Student and Graduate Visa
Student and graduate visas provide pathways for international students to study in Australia, receive family support where needed, and remain temporarily in Australia after graduation to gain work experience.
1. Student Visa Subclass 500
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) allows international students to study full-time in Australia at an approved education institution. This visa enables students to undertake courses at schools, vocational education providers, universities, and English language institutions across Australia.
Australia is one of the world’s most popular study destinations, offering high-quality education, globally recognised qualifications, and strong career opportunities. The Student Visa provides international students with the opportunity to gain academic qualifications while experiencing life in Australia.
The visa is usually granted for the duration of the enrolled course, with a maximum stay period of up to six years, depending on the type and length of study.
What You Can Do with a Student Visa
• Enrol in a full-time course of study in Australia
• Travel in and out of Australia while the visa remains valid
• Work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods
• Work unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks
• Include eligible family members such as a partner or dependent children in the visa application
• Students enrolled in Master by Research or Doctoral programs generally have unrestricted work rights during their studies
Key Requirements for Student Visa
To be eligible for a Student Visa, applicants must meet several key requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.
• Enrolment in an Eligible Course: Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and must obtain a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from an Australian education provider.
• Genuine Student Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate that they are a genuine student, meaning that their primary purpose for coming to Australia is to study. Immigration authorities may consider the applicant’s study plan, previous education, and future career intentions.
• English Language Requirement: Most students are required to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency through approved tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, and Cambridge English. The required scores may vary depending on the course and education provider.
• Financial Capacity: Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay in Australia. This includes the ability to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs. The Australian Government sets minimum financial requirements for student visa applicants.
• Health Insurance: Student visa holders must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of their stay in Australia, unless they qualify for an exemption.
• Health and Character Requirements: Applicants must meet Australia’s health and character requirements, which may include medical examinations and police clearances.
Student Visa Conditions
Student visa holders must comply with specific visa conditions during their stay in Australia. Common conditions include:
• Maintaining enrolment in a registered full-time course
• Maintaining Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Complying with work limitations during study periods
• Maintaining satisfactory course progress and attendance
Failure to comply with visa conditions may result in visa cancellation.
Family Members
Student visa applicants may include certain family members in their application, including a spouse or de facto partner or dependent children. Family members must also meet health and character requirements when applying for the visa.
2. Guardian Visa Subclass 590
The Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) allows a parent, custodian, or eligible relative to travel to Australia to provide care and support for an international student who holds a Student Visa (Subclass 500).
This visa is commonly used when the student is under 18 years of age, although in certain circumstances it may also apply to students over 18 who require additional care and support.
The Student Guardian visa is a temporary visa, and the duration of stay is generally determined based on the length of the student’s visa or until the student turns 18 years old.
What You Can Do with a Student Guardian Visa
With a valid Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590), you may travel to Australia to provide care and support for an international student, stay in Australia for the duration of the student’s visa (or until the student turns 18), travel in and out of Australia while the visa remains valid, study an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) for less than 20 hours per week, or undertake other short courses for up to 3 months.
However, Student Guardian visa holders are not permitted to work in Australia.
Key Eligibility Requirements
• Eligible Guardian: The applicant must be the parent of the student visa holder, or a custodian, or an eligible relative aged 21 or older nominated by the student’s parent or legal guardian. Eligible relatives may include grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, or other specified family members.
• Providing Care and Welfare: The guardian must be able to provide appropriate accommodation, general welfare, and support to the student during their stay in Australia. The purpose of this visa is to ensure that younger international students have responsible adult supervision while studying in Australia.
• Financial Capacity: Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves, the student, and any accompanying family members during their stay in Australia. Financial evidence may include bank savings, loans from financial institutions, scholarships, or sponsorship support.
• Health Insurance: Student Guardian visa holders must maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay in Australia. This insurance helps cover medical expenses while living in Australia.
• Genuine Temporary Entrant Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate that they intend to stay in Australia temporarily and will comply with the conditions of the visa. Immigration authorities may consider the applicant’s personal circumstances, immigration history, and ties to their home country when assessing this requirement.
• Visa Conditions: Student Guardian visa holders must comply with several visa conditions while in Australia. Common obligations include providing appropriate care and support to the student, maintaining adequate health insurance, complying with Australian laws and visa conditions, and ensuring appropriate welfare arrangements if leaving Australia temporarily. Guardians are generally expected to remain in Australia with the student unless alternative welfare arrangements are approved.
Family Members
In limited circumstances, family members may be included in the visa application. However, special rules apply for children, particularly those under six years of age. Applicants must ensure that appropriate welfare arrangements are made for any dependent children who are not travelling to Australia.
Applicants are encouraged to lodge their visa application well before the student’s course commencement date.
3. Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international students who have recently completed their studies in Australia to remain in the country temporarily to live, work, and gain practical experience.
This visa provides graduates with an opportunity to develop their professional skills and gain Australian work experience after completing their studies.
The visa is designed for students who have completed a qualification from an Australian CRICOS-registered education provider and who held a Student Visa within the last six months before applying.
What You Can Do with a Temporary Graduate Visa
With a valid Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), you may live in Australia temporarily after completing your studies, work in Australia without restriction, study further if you wish, travel in and out of Australia while the visa remains valid, or include eligible family members in your visa application.
This visa provides graduates with an opportunity to build professional experience that may assist with future skilled migration pathways.
Streams of the Temporary Graduate Visa
There are two main streams under the Temporary Graduate visa.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This stream is designed for graduates who have completed degree-level qualifications in Australia.
• Eligible qualifications include bachelor’s degree, bachelor honours degree, master’s degree (coursework, extended or research), and doctoral degree (PhD)
• The length of stay depends on the qualification completed:
• Bachelor degree – usually 2 years
• Master’s degree – 2 to 3 years
• Doctoral degree – 3 years
• For Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, the duration could be up to 5 years
• Indian passport holders may have varied durations due to the Australia India – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA)
• Graduates can work in any occupation and do not need a nominated occupation or skills assessment
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
This stream is designed for students who have completed vocational education and training (VET) qualifications, such as diplomas or trade qualifications.
• The qualification must be relevant to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List)
• Applicants must nominate an occupation related to their qualification
• Applicants must obtain or apply for a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
• Successful applicants may stay in Australia for up to 18 months
Other Key Eligibility Requirements
• Age Requirement: Applicants must generally be 35 years of age or younger at the time of application. Certain exceptions may apply for research degree graduates or specific passport holders.
• Australian Study Requirement: Applicants must have completed a CRICOS-registered course in Australia that meets the Australian study requirement. The qualification must have been completed within six months before the visa application.
• Current or Recent Student: Visa applicants must hold an eligible visa in Australia when applying and have held a Student Visa within the last six months.
• English Language Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate a sufficient level of English language ability through approved tests such as IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. Minimum score requirements depend on the specific test accepted by the Department of Home Affairs.
• Health and Character Requirements: Applicants must meet Australia’s health and character requirements, including undergoing medical examinations if required, providing police clearance certificates, and applying for an Australian Federal Police check when lodging the visa application.
Family Members
Applicants can include eligible family members in their visa application, including partners and dependent children. Family members must also meet Australia’s health and character requirements. Family members may also apply later as subsequent entrants if they were not included in the original visa application.