Australia Student Visa
Subclass 500
Complete A–Z Guide
Three major changes now affect Indonesian applicants in 2026. Assessment Level 2. AUD 2,500 fee. New Genuine Student requirement. This guide covers everything from eligibility to permanent residency.
What Is the Subclass 500 Student Visa?
Australia's single student visa — issued by the Department of Home Affairs — lets you live, study full-time, and work part-time for your entire enrolled course duration, up to five years.
All Study Levels
ELICOS, VET/TAFE, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Masters by Research & PhD
Part-Time Work
Up to 48 hrs/fortnight during study. Unlimited hours during official course breaks.
Multiple Entry
Travel in and out of Australia freely throughout the full visa validity period.
Bring Family
Partner and dependent children can be added as secondary applicants on the same application.
PR Foundation
Australian study awards +5 skilled migration points. Regional study adds +5 more.
Up to 5 Years
Visa duration matches your enrolled course with a maximum grant of five years.
Not sure where to start?
Our MARA-registered agents have guided Indonesian students through this exact process for over 20 years.
Key 2026 Changes Indonesian Applicants Must Know
Three policy shifts have raised the stakes this year. The visa fee is non-refundable — understanding these changes before you lodge is essential.
Visa Fee Raised to AUD 2,500 1 Jul 2026
From 1 July 2026 the Subclass 500 application charge rose from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 per primary applicant — part of an across-the-board ~25% increase (the fee was just AUD 1,600 as recently as mid-2025). ELICOS and non-award courses now sit in a separate AUD 2,050 tier, and dependant charges rose to AUD 1,530 per partner and AUD 500 per child. The charge is non-refundable and is locked in on the day you lodge — making a complete, well-prepared application more critical than ever.
Indonesia → Assessment Level 2 27 Mar 2026
DHA reclassified Indonesia from Level 1 to Level 2 under the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF). Indonesian applicants are now treated as a medium-risk group. Financial evidence and a valid English test result are mandatory in most application combinations — unlike Level 1 where these were sometimes waived. Read RACC's full breakdown →
Onshore Application Ban for Visitor & 485 Holders 1 Jul 2024
Holders of a Visitor visa (Subclass 600, 601, 602, or 651) and Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) can no longer apply for a student visa while inside Australia. You must leave and lodge from offshore. This catches many people off guard — plan your application pathway before you travel.
Genuine Student (GS) Replaces GTE Jul 2024
The old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test was permanently replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. The GS assessment is now one of the most common causes of student visa refusal.
Eligibility & the Genuine Student Requirement
You must satisfy every item on this checklist. Under Assessment Level 2, visa officers apply close scrutiny — a single documentation gap can delay or sink your application.
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✓Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)Valid CoE via PRISMS from a CRICOS-registered institution. Every detail must exactly match your passport — name, DOB, passport number.
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✓Genuine Student (GS) StatementAnswered in ImmiAccount. Max 150 words per question. See the section below — this is now the most common cause of refusal.
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✓Financial CapacityMinimum AUD 29,710/year in living expenses + full tuition + return travel. Add AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 per dependent child.
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✓English Language ProficiencyValid IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1, or OET score. Minimum IELTS 6.0 (university direct entry), 5.5 (foundation/pathway), 5.0 (packaged ELICOS + degree).
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✓Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)Mandatory for the full visa duration, from arrival to expiry. Must be purchased before lodging your application.
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✓Health & Character ChecksDHA-approved panel physician health exam (if required) + police clearances from every country where you've lived 12+ months in the last 10 years.
The GS requirement replaced the old GTE test in July 2024. You answer targeted questions in ImmiAccount — max 150 words each — across four areas:
Current circumstances and genuine reasons to return. Name specific family members, property, or employment — vague claims are flagged.
Why this specific course at this specific institution? Generic answers ("world-class education") are easy to spot and signal a template application.
How does this course follow logically from your academic history and career goals? The course level must match your existing qualifications.
How you will meet visa conditions during your stay. Reference specific obligations — work limits, full-time enrolment.
- Claiming career advancement without evidence of a current career in that field
- Describing ties to Indonesia vaguely — no named family members or supporting evidence
- Choosing a course level that doesn't logically follow your existing qualifications
Total Cost Breakdown & Processing Times
Budget these expenses before your first day of class, then understand how your institution's enrolment status affects how quickly your visa is decided.
| Cost Component | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Visa application charge — primary applicant | AUD 2,500 Updated Jul 2026 |
| ELICOS / non-award course charge | AUD 2,050 |
| Partner dependant (18+) | AUD 1,530 |
| Dependent child (under 18) | AUD 500 |
| Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — per year | AUD 600 – 1,200 |
| English language test (IELTS or PTE) | AUD 300 – 450 |
| Health examination | AUD 300 – 500 |
| Police clearance (Indonesia) | AUD 40 – 100 |
| Estimated total (excluding tuition) | AUD 3,700 – 5,000 |
All DHA charges are non-refundable and subject to change. Verify at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.
Since November 2025, DHA prioritises applications based on your institution's enrolment position:
| Priority Tier | Institution Status | Typical Processing |
|---|---|---|
| ● Priority 1 | Within approved enrolment cap | 7 – 14 days |
| ● Standard | Approaching cap threshold | 4 – 6 weeks |
| ● Delayed | Exceeding 115% of approved cap | 3 months+ |
Work Rights & the PR Pathway
Your student visa already grants meaningful work rights. Choose the right course and location and you build a clear, documented route toward permanent residency.
/ fortnight
Studying in Australia does not automatically lead to PR, but with the right course and location choices the pathway is very real:
Subclass 500
Study in Australia
Subclass 485
Temporary Graduate Visa (18 mo – 4 yrs)
Points Test
General Skilled Migration
Subclass 189 / 190
Permanent Residency
How to Apply: Step by Step
Follow these seven steps in order. Under Level 2, a single missing document triggers a request for further information — adding weeks to your case.
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Get your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)Apply to your chosen CRICOS-registered institution, accept your offer, pay the deposit, and receive your CoE. Verify every detail exactly matches your passport before proceeding.
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Purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)OSHC must be purchased before lodging your visa. Many institutions offer group OSHC arrangements — check with your provider before buying separately.
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Complete your English language testConfirm your score meets both the DHA minimum and your institution's requirement (some providers set higher thresholds). IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1, and OET are all accepted.
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Prepare your financial evidenceBank statements must show a consistent fund history — not a recent lump-sum deposit. Include scholarship letters, loan approvals, or sponsor documents. Minimum: AUD 29,710/year + tuition + travel.
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Write your Genuine Student (GS) statementAddress all four question areas with specific, evidence-backed responses. Keep each answer under 150 words. Ensure your answers are internally consistent with your transcripts, bank statements, and employment history.
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Lodge your application in ImmiAccountCreate an account at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, complete the online form, upload all documents, and pay the AUD 2,500 application charge.
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Respond to health & biometrics requests promptlyDelays in completing health exams or biometrics extend processing time significantly. Once granted, your visa is linked electronically to your passport — there is no physical label.
How RACC Indonesia Can Help
With a higher fee, stricter GS requirement, and Indonesia's new Level 2 status, the margin for error is smaller than ever. Our MARA-registered agents have guided Indonesian students for over 20 years — from choosing the right CRICOS course to writing a GS statement that holds up under scrutiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions Indonesian students ask most. Click any question to expand the full answer.
Still have questions?
A single consultation with RACC typically gives you a clear eligibility picture and a concrete plan — before you pay any visa fees.
The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute migration advice. Immigration requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or consult a MARA-registered migration agent for advice specific to your circumstances.
