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Australian student visas allow international students to study legally in Australia across a wide range of education sectors. While Australia once had multiple student visa subclasses, the system has now been simplified. Today, there are only two active student-related visa subclasses, each with a clear purpose.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Understanding how australian student visas work is essential for choosing the correct pathway, meeting visa conditions, and avoiding application issues.
This page is for informational purposes only. Please consult to the Australian government sites for further more accurate information. You can also visit our ELICOS and CRICOS course pages for further information.
The Subclass 500 student visa is the most common student visa in Australia, allowing students to study full-time in an accredited Australian educational institution. This visa is available for students enrolling in primary, secondary, tertiary, vocational, or English language courses. Key features of this visa include:
International students studying full-time in Australia
Students enrolled in approved courses at CRICOS-registered institutions
Subclass 500 covers all study types, including:
English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
Primary and secondary school education
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Higher education (Bachelor and Master degrees)
Postgraduate research (PhD and research programs)
These are study sectors, not separate visas. All fall under the same student visa subclass.
Full-time study in Australia
Limited work rights during study periods
Unlimited work hours during official course breaks
Multiple entry travel while the visa is valid
Inclusion of eligible family members
Applicants for australian student visas under Subclass 500 must:
Hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Meet English language requirements
Show sufficient financial capacity
Maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Meet health and character requirements
Demonstrate genuine intention to study in Australia
The Subclass 500 student visa is an excellent option for those aiming for a comprehensive study experience in Australia.
The Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa is designed for guardians of students under 18 who need someone to stay with them during their studies. This visa allows a parent or legal guardian to reside in Australia and support the student. Features include
Parents of student visa holders under 18
Legal guardians
Approved relatives aged 21 or over
This visa allows a guardian to live in Australia to provide care, accommodation, and welfare support for an under-18 international student.
No work rights in Australia
Limited study rights (up to 3 months, except English courses)
Must remain with the student and provide approved welfare arrangements
This visa does not allow full-time study and exists only to support student visa holders.
The Student Guardian Visa ensures younger students have the necessary support and supervision while studying in Australia.
The Subclass 407 Training Visa is for individuals looking to enhance their skills through structured workplace training or professional development activities. Although not strictly a student visa, this visa serves those aiming to gain practical skills in an Australian work environment. This visa option is suited for
The Training Visa (Subclass 407) allows people to participate in workplace-based training to improve skills for their occupation or studies.
Who it is for
Professional development training
Occupational registration training
Capacity-building programs
Key features
Stay up to 2 years
Training must be sponsored
Limited work rights related to training only
Not for full-time academic study
This visa is ideal for students or professionals looking for hands-on training in an Australian workplace.
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is for international students who have completed an Australian qualification and want to stay temporarily for work or further experience.
Streams
Post-Higher Education Work Stream – for Bachelor, Master, and PhD graduates
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream – for VET graduates
Key features
Stay between 18 months and up to 6 years (depending on qualification)
Full work rights
No study limitation (short courses allowed)
Pathway toward skilled migration visas
While not a “study visa,” this subclass is a critical post-study option linked directly to Australian student visas.
Some students enter Australia using a Working Holiday Visa, which allows short-term study only.
Key limitations
Study limited to 4 months
Not suitable for long academic programs
No pathway to post-study work rights
This visa is not recommended for students planning full qualifications.
The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) allows short courses or recreational study.
Limitations
Study limited to 3 months
No work rights
Cannot extend to a student visa while in Australia (in most cases)
Australian student visas allow international students to live in Australia while studying full-time at a CRICOS-registered education provider. The main visa used for study is the Student Visa (Subclass 500).
The main visa for international students is the Student Visa (Subclass 500). It covers all study sectors, including English courses (ELICOS), vocational training (VET), schools, higher education, and postgraduate research.
Australia currently has one main student visa subclass (500) for all study sectors. Different “types” refer to the education sector (such as VET, university, or English courses), not different visa subclasses.
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement assesses whether your primary intention is to study in Australia. Applicants must show they understand their course, education provider, and how the study fits into their future plans.
Yes. Most holders of australian student visas can work:
Up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session
Unlimited hours during official study breaks
Work rights are subject to visa conditions.
Yes. Most student visa holders must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of their stay in Australia. This is a mandatory visa condition.
Eligible family members, such as a partner or dependent children, may be included in your australian student visas application. They must meet health, character, and financial requirements.
Parents or legal guardians can apply for the Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) to live in Australia and care for a student under 18 years of age. This visa does not allow full-time work or study.
After completing an eligible course, some graduates may apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). This visa allows international students to stay and work in Australia for a limited period after graduation.
Limited study is allowed on some visas, such as:
Visitor Visa (short courses only)
Working Holiday Visa (study usually limited to 4 months)
These visas are not suitable for long-term study. For full courses, australian student visas are required.
The length of australian student visas usually depends on your course duration, plus a short period after course completion. Some visas can be valid for several years.
Yes. Visa requirements, conditions, and policies can change. Students should always check current immigration guidelines or seek professional advice before applying.
