Your guide to securing a student visa in Australia

The Australian student visa, officially known as the Subclass 500 visa, is your gateway to pursuing a world-class education in Australia. It allows you to live and study in the country for the duration of your registered full-time course.

To be eligible, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• Enrolment:

  Secure a place in a registered full-time course at an Australian institution

• Genuine Student (GS):

  Demonstrate a clear and genuine intention to study in Australia

• Financial capacity:

  Provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, living expenses (updated to AUD 29,710/year), and related costs

• Health and character:

  Meet the health and character requirements set by the Australian government

Visa application process

Applying for a student visa involves preparing and submitting key documents, including:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

• Proof of financial capacity

• English language test results (e.g. IELTS)

• Health and character documents

Documents checklist for your visa application

• Completed visa application form (your counsellor can assist)

• Visa application fee

• Passport-sized photographs

• Valid passport

• Electronic CoE

• English test results

• Academic and work experience documents

• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

• Financial evidence (tuition, living costs, dependents, travel)

While it might seem a bit complex, don't worry! IDP's experienced consultants are here to guide you every step of the way, from understanding intake periods to ensuring a smooth and successful visa application. You can also download the IDP Live App for further support and free access to resources on your study abroad journey.

The Genuine Student (GS) requirement

The GS requirement is a key part of the visa process in 2026. It ensures your primary purpose is genuinely to study in Australia.

Your application will be assessed based on:

• Academic background and qualifications

• Relevance of your chosen course to your career goals

• Financial circumstances

• English proficiency

• Immigration history

Tips to strengthen your GS statement:

• Be clear about your study and career goals

• Show how your course aligns with your future plans

• Support your application with strong evidence

• Be honest and consistent

• Demonstrate commitment to your studies

Financial requirements for Australian student visas

You must show that you can financially support yourself (and any dependents) during your stay, including:

• Tuition fees

• Living expenses (minimum AUD 29,710/year)

• Travel costs

• Schooling costs for dependents

Recent updates mean higher financial thresholds, so it’s important to plan ahead and ensure your documents meet the latest requirements.

Do note that the financial requirements have recently increased for some students. This change may affect your eligibility for a student visa. If you have any concerns about meeting these new requirements, you can always get free professional guidance to explore potential solutions to help you achieve your study abroad dreams.

To study in Australia, you must demonstrate your English language proficiency. This means achieving the minimum required score in an approved English test to ensure you can succeed both academically and in daily life.

Accepted tests include:

• IELTS

• TOEFL iBT

• PTE Academic

• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)

📈 Updated for 2026:
Minimum English score requirements for both the Student visa (Subclass 500) and the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) have increased, making strong English skills more important than ever.

If you're planning to take IELTS, IDP—one of the co-owners of the test—is a trusted provider of preparation support, including expert guidance, practice materials, and test booking services to help you achieve your target score and move closer to your study goals in Australia.

One of the biggest advantages of studying in Australia is the opportunity to gain valuable work experience after graduation. The Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) allows eligible international students to stay, live, and work in Australia for a limited period after completing their studies.

This gives you the chance to apply your skills in a real-world setting, grow your professional network, and potentially open pathways toward long-term career opportunities or permanent residency.

⚠️ Updated for 2026:
Post-study work rights and visa conditions are subject to change, with recent updates affecting eligibility and duration for some qualifications.

👉 That’s why staying informed is key. Always check the latest updates from the Department of Home Affairs or speak with an expert education counsellor to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information before planning your next steps.

Planning to study in Australia in 2025? These changes have recently been made to the student visa process. Here

🔥 Key updates

• Student intake cap (2026): The Australian government has introduced a cap of approximately

  295,000 new international student enrolments. This makes the process more competitive—but with the right strategy, you can still stand out.

• Genuine Student (GS) requirement: The GS requirement has officially replaced GTE and remains a key assessment factor. It focuses on your genuine intention to study, your career goals, and how your chosen course aligns with your future.

• Higher English language requirements: Minimum English scores remain higher than before:

  • Student Visa (Subclass 500): IELTS 6.0+

  • Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): IELTS 6.5+ Strong English proficiency is now more important than ever.

• Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) updates: Recent changes include adjusted stay durations depending on your qualification, removal of select extensions, and updated age limits (generally under 35, with exceptions for postgraduate degrees).

• Updated financial requirements: Applicants must show a minimum of AUD 29,710/year to cover living costs, in addition to tuition and other expenses.

• Visa application fee increase: Student visa fees have increased to approximately AUD 2,000+ (subject to change).

• Onshore application restrictions: Certain visa holders (e.g. Visitor, Temporary Graduate) are not eligible to apply for a student visa while in Australia and must apply offshore.

Stay up to date

Australian student visa policies continue to evolve. To ensure a smooth application process, always stay updated with the latest requirements.

For official and most accurate information, refer to:

• Australian Government Department of Home Affairs

• Study Australia

💡 With increasing competition and stricter requirements, having expert guidance can make all the difference in your application success.

Studying in Australia is a life-changing experience, and you’ll need to navigate the visa application process. At IDP, we're passionate about helping students achieve their dreams of studying abroad by providing personalised guidance and support throughout their journey, making the process as seamless as applying for an e-visa for other destinations.

From selecting the perfect course and university tailored to your academic background, interests, and career goals (with the help of resources like university rankings) to guiding you through the application and visa process and even preparing you for your arrival with pre-departure briefings, IDP's overseas education placement consultants are dedicated to ensuring your journey to studying in Australia is smooth and successful.

Ready to turn your dream of studying in Australia into a reality? Book a free counselling session with an IDP consultant today, and let's get started!