Last Updated: January 7, 2026
Australia offers world-class education combined with an incredible lifestyle. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane consistently rank among the best student cities globally. With a clear pathway to post-study work and potential permanent residency, Australia remains highly attractive for international students.
Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Subclass 500 Student Visa |
| Visa Fee | AUD $2,000 |
| Work Hours | 48 hrs/fortnight during term |
| Post-Study Work | Subclass 485 (2-4 years) |
| Student Cap 2026 | 295,000 |
| Intakes | February, July (some programs have multiple) |
2026 Policy Updates
International Student Cap
Australia has implemented a cap of 295,000 international students for 2026 (increased from 270,000 in 2025).
Visa Fee Increase
From July 1, 2025, the student visa fee increased to AUD $2,000 (from AUD $1,600).
Genuine Student Requirement
The new Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the previous Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) rule in 2025.
Step 1: Choose Your Program
Application Process
- Research institutions and courses on Study Australia
- Apply directly to institution or through agents
- Receive Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- Apply for student visa
Key Intakes
| Intake | Period | Application Window |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | February-March | 6-12 months prior |
| Semester 2 | July-August | 6-12 months prior |
| Trimester 3 | November (some) | Varies |
Step 2: Obtain Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
What is CoE?
The CoE is a document issued by your education provider confirming your enrolment. It's mandatory for your visa application.
From January 1, 2025: CoE is required for all onshore and offshore student visa applications.
CoE Contains
- Your personal details
- Course details and duration
- Tuition fee information
- Provider's CRICOS code
Step 3: Apply for Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Required Documents
- Valid Passport
- CoE from CRICOS-registered institution
- Genuine Student Statement
- Financial Evidence:
- Tuition fees for first year
- Living costs: AUD $29,710/year
- Travel costs
- School costs for dependents (if applicable)
- English Proficiency:
- IELTS: Minimum 6.0 overall
- TOEFL: Minimum 64
- PTE: Minimum 50
- Health Insurance (OSHC)
- Health Examination
- Police Clearance
Visa Fees (From July 2025)
| Fee Type | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) | $2,000 |
| Subsequent Applicant (18+) | $745 |
| Subsequent Applicant (<18) | $370 |
Apply Online: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Step 4: Genuine Student (GS) Requirement
What is the GS Test?
The Genuine Student requirement assesses whether you genuinely intend to:
- Study in Australia
- Comply with visa conditions
- Leave Australia when your visa expires (unless eligible to stay)
GS Statement Questions
Your statement should address:
- Your circumstances in your home country
- Why you want to study in Australia
- Why you chose this specific course and provider
- How the course fits your background and career goals
- Your plans after completing studies
Tips for GS Statement
- Be specific and genuine
- Link your course to career aspirations
- Explain gaps in study/work
- Show you understand visa conditions
- Don't use templates
Step 5: Financial Requirements
Proof of Funds (2026)
| Expense | Annual Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Living Costs (student) | $29,710 |
| Partner (if applicable) | +$10,394 |
| Each Child | +$4,449 |
| Tuition | As per CoE |
| Return Airfare | ~$2,000-3,000 |
Acceptable Evidence
- Bank statements (3-6 months)
- Education loan sanction
- Government loans
- Scholarship letters
- Financial declaration with supporting documents
Step 6: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
OSHC is mandatory for the entire duration of your student visa.
OSHC Providers
- Medibank
- Allianz Care
- BUPA
- NIB
Approximate Costs
| Duration | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| 1 Year | $500 - $700 |
| 2 Years | $1,000 - $1,400 |
| Family Coverage | Higher |
Must be purchased before visa application.
Step 7: Work Rights While Studying
Work Conditions
| Period | Work Hours |
|---|---|
| During term | 48 hours per fortnight |
| During breaks | Unlimited |
| Master's by Research/PhD | Unlimited |
Note: Work hours changed from 40 to 48 hours per fortnight in 2023.
Work Restrictions
- Cannot start work until course commences
- Must maintain course progress
- Cannot use work to fund studies entirely
Step 8: Post-Study Work Options
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
The Subclass 485 allows graduates to stay and work in Australia.
Post-Study Work Stream Duration
| Qualification | Stay Duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 2 years |
| Master's by Coursework | 2 years |
| Master's by Research | 3 years |
| Doctoral Degree | 4 years |
Regional Study Bonus
If you studied and lived in a regional area, you may be eligible for an extra 1-2 years.
Eligibility Requirements
- Under 35 years old (from July 1, 2024)
- Completed eligible qualification
- Met English language requirement
- Applied within 6 months of completion
- Held student visa
Application Fees
| Fee Type | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Subclass 485 Application | $1,895 |
| Each Family Member | Varies |
Medical Studies (MBBS/MD)
Australia offers world-class medical education with clear pathways to registration and practice.
Pathway to Medicine
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Entry | 5-6 year MBBS/BMedSc+MD |
| Graduate Entry | 4-year MD (requires bachelor's) |
| Entrance Exams | UCAT ANZ (undergrad) / GAMSAT (graduate) |
| Tuition (International) | AUD $70,000 - $90,000/year |
| Language | English |
Entrance Requirements
Undergraduate Medicine:
- UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test)
- ATAR 99+ (or equivalent)
- Interview (MMI format at most schools)
Graduate Medicine:
- GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test)
- Bachelor's degree (any field, GPA 5.5+/7.0 preferred)
- Interview
UCAT ANZ 2026
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Date | July 2026 |
| Format | Computer-based, 2 hours |
| Sections | Verbal, Decision Making, Quantitative, Abstract, SJT |
| Cost | ~AUD $390 |
Top Medical Schools
| University | Location | Entry Type |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | Melbourne | Graduate (MD) |
| University of Sydney | Sydney | Both |
| Monash University | Melbourne | Both |
| UNSW Sydney | Sydney | Undergraduate |
| University of Queensland | Brisbane | Graduate |
| University of Western Australia | Perth | Both |
| University of Adelaide | Adelaide | Both |
Registration (AHPRA)
After completing your degree and internship, you must register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to practice.
Law Studies (LLB/JD/LLM)
Australia's legal education follows the common law tradition, making qualifications transferable to other common law countries.
Law Degrees
| Degree | Duration | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Laws (LLB) | 4 years | High school (ATAR 90+) |
| Juris Doctor (JD) | 3 years | Any bachelor's degree |
| Master of Laws (LLM) | 1-2 years | Law degree |
Admission Requirements
- Strong academic record (ATAR 90+ for LLB)
- Personal statement
- No standardized test required (unlike US LSAT)
- Some universities conduct interviews
Top Law Schools
| University | Location | Ranking Feature |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | Melbourne | #1 in Australia |
| UNSW Sydney | Sydney | Strong corporate law |
| University of Sydney | Sydney | Historic, comprehensive |
| Australian National University | Canberra | Public/international law |
| Monash University | Melbourne | Asia-Pacific focus |
Tuition (International)
| Degree | Annual Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| LLB | $40,000 - $50,000 |
| JD | $45,000 - $55,000 |
| LLM | $40,000 - $50,000 |
Pathway to Practice
- Complete LLB or JD
- Practical Legal Training (PLT)
- Admission to state/territory Supreme Court
- Apply for practicing certificate
MBA & Business Programs
Australia hosts several globally ranked business schools with strong Asia-Pacific connections.
Top MBA Programs
| School | University | Duration | Cost (AUD) | FT Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Business School | UniMelb | 1-2 years | $95,000+ | Top 50 Global |
| AGSM | UNSW | 16 months | $92,000+ | Top 100 |
| Monash Business School | Monash | 2 years | $85,000+ | Strong Asia focus |
| UQ Business School | UQ | 1-2 years | $80,000+ | Triple accredited |
| Sydney Business School | USYD | 1.5 years | $75,000+ | Global network |
MBA Admission Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Work Experience | 3-5 years (minimum 2) |
| GMAT/GRE | 600+ GMAT recommended |
| English | IELTS 7.0 or equivalent |
| Bachelor's Degree | Any field |
| Essays | Leadership, goals, motivation |
| Interview | Required by most schools |
Application Deadlines
Most Australian MBAs have rolling admissions with multiple intakes:
- February/March intake
- July/August intake
Nursing Studies
Australia faces a significant nursing shortage, making nursing qualifications an excellent pathway to permanent residency.
Nursing Pathways
| Program | Duration | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Nursing | 3 years | Registered Nurse (RN) |
| Diploma of Nursing | 1.5-2 years | Enrolled Nurse (EN) |
| Master of Nursing | 2 years | RN (for degree holders) |
| Graduate Certificate | 6-8 months | Overseas RN conversion |
AHPRA Registration Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| English | IELTS 7.0 overall, 7.0 in each band |
| Alternative | OET B in all components |
| Education | AHPRA-approved program |
| Background Check | National police check |
Note: AHPRA English requirements for nursing registration are stricter than university entry requirements.
Top Nursing Schools
| University | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University of Technology Sydney | Sydney | High graduate employment |
| Deakin University | Melbourne | Flexible study options |
| Monash University | Melbourne | Research-focused |
| University of Queensland | Brisbane | Clinical partnerships |
| Griffith University | Brisbane | Strong placement network |
Tuition (International)
| Program | Annual Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Nursing | $35,000 - $45,000 |
| Master of Nursing | $35,000 - $45,000 |
| Diploma of Nursing | $20,000 - $25,000 |
Career & PR Pathway
Registered Nurses are on Australia's skilled occupation list, providing strong pathways to:
- 2-4 year post-study work visa (Subclass 485)
- State nomination for permanent residency
- Direct skilled migration (Subclass 189/190)
Top Universities
Group of Eight (Go8)
| University | City | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | Melbourne | Research, Medicine |
| Australian National University | Canberra | Research, Politics |
| University of Sydney | Sydney | Medicine, Business |
| UNSW Sydney | Sydney | Engineering, Business |
| University of Queensland | Brisbane | Sciences, Engineering |
| Monash University | Melbourne | Pharmacy, Engineering |
| University of Western Australia | Perth | Mining, Agriculture |
| University of Adelaide | Adelaide | Wine, Health Sciences |
Other Popular Universities
| University | City | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| University of Technology Sydney | Sydney | IT, Design, Business |
| RMIT University | Melbourne | Design, Engineering |
| Macquarie University | Sydney | Accounting, Linguistics |
| Deakin University | Melbourne | Sports Science, Education |
| Griffith University | Brisbane | Tourism, Criminology |
Tuition Costs (Approximate)
| Program Level | Annual Tuition (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | $25,000 - $45,000 |
| Master's Coursework | $25,000 - $50,000 |
| Master's Research | $22,000 - $42,000 |
| PhD | $22,000 - $42,000 |
| MBA | $40,000 - $90,000 |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Student Visa Info | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/student-500 |
| Study Australia | studyaustralia.gov.au |
| CRICOS Search | cricos.education.gov.au |
| Temporary Graduate Visa | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/485 |
| Health Exams | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/health-examination |
Pathway to Permanent Residency
General Skilled Migration
After gaining work experience on Subclass 485:
- Subclass 189: Points-tested independent visa
- Subclass 190: State-nominated visa
- Subclass 491: Regional provisional visa
Points Test
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age (25-32) | 30 |
| English (Superior) | 20 |
| Australian Study | 5-10 |
| Regional Study | 5 |
| STEM Qualification | 10 |
| Australian Work Experience | 5-20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change courses after arriving?
Yes, but you may need to apply for a new visa if changing provider or course level. Notify your provider and immigration.
Can I bring my family?
Yes, partners and children can be included in your application. Partners receive work rights, and children can study in public schools.
What if my visa is refused?
You can apply for a merits review through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) within 21 days, or submit a new application.
Is IELTS mandatory?
No, Australia accepts TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, and other approved tests. Some universities also accept MOI letters.
This guide is for informational purposes. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before applying.