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Student (Subclass 500) (Student) visa checklist

By 4 July, 2025No Comments5 min read

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Studying in Australia offers a unique way to experience Australian life, whilst gaining access to Australia’s world-class education system including top-ranking universities, practical vocational colleges, and outstanding English language schools to support international students. If a person intends to undertake study in Australia for more than 3 months, they will usually require a Student (Subclass 500) (Student) visa.

What are the general requirements for Student visa application?

Broadly speaking, to obtain a valid Student visa, an applicant must demonstrate that they are:

  1. enrolled in a course of study;
  2. a genuine student;
  3. have a sufficient level of English;
  4. have adequate levels of health insurance;
  5. will have access to sufficient funds for the duration of their stay in Australia; and
  6. pass relevant health and character criteria.

For further general guidance on Student visas, refer to here.

What documents are required for a Student visa?

The common documents required for a Student visa application are as follows:

Evidence required
Suggested documents
Identity
  • passport bio page;
  • name change documentation; and
  • other identity documents (e.g. National ID card).

Dependency documents (for secondary applicants)
  • if married, a marriage certificate;
  • if including children, the birth certificates of the children.

Evidence of enrolment
  • a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) letter; or
  • an  Acceptance Advice for Secondary Exchange Students form; or
  • a letter of support from DFAT or Defence confirming the intended course of study; or
  • for postgraduate students required to remain in Australia for the marketing of their theses, a letter from the education provider noting that the applicant needs to remain in Australia for the marking of their postgraduate thesis.

Evidence of personal ties to home country / circumstances in their home country
  • employment contract / business ownership;
  • previous educational enrolment;
  • marriage certificates and residential evidence (if spouse is remaining overseas);
  • birth certificates and enrolment evidence (if children are remaining overseas); and
  • lease agreement / evidence of home ownership.

Evidence of financial ties and position in their home country
  • bank statement showing funds to cover travel and costs of living;
  • evidence of a scholarship in Australia;
  • employment / investment history showing genuine access to funds;
  • share portfolio;
  • pay slips in the last 12 months;
  • tax records; or
  • recent employment contract.

Genuine student evidence
  • a genuine student statement setting out the purpose of the study (see below);
  • evidence of previous related study (qualification certificates);
  • evidence of previous related employment (employment contracts);
  • a letter from their current employer or statement from the applicant attesting to a need by the applicant for improved skills for the purposes of their employment or career prospects;
  • a resume setting out employment history and education history;
  • evidence of past immigration history (both to Australia and other countries).

English
  • If required, applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for grant of a Subclass 500 visa must provide evidence of English language proficiency test. The maximum time in which an English test must be taken is either two years immediately before the date the application is made or, if evidence of the test is not provided at the time the application is made – two years immediately before a decision is made on the application.

Health insurance

Health and character
  • you may require health or character assessments depending on your previous immigration history.

Importantly, the specific documents required for an application will depend on the passport of the applicant and the level of study. A useful document checklist tool prepared by the Department of Home Affairs (Department) relevant to an applicant’s particular circumstances is set out here.

What should be included in the statement?

To address the genuine student criteria, a clear statement should be prepared addressing the relevant matters. Such a statement should address:

  1. the applicant’s educational and employment background;
  2. the reason for selecting the course;
  3. the reason for selecting the institution;
  4. the reason for selecting Australia as a study destination;
  5. why similar courses cannot be completed in the home country;
  6. the value of the course to the applicant’s future; and
  7. research regarding employment opportunities in the home country following the course of study.

Who can I include in my Student visa application?

The Student visa allows the addition of a spouse / de facto partner as well as dependent children. Bear in mind that in certain cases, it may be strategic to not include a spouse / de facto partner or child in an application to satisfy genuine student criteria.

Do you require further assistance?

If you require assistance with your Student visa application, or have any other immigration related queries, contact our experienced team. Contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at +61 3 9016 0484.

THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE OR CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. PLEASE CONSULT AN IMMIGRATION PROFESSIONAL FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION.
Mihan Hannan

Author Mihan Hannan

Formerly a Senior Associate in one of Australia’s most reputable immigration litigation and review practices, Mihan is solutions focused and well versed in all aspects of Australian immigration law. Mihan also has a subscription addiction, being obsessed with tools to improve the firms immigration work flow.

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