Why Study in Australia?

Australia is a popular destination for international students because of its broad education system, internationally recognised qualifications and diverse study options.

Students can choose from education providers across Australia's major cities and regional areas.

Depending on your goals, you can study:

Higher Education

• Bachelor's degrees
• Graduate certificates
• Graduate diplomas
• Master's degrees
• Doctoral degrees
• Research programs

Vocational Education and Training

• Certificate III
• Certificate IV
• Diploma
• Advanced Diploma
• Industry-focused training

English Language

• General English
• Academic English
• English preparation programs
• Other ELICOS courses

Pathway Programs

• Foundation studies
• Diploma-to-degree pathways
• English-to-further-study pathways
• Other packaged study arrangements

How to Apply to Study in Australia

Your application can generally be divided into two stages:

Stage 1 – Apply to an Education Provider

First, select a suitable course and apply to the education provider.

Stage 2 – Apply for Your Student Visa

After accepting your offer and receiving your Confirmation of Enrolment, prepare and lodge your Student visa application.

A simple pathway is:

Choose Course

↓

Apply to Education Provider

↓

Receive Letter of Offer

↓

Accept Offer & Meet Conditions

↓

Receive CoE

↓

Prepare Student Visa Application

↓

Meet Genuine Student Requirements

↓

Lodge Subclass 500 Application

↓

Complete Health / Biometrics / Other Requirements if Requested

↓

Visa Decision

Step 1 – Choose Your Study Area

Start by identifying what you want to study.

Popular areas include:

• Information Technology
• Software Engineering
• Cyber Security
• Engineering
• Nursing
• Healthcare
• Business
• Accounting
• Finance
• Education
• Early Childhood Education
• Social Work
• Construction
• Architecture
• Hospitality
• Automotive
• Community Services
• Skilled Trades

Your choice should reflect your previous education, career goals and realistic employment plans.

If permanent residency is part of your long-term plan, migration considerations can also be assessed separately. No course guarantees Australian PR.

Step 2 – Choose the Right Course

When comparing courses, consider:

Course Level

Is it a Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral program?

Course Duration

How long will you need to study?

Entry Requirements

Do you meet the academic and English requirements?

Course Content

Does the course provide the knowledge and skills relevant to your career?

Career Outcomes

What types of jobs can graduates pursue?

Professional Recognition

Does the occupation require registration or accreditation?

Future Study

Can the qualification provide a pathway to further education?

Migration Considerations

If migration is one of your long-term goals, does the qualification potentially connect with an eligible occupation and migration pathway?

Step 3 – Check the Education Provider

Before applying, verify the education provider and course.

For international students studying in Australia on a Student visa, the relevant provider and course should be registered on CRICOS, the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.

You should check:

• Provider registration
• Course registration
• Campus location
• Course duration
• Tuition fees
• Entry requirements
• Intake dates
• Course structure
• Student support
• Accommodation options

Step 4 – Check the Entry Requirements

Education providers can have different entry requirements.

These may include:

• Previous academic qualifications
• Minimum grades
• English language ability
• Relevant subjects
• Work experience
• Portfolio
• Interview
• Other course-specific requirements

Higher-level courses can have more specific academic prerequisites.

Always check the individual provider's requirements before submitting an application.

Step 5 – English Language Requirements

English requirements can apply to admission and, separately, to the Student visa.

The required English evidence depends on:

• Education provider
• Course
• Previous education
• Country of study
• Student visa requirements
• Individual circumstances

Do not assume that one English test score applies to every course or every student visa applicant.

The Department's Document Checklist Tool can indicate whether English evidence must be provided with your visa application.

Step 6 – Submit Your Course Application

Once you have selected your course and provider, prepare your education application.

Common documents can include:

• Passport
• Academic transcripts
• Graduation certificates
• English test results where required
• CV or resume where relevant
• Employment evidence where relevant
• Personal statement where required
• Portfolio where required
• Other provider-specific documents

The education provider will assess your application according to its admission requirements.

Step 7 – Receive Your Letter of Offer

If your application is successful, your education provider may issue a Letter of Offer.

The offer normally contains information such as:

• Course
• Course duration
• Start date
• Tuition fees
• Conditions
• Payment requirements
• Refund arrangements

Read the offer carefully before accepting it. Study Australia advises students to understand the terms, fees and refund arrangements before accepting an offer.

Step 8 – Accept Your Offer

If you decide to proceed, follow the provider's instructions to accept the offer.

Depending on the provider, you may need to:

• Accept the agreement
• Pay an initial tuition amount
• Provide additional documents
• Meet outstanding conditions
• Arrange required insurance

Once the provider confirms your enrolment, you can proceed towards obtaining your Confirmation of Enrolment.

Step 9 – Receive Your Confirmation of Enrolment

The Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) confirms that you are enrolled in a specific course with an Australian education provider.

A CoE is required for a Student visa application.

If you are packaging multiple courses, you generally need a CoE for each course in the package.

There must also be logical progression between packaged courses and applicable course-gap requirements must be satisfied.

Step 10 – Prepare Your Student Visa Application

The main visa for international students is the:

Student Visa – Subclass 500

The Student visa allows eligible students to study in Australia and can cover a wide range of study types, including higher education, VET, ELICOS, pathway courses, schools and postgraduate research.

Depending on your circumstances, your application can involve:

• CoE
• Genuine Student requirement
• Financial capacity
• English evidence where required
• Overseas Student Health Cover
• Health requirements
• Character requirements
• Identity documents
• Additional supporting documents

Genuine Student Requirement

The Genuine Student (GS) requirement is an important part of the Student visa application.

The online application asks questions about:

• Your current circumstances
• Family, community, employment and economic ties
• Why you chose Australia
• Why you chose the particular course
• Why you chose the education provider
• Your understanding of studying and living in Australia
• How the course will benefit you
• Your previous study history where relevant
• Other relevant information

Each GS response has a 150-word limit and responses must be in English. Supporting evidence should be attached where appropriate.

The Department gives more weight to claims supported by evidence.

Why Did You Choose This Course?

Your course choice should make sense in the context of your background and future plans.

For example:

Previous IT study

→ Master of Information Technology

→ Technology career

is generally easier to explain than an unrelated course with no clear academic or career rationale.

Similarly:

Commerce background

→ Accounting / Finance

→ Professional career

can provide a logical progression where the course genuinely matches the student's circumstances.

The GS assessment considers whether the proposed course is consistent with your current education and whether it can improve your employment prospects.

Financial Capacity for Studying in Australia

Before applying, prepare a realistic budget for:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation
• Food
• Transport
• Health insurance
• Course materials
• Travel
• Personal expenses
• Family costs if applicable

If financial-capacity evidence is included in your personalised visa document checklist, it must be provided as required. The Department may also request additional evidence during processing.

Financial requirements can change, so applicants should check the current requirements at the time of application.

Overseas Student Health Cover

International students generally need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the required period.

Your visa length can also take OSHC validity into account. The Department states that OSHC must cover the relevant period of stay.

Student Visa Application

Once your documents are ready, submit your Student visa application through the appropriate Australian Government online process.

Make sure:

• Your information matches your passport
• Your name is entered correctly
• Your date of birth is correct
• Your CoE is attached
• Required documents are uploaded
• GS answers are complete
• Financial evidence is provided if required
• English evidence is provided if required
• Health insurance arrangements are correct

Home Affairs recommends checking the application carefully before submission because missing or incorrect information can delay processing or contribute to refusal.

Student Visa Application Fee

From 1 July 2026, the standard Student visa application charge is AUD $2,500, subject to applicable exemptions and concessions.

Visa charges can change, so always check the current government fee before lodging an application.

The visa application charge is separate from:

• Tuition fees
• OSHC
• Living costs
• Travel costs
• Health examinations
• Biometrics where applicable
• Other associated expenses

Working While Studying

Eligible Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.

Students who have commenced a master's degree by research or a doctoral degree have different work-hour rules.

Your actual visa conditions should always be checked through VEVO.

Working should not be treated as a substitute for demonstrating the financial capacity required for your visa application.

How Long Can You Stay in Australia?

The Student visa stay period generally depends on your course.

For many students, the visa period can extend beyond the course end date.

The Department states that the maximum Student visa stay will generally not exceed six years, although different rules can apply depending on the study type and circumstances.

Can You Bring Your Family?

Eligible Student visa applicants may include family members such as:

• Partner
• Dependent child
• Partner's child

Family members must satisfy the applicable visa requirements.

You should declare eligible family members in your Student visa application even if they are not travelling to Australia immediately, where required by the application rules.

Study in Australia and Future PR

Some students plan to pursue Australian permanent residency after completing their studies.

A potential long-term pathway can look like:

Student Visa 500

↓

Australian Qualification

↓

Graduate Employment

↓

Skills Assessment / Registration

↓

Skilled or Employer-Sponsored Visa

↓

Permanent Residency, if eligible

Possible future pathways can include:

• Subclass 189
• Subclass 190
• Subclass 491
• Subclass 482
• Subclass 186
• Subclass 494
• Subclass 191

However, studying in Australia does not guarantee PR.

Your future pathway depends on your occupation, qualifications, skills assessment, employment, English, age, points, nomination or sponsorship and the rules applicable at that time.

Temporary Graduate Visa After Study

Eligible graduates may potentially apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) after completing an eligible Australian qualification.

The visa can allow eligible graduates to remain in Australia temporarily and work without the usual student work-hour restriction.

The 485 visa is not a permanent visa and does not automatically lead to PR.

Apply to Study in Australia – Checklist

Course Selection

☐ Choose your study area

☐ Compare courses

☐ Check entry requirements

☐ Check course duration

☐ Compare tuition fees

☐ Research career outcomes

Education Provider

☐ Verify CRICOS registration

☐ Check campus location

☐ Review provider requirements

☐ Check intake dates

☐ Understand refund policies

Application

☐ Passport

☐ Academic documents

☐ English evidence where required

☐ CV / employment evidence where relevant

☐ Provider application

☐ Letter of Offer

☐ Acceptance

☐ Tuition payment where required

☐ Confirmation of Enrolment

Student Visa

☐ CoE

☐ Genuine Student responses

☐ Financial evidence if required

☐ English evidence if required

☐ OSHC

☐ Health requirements

☐ Character documents

☐ Identity documents

☐ Other documents listed by the Document Checklist Tool

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing a course only because it is advertised as a PR course

No course guarantees permanent residency.

Providing generic GS answers

Your answers should accurately explain your own circumstances and reasons for choosing the course.

Choosing an unrelated course

A significant change in study direction should be properly explained.

Ignoring finances

Plan tuition and living expenses before accepting an offer.

Not checking CRICOS

Always verify the provider and course for international student enrolment.

Submitting incomplete documents

Missing evidence can delay processing or contribute to refusal.

Using outdated visa information

Student visa requirements, fees and education policies can change.

Why Apply Through The Visa?

The Visa can assist students with planning their Australian education and Student visa application.

Our assistance can include:

• Course and education pathway assessment
• Course selection guidance
• Education provider guidance
• Student visa assessment
• Genuine Student guidance
• Financial capacity guidance
• Document preparation
• Application preparation
• Family member assessment
• Graduate visa planning
• Future skilled migration assessment

We help you understand the relationship between your education plans, career goals and visa requirements before you proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply to study in Australia?

First choose an appropriate course and education provider, submit your education application, receive and accept your Letter of Offer, obtain your Confirmation of Enrolment and then prepare your Student visa application.

Do I need a Student visa to study in Australia?

For eligible full-time study in Australia, the Student visa (subclass 500) is the main visa used by international students. The exact visa requirement depends on your circumstances and course.

What is a CoE?

A Confirmation of Enrolment is issued by your education provider and confirms your enrolment in a specific course. It is required for a Student visa application.

What is the Genuine Student requirement?

The GS requirement assesses whether you are a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student, including your circumstances, reasons for choosing the course and Australia, and the value of the course to your future.

Can I work while studying?

Eligible Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, subject to the applicable visa conditions.

Can I bring my spouse and children?

Eligible family members can potentially be included in your Student visa arrangements, subject to the applicable requirements.

How much does the Student visa cost?

From 1 July 2026, the standard Student visa application charge is AUD $2,500, subject to applicable exemptions or concessions.

Can I get PR after studying in Australia?

Potentially, but there is no automatic Student visa-to-PR pathway. You must independently qualify for a suitable future visa.

Can I apply for a 485 visa after studying?

Eligible graduates may be able to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), subject to the current requirements.

Can I package two courses?

Yes. A Student visa can cover two or more packaged courses where there is clear progression, subject to the applicable requirements and CoE arrangements.

Start Your Australian Study Application

Your Australian education journey starts with choosing the right course, provider and study pathway.

From universities and VET to English language programs and pathway courses, The Visa can help you understand your study and Student visa options.

Apply to Study in Australia Today

Choose Your Course → Apply to Your Provider → Receive Your CoE → Prepare Your Student Visa → Start Your Australian Education Journey