Are you going to apply for an Australia Student Visa? Well, getting a Student visa is an essential part of studying in Australia. Every year, several candidates apply for student visas, but they all do not get them due to a lack of knowledge or following incorrect procedures. As per the latest data, the Australia student visa success rate is approximately 85.1%—86.7%.
So, in this guide, let’s get to know the nuances of a student visa Australia.
For every student who wants to study abroad, Australia must be a preferable choice because of –
It is a hub of 42 universities with 37 public, 3 private, and 2 private international universities.
Out of 42, 38 universities secured a ranking in the QS World University Ranking 2024.
It provides more than 1000 scholarships with an AUD 20,000 scholarship amount.
The country offers international students a post-study work permit of 4 years.
Getting an Australia Student Visa is a quick and easy process.
Internationals can get Australian PR after satisfying the eligibility.
Majorly, there are 3 types of Australia Student Visa –
Student visa (subclass 500)
Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)
Training visa (subclass 407)
Getting a student visa (Subclass 500) is permitted to:
Enrol in the course you are interested in after satisfying your eligibility.
Bring your family to Australia.
Journey to and from the nation.
Throughout the course, work up to 20 hours every week.
Below, you can check the validity of the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500).
Course Duration |
Australia Student Visa Validity |
Longer than 10 months and ending in November/ December |
For Example, your course ends in December 2024, and your visa will be valid until March 15, 2025. |
Longer than 10 months but finishes between Jan and Oct |
Your visa would be valid for two months longer than the duration of your course. E.g., if the course ends in Feb 2025, your student visa will be valid until April 2025. |
10 months or less |
Your visa will be valid for one month longer than the duration of your course. |
Australian universities open their doors to international students through 3 intakes – February, July, and November. Still, most of the students apply for February and July intakes in Australia, as these 2 are called major intakes. Every year, almost all universities in Australia accept applications from around the world through these July and February intakes.
Below, you can check the details of intakes in Australia.
Intake 1: February Intake in Australia – This is a major intake starting in February.
Intake 2: July Intake in Australia – This is also considered a major intake that begins in July month.
Intake 3: November Intake in Australia – This is a minor intake.
You can check the deadline for higher study courses in Australia in the table.
Higher Study Options |
Duration |
Intake Months |
Deadline to Apply |
Bachelor |
3-4 Years |
Feb, July (Major) & Nov (Minor) |
4-6 months before the intake month |
Master (MS/MBA) |
1.5-2 Years |
Feb, July (Major) & Nov (Minor) |
There are various benefits of studying in Australia. Some top reasons are given below.
World-Class Education System - Australia is home to some of the world's top universities renowned for their academic excellence and innovative teaching methods. Studying in Australia gives students access to high-quality education and cutting-edge research facilities.
Scholarships Available for International Students - Australian universities offer a wide range of scholarships for international students. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden so that you can study in Australia more easily and affordably.
Post-Study Work Visa Opportunities - Australia offers generous post-study work visa options for international students, allowing them to gain valuable work experience in their field of study after completing their degree. This provides an excellent opportunity to kick-start their career and potentially transition to permanent residency in Australia.
Best Student-Friendly Cities - Australian cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide are known for their student-friendly atmosphere, vibrant culture, and high quality of life. These cities offer students various accommodation options, recreational activities, and employment opportunities.
Diverse and Vibrant Student Life - Australian universities foster a vibrant life with numerous clubs and events catering to various interests and hobbies. From sports clubs to cultural organisations, students have plenty of opportunities to socialise, network, and pursue their passions outside of academics.
Easy and Affordable Cost of Living - Despite being a developed country, Australia offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other popular study destinations like the US and UK. Additionally, part-time job opportunities are available for international students to supplement their income and cover living expenses.
No Language Barrier - English Language is the primary language in Australian universities, eliminating language barriers for international students. This ensures a smooth transition into academic life and facilitates effective communication with professors, peers, and locals. Moreover, international students have access to English language support services to enhance their language skills if needed.
These are just a few reasons why you should study in Australia. You will also get several other benefits if you choose to apply for an Australian student visa. Some other advantages are given below.
Higher Study Options |
Part-time work duration allowed |
Post-study work permit |
Can departments work full-time? |
Is schooling free for department children |
PR option available for post-study and work |
Bachelor |
20 Hours per week |
4 Years |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Master (MS/MBA) |
20 Hours per week |
5 Years |
Yes |
Yes |
Australia is a hub of top-ranking universities. According to the QS Ranking 2024, 9 universities in Australia secure positions under the top 100 globally. Below, you can check the list of universities in Australia for which international students can apply.
Australia rank |
University |
World Rank |
1 |
34 |
|
2 |
14 |
|
3 |
19 |
|
4 |
19 |
|
5 |
43 |
|
6 |
42 |
|
7 |
72 |
|
8 |
89 |
|
9 |
90 |
|
10 |
162 |
|
11 |
140 |
|
12 |
173 |
|
13 |
183 |
|
14 |
130 |
|
15 |
189 |
|
16 |
233 |
|
17 |
307 |
|
18 |
285 |
|
19 |
243 |
|
20 |
242 |
|
21 |
326 |
|
22 |
380 |
|
23 |
415 |
|
24 |
567 |
|
25 |
375 |
|
25 |
421 |
|
25 |
431 |
|
28 |
529 |
|
29 |
University of Southern Queensland |
410 |
29 |
590 |
|
31 |
711-720 |
|
31 |
651-660 |
|
31 |
601-610 |
|
34 |
801-850 |
|
34 |
951-1000 |
|
34 |
801-850 |
|
37 |
1001-1200 |
|
38 |
1401+ |
Below, you can check the top courses for all universities. These courses provide various opportunities worldwide.
Universities |
Programs |
Australian National University |
Bachelor, Master, MBA, BTech |
Monash University |
Bachelor, Btech, Master, MBA |
University of Adelaide |
Bachelor, Btech, Master |
University of Melbourne |
Bachelor, Btech, Master |
University of New South Wales |
Bachelor, Btech, Master |
University of Queensland |
Bachelor, Master, MBA |
University of Sydney |
Bachelor, Btech, Master |
University of Technology Sydney |
Master, MBA |
University of Western Australia |
Bachelor, Btech, Master, MBA |
University of Wollongong |
Master, MBA |
Australian Graduate School of Management |
MBA |
RMIT University |
Btech |
Macquarie University |
MBA |
Melbourne Business School |
MBA |
University of South Australia |
MBA |
Australia provides a number of scholarships for Indian students. Candidates can apply for these scholarships to manage their expenses in Australia. These scholarships may cover your tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses.
Scholarship Name |
Amount (per year) |
Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship |
40,109 AUD |
BrokerFish International student scholarship |
1,000 AUD |
The University of Sydney International Scholarship |
40,000 AUD |
CQU International Student Scholarship |
15,000 AUD |
CDU Vice-Chancellor’s International High Achievers Scholarships |
15,000 AUD |
Macquarie Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships |
10,000 AUD |
Griffith Remarkable Scholarship |
22,750 AUD |
Candidates pursuing higher education in Australia must fulfil the basic requirements to study at top universities. Check eligibility for studying in Australia for bachelor’s and master’s courses.
Higher Study Options |
Minimum Educational Requirement |
Minimum Required Percentage |
IELTS/PTE/TOEFL Score |
Backlogs Information |
Other Standardized Tests |
Bachelor |
12 Years of Education (10+2) |
60% |
Overall, 6.5 with 5.5 in each band |
Up to 10 backlogs (some private hospital universities may accept more) |
NA |
Master (MS/MBA) |
3/4 Years of Graduate Degree |
65% |
6.5 with no band less than 6 |
Here are some other Australia Student Visa Requirements that you must fulfil to apply for it.
Proof of English Proficiency
Letter of Offer
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement
Proof of Funds
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Health Requirement
Character Requirement
Once you receive an offer letter from universities in Australia, you must apply for a study visa. Check the step-by-step Australia Student Visa Process to get a study visa.
Step 1 – Check the Australia Student Visa Requirements.
Step 2 – Collect all documents required to apply for the visa.
Step 3 – Now, start applying for a visa from the official embassy website.
Step 4 – Wait for the response; if you receive it, book the flight ticket to Australia.
To apply for an Australia student visa, you must pay some amount, which you can check below.
Visa subclass |
Base application charge |
Additional applicant charge |
Additional applicant charges under 18 |
Subsequent temporary application charge |
Student visa (subclass 500) |
AUD650 |
AUD485 |
AUD160 |
AUD700 |
Student visa (subclass 500) (subsequent entrant) |
AUD650 |
AUD485 |
AUD160 |
AUD700 |
Student visa (Subclass 500) - Foreign Affairs or Defence sector |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
Student visa (subclass 500) – Postgraduate research sector |
AUD650 |
nil |
nil |
nil |
Student Guardian (subclass 590) |
AUD650 |
nil |
nil |
AUD700 |
Studying in Australia includes a student visa, tuition, living expenses, and additional charges. The table below provides an overview of Australian living expenses for students.
Higher Study Options |
Average Tuition Fee per Year |
Visa Fee |
Living Expenses for 1 Year/ Proof of funds for 1 year |
Bachelor |
22,000 AUD and Above |
710 AUD |
24,505 AUD |
Master (MS/MBA) |
An Australian student visa typically takes 4 weeks to process. The visa can be applied for 124 days before the start of the course, and you can enter the nation 90 days before the start of the course.
The country provides post-study work permits in Australia. However, the duration may differ depending on your course. Check the table below to know the duration of a post-study work permit in Australia.
Degrees |
No. of years |
Bachelor’s degrees |
4 years |
Master’s degrees |
5 years |
All doctoral qualifications |
6 years |
Meridean Overseas Education Consultants provides counselling to make your dream come true. Our counsellors will help you select the best universities and courses. They will also guide you on getting the student visa and provide you with English courses for the IELTS TOEFL exams so that you can get good band scores and increase your chances of getting into top universities in Australia.
Question: What is an Australian student visa, and who needs to apply for one?
Answer: An Australian student visa allows individuals from overseas to study full-time at universities in Australia. Anyone planning to undertake a course of study in Australia that lasts longer than 3 months must apply for a student visa.
Question: What are the eligibility criteria for obtaining an Australian student visa?
Answer: Eligibility criteria include having a confirmed offer of enrollment in a registered course, sufficient financial resources to cover tuition fees, living expenses, proficiency in English, and meeting health and character requirements.
Question: How do I apply for an Australian student visa, and what documents do I need to submit?
Answer: You can apply for an Australia student visa online through the Ministry of Home Affairs website (MHA). Required documents typically include a valid passport, confirmation of enrollment, proof of financial capacity, health insurance, and a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement.
Question: How long does it take to process an Australian student visa application?
Answer: Australia Student Visa Processing Time may vary depending on the visa type, the application's completeness, and the applicant's nationality. Generally, student visa applications are processed within one to four months.
Question: Can I work while studying in Australia on a student visa, and are there any restrictions?
Answer: Yes, international students on a study visa are allowed to work part-time during their academic year and full-time during scheduled breaks. However, there are restrictions on the number of hours they can work per week.
Question: Can I include family members in my Australian student visa application?
Answer: Yes, eligible family members such as spouses and children can be included in your student visa application. They will need to meet certain criteria and provide supporting documentation.
Question: What are the financial requirements for obtaining an Australian student visa?
Answer: Applicants must have enough funds to cover tuition cost, living expenses, and travel costs for the duration of their stay in Australia. The specific amount required varies depending on individual circumstances and the length of the course.
Question: Is health insurance mandatory for international students studying in Australia?
Answer: Yes, all international students in Australia must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for their stay. This helps cover the costs of medical and hospital care while studying in Australia.
Question: Can I extend my Australian student visa if my course duration exceeds the initial visa validity period?
Answer: Yes, you have the option to apply to extend your study visa if you need additional time to complete your studies. However, you must meet specific criteria and apply before your current visa expires.
Question: What are the conditions attached to an Australian student visa, and what happens if I breach them?
Answer: Conditions may include maintaining full-time enrollment, satisfactory academic progress, and adhering to work limitations. Breaching visa conditions can result in visa cancellation, deportation, and future visa refusals.
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