Australia Student Visa

I want to come to Australia to

• study full time
•  accompany a student as their guardian
• complete workplace-based or professional development training

How long you can stay?

This is a temporary visa to study up to 5 years. The type of course and its length will determine the length of stay.
Primary school children enrolled in years 1-4 will generally only be granted a student visa for a maximum period of 3 years.

Cost

The visa costs from AUD630 for the main applicant, unless they are exempt.

There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa.

Students who were unable to complete their course within their original student visa validity due to COVID-19 and need to apply for a further student visa to complete their study may be eligible for a fee-waiver. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.

To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the other costs.

Processing times

• Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector
  • 75% of applications in 5 months
  • 90% of applications in 9 months
• Postgraduate Research Sector
  • 75% of applications in 4 months
  • 90% of applications in 10 months
• Non-Award Sector
  • 75% of applications in 3 months
  • 90% of applications in 8 months
• Schools Sector
  • 75% of applications in 7 months
  • 90% of applications in 9 months
• Independent ELICOS Sector
  • 75% of applications in 5 months
  • 90% of applications in 7 months
• Vocational Education and Training Sector
  • 75% of applications in 4 months
  • 90% of applications in 6 months
• Higher Education Sector
  • 75% of applications in 3 months
  • 90% of applications in 5 months

Your application can take longer to process if:

• you do not fill it in correctly
• you do not include all the documents we need or we need more information from you
• it takes us time to verify your information

Processing times vary.

With this visa you can

• participate in an eligible course of study
• bring family members to Australia with you
• apply online in or outside Australia

Check your Eligibility:

• Be a certain age (school student)
• Be enrolled in a course of study and provide evidence
• Meet English language requirements
• Have adequate health insurance
• Have this visa if applying while in Australia
• Have enough money for your stay
• Be a genuine temporary entrant
• Meet Australia character requirement
• Meet Australia health requirement
• Sign the Australian values statement
• Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
• Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refusedBest interests of the child

Processing Times

• Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector
  • 75% of applications in 5 months
  • 90% of applications in 9 months
• Postgraduate Research Sector
  • 75% of applications in 4 months
  • 90% of applications in 10 months
• Non-Award Sector
  • 75% of applications in 3 months
  • 90% of applications in 8 months
• Schools Sector
  • 75% of applications in 7 months
  • 90% of applications in 9 months
• Independent ELICOS Sector
  • 75% of applications in 5 months
  • 90% of applications in 7 months
• Vocational Education and Training Sector
  • 75% of applications in 4 months
  • 90% of applications in 6 months
• Higher Education Sector
  • 75% of applications in 3 months
  • 90% of applications in 5 months

Your application can take longer to process if:

• you do not fill it in correctly
• you do not include all the documents we need or we need more information from you
• it takes us time to verify your information

Note:

A substantive visa ceases to be in effect if another substantive visa is granted
Applications are received Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) (or Australian Eastern daylight standard time (AEDST) when applicable)

COVID-19 and visas

In July 2020, the Australian Government announced updates to the student visa program. To gain entry to an Australian university and finish your studies onshore in future, you’ll need to have a visa before you start studying (including studying remotely or via online methods).

The Department of Home Affairs website also has up-to-date information on Australia’s borders and the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep this hyperlink handy and check back regularly for updates to border announcements.