The Student Visa (subclass 500) visa allows prospective students to access Australia’s word class educational institutions

If you have a valid visa to Australia that permits study, then yes. Otherwise, you will need to wait for your Student visa to be approved before being able to enter Australia and study.

Student visas are typically valid for the duration of the course, or for up to 6 years. In most cases, where the course of study is for over 10 months and ends at the end of the calendar year, the Student visa will be granted until 15 March of the following year.

Not directly. However, once you have obtained an Australian qualification, you may be able to obtain a Graduate Subclass 485 visa, or to pursue other longer-term visas such as general skilled migration, or apply for an employer sponsored visa. Speak to us early to determine your pathways to permanent residence.

If you are in Australia and hold a substantive visa when we lodge your Student visa application, you will be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA). The BVA will allow you to remain in Australia during processing of your Student visa.

Note that the BVA will not allow you to re-enter Australia if you depart during the processing of your Student visa. You will need to seek special permission to do so. Please notify us immediately if you have travel plans during the processing of your Student visa as it can impact the application.

You can refer to our pricing guide for an estimate of fixed fee professional fees. You will also need to pay government fees for this visa application.

Feel free to explore our cost calculator, or contact a member of our team directly for a full breakdown of fees.

You are able to work on an Australian Student (Subclass 500) visa, although work is limited to a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight if your course is in session, unless:

• the work was specified as a requirement of your course when the course particulars are entered in the CRICOS; or
• your visa was granted in relation to a master’s degree by research or doctoral degree and you have commenced the master’s degree or doctoral degree.

You will have unlimited work authorisation during times when your course is not in session (i.e. between semester breaks, or after you have completed your course of study).

Primary and secondary visa holders are generally not permitted to commence working in Australia, unless at the time of applying for the Subclass 500 visa they held a substantive visa or a bridging visa and was permitted to work while they held that visa.

Yes, you can include anybody who is a “Member of the Family Unit”, which generally includes your spouse/de facto partner, and certain dependent children in your visa application.

There are specific requirements for children over the age of 18 to demonstrate dependency. Children 23 years or above cannot be included except in very limited circumstances.

You cannot include parents or siblings in your visa application, even if they are dependent on you. Parents/guardians who wish to accompany applicants under 18 years must apply for a Student Guardian (Subclass 590) visa instead.

Dependents 18 years or older (including dependent children 18 years or older) must not work more than 48 hours a fortnight for the duration of their stay in Australia. An exemption to this condition applies if the primary Subclass 500 visa holder is undertaking study towards a master’s or doctoral degree.

Dependents over 18 are also subject to a 3-month study limitation.

Yes, children aged under 18 years who are dependent on your application may study. However, different States / Territories in Australia have different requirements and fees may be applicable. We strongly recommend that you explore this with the education provider directly.

It is important to note that child dependents 18 years or older will be subject to a 3-month study limitation.

You will need to obtain an English assessment unless you hold a passport from the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland.

English assessments must have been completed no more than 24 months before the date of application. You can read more about the accepted tests and the minimum score requirements at our blog.

The Department have appointed particular panel doctors who are authorised to conduct health examinations for Australian visa purposes.

If the health examinations are not carried out by these individuals, they will need to be redone.

The Department also require specific police clearances.

Please wait for instructions from your Hannan Tew advisor to ensure that you don’t unnecessarily incur any costs or loss of time.

Holding ‘adequate health insurance’ (i.e. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)) for your duration of stay in Australia is a requirement for primary and secondary Student visa applicants.

Most Australian health insurers have OSHC plans that specifically address these requirements and contain the minimum level to be considered “adequate” arrangements. It is important to note that overseas insurance is not evidence of ‘adequate’ arrangements for the grant of a Subclass 500 visa.

Students from Belgium, Norway and Sweden are exempt from providing evidence of OSHC.

Generally no. Citizens of certain countries have access to Medicare under reciprocal arrangements with Australia, although those covered by reciprocal agreements must still hold OSHC for the duration of their stay in Australia (unless exempt).

We recommend that you obtain specific tax advice relevant to you, as we unfortunately are not qualified to advise. Importantly, immigration residency is different to tax residency. Refer to the ATO’s website for further information, and obtain professional advice for tax guidance.