Study Visa Subclass 500
Student Visa Subclass 500
The Australian Student Visa Subclass 500 is a type of visa that allows international students to study full-time in Australia. It is designed for individuals who wish to pursue higher education courses, vocational education and training courses, or English language courses in Australia.
Who is this visa for?
Genuine students who wish to study in Australia.
Visa Entitlements
- Study full-time registered courses in Australia, from primary school to doctorate.
- Accompanied by dependent family members to Australia.
- You can work up to 40 hours per fortnight and your family members can generally work for a specified number of hours.
- You can generally stay in Australia until your course is finished.
- Multiple travels in and out of Australia
Key Eligibility
Must have Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) unless:
- sponsored by Department of Foreign Affairs, Defence,
- or secondary exchange student,
- or research student waiting for marking of thesis.
Must meet the minimum English requirement below if required (depending on the country and educational provider)
| English language test providers | Minimum test score | Combined with 10 weeks ELICOS | combined with at 20 weeks ELICOS |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 |
| *Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper based | 527 | 500 | 450 |
| TOEFL internet based test | 46 | 35 | 32 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English) (CAE) | 162 | 154 | 147 |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) | 42 | 36 | 30 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | Pass (A&B) | N/A | N/A |
English test exemption applies if the student:
- enrolled in full-time school studies as a principal course including in a secondary exchange programme, a postgraduate research course, a standalone English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS), and Foreign Affairs or Defence sponsored students
- completed at least five years’ study in one or more of the following countries: Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or the Republic of Ireland
- citizen and hold a passport from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland
- within the two years before applying for the student visa, completed, in Australia and in English either the Senior Secondary school or a substantial component of a Certificate IV or higher course while holding a student visa.
Evidence of Financial Capacity
All applicants must declare that they have genuine access to fund whilst studying in Australia. If required, they must provide evidence of their financial capacity:
- funds to cover travel to Australia and first 12 months of living costs for the student and accompanying family members, as well as course fees for the student and school aged dependants (Living cost per annum for student $19,830; partner $6,940, child $2,970, $8,000 for school fees for dependants unless exempt such as PhD or Australian Government scholarship students); or
- evidence that student meet the annual income requirement (gross personal taxable income of student’s parents combined excluding in-laws, or spouse not joining the student for not less than $60,000 per year, or $70,000 if come with dependents); or
- an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Students (AASES) form (secondary exchange students only); or
- a letter of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Department of Defence.
(Students are advised to demonstrate more than the minimum required fund for the visa especially if you are applying from a high risk country.)
The types of evidence that are permitted are:
- money deposit(s) with a financial institution (bank statements, term or fixed deposits etc)
- loan with a financial institution (credit cards or line of credit facility are only acceptable if funds are withdrawn)
- government loan
- scholarship or financial support
- Property items are not acceptable.
(must be from an acceptable financial institution, country dependent.)
Genuine Access to Funds
For a successful visa outcome, students must demonstrate that they have genuine access to these funds. The decision makers will look the following:
- The employment history of the applicant/person providing the funds.
- The income and assets of the applicant/person providing the funds.
- The source of the income used to meet the financial requirements (for example, if the student is relying upon funds from a third party ie. a family friend), and the nature of the relationship between the applicant and the person providing the funds.
- If the person providing the source of income has provided financial support for another student.
- If the student has previously been granted a visa, any information in relation to their ability to meet their financial requirements while they were in Australia.
- The immigration activities in Australia of other nationals from the applicant’s home country.
(Applicants are advised to provide genuine and persuasive evidence demonstrating they have access to these fund, more evidence should be provided in higher risks countries.)
Genuine Temporary Entrant Criterion (GTE)
The GTE requirement can be the most difficult requirement to meet for many students, where the ultimate interpretation of the criterion is at the full discretion of visa case officers or tribunal members.
In assessing whether an applicant is a genuine student, the decision maker would generally have regards to all circumstances of the student visa applicants in relation but not limited to the following:
- Country of profiles of the student’s home country, which may include political upheavals, natural disasters, general visa compliance and visa frauds from other visa applicants
- Applicant’s or a relative of the applicant’s past immigration history to Australia and other countries
- including past visa compliance and non-compliances
- whether applicant has previously applied for temporary or permanent visas
- whether these visas were granted or refused, cancelled
- the amount of time spent on these visas and the likelihood of using student visa to prolonging student’s stay.
- whether the student has undertaken a series of short, inexpensive courses, or remained on student visa for some time without successfully completing a qualification
- Applicant’s own circumstances in their home country and applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia
- Family and community ties with student’s home country and Australia
- Economic and employment prospect in Australia and home country
- Military service commitments
- The course(s) the student wish to study
- whether it is consistent with their current level of education,
- whether they will assist the student to obtain or improve employment prospect in their home country,
- any changes to career or study pathways should be reasonable.
- whether the student has reasonable reasons for not undertaking the study in their home country or region if similar course is available.
- relevance of the course to the student’s past or proposed future employment in their home country or third country.
- remuneration the student would expect to receive in home or third country compared to Australia after completing the intended course.
- Whether the student and dependant spouse have entered into a relationship for visa purposes (contrived relationship)
- Student’s knowledge of living in Australia, their intended course of study and the educational provider. It could be based on the student’s previous studies and qualifications, and realistic expectation of the level of the student’s research into their course of study, living arrangement etc.
- Applicant’s and financial sponsor’s ability to fully support the student’s costs in Australia, whether the student has genuine access to the funds.
As this criterion is based on individual student’s circumstances and highly discretionary on the decision maker, student visa applicants are advised to provide detailed statement addressing any concerns that a decision maker may have and provide relevant supporting documents.
Our specialists will also discuss the requirements with you according to your individual circumstances in details should you engage in our services, we will guide you throughout your application.
Common Mistakes Made by Student Visa Applicants
- Not disclosing all relevant information.
- Not able to substantiate the all claims especially in relation to the source of funds and how these fund will be accessed.
- Not able to demonstrate the genuine intention to study as the enrolled courses do not fit with the student’s future career plans.
- Unable to answer key questions during a face to face or phone interview.
- Failure to disclose important information intentionally or by mistake, leading to the decision maker doubts the person’s character and genuineness of the case.
- Failure to check mistakes information or documents provided by third party leading to the decision maker believe they are bogus documents.
- Failure to take appropriate steps in assisting with department’s background check process and verification.
- Combination of factors raises doubt in the decision maker’s mind that the student has no genuine intention to return to his/her home country after completing the courses.
- Enrolling in the wrong courses leads to difficulties in future studies, not completing courses or achieve desired academic performance, causing severe stress and result in serious physical and psychological health issues. It may also cause difficulties in further visa applications or even have student visa cancelled for serious breaches.
- Not understanding the student visa conditions after the visa grant and in breach of these conditions, resulted in visa being cancelled.
How can we assist
- Advising you of your eligibility of this visa and all your other visa options.
- Provide step by step guidance on all requirements leading to the visa grant.
- Provide you with country specific information.
- Ensuring that you understand all key requirements and issues, especially in relation to financial capacity, access to funds and genuine temporary entry requirements.
- Prepare you for the interview.
- Verify all documents and information are accurate and met the eligibility criteria before submitting.
- Prepare and lodging your visa application.
- Liaise with department on your behalf.
- Avoiding all common mistakes made by past applicants.
- A total peace of mind for you.
Not eligible? You may want to consider one of the following visas
- Skilled – Independent Visa (subclass 189)
- Skilled – Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
- Skilled – Regional Sponsored Visa (subclass 489)
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186 visa)
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (Subclass 187 Visa)
- Temporary Work Skilled (Subclass 457)
- Business Skilled Visa
- Student Visa
- Family Visas
Visa Cancellation
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As with all visas, this visa can be cancelled if ground for cancellation exists. Cancellation can occur if a serious breach of the visa condition, or information or documents provided to the department in are fond to be non-genuine in nature or contains information which is misleading in a material particular, it may include applicant’s past visa dealing with the Australian government, the identity of the applicant, information provided by a third party which may also be false or misleading.
All applicants are advised to ensure that they should check all information on forms and documents before submitting. Please do also double check that all information or documents obtained through a third party are genuine, that all information or documents provided in relation to yourself or any dependant family members can withstand rigorous checks conducted by the Australian government. Please do make sure that the department have your updated contact details even after your visa grant in case a problem arise. Please do contact us immediately if a visa cancellation notice has been issued to you.
We only accept genuine documents and supporting information and assisting genuine students.
Please do contact one of our experienced consultants should you wish to discuss your eligibility or any other matter.
Schedule a meeting
Let’s discuss the details
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.
- Preparation of documents
- Due Diligence
