The subclass 500 visa fee: how it got to $2,500
The Australia student visa requirements start with the application charge itself, and it's climbed sharply in recent years. According to Australia's official Study Australia government portal, from 1 July 2026, the standard subclass 500 fee is AUD $2,500 for most applicants — making it the highest headline student visa fee among major study destinations.
A reduced fee of AUD $2,050 applies to eligible applicants from select ASEAN countries, Pacific Island nations, and Timor-Leste, as well as students enrolled in Independent ELICOS or Non-Award programs — this concession is applied automatically through your passport details in ImmiAccount, not something you need to separately apply for.
Financial requirement: AUD $29,710
Beyond the visa fee, you must demonstrate access to sufficient funds to live in Australia for your first year.
This is on top of your first year's tuition and return travel costs, and applies whether you show it through bank statements, an education loan, or a combination of both. These figures are reviewed and updated annually by the Australian Government, so always confirm the current amount before finalising your budget.
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement
Australia replaced its older Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test with the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. In practice, this means answering a set of targeted questions about your reasons for choosing Australia, your specific course and provider, your ties to India, and your career plans after graduation — all assessed for consistency across your entire application.
Why this matters: inconsistency between your GS answers, your Statement of Purpose, and your financial documents is one of the most common reasons for refusal. We review every part of your file for consistency before it's lodged.
Other core requirements
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): a valid eCoE for every course in your application — a Letter of Offer alone isn't sufficient.
- English language proficiency: generally IELTS 6.0 overall for direct university entry, with lower bands (around 5.0–5.5) accepted if packaged with an ELICOS English course — exact bands vary by provider, so we confirm against your specific offer.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): mandatory health insurance from an Australian government-approved provider, covering your entire stay from the day you arrive.
- Health and character requirements: a health examination from an approved panel physician, and standard character/background checks.
2026 update: EL3 status for India
📢 What changed on 8 January 2026
The Department of Home Affairs moved India, along with Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, to Evidence Level 3 (EL3). This means enhanced manual verification of financial and academic documents for applicants from these countries — it is not an automatic refusal, but it does mean your file is scrutinised more closely, and processing may take longer than for Evidence Level 1 or 2 countries.
Under the related Ministerial Direction 115 priority system (introduced 14 November 2025), processing speed also depends on how well your chosen institution manages its approved enrolment cap. Institutions using less than their allocated share process faster; those in the "red zone" (over 115% of their cap) face slower processing regardless of your individual file's strength.
Work rights & visa duration
- Visa validity: for the duration of your course, up to a maximum of 5 years.
- Work hours during term: up to 48 hours per fortnight (roughly 24 hours/week) while your course is in session.
- Work during breaks: unlimited hours during official scheduled course breaks.
- Masters by Research & PhD: no work-hour restrictions at any point during enrolment.
Frequently Asked Questions
AUD $2,500 for most applicants from 1 July 2026, up from $2,000 the prior year. A reduced $2,050 fee applies to select ASEAN/Pacific Island/Timor-Leste applicants and specific ELICOS/Non-Award programs.
AUD $29,710 for the primary applicant in 2026, plus $10,394 for a spouse/partner and $4,449 per dependent child, on top of tuition and travel.
A set of assessment questions about your study intent, course choice, and ties to India, replacing the older GTE test. Consistency across your whole application is essential.
Since 8 January 2026, India is at Evidence Level 3, meaning enhanced manual verification of documents. It's not an automatic refusal but can mean closer scrutiny and longer processing.
Up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time, and unlimited hours during official scheduled breaks. Masters by Research and PhD students have no restriction at any time.