Changes to Student Visa Requirements: A Guide for Applying in 2025

Australia is known for its high-quality education system. In 2024, the number of international students studying in Australia totalled 824,951, increasing 11% from the previous year. 

Applying for a student visa (subclass 500) requires a level of documentation determined by your choice of education provider and your country of citizenship. Aside from apparent requirements, like evidence of financial capability and English language proficiency, there are plenty of other factors to consider.

With changes to student visa eligibility for onshore students now in place, this comprehensive guide will outline what you need to apply successfully in 2025. 

What is a Student Visa (Subclass 500)?

The student visa (subclass 500) allows you to stay in Australia for the time needed to complete your course, with a maximum duration of five years. It usually costs AUD 1600 to acquire unless you are eligible for a partial refund. You can be in or out of Australia when applying for this visa.

The median processing time for a student visa in December 2024 was 13 days. You can use the visa processing times guide from the Department of Home Affairs to get an indication of when your application will be processed.

Anyone applying for a student visa must enrol full-time in a course listed in the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). 

This visa allows you to:

• Participate in an eligible course of study in Australia.
• Travel in and out of Australia.
• Work up to 48 hours a fortnight when your course of study is in session.

What has Changed in 2025?

Since 1 January 2025, onshore student visa applicants must provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to lodge a valid application. A CoE is a document issued by your education provider that verifies your enrolment in a specific course. It will be sent to you after you have accepted your Letter of Offer and paid your deposit. 

Each document is provided with a code. If you want your visa to cover more than one course, you must include all CoE codes in your application form. 

No changes have been made to the alternative forms of evidence regarding the intention to study for Foreign Affairs, Defence, or secondary exchange students.

Once you obtain a CoE, you must meet many other requirements to be eligible for a student visa this year. 

1. Have Adequate Health Insurance

If you are applying from overseas, you must have adequate health insurance. You and any family members accompanying you to Australia must be covered by Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved Australian health insurance provider. Your cover must start from the day you arrive in Australia, not the day your course starts.

Your education provider or agent might arrange OSHC for you, or you can arrange the cover yourself. You must include your policy number in your visa application. 

Exemptions do apply. You do not need to have OSHC if you are:

• A Norwegian student covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.
• A Swedish student covered by Kammarkollegiet.
• A Belgian student covered under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia. 

2. Be of a Certain Age 

School students not participating in a secondary school student exchange program must be six years of age or older to apply for this visa. The Department of Home Affairs also outlines specific age requirements for students beginning Years 9 to 12 as part of their visa.

If you are moving to Australia with school-aged children, contact our team to learn more about the student visa pathway. Primary school children between 5 and 12 years of age may have a shorter maximum stay than tertiary student visa holders. 

3. Make Welfare Arrangements if you are Under 18

If you are under 18 years of age, your application must include proof that you have adequate welfare arrangements while studying in Australia. You can choose from several arrangements, including the popular choice to nominate a guardian. 

A nominated guardian must be one of these people:

• The parent of the student.
• A person who has custody of the student.
• A relative of the student, at least 21 years of age, nominated in writing by a parent or person who has custody of the student. 

A nominated guardian can hold Australian citizenship, a permanent visa, a Subclass 590 visa, or a substantive temporary visa for the duration of the student’s stay or until the student turns 18 years of age. 

4. Meet Character and Health Requirements 

Character Requirements 

You and your family members over 16 years of age must meet the character requirements for visas under section 501 of the Migration Act 1958. You may be denied entry into Australia if you have any criminal convictions or charges in Australia or overseas. Your visa may also be cancelled at any time if you no longer meet the requirements. 

When applying, you must declare all criminal conduct you have been charged with that is awaiting legal action or that you have been convicted of in any country. You must truthfully answer all questions and provide all requested information. In some cases, you may be asked to provide further documentation or complete a character assessment. 

Health Requirements

To maintain Australia’s high health standards, most visa applicants must meet minimum health standards before they are granted a student visa. 

These requirements are put in place to:

• Protect the Australian community from public health and safety risks, particularly active tuberculosis.
• Help the Australian government control their funding for health services like social security benefits, allowances and pensions. 
• Ensure citizens and permanent residents can access health and community services that are in short supply. 

Speak to a Migration Agent

If you’re unsure how to proceed with your student visa application, read our detailed explainer and FAQs or contact us. 

Australia Migrate is here to take the stress out of the visa application process. Our team of highly experienced migration agents can assist you in preparing and reviewing your documentation before submission, ensuring a successful approval. In addition, we provide counselling for your course selection and help devise strategies for achieving permanent residency.   

Start your application process and book a visa consultation with us today.