Study Destinations · Australia

Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)

The visa that lets you live and study full-time in Australia in a CRICOS-registered course — what it covers, what you need, and how we prepare it.

Visa Type

Temporary

Duration

Length of your course, up to 5 years

Work Rights

Up to 48 hours per fortnight in term

Dependants

Partner and children can be included

Overview

What the Subclass 500 Covers

The Student visa (Subclass 500) allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of your course and study full-time with a registered provider. It covers every level of study — ELICOS English programmes, VET certificates and diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and doctoral research.

Your visa is granted in line with your enrolment, so the length you receive depends on the course you hold a Confirmation of Enrolment for.

Who it's for

Students with a Confirmation of Enrolment from a CRICOS-registered provider
Any level of study, from an ELICOS English course through to a PhD
Students bringing a partner or dependent children with them
Applicants under 18, with approved welfare arrangements in place

What You Need

Key Requirements

Every subclass 500 application is assessed against these. A file that is weak in one area is where most refusals come from.

Confirmation of Enrolment

A CoE from a CRICOS-registered provider for every course you intend to study. This is issued once you accept your offer and pay the required deposit.

Genuine Student (GS) Statement

Since March 2024 the Genuine Student requirement replaced the old GTE. You answer targeted questions about your circumstances, your course choice and your plans.

Financial Capacity

Evidence that you can cover tuition, living costs and travel — bank statements, an education loan sanction letter, or sponsor documents with proof of their income.

English Proficiency

An accepted English test result at the score your provider and the Department require. Some providers accept alternatives, so confirm before you book a test.

Overseas Student Health Cover

OSHC must be held for the full period of your stay. Many providers will arrange the policy for you when you accept your offer.

Health and Character

A health examination with an approved panel doctor, plus character requirements. Biometrics are collected at the VFS centre in New Delhi.

Checklist

Documents We Prepare With You

Your exact list depends on your provider and your circumstances. This is the core set for a Bhutanese applicant.

Valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course
Genuine Student statement responses
Academic transcripts and completion certificates
English test result, where your provider requires one
Evidence of funds — bank statements, loan sanction letter, sponsor papers
OSHC policy covering your full period of stay
Health examination results from an approved panel doctor
Passport photographs and biometrics appointment confirmation
CAAW welfare letter, if you are under 18

How We Do It

Your Subclass 500 Application, Step by Step

You always know which stage your file is at and what is outstanding.

Eligibility Check

We confirm your profile, course and provider genuinely meet the criteria before you spend anything.

Offer & CoE

We secure your offer and Confirmation of Enrolment from a CRICOS-registered provider.

Financial File

Bank statements, loan sanction letters and sponsor papers assembled to the expected standard.

GS & Lodgement

We draft your Genuine Student responses with you and lodge the application online.

Medical & Decision

Panel doctor, biometrics via VFS New Delhi, then we track the case to the decision.

Costs

What a Subclass 500 Application Costs

These are the costs you should budget for, separate from your tuition.

Item	Amount
Visa application charge — primary applicant	[ confirm current amount ]
Additional applicant aged 18 and over	[ confirm current amount ]
Additional applicant under 18	[ confirm current amount ]
Living costs to evidence — single applicant, 12 months	[ confirm current amount ]
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)	Varies by provider and length of stay
Health examination — panel doctor	Varies by panel doctor
Biometrics — VFS New Delhi	Varies; plus travel to New Delhi

Before you publish: the visa application charge and the living-cost figure you must evidence are set by the Department of Home Affairs and are revised periodically — usually on 1 July. Replace each [ confirm current amount ] with the figure from homeaffairs.gov.au on the day you publish, and re-check it each July.

Good to Know

Three Things Students Underestimate

Processing Speed Varies

How quickly a file moves depends partly on your provider's assessment level and partly on how complete your application is when it is lodged.

Thresholds Are Indexed

The amount of money you must evidence is reviewed and raised periodically. Plan against the current figure, not last year's.

Conditions Apply After Grant

Your visa carries conditions — the work limit, maintaining course progress and keeping health cover for your whole stay. Breaching them puts your visa at risk.

Common Questions

Subclass 500 FAQs

The questions Bhutanese students and parents ask us most about this visa.

Can I work while I am studying?

Yes. On a subclass 500 you may work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. You cannot start work before your course begins. The work limit is a visa condition, so keep track of your hours.

Can I bring my partner or children?

Yes, family members can be included in your application or join you later. You will need to evidence additional funds for each of them, and school-age children may attract school fees. Tell us at the counselling stage so the financial file is built correctly from the start.

What is the Genuine Student requirement?

It replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement in March 2024. Instead of a single open statement, you answer targeted questions about your current circumstances, why you chose this course and provider, and what you intend to do after studying. We draft these with you — they are your answers, not a template.

How long does processing take?

It varies. The main factors are your provider's assessment level, whether your file was complete when lodged, and how quickly your health examination and biometrics are done. We will give you a realistic range for your specific case rather than a headline number.

Do I definitely need IELTS?

Not always. The requirement depends on your provider, your course and your academic background — some providers accept alternative tests or other evidence. We confirm the exact requirement before you spend money booking a test.

What happens if my visa is refused?

You receive the reasons for the decision. Depending on the grounds, options may include review or a fresh application addressing the weaknesses. We will tell you honestly whether a second attempt is realistic rather than take a fee for a file that will fail again.

ImportantAustralian visa requirements, charges and financial thresholds are set by the Department of Home Affairs and change from time to time. The information on this page is general guidance for Bhutanese students and is not migration advice for your individual case. Always confirm current requirements at homeaffairs.gov.au, or speak to an Evergreen counsellor about your own circumstances.Page last reviewed: [ add the date you publish or last check this page ]

Free, No-Obligation Counselling

Thinking about studying in Australia?

Bring us your transcripts and your budget. We will tell you honestly whether a subclass 500 is realistic for you, and which providers actually fit your profile.