Student Visa Australia 2026: Requirements, Costs & How to Apply

Genuine Student requirement — From 2024, the old GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) was replaced with the Genuine Student test. You must demonstrate that you are a genuine student and that studying in Australia is the primary purpose of your visit.

English language — Minimum IELTS 5.5 overall (or equivalent) for most courses. Some universities require 6.0-6.5. Pathway courses accept lower scores.

Financial capacity — You need to show you can afford: - Tuition fees for the first year - Living costs: $24,505 per year (2026 rate) - Return airfare - School costs for dependent children

Health insurance — Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay. Costs around $500-600 per year.

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) — You must be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course before applying.

Student visa holders can work 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. This is enough for part-time work to supplement your living costs.

Your partner (if included on the visa) gets the same work rights if you're studying a Master's or PhD. For lower-level courses, partner work rights may be more limited.

Many students use the student visa as a stepping stone:

1. Complete an eligible course (2+ years)
2. Apply for Post-Study Work visa (subclass 485) — 2-6 years depending on qualification
3. Gain Australian work experience
4. Apply for skilled visa (189/190/491) with bonus points for Australian study + experience

Choosing the right course is critical — study in an occupation on the skilled list and you'll have a much smoother path to PR. A migration agent can help you plan the full journey from student to permanent resident.