template.
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Financial evidence structuring: agents know what formats the Department accepts and how to present funds held in different currencies or accounts to satisfy the minimum benchmarks.
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Study-to-work-to-residence pathway planning: agents help students choose courses and institutions that lead to post-study work rights and, eventually, a pathway toward skilled migration.
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Refusal risk assessment before lodgement: if a student has a prior visa refusal or a complex immigration history, agents assess the impact and advise on how to address it in the application.
We work on a transparent flat fee, quoted at the consultation. We do not publish prices because the right number is the case-specific one.
Subclass 500: Student Visa
The Subclass 500 covers all levels of study, from primary and secondary school through to university and English language intensive courses (ELICOS). Holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the academic term and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Eligible family members, including a spouse or de facto partner and dependent children, can be included in the application or apply separately.
Understanding the Genuine Student Requirement
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criterion. The Department assesses whether the applicant's course choice is consistent with their academic background and career goals, whether they have credible ties to their home country, and whether their stated intent to return after study is plausible. A well-drafted GS statement directly addresses each of these assessment points with specific evidence; a generic statement is one of the leading causes of student visa refusal.
Subclass 590: Student Guardian Visa
The Subclass 590 is for parents, legal guardians, or relatives aged 21 or over who wish to accompany a student under 18 in Australia. The guardian may accompany the student for the duration of their enrolment and may study an English or short course of up to three months. Work is not permitted on the 590 visa.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I work while studying in Australia on a student visa?
Yes. Subclass 500 holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the academic term and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Guardian visa (590) holders cannot work. Exceeding the work limit is a visa breach and can affect future applications.
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What is the Post Study Work Visa and how do I qualify?
The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) Post Study Work stream allows graduates of Australian bachelor's, honours, master's, or doctoral degrees to work in Australia for two to four years after completing their course. The duration depends on the qualification level and where in Australia the degree was studied. Regional study confers an additional year.
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Can I bring my family with me on a student visa?
Eligible family members, including a spouse or de facto partner and dependent children, can be included in the subclass 500 application or apply separately. Partners of student visa holders in postgraduate research or government-sponsored programs may receive unrestricted work rights; partners of other students have more limited work entitlements.
Next step
Speak with a licensed advisor about your visa options.
A focused consultation routed to the right licensed advisor. Continue independently after the call, or proceed with us and have the consultation fee deducted from the service fee.