Australian Student Visa: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re planning to study in Australia, you’ll need a student visa. Here’s a simple guide on the key details:
1. Cost
The cost of an Australian student visa (subclass 500) is around AUD 710. This price may vary slightly depending on your specific situation, so it’s always good to check the official government website for the latest information.
2. Processing Time
Processing times for the student visa can vary. Typically, it takes between 1 to 4 months to process, depending on the completeness of your application, your nationality, and other factors.
3. Fees
Aside from the visa application fee, there are some additional costs you might need to cover, such as:
- Health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover or OSHC) – required for your entire stay in Australia.
- Medical exams – depending on your country, you might need to complete a medical examination.
- English language tests – if needed, you’ll have to cover the cost of exams like IELTS or TOEFL.
4. Age Limit
There is no specific age limit for applying for an Australian student visa. However, for students under the age of 18, certain conditions apply, such as having adequate welfare arrangements in place.
5. Working Hours
While studying in Australia on a student visa, you are allowed to work part-time. The standard work limit is 48 hours per fortnight (two weeks) during the school term and full-time during school holidays. This is a great way for students to earn money while studying, but it’s important to stick to these working hour limits to avoid visa issues.
6. Where to Apply
You can apply for the Australian student visa online via the Department of Home Affairs website. You’ll need to create an ImmiAccount, fill in the visa application form, upload the necessary documents, and pay the visa fee.
7. Other Requirements
- Enrollment in a course: You need to be enrolled in a full-time course registered under the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
- Proof of funds: You must show that you have enough money to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
- English proficiency: You may need to provide evidence of your English language ability, such as an IELTS or TOEFL score.
- Health insurance: As mentioned, you must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay.
Conclusion
To study in Australia, you’ll need a student visa which costs around AUD 710 and can take 1 to 4 months to process. There is no age limit, and you can work 48 hours per fortnight during your studies. You can apply for the visa online through the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
