Student Visa – Subclass 500

Who Is Eligible For This Visa?

Evidence of intended study

The applicant must provide evidence of their intended study. Generally, this will mean the student should provide:

• A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for all intended courses if applying outside of Australia
• A CoE or letter of offer for all intended courses if applying in Australia
• Either way, a CoE must be provided before the visa can be granted.

 

Evidence of financial capacity

Depending on your choice of education provider and country of passport, you can also be requested to provide evidence of your financial capacity. This means that the applicant must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover travel costs and 12 months of living and tuition fees – for themselves and any accompanying family members (including school costs for any school-aged dependents). Currently, the Department calculates the annual living costs are:

• for students or guardians – AUD$21,041
• for partners coming with you – AUD$7,362
• for a child coming with you – AUD$3,152
• for a school-aged dependant coming with you – AUD$8,296

Evidence of sufficient funds can be provided in the form of a money deposit with a financial institution, or a loan with a financial institution. Depending on the circumstances, the applicant may also be asked to provide evidence that their spouse or parents are willing to support them, and that they have an annual income of at least AUD$62,222 for single students or at least AUD$72,592 for students accompanied by family members.

 

Evidence of English language ability 

Depending on the choice of education provider and country of passport, the applicant may be asked to provide evidence that he or she has obtained a satisfactory test score in an English language test (one which has been approved the Department) or evidence of certain eligible studies in English. The current English language test minimum scores that an applicant must achieve are:

Alternative test scores benchmarked as against the IELTS band scale

English Language Proficiency Level	Test component	IELTS	TOEFL iBT	PTE Academic	Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)*	OET
Functional	Average/total/overall across test components only	4.5	32	30	147	n/a
Vocational	Listening	5.0	4	36	154	B
	Reading	5.0	4	36	154	B
	Writing	5.0	14	36	154	B
	Spea​king	5.0	14	36	154	B
Competent	Listening	6.0	12	50	169	B
	Reading	6.0	13	50	169	B
	Writing	6.0	21	50	169	B
	Speaking	6.0	18	50	169	B
Proficient (for points tested Skilled visas)	Listening	7.0	24	65	185	B
	Reading	7.0	24	65	185	B
	Writing	7.0	27	65	185	B
	Speaking	7.0	23	65	185	B
Superior (for points tested Skilled visas)	Listening	8.0	28	79	200	A
	Reading	8.0	29	79	200	A
	Writing	8.0	30	79	200	A
	Speaking	8.0	26	79	200	A

​*From 1 January 2015 and only for a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test taken on or after 1 January 2015

 

Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement

When lodging the application, it is of utmost importance to provide sufficient evidence that the applicant genuinely intends to stay in Australia temporarily. This evidence may include:

• The applicant’s circumstances in their home country
• The applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia
• The value of the course to the applicant’s future
• The applicant’s immigration history
• If the applicant is a minor – the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant
• Other relevant matters.