If you’re brand new to this, start here. This article explains every requirement—what it is, why it matters, and what evidence you need—so you can tick every box with confidence.
Australia remains a highly sought-after destination for Indian students, and for good reason. It offers a world-class education system, vibrant multicultural cities, and a diverse range of courses registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). The country’s strong economy and post-study work opportunities also make it an attractive option for those looking to build an international career.
Understanding the visa requirements is the most crucial step in this journey. A single error or missing document can lead to a visa rejection, delaying your plans and incurring significant costs. This guide will walk you through the entire process, including the latest 2025 updates you need to know.
Types of Student Visas in Australia
The primary visa for most international students, including those from India, is the Student Visa (Subclass 500). This visa allows you to stay and study in Australia in a full-time course. There are also other related visa subclasses for specific circumstances:
- Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590): For individuals who need to stay in Australia to provide care for a student who is under 18 years of age.
- Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): While not a student visa itself, this is the most common post-study work visa pathway that allows international students to stay and work in Australia for a period after completing their studies. Note that as of 2025, the maximum age limit for this visa has been revised to 35 years.
What is the Student visa (subclass 500)?
The subclass 500 is the visa that lets international students study full-time at an Australian education provider. You apply online via ImmiAccount, and the Department of Home Affairs assesses your eligibility and evidence. As settings do change, always cross-check the official visa page before you lodge.
Quick facts (2025):
- Application channel: online via ImmiAccount.
- Primary applicant fee: from AUD 2,000 (additional charges apply for family members).
- Typical conditions: maintain enrolment and course progress (condition 8202), keep OSHC (condition 8501), limit work to 48 hours per fortnight in term (condition 8105), notify address changes (condition 8533).
Who needs it?
You need a subclass 500 if you plan to study a CRICOS-registered course full-time for more than 3 months.
Core eligibility requirements
3.1 Genuine Student (GS) requirement
What it is: From 23 March 2024, the GS requirement replaced GTE for student visas. In the online form, you answer focused questions (max ~150 words each) about your current circumstances, your reasons for choosing the course/provider in Australia, and how the course benefits you—supported by evidence.
Why it matters: GS helps decision-makers confirm you’re genuinely coming to Australia to study and that you understand and will comply with visa conditions. The policy guidance is set under Ministerial Direction 106.
What evidence to attach:
- Academic history: marksheets/transcripts, certificates.
- Employment letters/contracts, experience certificates (if applicable).
- Offer/CoE, course research, any skills gap analysis.
- Ties to home country (e.g., immediate family, property/tenancy, ongoing employment).
- Any other objective documents that back your statements.
Tip: Treat GS like concise, evidence-anchored short answers—not a lengthy SOP. Every claim you make should be verifiable.
3.2 CRICOS enrolment + Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
What it is: You must be accepted into a CRICOS-registered course and hold a valid CoE for each course you intend to study (including packaged courses) before you apply.
Why it matters: CRICOS is the national register of providers/courses approved to teach international students. If your course isn’t on CRICOS, it’s not eligible for a student visa.
What to attach:
- CoE with start/end dates and provider details for every CRICOS course.
- For packaged pathways, all CoEs (e.g., ELICOS → Foundation → Bachelor).
3.3 English language requirement
Minimum scores (policy uplift): Australia’s Migration Strategy raised the Student visa English requirement (no ELICOS) to roughly IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent); Foundation/Pathway programs to IELTS 5.5; and ELICOS-packaged entry to IELTS 5.0. Providers may require higher entry scores. Always check your course’s conditions.
Accepted test types (2025): For tests taken on or after 7 Aug 2025, Home Affairs accepts scores from IELTS (Academic/General with OSR), PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, OET, plus newly recognised tests (CELPIP General, LanguageCert Academic, MET) when taken at a secure test centre. Remote/at-home versions are not accepted. For tests taken on/before 6 Aug 2025, earlier test lists continue to be valid up to 6 Aug 2028, depending on visa rules.
What to attach:
- The official Test Report (TRF/score report) is within the validity window for subclass 500 at the time of lodgement/decision.
- If claiming exemption (e.g., certain passport holders, prior study in English), attach evidence per the visa page.
| Visa situation | Typical minimum (overall) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Student visa (no ELICOS) | IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent PTE/TOEFL/C1 Advanced etc.) | Providers may require higher bands and/or sub-scores. |
| Packaged with ELICOS | IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) | For direct entry into ELICOS before your main course. |
| Foundation/Pathway programs | IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) | Check exact provider bands and progression rules. |
3.4 Financial capacity
Demonstrating that you have sufficient funds is one of the most important parts of the visa application.
- Proof of Funds: From 10 May 2024, the minimum living-cost funds were increased and indexed to 75% of the national minimum wage. You must show you have enough money to cover your tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses for the duration of your stay with at least 12 months’ funds in your account, which is a minimum of AUD 29,710 for the primary applicant. Or else provide official tax assessments showing AUD 87,856 (single) or AUD 102,500 (with family). Income can be from your parents or spouse (combined if both parents), as long as it’s evidenced by a government tax assessment within the required timeframe.
Indicative minimums used by practitioners:
- Primary student living costs: AUD 29,710 / year
- Partner (spouse/de facto): AUD 10,394 / year
- Each dependent child: AUD 4,449 / year
- Schooling for each school-aged child: AUD 13,502 / year
- Annual income alternative: AUD 87,856 (no family) or AUD 102,500 (with family) via official tax assessment(s) from a government authority.
Who can provide funds: You, your parents, or your spouse/de facto. Evidence may include bank deposits, a sanctioned education loan, scholarships/official sponsorships, or tax assessments for the income route (not employer letters).
Accepted Financial Documents:
- Recent bank statements (generally for the last 3-6 months) or term deposits (with source of funds and explanation of any large recent deposits)
- A sanctioned education loan letter from a recognized bank or financial institution (amount, terms, disbursement).
- Scholarship/sponsorship letters and income proof from a parent or other family member(amount and coverage).
- Government tax assessments for the income route (issued within the required timeframe).
- Fixed deposit receipts.
Practical tips:
- Prefer transparent banking with 6–3 months of history; avoid unexplained lump-sum deposits.
- If using an education loan, upload the sanction letter, terms, and disbursement schedule.
- Scholarships or government sponsorships count—attach official letters with amounts and coverage.
- Convert INR to AUD only where requested; otherwise, show funds in the original currency with clear totals.
3.5 Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
What it is: You must maintain OSHC for yourself and any accompanying family for the entire visa period. It helps cover hospital/medical care, prescription medicines and emergency ambulance.
What to attach:
- OSHC policy certificate (policy number, start/end dates) covering all applicants for the full stay. If your provider arranged OSHC, include the insurer name and dates.
3.6 Health requirement
What it is: Depending on stay length, country of residence, and activities, you may need a medical exam conducted by an Australian government-approved panel physician. You’ll receive a HAP ID with instructions.
What to attach:
- eMedical results (auto-linked) or upload proof as directed; keep your HAP letter handy.
- Any follow-up reports requested by the panel clinic.
3.7 Character requirement
What it is: All applicants must satisfy the character test. You may need to provide police clearance certificates from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
What to attach:
- Police certificates per country as instructed (with translations if not in English).
- Form 80/1221 if requested, and any court records, if relevant.
3.8 Biometrics
What it is: Some applicants are asked to give biometrics (fingerprints + photo) after lodging. You’ll get a letter directing you to an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre in your region. Not all countries collect biometrics; you will be told if it’s required for you.
What to attach:
- The biometrics collection receipt if asked to provide it.
3.9 Students under 18 (welfare & guardianship)
If you are under 18, you must have adequate welfare arrangements in Australia—either living with a parent/guardian or with provider-approved accommodation. Providers issue a CAAW (Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare) when they take responsibility.
What to attach:
- CAAW letter, accommodation details, Form 1229 (if applicable), and any custody evidence.
Document checklist (what to upload in ImmiAccount)
Use the Document Checklist Tool to generate an itemised list based on your passport country and provider. Typical items include:
- Valid Passport
- CoE(s) for all CRICOS courses (include packaged pathways).
- GS evidence: academics, employment, course research, ties, plans.
- English test report (accepted test/within validity).
- Financials: bank statements, education loan letter, scholarship, or tax assessments (income route).
- OSHC policy covering the full stay for all applicants.
- Health/character: HAP/medical results, police certificates (if requested).
- Under 18: CAAW and welfare documents (if applicable).
Common reasons for refusal & how to avoid them
- Weak GS answers (generic, unsubstantiated). Keep answers concise and attach directly supporting evidence.
- Insufficient funds or funds not genuinely available. Use clear statements/loan letters, consistent histories, and explain sources.
- Course not on CRICOS or missing CoE(s). Verify CRICOS and upload all CoEs (including packaged courses).
- Out-of-date English test or non-accepted test type (e.g., at-home versions). Check accepted tests and validity before you book.
- No OSHC covering the entire stay (including family). Purchase the correct duration.
Summary
To qualify for an Australia Student visa (subclass 500) in 2025 you must: be assessed as a Genuine Student (GS) (which replaced GTE for applications lodged on/after 23 March 2024), hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for a CRICOS-registered full-time course, meet the English language threshold using an approved test, show financial capacity (updated from 10 May 2024), purchase OSHC health insurance, and satisfy health, character and (if requested) biometrics checks. Visa conditions include work limits of 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. Fees now start from AUD 2,000 for the primary applicant. Always verify details on the official Home Affairs site before you apply.
Ready to apply? Check out “Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500): Step-by-Step Process Guide for 2025” for timelines, forms, fees, and pro-tips.
Conclusion
Getting an Australian Student visa in 2025 is completely achievable if you know the rules and organise your evidence. Think of the process as three pillars:
- Eligibility (GS, CRICOS CoE, English),
- Capacity (financials, OSHC), and
- Compliance (health, character, conditions).
If you can prove each pillar with clear documents—and avoid common pitfalls like vague GS answers or non-accepted English tests—you’ll make a strong application the first time. Bookmark the official Home Affairs pages and the Document Checklist Tool, and you’ll stay aligned with the latest settings right up to lodgement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while studying?
Yes, but there’s a cap of 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. During official course breaks, you can usually work unlimited hours. Your work must never harm your course progress/attendance.
Do I need a CoE before lodging?
Yes. You must hold a valid CoE for each CRICOS course when you apply (including packaged courses).
Which English tests are accepted in 2025?
For tests taken on or after 7 Aug 2025, the accepted list includes IELTS (Academic/General with OSR), PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, OET, CELPIP General, LanguageCert Academic, MET—not remote/at-home versions. Earlier tests remain valid for a limited window if taken on/before 6 Aug 2025.
How much money must I show?
At a minimum, budget for 12 months of tuition + living costs (AUD 29,710 for you) and any dependants/schooling, or meet the personal annual income alternative (AUD 87,856 / 102,500). Check updates before you apply.
What are the fees?
The primary applicant charge is from AUD 2,000 (additional charges apply for family members). Confirm the latest fee in the official calculator at the time you lodge.
