Student Visa

student-visa

There are various visas that you can apply for depending on your plans in Australia.

Student visa (subclass 500)

If you intend to study in Australia, you will need to apply for the Student visa (subclass 500).

You can apply for the following types of study on this visa:

  • English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
  • school – primary or secondary
  • secondary school exchange program
  • vocational Education and Training (VET) courses –a registered VET course or a registered course for the award of an advanced diploma
  • higher education courses –a bachelor or associate degree, a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, a masters degree by coursework or a higher education diploma or advanced diploma
  • postgraduate Research degrees –a masters degree by research or a doctoral degree
  • non-award courses – non-award foundation studies courses or components of a course that do not lead to an award
  • students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs or Trade or the Department of Defence.

You may be able to package your courses if you would like to study more than one course. This is known as course packaging.

Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)

If you plan to come to Australia to provide care to a student under 18 years, you can apply for the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590).

Training and Research visa (subclass 402)

For training and research opportunities which allow you to take part in structured workplace-based training, you may be eligible for the Training and Research visa (subclass 402).

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

If you have finished your studies and wish to work in Australia temporarily, you may be eligible for the post-study work visa, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

Visiting and studying

If you would like to come to Australia for a visit and short-term study, you may be eligible for a visitor visa. To learn more about this option, see our information on Visiting Australia.

Post study work arrangements

If you have finished your studies and wish to work in Australia temporarily, please see Post-study work arrangements or our Working visas.

More information for students

In some cases you can apply for family members to join you in Australia.

As a student, it is important to check what you can bring into Australia before you enter. Please ensure you visit our Can I bring it back? guide before you decide to bring anything to Australia.

If you are an education provider and wish to know more, see information for education providers.

There is more information for students available.