Many students around the world always have this dream of studying in one of the best universities in the world. When it comes to quality education, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia are among the top travel destinations for international students.

If you are an international student with the dreams of studying in Australia, then this guide is for you. Australia has some of the best universities in the world.

Australia has different types of student visa for different purposes but we are going to be focusing on the Subclass 500 student visa in this guide.

Visa application process is really stressful and so many people lack the required information needed to successfully apply and get their visa application approved, that is why we are here to give you the necessary assistance you need to make your visa application a success. Get in touch today!

What is a Subclass 500 Student Visa?

An Australia Subclass 500 is a type of student visa that gives international students the right to travel to Australia and study in an approved educational provider for up to 5 years.

Requirements for a Subclass 500 Student Visa

In order to apply and successfully get your Australia Subclass 500 student visa application approved, you must meet certain requirements set by the Australian government.

• Student Enrolment Requirement: You must first enrol and get accepted by a recognized educational provider in Australia before applying for Subclass 500 student visa

• Age Requirement: In order to apply for the Subclass 500 student visa, you must not be less than 6 years of age.

• Genuine Student (GS) Requirement: You must prove that your main reason for wanting to travel to Australia is for studies and not a way to get out of your home country.

• Financial Requirement: You must show proof of fund in form of a bank account statement. It helps prove to the consulate officer that you have the financial capacity to cover the cost of your tuition fee, accommodation, transportation, feeding, and other required expenses during your period of stay in Australia.

• English Language Requirement: Australia is an English speaking country, so before you can be granted a Subclass 500 visa, you have to prove that you are very proficient in English language. You can prove your proficiency in English by writing and passing a standardized English test (IELTS, TOEFL).

• Health Insurance: You must buy an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an authorized Australian health insurance provider. Your health insurance has to be valid through out your period of stay in Australia.

• Health and Character Requirement: In order to be granted a Subclass 500 student visa to study in Australia, you have to in a good medical condition and also demonstrate that you have no criminal record in your home country. You can do this by undergoing a medical examination by an authorized panel physician and getting a Police character certificate by the issuing agency in your home country.

Required documents for an Australia Subclass 500 visa

• International Passport: You have to provide a valid international passport with a validity period of at least 6 months beyond your intended period of stay in Australia.

• Passport Photograph: You must make available a recent passport photograph that meets the Australia visa photo requirement.

• CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment): You must provide a confirmation of enrolment which proves that you have successfully enrolled into an educational provider in Australia and gotten accepted to study an accredited course for a period of time (usually 5 years). This document is sent from the school after accepting a student.

• Bank Account Statement: You have to submit your bank account statement with sufficient funds during your Subclass 500 visa application. This helps to prove your financial capacity to the consulate officer that will process your visa application.

• Statement of Purpose: In order to increase your chances of getting your Subclass 500 visa application approved, you must write a convincing statement of purpose explaining to the visa officer that your intention to travel to Australia for the purpose of studies is genuine.

• Civil Documents: You must provide civil documents like birth certificate, marriage certificate if you are married, divorce certificate if you are divorced.

• Parent Consent Letter: If you are under 18 years of age, the Australian government requires you to submit a consent letter from your parents or legal guardian.

• OSHC (Oversees Student Health Cover): You must buy an oversees student health cover from an approved Australian provider and it has to be valid through out your period of stay in Australia.

• Medical and Character Certificate

Australia Subclass 500 Student visa application process

• Create an ImmiAccount: The first step is to create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website using an email address that you have access to. It is important to use an email that you have access to because the Department of Home Affairs will only communicate with you electronically via the email you provided during your application.

• Start your application: After creating an ImmiAccount, kindly start your application. Make sure you select the right visa category that you intend applying for (Subclass 500).

• Fill the required fields and upload all your supporting documents in accepted formats

• Complete your application and pay for the visa application and biometrics fee

• Submit your Subclass 500 application

Can I bring my family members along with me to Australia?

Yes you can bring certain family members like your spouse and dependent children under the age of 18 years along with you to Australia. If you have plans to bring your family members along with you or if they plan to join you later on, you must declare them in your Subclass 500 visa application.

But in the case where you got married or had a child after your Subclass 500 student visa application has already been approved, they will need to apply for a new student visa as a subsequent entrant and then provide all the supporting documents.

Working in Australia as a student

The Subclass 500 student visa gives international students the right to work in Australia. As a student holding a Subclass 500 visa, you are allowed to work up to 48 hours every two weeks. You must note that you are only allowed to work after your intended course of study has commenced.

Can I work more than 48 hours every two weeks?

Yes you can work more than 48 hours every two weeks if;

• You are enrolled in a Master’s degree by research

• You are enrolled in a Doctorate degree

How do I ensure that my Subclass 500 visa remains valid while in Australia?

One thing is getting your Subclass 500 visa application approved and traveling to Australia, another thing is making sure it remains valid while you are in Australia.

To keep your Subclass 500 visa valid while in Australia, you must;

• Remain enrolled in the school that you are studying in Australia

• Continue to maintain satisfactory attendance and course progress

• Continue to be financially capable to sponsor your studies

• Continue to comply with the work restrictions attached to your Subclass 500 student visa

• Continue to maintain your Oversees Student Health Cover

• Continue to demonstrate good character

• Notify your educational provider in Australia of your new home address if you change address

Do I need to submit my biometrics for a Subclass 500 visa application?

Biometrics collection is a crucial part of a Subclass 500 visa application. After you successfully submit your application. The Department of Home Affairs will contact you electronically on steps on how to submit your biometrics (fingerprint and face capture).

It is very important to always check your email address that was used for the application for important updates regarding your Subclass 500 visa application. You can also check your application status from the ImmiAccount.

Cost of Subclass 500 Student visa application

According to the data from the Department of Home Affairs website, the application fee for a Subclass 500 Student visa is 1,600 AUD, unless exempt.

How long can I stay in Australia with my Subclass 500 visa?

You can stay in Australia up to 5 years with your Subclass 500 visa.

What is the processing time for a Subclass 500 visa application?

The processing time for a Subclass 500 visa application usually varies. Different countries and regions have different processing time. It also depends on the number of applications in your home country.

The number of staffing at the Australian embassy in your home country where you are applying from can also affect the processing time.

You can make use of the processing time guide tool from the Department of Home Affairs website to get an estimated time that it will likely take to finalise your Subclass 500 visa application.

Reasons for Subclass 500 visa application denial

The fear of every visa applicant is fear of visa denial. Visa denial is inevitable that is why you have to do every thing right to increase your chances of approval.

Just to get you prepared, here are some of the reasons for possible Subclass 500 visa application refusal

• Lack of strong ties to your home country

• Lack of financial capability

• Incomplete or wrongly completed visa application

• Lack of supporting documents

• Inability to convince the visa officer that your intention to travel to Australia for the purpose of studies is genuine.

• Criminal history in your home country

• Deadly or Communicable Disease

• Having a history with overstaying your visa

Is there an exemption to the English Language requirement?

Yes there is an exemption to the English Language requirement set by the Australian government.

You are exempt from the English Language requirement if;

• You hold an international passport from UK, US, Canada, New Zealand or Republic of Ireland.

• If you are a secondary exchange student

• If you have completed at least 5 years of study in UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or Republic of Ireland.

• If you are enrolled in a course of study that is a registered school course

• If you are enrolled in a Non-English course

How do I increase my chances of approval?

• Fill out your application correctly

• Be genuine and honest with your answers

• Do not submit fraudulent or altered documents

• Upload all required and supporting documents to support your application

• Reserve a substantial amount of fund in your account and do not touch it for any reason

• Have a strong ties to your home country (family ties, professional ties, business ties, asset ties)

• Do not have any criminal record in your home country

• Have an Oversees Student Health Cover

• Demonstrate a Genuine Student Entrant to the visa officer

• Write and pass a standardized English Language test

• Upload any additional documents that may be required by the visa officer on time

• Attach a good and convincing Statement of Purpose to your application

• If scheduled for an interview, do well to attend the interview

• Do not give negative remark or speak badly against Australia

• Do not look desperate to get into Australia in your application

• Ensure that your application is consistent

• Do not have an immigration intent

If you need assistance from us, kindly get in touch with us. We would be more than happy to help you with your Subclass 500 visa application.