Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) 2026: Complete Guide for Indian Students

The Student Visa Subclass 500 is the primary visa for international students studying full-time at a CRICOS-registered institution in Australia. It is granted for the duration of your course plus 1 month (or 2 months for courses longer than 10 months).

Visa Duration	Course length + 1–2 months; up to 5 years
Work Rights	24 hrs/week during semester; unlimited during official breaks
Financial Requirement	AUD 29,710 for first year (2024 updated) + tuition + travel
Health Insurance	OSHC mandatory — must be purchased before visa lodgment
Processing Time	4–8 weeks for India (online application)
Visa Application Fee	AUD 710 (~₹38,340)
Genuine Student Req.	New from March 2024 — 150-word statement about your study intentions

Core Required Documents

• CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment): Electronic enrolment confirmation from your CRICOS-registered Australian institution — the starting point of your visa application
• Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended entry date
• Genuine Student (GS) Statement: 150-word written statement explaining why you are studying in Australia and how it fits your career goals
• Financial Evidence: Bank statements showing AUD 29,710 + tuition funds (see below)
• OSHC: Overseas Student Health Cover policy confirmation — purchase before lodging visa
• English proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL/PTE score report (if applicable)
• Academic transcripts: From your previous qualifications
• Passport-size photos: Meeting DHA specifications

Financial Evidence in Detail

• Bank statements for the last 3 months — in your name, or parents' name with a financial support letter
• Funds needed: AUD 29,710 living + first year tuition (e.g., AUD 35,000 tuition = AUD 64,710 total ≈ ₹35 lakhs)
• Education loan sanction letter is accepted as financial proof
• Scholarship letters reduce the funds required proportionally

OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)

• OSHC is mandatory for the entire duration of your Australian visa
• Purchase from approved providers: Medibank, BUPA, Allianz Care, nib OSHC, AHM OSHC
• Cost: AUD 700–900/year for single student (₹38,000–49,000)
• Some universities arrange OSHC automatically — check with your institution

Step 1: Receive CoE from Your University

Your Australian university sends you a CoE after you accept your offer and pay any required deposit. The CoE includes your unique student ID needed for the visa application.

Step 2: Purchase OSHC

Buy your OSHC policy from an approved provider before lodging your visa application. You need the OSHC policy number to complete the visa form.

Step 3: Apply Online via DHA

All applications are online at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — there is no paper option for most subclass 500 applications. Create an ImmiAccount and complete the application form.

Step 4: Write Your GS Statement

The Genuine Student statement is a 150-word written statement. Focus on:

• Why this course, why Australia, why now
• How the course fits your career pathway
• Your plans after completing the course (return to India is ideal)

Step 5: Pay the Visa Application Fee

AUD 710 (~₹38,340) — paid online via credit/debit card at time of application lodgement. Non-refundable even if rejected.

Step 6: Biometrics (if required)

Not all Indian applicants are asked for biometrics — if required, you will receive a separate notification. VFS Global India centres handle biometrics for Australian visas.

Step 7: Health Examination (if requested)

Some applicants from India are asked to complete a health examination at a DHA-approved panel physician in India. This is typically required for longer-duration visas or specific health flags.

Australia replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with the Genuine Student (GS) requirement from 23 March 2024. Here are the key differences:

Aspect	Old GTE	New GS (2024+)
Statement Length	500–750 words	150 words only
Focus	Intent to return home	Genuine reason to study in Australia
Complexity	Detailed personal circumstances	Simpler, more straightforward

The GS change makes the Australian student visa application significantly simpler. Focus your 150 words on why you chose this course/university and how it fits your career trajectory.