Types of Student Visa in Australia

Introduction

If you’re thinking about studying in Australia or you’re a family member helping someone who is, understanding the different types of student visas is super important. I’ve put together this guide to help you get a clear picture of the main student visas in Australia. Knowing which visa fits your situation will make your application easier and help you enjoy your time studying or supporting your loved one. Whether you want to study at a university, do vocational training, work after graduation, or come along as a guardian for a younger student, this guide has got you covered.

Quick Overview of Australian Student Visa Types

CRICOS is the official list of Australian education providers allowed to teach international students. The main visa most students will use is the Subclass 500. This visa lets you study full-time at universities, colleges, or other registered schools. But there are other important visas too—like Subclass 485 for work after you finish studying, Subclass 590 for guardians of younger students, and Subclass 407 for workplace training.

Here’s a quick look at each one:

Keep in mind, all the rules come from the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs and can change, so always check their website before applying.

This guide uses the latest info as of 2026 to help you plan ahead.

Fun Fact: In 2024, Australia had over 700,000 international students, making it the third most popular place to study in the world.

Summary Table: Main Types of Student Visa in Australia

To make it simple, here’s a quick summary of the main student visas:

• Student Visa (Subclass 500): For full-time students at CRICOS-registered schools.
• Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590): For parents or guardians who want to stay with students under 18.
• Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): For graduates who want to stay and work in Australia after finishing their studies.
• Training Visa (Subclass 407): For people doing workplace training with an Australian sponsor.

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

This is the main visa if you want to study full-time in Australia. Whether it’s a bachelor’s degree, diploma, or an English course, this is the visa you’ll need. You have to be enrolled in a registered course to qualify.

You’ll also need to get Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and show you have enough money to live on (about AUD 29,710 per year), plus your tuition and travel costs. You’ll have to pass a Genuine Student test too, which checks that you’re serious about your studies.

What You Need to Qualify

• A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your school
• Pass the Genuine Student test (explaining why you chose your course and your plans)
• Meet health and character checks
• Get OSHC for your stay
• Show you can afford living costs, tuition, and travel

How Long It Lasts and Costs

Your visa usually lasts for the length of your course plus a little extra time (up to 5 years max). The application fee is around AUD 1,600 but check the latest fee before applying.

Can You Work?

Yes! Once your course starts, you can work up to 48 hours every two weeks during study time, and unlimited hours during breaks. But you can’t work before your course begins.

Family Members

You can bring your spouse or kids with you, but they’ll need their own health cover and meet health checks.

Important Rules

You have to:

• Stay enrolled and keep up with your course progress and attendance
• Keep your visa and health cover valid
• Tell your school if you move within 7 days
• Follow work limits

If you want to change your course or school, you’ll need a new CoE and might need approval from Home Affairs.

Did you know? About 60% of international students on this visa work part-time while studying.

Next, if you’re a parent or guardian, check out the Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590).

Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)

This visa is for parents or guardians of students under 18 who want to stay in Australia to care for them. It’s often used by families with high school kids or younger students who need supervision.

Who Can Apply?

You need to be:

• A parent, legal guardian, or close relative at least 21 years old
• Able to provide accommodation and financial support
• Ready to stay for the whole time the student is studying

When Is It Used?

Mostly for:

• High school students (Years 7–12)
• Younger English language students
• Students with special needs who require a guardian

Duration and Cost

The visa lasts until the student turns 18 or their student visa ends. The fee is about AUD 1,600.

Can Guardians Work or Study?

Guardians usually can’t work but can study short courses (like English classes) for up to 3 months. Their main job is to care for the student.

You’ll also need to have health insurance and a plan if you need to leave Australia for a short time.

Fun Fact: In 2023, more than 8,000 of these visas were granted.

If you want to do workplace training, the next visa might be for you.

Training Visa (Subclass 407)

This visa is for people doing workplace-based training or professional development in Australia. You need an Australian sponsor for this one. It’s not for regular study but for skill-building in your job or profession.

How It Works

You need sponsorship from an approved Australian organization offering a structured training program. It’s popular for:

• Graduates getting practical experience
• Professionals improving their skills
• Trainees needing licensing for their occupation

How Long and How Much?

It lasts up to 2 years, matching your training program. The fee is about AUD 415, plus any sponsor fees.

Work Rules

You can only work as part of your training. This isn’t a general work visa.

This visa is a good option if you want hands-on training with an Australian company.

Did you know? About 3% of temporary visas for students and trainees are Subclass 407.

If you’ve just finished your studies and want to work in Australia, check out the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) next.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

This visa lets you stay and work in Australia after finishing your studies. It’s great for getting real work experience here.

Who Can Apply?

You must:

• Have held a student visa recently
• Completed at least 2 academic years (about 92 weeks) of study in Australia

Streams

There are two main types:

• For graduates with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees
• For those with vocational qualifications linked to skilled jobs

How Long?

You can stay from 18 months up to over 4 years, depending on your qualification and other factors. Research degrees often get longer stays.

Fees and Work Rights

Fees start around AUD 765 and go up to nearly AUD 2,000. You can work full-time with no limits while on this visa. It’s a great way to gain experience and improve your chances for permanent residency.

Fun Fact: Over 100,000 of these visas have been granted since they started, helping graduates gain Aussie work experience.

If you’re not sure which visa fits you best, keep reading.

Which Australian Student Visa Is Right for You?

Here’s a quick guide:

• Starting a full-time course at an Australian university or college? → Subclass 500
• Parent or guardian of a student under 18? → Subclass 590
• Want workplace training with an Australian sponsor? → Subclass 407
• Just graduated and want to work in Australia? → Subclass 485

If you plan to study more than one course (called course packaging) on the Subclass 500 visa, you’ll need to show how the courses connect and provide multiple Confirmations of Enrolment (CoEs). If you’re only doing one course, just one CoE is enough.

Thinking about staying longer and maybe moving from study to work to permanent residency? Your course and where you study can help with that, especially if you study in regional areas.

Visa rules and fees can change, so always check the official Home Affairs website before applying.

Starting early and knowing your options makes the process much easier.

What Documents Do You Need?

Most visas need similar documents. Here’s a quick list for Subclass 500 and 485:

• Valid passport (good for at least 6 months after your stay)
• Passport-style photos
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) or proof of course completion
• Genuine Student statement (for Subclass 500)
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• English test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.)
• Proof of money (bank statements, scholarships, sponsors)

For family members:

• Birth and marriage certificates
• Proof of relationships
• Parental consent for minors
• Schooling arrangements for children

For under-18 students:

• Welfare and accommodation plans approved by your school

Always check the latest document checklist on the Home Affairs website before applying.

How to Apply and How Long It Takes

You’ll apply online through ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. Here’s the usual process for Subclass 500:

1. Get accepted by your school and accept the offer
2. Receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
3. Create or log in to your ImmiAccount
4. Fill out the visa application form online
5. Upload all your documents
6. Pay the visa application fee
7. Provide biometrics or health checks if asked

You can apply from inside or outside Australia, but some temporary visa holders can only apply from outside. Processing times vary depending on your country, course, and how complete your application is. Most Subclass 500 visas take a few weeks to a few months.

Apply as early as you can before your course starts to avoid stress.

Once your visa is granted, check your visa details and conditions. You can also use the VEVO tool to check your visa status anytime.

Starting your visa application early is the best way to make sure everything goes smoothly. Bookmark the Home Affairs website, check the latest rules, and get your documents ready well before your course starts. With the right prep, studying and working in Australia is totally doable.

Fun Fact: Right now, Student Visa (Subclass 500) applications usually take about 6 to 8 weeks to process, and this might get faster by 2026 thanks to new digital systems.