Student visa (subclass 500): eligibility and application planning
A Student visa supports temporary stay for eligible study in Australia. Before paying course deposits or planning travel, check where you may apply, whether family members can be included and the evidence your circumstances require. Rules affecting onshore applications and families changed on 2 October 2026.
Aarish Haider · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2619656
Updated 2026-10-22 · General information · Official-source check 2026-10-22
Onshore application and family-member rules changed. Exemptions and transitional arrangements depend on the application and visa history; check the official notice before making study or travel commitments.
Read the official update →Key facts
| Purpose | Temporary stay for study; course admission and a visa grant are separate decisions. |
|---|---|
| Enrolment | A valid Confirmation of Enrolment is generally required, with exceptions for specified categories. |
| Application location | Affected temporary visa holders must be offshore at lodgement and grant; current primary Student holders need an applicable onshore exemption. |
| Family members | Only limited cohorts or existing-family continuity cases can include family at lodgement. Family cannot be added after grant. |
| After grant | Follow the conditions in your grant notice and VEVO, including study, health cover and work conditions. |
Who this is relevant to
For first-time applicants, current students needing further study time and people in Australia considering a change to Student status. Your existing visa, application history and proposed course determine which rules need attention.
Requirements
A course offer alone does not establish visa eligibility. Check Genuine Student, financial capacity, English, health, character and Overseas Student Health Cover requirements, plus welfare arrangements if under 18. Limited onshore exemptions for current primary Student holders include qualifying course progression, PhD or school study, DFAT/Defence sponsorship, provider default and up to twelve additional months to complete the main course with the same provider. Each exemption has conditions; it is not a general extension right. Family exemptions may cover PhD students, DFAT/Defence sponsorship, qualifying foreign-government scholarships, eligible Pacific/ASEAN students or specified existing-family cases. Check the full conditions and location rules rather than assuming a category name establishes eligibility.
Process
- Confirm your present visa, its expiry and conditions, and whether the proposed application can validly be lodged in Australia.
- Check the proposed course, provider and CoE and whether any onshore progression or packaged-course restrictions apply.
- Check any family exemption and the location of every person proposed for inclusion before lodging.
- Prepare truthful, consistent evidence using the current Home Affairs checklist and Genuine Student questions.
- Lodge from the required location, respond to any requests and check the grant conditions before making final travel and study arrangements.
Evidence
Evidence may include identity and study records, course and CoE details, relevant English results, financial evidence, health cover and explanations supported by records of your circumstances. The Evidence Level update took effect on 30 September 2026: use the current passport/provider checklist rather than an old country-risk list. A lighter document checklist does not waive eligibility requirements.
Common issues
The 2 October changes do not cancel existing Student visas. Applications lodged before that date continue under the rules then in force. An offshore application does not provide an associated Bridging visa, and an onshore application made when offshore lodgement is required will be invalid. Do not assume an expiring visa can be extended by enrolling again.
Official sources
- Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500)
- Home Affairs — Changes to Student visa application rules (500 and 590)
- Home Affairs — Applying for a Student or Guardian visa while in Australia
- Home Affairs — Including or adding family members
- Home Affairs — What you need to do under the October Student rules
- Home Affairs — Student visa Document Checklist Tool
- Home Affairs — Genuine Student requirement
- Study Australia — September 2026 Evidence Level update
- Study Australia — Student visa (subclass 500)
Related pages
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