Rise Above with Your Australia, Visa.

Australia Student Visa
Guide 2026

Sun, globally rated universities, booming employment, a post-study work visa that actually leaves you with time to establish your career, when you study in Australia, you're not just earning a degree, you're investing in your future.

Over 35 Australian universities feature in major global rankings, including several in the QS Top 100, making Australia one of the most attractive destinations for international students.

Why Study in Australia?

Australia doesn't just educate you - it sets you up.

Why Study in Australia?

8 universities in the global top 100, including ANU, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Post-Study Work visa (Subclass 485) for up to 4-6 years after graduation.
Work up to 48 hours per fortnight during studies.
Globally recognized degrees with strong industry connections.
Safe, multicultural environment with a large international student community.
Clear pathway to Permanent Residency post-graduation.
Scholarships available through Australia Awards and university-specific programs.

What is the Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)?

The student visa Australia Subclass 500 is the official visa for international students pursuing full-time study at a registered Australian education provider (CRICOS-registered).

It covers everything from short courses to full degrees, bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, and vocational programs.

Note: Any course longer than 3 months at a CRICOS-registered institution requires a Subclass 500 visa.

Australia Student Visa Requirements

To be eligible for a student visa for Australia, you must meet the following:

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered institution.
Genuine Student (GS) requirement, proof of intent to return home.
English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE).
Financial capacity to cover tuition and living costs.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay.
Valid passport.
Character and health requirements met.

Note: Australia has replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. Applicants must show that their primary intention is to study in Australia and that the chosen course aligns with their academic background and career goals.

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Australia Student Visa Process - Step by Step

Eight steps between you and your Australian dream, let's walk through them.

01

Get Accepted by a CRICOS-Registered Institution

Your first step is securing an offer from a registered Australian institution. Only CRICOS-registered providers can issue a CoE, your most critical visa document.

02 Receive Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

Once you accept your offer and pay the initial tuition deposit, your institution issues the CoE. This is what triggers your visa application.

03 Purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

OSHC is mandatory, not optional. Purchase it before submitting your visa application. Your institution may arrange it for you.

04 Create Your ImmiAccount & Apply Online

Applications are made through the Australian Department of Home Affairs using ImmiAccount. Fill in the application, submit all the documents and pay the Australia student visa fees (AUD 2,000).

05 Complete Health Examination (If Required)

Certain nationalities must have a medical test conducted by an authorized panel physician. Do it as soon as possible so as not to delay.

06 Submit Biometrics (If Required)

You might be required to submit biometric data in a specific centre depending on what your nationality is.

07 Wait for a Decision

Processing times vary, and it usually takes 4-6 weeks to process online applications. Track your status via ImmiAccount.

08 Receive Your Visa Grant Notice

Approval is made in the form of an electronic visa grant, physical stamp is not placed. Your visa details are linked to your passport digitally.

Australia Student Visa Documents - Complete Checklist

One missing document can set your application back weeks, here's everything you need.

Identity & Application

Valid passport.
Completed online visa application (ImmiAccount).
Recent passport-size photograph.
Biometric data (if required).

Academic & Admission

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Academic transcripts and certificates.
English language test scores (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL).
Genuine Student (GS).
Statement Statement of Purpose (SOP).

Financial

Bank statements (last 3-6 months).
Education loan sanction letter.
Scholarship letter (if applicable).
Proof of tuition fee payment (if applicable).

Health & Character

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy.
Health examination results (if requested).
Police clearance certificate.

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Common Reasons for Australia Student Visa Rejection

Failing the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, the most common reason
Insufficient proof of financial capacity
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
English language scores below the required threshold
No clear ties to home country
OSHC not purchased before applying
Health or character requirements not met
Gaps in academic history not adequately explained
Prior visa refusals or immigration violations not disclosed

Tips to Get Your Australia Student Visa Approved

Write a strong, specific GS statement, this is your most important document after the CoE
Ensure your finances are clean, sufficient, and well-documented
Purchase OSHC before submitting your application; don't leave it for later
Choose a CRICOS-registered institution and double-check your CoE details
Disclose past visa rejections, hiding results in bans that are permanent
Apply at least 2–3 months before your intake date
Keep your SOP consistent with your GS statement and financial documents
Work with registered Australian student visa consultants (MARA-registered) if your case is complex

Australia Student Visa Fees - Full Breakdown (2026)

Know what you’re paying before you apply, no surprises.

Fee Type	Amount (AUD)
Student Visa Application Fee (Subclass 500)	AUD 2,000
OSHC (approx. per year)	AUD 500 – 800
Police Clearance Certificate	Varies by country
Health Examination (if required)	AUD 300 – 500
Estimated Total (approx.)	AUD 2,800 – 3,300+

Note: All Australian student visa fees are non-refundable. Pay only through the official ImmiAccount portal.

Why choose Nomad Credit for Study Abroad Journey?

Free Counselling
Country Selections
University & Course Shortlisting
SOP, LOR & Documentation
End to End Assistance
Overseas Education Loans

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Columbia Business School

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NYU Stern School of Business

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Stanford Graduate School of Business

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UCLA Anderson School of Management

Ganesh was my case manager at Nomad Credit. He helped me secure 2 student loans, 1 for each year of my MBA at UCLA Anderson. It is not always straight forward for international students to get student loans in the US, but Ganesh walked me through the whole process step by step, making it as stress free as possible. Highly recommended!

Abhishek Pasricha

University of Southern California

Nomad Team helped me get the best possible option for my financing needs. They made sure that I got the most updated and consistent information to make the right decision towards the most important aspect of my studies i.e. money management. They were always there to help me and have a great attitude towards helping others.

Sourav Mehra

UVA Darden School of Business

Working with your team was an incredibly smooth and reassuring experience. A special shoutout to Karan and Deepesh, who truly went above and beyond at every stage and making sure everything was on track despite tight timelines. I’m genuinely grateful to have had such a supportive team by my side, I couldn’t have done it without you!

Shubham Malviya

Kellogg School of Management

Since, I was doing this for the first time, I had a lot of questions. The team very patiently answered all my queries and consistently supported me from filling-up my application to document verification until I had received my loan confirmation. Overall, I really appreciate Nomad’s help in navigating me through my loan application process.

Shakib Shaikh

Aston University

Your unwavering support, particularly in navigating the challenge of securing a loan without collateral, has been truly remarkable. Special thanks to Shweta ma’am. Your service and commitment to helping students like me achieve their dreams have made a profound impact, and for that, I am deeply thankful.

Akanksha Dilip Mhaisne

Kent State University

I’m incredibly grateful to Poonam and the entire Nomad Team for their outstanding support throughout. Their guidance was clear, timely, and tailored to my specific needs. I highly recommend them to anyone pursuing international education. They’re knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely invested in your success.

Jaspreet Kaur

University of Maryland

Thanks Sulekha & Nomad Credit for assisting me throughout. You also helped me boost my confidence personally in the entire process. I am grateful, you were there to resolve my every doubt regarding visa interview questions and any query I had. At the end, thanks once again for helping me achieve F-1 visa for the USA.

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San Jose State University

Your exceptional guidance made my master’s application process smooth and stress-free. You were always available and willing to answer my queries with patience and clarity. I highly recommend Nomad to anyone seeking professional guidance for their higher education journey.

Why choose Nomad Credit for Study Abroad Journey?

Free Counselling

Country Selections

University & Course
Shortlisting

SOP, LOR & Documentation

End to End Assistance

Overseas Education Loans

Frequently Asked Questions

Is overseas education in Australia worth it for international students?

Overseas education in Australia offers a rare combination, world-ranked universities, post-study work rights, and a clear PR pathway. The Subclass 500 visa is straightforward to obtain, and the post-study Subclass 485 visa gives you up to 4-6 years to work and settle. For most international students, it's not just worth it, it's a long-term life decision.

What are the visa requirements to study Bachelors in Australia or Masters?

Whether you're looking to study Masters in Australia or Bachelors, the visa process is identical, a Subclass 500 student visa through ImmiAccount. What differs is the academic entry requirement your university expects. Both pathways lead to post-study work rights via the Subclass 485 visa after graduation.

What is the cost of education in Australia and how does it affect my visa application?

The cost of education in Australia varies between AUD 20,000-50,000 per year for degree programs. Your visa application will need evidence that you will be able to afford tuition fees as well as living expenses, the government estimate cost of living is AUD 29,710 annually. One of the best reasons to fail a visa is lack of financial evidence, and therefore get it right.

Are there scholarships in Australia for Indian students, and do they affect the visa process?

Yes, the options of scholarship in Australia as an Indian student are Australia awards, Destination Australia, and university merit scholarships. Scholarship letter enhances your visa application greatly because it appears to lower the financial load required of you alone. Always include it in your document checklist.

What is the cost of living in Australia for international students?

The cost of living in Australia varies significantly by city. Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive, while Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth offer a more affordable lifestyle without compromising on quality. Here's a quick city-wise breakdown: Sydney / Melbourne - AUD 2,000 - 2,800 Brisbane / Perth - AUD 1,600 - 2,200 Adelaide / Canberra - AUD 1,400 - 1,900

Which are the most affordable universities in Australia for international students?

Affordable universities in Australia include the University of Southern Queensland, Charles Sturt University, Federation University, and CQUniversity. These institutions are CRICOS-registered and eligible for the Subclass 500 student visa. Choosing a university with lower tuition fees can also make the visa process easier, as the financial proof required for your application may be more manageable for students working with a tighter budget.

What are common Australia student visa interview questions?

Not all applicants are called for an interview, but officers may ask about why you chose to study in Australia, your selected course and university, how you will fund your studies, and your career plans after graduation. Your answers should be clear, honest, and consistent with your visa application and GS statement.