Australia Student Visa 2026: Cost, Funds and the New Rules
Australia changed its Student visa rules on 2 October 2026. Most people can no longer apply from inside Australia, and most students can no longer include a partner or children. The visa itself, subclass 500, still costs from AUD 2,500 and still lets you work while you study. This guide sets out the current rules, using the Department of Home Affairs website as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
To get an Australian Student visa (subclass 500) you must be enrolled in a course and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment, hold Overseas Student Health Cover, be a genuine student and apply online, normally from outside Australia. The visa costs from AUD 2,500 and lasts up to 6 years, in line with your enrolment. You must show enough money for your stay: AUD 29,710 for 12 months of living costs, plus the first 12 months of course fees and travel costs. If you need an English test, the standard minimum is IELTS 6.0. You can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session. Since 2 October 2026 you cannot include family members unless an exemption applies.
Australia Student visa at a glance
| Item | Rule in October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Visa | Student visa (subclass 500) |
| Cost | From AUD 2,500 for the main applicant |
| Length of stay | Up to 6 years, in line with your enrolment |
| Where you apply | Online, from outside Australia unless you hold an eligible visa and meet an exemption |
| Living costs to show | AUD 29,710 for 12 months |
| English test, if required | IELTS 6.0, or an equivalent score in another approved test |
| Work | Up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session |
| Family members | Cannot be included unless an exemption applies |
| Minimum age | 6 years or older; a welfare arrangement is needed if you are under 18 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs, Subclass 500 Student visa, read on 13 October 2026.
What changed on 2 October 2026
From 2 October 2026 new rules apply to the Student visa (subclass 500) and the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590). Home Affairs says Australia continues to welcome international students, and you can still apply if you meet the requirements. Two things changed.
Applying from inside Australia
Most temporary visa holders in Australia can no longer lodge a Student visa application while they are in the country. This also affects current Student visa holders who want another Student visa, unless an exemption applies. If the rules stop you applying in Australia, you must be outside Australia both when you lodge the application and when the visa is granted. The changes do not affect a Student visa you already hold.
According to the Home Affairs fact sheet, a current Student visa holder may still be able to apply in Australia if they:
- need up to 12 more months after the original course end date to finish, with the same education provider;
- are sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or by Defence;
- are applying to study for a PhD;
- are applying to do primary or secondary school studies;
- have completed a course at one Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level and are moving to a course at a higher level;
- have finished school and are moving to a course without an AQF level, or have finished a course without an AQF level and are moving to one that has a level;
- cannot continue because their education provider has defaulted.
One condition applies to the move to a higher level: if you completed a higher education course, the next course must also be a higher education course delivered by a higher education provider.
Including family members
Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or dependent children in the application unless an exemption applies. Current Student visa holders can no longer add family members after the visa has been granted, and Home Affairs states there are no exemptions to that second rule.
You may be able to include family members when you apply if you are studying a PhD, are sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Defence, receive a foreign government scholarship, or are an eligible student from a Pacific country or an ASEAN member country. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the old rules.
Who can apply
Home Affairs lists these requirements for the Student visa. You must:
- apply online;
- apply from outside Australia, unless you hold an eligible visa and meet an exemption;
- be enrolled in a course of study in Australia and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the decision is made;
- hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), or fall into an exemption category;
- be 6 years or older, and have a welfare arrangement if you are under 18;
- be a genuine student, and meet the health and character requirements.
A CoE stops being valid if it is cancelled or the course is complete.
How much money you must show
You must have enough money to pay for your stay. Home Affairs asks for the total of living costs, course fees and travel costs, plus school fees for any school-age children who come with you.
| Cost | Amount to show |
|---|---|
| Living costs for 12 months, student | AUD 29,710 |
| Living costs for 12 months, partner coming with you | AUD 10,394 |
| Living costs for 12 months, each child coming with you | AUD 4,449 |
| Course fees | The first 12 months of fees, or the total if the course is 12 months or less |
| Travel costs, applying from East or Southern Africa | AUD 2,500 |
| Travel costs, applying from West Africa | AUD 3,000 |
| Travel costs, applying from anywhere else outside Australia | AUD 2,000 |
If you will stay less than 12 months, the living cost is pro rata: divide the annual amount by 365 and multiply by the number of days you intend to stay. You can deduct course fees you have already paid if you have a receipt or the payment is shown on your CoE.
The income alternative. In place of savings, you can give evidence that your parents or your partner had a personal annual income of at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply, or at least AUD 102,500 if you bring family members. If both parents work, their combined income can be considered. The evidence must be official government documents, such as tax assessments, less than 12 months old.
Accepted evidence of funds includes deposits with a financial institution, a government loan or a loan from a financial institution, and scholarships. Home Affairs warns that these amounts are the minimum for the visa, that real living costs vary and may be much higher, and that you should not rely on work to support yourself.
English language test scores
You might need to give evidence of your English when you apply, either a test score or proof that you fall into an exemption category. The minimum scores depend on whether your main course comes with English language tuition (ELICOS) first.
| Test | Standard minimum | With at least 10 weeks of ELICOS, or a foundation or eligible pathway program | With at least 20 weeks of ELICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 64 | 46 | 35 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced | 169 | 162 | 154 |
| Pearson Test of English Academic | 50 | 42 | 36 |
| Occupational English Test | B in each component | B in each component | B in each component |
What the visa costs
| Applicant | Base application charge |
|---|---|
| Main applicant, most students | AUD 2,500 |
| Main applicant, postgraduate research sector | AUD 2,500 |
| Main applicant, ELICOS or non-award sector | AUD 2,050 |
| Additional applicant aged 18 or over | AUD 1,530 |
| Additional applicant under 18 | AUD 500 |
| Students sponsored by Foreign Affairs or Defence; secondary exchange students | AUD 0 |
A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens and to eligible ASEAN citizens. The pricing table also lists a subsequent temporary application charge of AUD 700 for this visa. Overseas Student Health Cover is a separate cost on top of the visa charge.
Working while you study
A Student visa lets you work up to 48 hours a fortnight when your course of study or training is in session. It also lets you travel in and out of Australia. Home Affairs says you should not rely on work to support yourself or your family while in Australia.
How to apply, step by step
- Accept an offer and get your Confirmation of Enrolment from an Australian education provider.
- Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover for your stay.
- Gather your evidence: funds or family income, English test results if required, and a welfare arrangement if you are under 18.
- Check where you can apply. Since 2 October 2026 most people must be outside Australia.
- Apply online and pay the application charge.
- Wait for the decision. Applications lodged outside Australia on or after 14 November 2025 are processed in the order set by Ministerial Direction 115. Use the Home Affairs processing time guide for current times.
After you graduate
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets international students live, study and work in Australia after finishing their studies. You must be aged 35 or under when you apply, with some exceptions, have held a Student visa in the last 6 months and have a recent qualification from a CRICOS-registered course. The stay is up to 18 months in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream and usually between 2 and 3 years in the Post-Higher Education Work stream. It costs from AUD 5,750. Our Australia work visa guide covers the routes that follow.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Australian Student visa cost in 2026?
The Student visa (subclass 500) costs from AUD 2,500 for the main applicant. Students in the ELICOS or non-award sector pay AUD 2,050. An additional applicant aged 18 or over costs AUD 1,530 and a child costs AUD 500.
How much money do I need to show for an Australian Student visa?
AUD 29,710 for 12 months of living costs, plus the first 12 months of your course fees and travel costs, which are AUD 2,000 from most countries. Alternatively, your parents or partner can show a personal annual income of at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply.
Can I bring my family on an Australian Student visa?
Since 2 October 2026, usually not. You can include a partner or children only if an exemption applies: you are studying a PhD, are sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Defence, receive a foreign government scholarship, or are an eligible student from a Pacific or ASEAN member country. Family members cannot be added after the visa is granted.
Can I apply for a Student visa from inside Australia?
Most temporary visa holders can no longer do so since 2 October 2026. Some current Student visa holders are exempt, for example those who need up to 12 more months to finish their course with the same provider, PhD applicants, and students moving to a course at a higher AQF level.
How many hours can I work on an Australian Student visa?
Up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course of study or training is in session.
What IELTS score do I need for an Australian Student visa?
If you need to provide a test score, the standard minimum is IELTS 6.0. It is 5.5 if your course is accompanied by at least 10 weeks of ELICOS or a foundation or eligible pathway program, and 5.0 with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS.
How long can I stay on an Australian Student visa?
Up to 6 years, in line with your enrolment.
Sources (official only)
- Department of Home Affairs — Subclass 500 Student visa
- Department of Home Affairs — Changes to Student visa application rules (subclasses 500 and 590)
- Department of Home Affairs — Changes to Student visa application rules, fact sheet (PDF)
- Department of Home Affairs — Current visa pricing table
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. The rules changed on 2 October 2026 and may change again, so check the Home Affairs site before you enrol, travel or apply. Information, not legal advice.