Student Visa (Subclass 500)
All international students who are planning to study in Australia, need to apply for a student visa. Student visa (Subclass 500) allows students to stay in Australia to study full-time in a CRICOS recognised course. In order to obtain this type of visa, one must be able to demonstrate genuine intention to visit Australia temporarily to complete studies.
Here are some key things to know
about the student visa process in Australia
Requirement and Eligibility
These are the general eligibility conditions for an applicant applying for a student visa 500:
You should enroll in a CRICOS registered course.- You need to provide a CoE or Confirmation of Enrolment letter along with the application.
- You have to make welfare arrangements if your age is below 18 years.
- You have adequate health insurance cover for yourself and family members applying with you.
- You can show the financial arrangements to fund your tuition fee, cost of travel, and stay in Australia.
- You need to provide health and character clearance for yourself and your family members.
- You have not been declined or refused a visa in the past.
Benefits
There are several benefits associated with a student visa 500; some of these are:
- You can live, study and work in Australia for five years or the full duration of the course.
- You can work up to 44 hours every fortnight.
- You can work full-time in holidays.
- You are allowed multiple entries and exits from Australia.
- You can include your family members to join you in Australia while you are applying or later.
Checklist
Apply at least 6 weeks before the start of your course.- Have proof of admission or confirmation of enrolment letter with details of course and duration.
- Clear the English proficiency test and submit proof of the same.
- Must have an Overseas Student Health Cover or OSHC from an approved provider.
- Submit all the academic documents.
- Submit all the financial documents.
Cost
Subclass 500
Student ELICOS Sector
Additional
Applicant Charge 18+
Additional
Applicant Charge U18
Subsequent
Temporary Application Charge
Processing Time:
Processing times can vary based on which sector you’re applying for and it can take between 01 day to 68 days for 90% of the applications respectively for the higher education sector. Up to 5 Months for 90% of applications in the Vocational Education and Training Sector.
Visitor Visa
(Subclass 600)
Visitors wishing to visit Australia for tourism must obtain a visitor visa, which allows them to conduct business or go on a holiday. 3, 6, 12 months or 3 years visa for business visitors, tourists or to visit your family in Australia.
Those who hold this visa can visit Australia as visitors, visit family and friends, or to receive medical care. They may allow you to stay for up to 12 months. You can go on vacation, see your family or visit friends. This visa might be suitable for you if you hold another visa that is going to expire and you wish to extend your stay.
-
Sponsored family stream
Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)
Tourist stream (apply in Australia)
Business visitor stream
Approved Destination Status stream
Frequent traveller stream
Documents requirement:
-
Original passport with 6 months validity beyond your travel date
National ID
Passport Size Photo with white background
Details of travel itinerary
Hotel or accommodation details for your entire stay
Flight reservation or tickets
Marriage certificate
Financial documents
Business documents
Income Tax Return
Cost
Subclass 600
Outside Australia
TU600
In Australia
Processing Time:
Visitor visa processing time can take between 01 day to 25 days for 90% of the applications.
Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
All international students who are planning to study in Australia, need to apply for a student visa. Student visa (Subclass 500) allows students to stay in Australia to study full-time in a CRICOS recognised course. In order to obtain this type of visa, one must be able to demonstrate genuine intention to visit Australia temporarily to complete studies.
Here are some key things to know about
the student visa process in Australia
Graduate Work Stream:
- Applicant must be under 50 years of age
- Must be a recent graduate from a recognised Australian university or a college within the last 6 months
- The applicant can stay in Australia for up to 18 months.
- Applicant you can live, study, and work in Australia and sponsor your family to come to Australia.
- Applicant must hold a qualification and skill assessment related to an occupation on the skilled occupation list.
- Applicant must meet the health and character requirements.
Post Study Work Stream
- Applicant must have graduated recently from a CRICOS registered Bachelor or Master degree course within the last 6 months
- The validity of this temporary visa is 2-3 years, depending on the course.
- Applicant you can live, study, and work in Australia and sponsor your family to come to Australia.
- Applicant must meet the health and character requirements.
Second Post Study Work Stream
- The validity of this temporary visa is 12-24 months, depending on the course.
- Applicant who have recently completed their graduation degree in the Australia’s regional area or territory are eligible to apply for this visa.
Cost
Subclass 485
Graduate or Post Study Work Stream
Additional
Applicant Charge 18+
Additional
Applicant Charge U18
Processing Time:
Processing times can vary based on which sector you’re applying for and it can take up to 82 days for 90% of the applications for the Post study work stream. Up to 6 Months for 90% of applications in the Graduate work stream.
Skilled Migration Visas
(Subclass 189/190/491/191)
-
01.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is an excellent option for skilled foreign nationals who wish to reside and get employment permanently in Australia. With this visa, you can live and work anywhere in Australia independently and indefinitely without needing sponsorship from any employer, state, or territory.
-
02.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)The skilled nominated subclass 190 visa is a permanent visa for skilled migrants that requires State or Territory Government nomination. You can permanently work, live in Australia, and sponsor your relatives.
-
03.
Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 491)- • State Regional Sponsored
- • Family Sponsored
This particular subclass visa allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. You must be sponsored by eligible family members living in designated regional areas or be nominated by a state or territory government of a specific regional area.
-
04.
Permanent Resident (Skilled Regional)
Visa` (Subclass 191)The skilled Regional nominated subclass 191 visa is a permanent visa for holders of the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) or the Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 494). Applicant must have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia for at least 3 years.
Eligibility
-
01.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)You must be invited to apply
Must be under 45 years old
Must have the right skill assessment
Must be competent in English
Must have minimum 65 points
-
02.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)You must be invited to apply
Must be nominated by State or Territory Government
Must be under 45 years old
Must have the right skill assessment
Must be competent in English
Must have minimum 60 points
-
03.
Skilled Regional Sponsored
Visa (Subclass 491)- • State Regional Sponsored
- • Family Sponsored
You must be invited to apply
Must be nominated by state or territory movement agency or sponsored by your eligible relative
Must be under 45 years old
Must have the right skill assessment
Must be competent in English
Must have minimum 50 points
-
04.
Permanent Resident (Skilled Regional)
Visa (Subclass 191)You need to hold an eligible regional provisional 491 or 494 visa, when applying for Subclass 191 Visa.
You must have lived for a minimum of 3 years
Applicants (Primary and secondary) have to comply with the conditions of the qualified visa you hold or have held.
Cost
Subclass
(189/190/491/191)
Additional
Applicant Charge 18+
Additional
Applicant Charge U18
Processing Time:
Processing times can vary based on which visa subclass you’re applying for and it can take up to 14 months days for 90% of the applications for the 189 subclass and Up to 12 Months for 90% of applications for the 190 and 491 subclasses.
Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Onshore Partner Visa
(Subclass 820/801)
- The Subclass 309/100 visas constitute a two-stage process for partners seeking to live in Australia. Applicant must apply this visa from overseas. Subclass 309 visa permits the de facto Partner or Spouse of an Australian citizen, Permanent Resident of Australia or an eligible citizen of New Zealand to reside in Australia Temporarily. After a designated waiting period, the applicant become eligible to apply for the Subclass 100 visa, which grants permanent residency.
Offshore Partner Visa
(Subclass 309/100)
- The Subclass 820/801 visas constitute a two-stage process for partners seeking to live in Australia. Applicant must apply this visa in Australia. After applying Subclass 820 visa applicant subsequently become eligible to apply for the Subclass 801 visa after meeting specific criteria and completing the stipulated waiting period, which grants permanent residency.
Cost
Subclass
(820/801 or 309/100)
Additional
Applicant Charge 18+
Additional
Applicant Charge U18
Processing Time:
Processing times can vary based on which visa subclass you’re applying for and it can take up to 32 months days for 90% of the applications for the 309/100 subclass and Up to 44 Months for 90% of applications for the 820/801 subclasses.
Employer Sponsored Visa x
(Subclass 482/494/186)
-
01.
TSS 482 Visa:
Temporary Skills Shortage Visa482 visa subclass also known as Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa. It is a work visa that is sponsored by an employer who is operating a business in Australia. It can be granted up to 4 years.
-
02.
There are three streams
for subclass 482 visa:Short Term Stream: This visa is granted for up to 2 years, and can be extended for a further 2 years onshore. The occupation must be on short term skill shortage list. This stream has pathway to permanent residency.
Medium Long-Term Stream: This visa is granted for up to 4 years, and can be extended for a further 4 years onshore. The occupation must be on Medium Long-Term skill shortage list. This stream has pathway to permanent residency.
Labour Agreement: This visa allow employer to sponsor an employee for the occupations which are not on skill shortage list after negotiating an agreement with the Department of Home Affairs. The length of the visa, requirement for the visa, and permanent residency options will depend upon the terms of the agreement.
Requirements:
-
Be nominated for a role by a suitable employer
An occupation on the applicable Skill Shortage list
English language test completed within the past 3 years
Be of good character
Have the qualifications and/or experience for the nominated occupation specified in the Australia New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) (including positive Skills Assessment for some occupations)
In all cases, have at least 2 years of relevant work experience for the role nominated at time of decision on the application
For applicants in the Short-Term stream: be a genuine temporary entrant
Cost
Subclass
(482)
Additional
Applicant Charge 18+
Additional
Applicant Charge U18
Processing Time:
Processing times can vary based on which stream you’re applying for and it can take up to 72 days for short term stream, up to 75 days for medium long term stream and up to 81 days for labour agreement.
Employer Sponsored Permanent
Visa (Subclass 186)
The Subclass 186 visa, also known as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, is a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for skilled workers nominated by their employers.
There are two streams for subclass 186 visa:
- Direct Entry stream: Applicants with 3 years of full time work experience in an occupation on the Medium-Long Term Skill Shortage list, and a positive Skills Assessment from a relevant skills assessing body, may be eligible to be nominated in this stream, regardless of the length of time you have been working for your nominating employer.
- Temporary Residence Transition stream: if you have been working for your employer on a subclass 482 visa full time for 1 year, you may be eligible for this stream without the need to obtain a positive Skills Assessment. Any periods of unpaid leave cannot be counted.
Cost
Subclass
(186)
Additional
Applicant Charge 18+
Additional
Applicant Charge U18
Processing Time:
Processing times can vary based on which stream you’re applying for and it can take up to 10 months for direct entry stream and 11 months for transition stream.
AAT Appeals
The Administrative appeals tribunal (AAT) is the merits review body for most administrative decisions by the federal government. The AAT has the power to review matters that relate to decisions about bridging visas, family visas, nomination/sponsor applications, partner visas, permanent business visas, skilled visas, student visas, temporary work visas, some visitor visas and citizenship.
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has two main divisions that affect migration matters:
-
01.
The Migration and
Refugee DivisionThis division is responsible for reviewing most visa refusal decisions made by the Department of Home Affairs
-
02.
The General
DivisionThis division is responsible for reviewing most character-related visa decisions or citizenship refusals.
