Brief of 500 Visa:

• participate in an eligible course of study in Australia
• travel in and out of Australia
• work up to 48 hours a fortnight when your course of study or training is in session.

Types of 500 Visa:

• higher education
• Vocational and Education Training (VET)
• pathway courses
• English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
• primary and secondary school
• secondary school exchange programs
• postgraduate research
• non-award courses (such as Study Abroad and Exchange semesters), and
• international students sponsored by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) or Defence.

‘Course packaging’ on a 500 visa:

You can apply to study two or more courses on your Student visa (subclass 500) where there is clear progression from one course to another. This is known as course packaging.

To apply for the visa:

• you can apply online in or outside Australia
• you must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), or fall in one of the exemption categories
• you must be 6 years or older
• you must prove you have a welfare arrangement, if you are under 18
• you might need to provide evidence of your English language skills at the time you submit your visa application
• you must have enough money to pay for your stay in Australia

Student visa conditions:

• work restriction- the number of work hours allowed during study terms and semesters is capped at 48 hours per fortnight.
• notify your education or training provider of your residential address within 7 days of arriving in Australia
• meet your course requirements, remain enrolled and maintain satisfactory attendance and course progression – tell your provider if you are sick or have any other issues that may affect your attendance
• maintain adequate health insurance for visa holders for the whole of your stay in Australia, and 
• not over-stay your visa period in Australia.

Changes to onshore applications:

• From 1 July 2024, holders of certain visas, including Visitor, Temporary Graduate, and Maritime Crew visas, can no longer apply for Student visas while in Australia.

• Student visa applicants with a genuine intention to pursue studies in Australia will still be able to apply for a Student visa from offshore (outside of Australia).