Student Visa 500 Checklist for International Students

TThe Student Visa Subclass 500 allows international students to live, study, and work in Australia while undertaking full-time education. This visa is valid for up to 5 years, depending on the length of your course.

By holding a 500 Visa, students gain access to world-class education and the ability to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during breaks. Here is the most comprehensive and up-to-date Student Visa 500 Checklist to help students successfully obtain their visa and begin their journey toward higher education in Australia.

Eligibility Criteria for Student Visa 500

Before applying for the Student Visa Subclass 500, ensure that you meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): Must be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course.
• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement: Must prove genuine intent to study temporarily.
• Financial Capacity: Evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, travel, and living costs.
• English Language Proficiency: Proof through IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or equivalent.
• Health Insurance: Must obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire stay.
• Health and Character Requirements: Must undergo medical checks and provide police certificates.

Student Visa 500 Checklist – Document Requirements

To successfully apply for your student subclass 500 visa, gather and prepare the following documents:

Personal Documents

• Valid passport (should be valid for the duration of the course)
• Birth certificate
• National ID (if applicable)
• Recent passport-sized photographs as per specifications

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

• Issued by your Australian education provider upon acceptance
• Must reflect the exact CRICOS-registered course

Proof of Funds

• Bank statements (last 3 months)
• Proof of income from parents/sponsors
• Loan documents (if applicable)
• Scholarships (if applicable)

English Language Test Results

• IELTS: Minimum band score (usually 5.5 – 6.0)
• TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English may also be accepted
• Test should not be older than 2 years

Health Insurance

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Must be purchased for the entire duration of stay

Health and Character Documents

• Health examinations (chest x-ray, medical check-up)
• Police clearance certificate from each country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years

Step-by-Step Application Process for Subclass 500 Visa

Step 1: Enroll in a CRICOS-Registered Course

Secure admission and receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Step 2: Prepare All Documents

Refer to the above student visa 500 checklist to avoid delays or rejection.

Step 3: Apply Online via ImmiAccount

• Register an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website
• Complete the Student Visa Subclass 500 application form
• Upload documents
• Pay the visa application fee (AUD 710 as of 2024)

Step 4: Attend Medical Exams

You may receive instructions for undergoing medical exams with a panel physician.

Step 5: Wait for Decision

Processing times vary, but typically range between 1 – 3 months depending on the applicant’s profile and course.

Student Visa Subclass 500 Conditions

When granted the Visa Subclass 500, you must comply with all associated visa conditions, including

• 8105 – Work limitation: Max 48 hours per fortnight during course; unlimited during breaks
• 8202 – Meet course requirements: Must maintain full-time enrollment and satisfactory course progress
• 8501 – Maintain OSHC: Continuous health insurance coverage is mandatory
• 8516 – Ongoing eligibility: Must continue to meet visa criteria throughout stay
• 8533 – Inform address change: Must notify your education provider within 7 days of any address change

Failure to comply with Student Visa Subclass 500 Conditions may lead to visa cancellation or future immigration issues.

Extending or Renewing Your 500 Visa

If your current visa is expiring and you wish to continue studying, you must apply for a new Student Visa Subclass 500 while onshore or offshore. Steps include:

• Enrolling in a new course
• Receiving a new CoE
• Updating your GTE statement
• Purchasing extended OSHC
• Submitting a fresh application with updated documents

Common Reasons for Student Visa Subclass 500 Rejection

Understanding the reasons for student subclass 500 visa rejections helps in preparing a flawless application:

1. Insufficient Financial Documentation

One of the most critical requirements for a Student Visa Subclass 500 is proving that you have enough funds to cover your tuition, living expenses, and travel costs while studying in Australia. The Department of Home Affairs expects applicants to submit clear, verifiable, and sufficient evidence of financial capacity.

Examples of insufficient financial documentation include:

• Bank statements that are too recent or don’t show a consistent balance
• Statements showing large unexplained deposits
• Documents that are not translated into English by a certified translator
• Fake or forged bank documents
• Failure to show financial support for dependents (if any)
• Missing sponsor details or income proofs (e.g., salary slips, income tax returns)

To avoid rejection, students should provide detailed bank statements (for at least 3 months), loan letters, scholarship confirmations, or sponsor affidavits clearly showing the ability to fund studies and living costs.

2. Weak GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) Statement

The GTE statement is a written declaration explaining your intentions for studying in Australia. It plays a vital role in assessing whether your purpose of travel is genuinely temporary for education and not for immigration purposes.

A weak GTE statement may include:

• Vague or unclear academic and career goals
• Lack of explanation for choosing a specific course or institution
• No mention of how the course fits into your long-term plans
• Poor explanation for gaps in education or employment
• Failure to justify why you are not pursuing similar studies in your home country

A strong GTE statement should be personalized, logical, and well-structured, clearly outlining your background, reasons for studying in Australia, future career goals, and intent to return home after graduation.

3. Failure to Meet English Language Requirements

English proficiency is a non-negotiable requirement for all student subclass 500 applicants unless exempt (e.g., native English-speaking countries, certain education levels).

Your visa can be denied if:

• The test results are below the required minimum (e.g., IELTS score less than 5.5)
• The test results are older than 2 years
• The test is not from an approved testing body (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge)
• The course provider requires higher scores than the visa minimum, and you don’t meet those

To avoid issues, ensure that your English test is recent, valid, and meets both visa and course-specific requirements.

4. Incomplete or False Documentation

Providing incomplete, misleading, or false documents can result in an immediate visa rejection or even a 3-year ban from applying for another visa under Public Interest Criterion 4020.

Common mistakes include:

• Leaving out required documents such as CoE, GTE statement, or OSHC
• Submitting non-certified or poorly scanned copies
• Providing fake documents, such as employment letters, bank statements, or educational certificates
• Failing to include translations for documents in a foreign language

Always submit complete, accurate, and genuine documentation, and have them certified or notarized as needed.

Read: A Guide to Apply for Visitor Visa 600 Australia

5. Health or Character Issues

All applicants for the Student Visa 500 must meet Australian health and character standards.

Health Issues:

• Failing the mandatory medical examination
• Suffering from serious contagious diseases (e.g., active tuberculosis)
• Having medical conditions that could burden Australia’s healthcare system

Character Issues:

• Having a criminal record
• Involvement in illegal or suspicious activities
• Providing false information in visa or previous immigration applications

You may be asked to provide:

• Medical checks with an authorized panel physician
• Police clearance certificates from each country you’ve lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years

Post-Arrival Checklist for Student Visa 500 Holders

Once you arrive in Australia, here’s what you should do immediately:

• Activate your OSHC health insurance
• Open a bank account
• Register with Tax File Number (TFN) if you intend to work
• Attend student orientation
• Understand your visa subclass 500 work rights and obligations

Final Thoughts on the 500 Visa Process

Applying for the Student Visa Subclass 500 is a significant step toward building a successful academic and professional future in Australia. With careful attention to detail and full compliance with visa conditions, your journey as a student can begin on the right foot.

For optimal success, follow this Student Visa 500 Checklist precisely and stay updated with changes announced by the Department of Home Affairs. Choose a trusted Immigration Agent Adelaide for tailored advice and end-to-end service that turns your migration goals into reality.