# Australia Student visa (subclass 500)

> Australia’s Student visa needs a CoE, OSHC and a Genuine Student statement. Here is the route, the key terms and a checklist, with official links.

- Category: Visas & permits
- Country: Australia
- Verified on: 2026-10-20
- Source: [Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500)](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500)
- Page: https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/resources/australia-student-visa-subclass-500

## The short answer

International students who want to study full time on a registered course in Australia apply for a **Student visa (subclass 500)** with the Department of Home Affairs. You need a **Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)** from your education provider, **Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)**, evidence that meets the financial and English requirements, and you must meet the **Genuine Student requirement**.

## Key terms in plain English

- **CoE:** the document your provider issues once you accept an offer and meet its conditions. It confirms your place on a registered course.
- **CRICOS:** the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Your provider and your course should both be on it.
- **OSHC:** health cover you must hold for the length of your stay on the visa.
- **ImmiAccount:** the online account you use to apply.
- **Genuine Student requirement:** the test Home Affairs uses to assess whether you genuinely intend to study in Australia.

## The route, step by step

1. **Choose a course.** Check on CRICOS that both the course and the provider are registered for overseas students.
2. **Apply, accept your offer and pay the deposit** if the provider asks for one.
3. **Receive your CoE.** Check the details against your passport.
4. **Arrange OSHC** for the full visa period and keep the confirmation.
5. **Prepare your evidence.** Financial capacity, English language results if required, identity documents and anything else on the official checklist.
6. **Write your Genuine Student answers** honestly and in your own words. Home Affairs wants to understand your circumstances, why you chose this course and provider, and what you plan to do next.
7. **Apply through ImmiAccount.** Attend a health examination or biometrics appointment if Home Affairs asks for one.
8. **Wait for the outcome** before booking non-refundable travel.

## Documents checklist

- [ ] Valid passport
- [ ] CoE from your education provider
- [ ] OSHC confirmation for the whole visa period
- [ ] Evidence of financial capacity, as the official page describes
- [ ] English language results, if required for your course
- [ ] Genuine Student answers, drafted in your own words
- [ ] Police certificates and health examinations, if requested

## Common mistakes

- **Copying a template for the Genuine Student questions.** Generic answers look generic. Specific, honest answers about your plans read better.
- **Buying OSHC for too short a period.** It needs to cover your visa period.
- **Choosing a course without checking CRICOS.** An unregistered course cannot support a Student visa.
- **Relying on advice from a few years ago.** The Genuine Student requirement replaced an earlier test in 2024, and policy settings for international students have changed several times since.

## Things that change

Visa charges, provider allocations, financial capacity rules and work conditions are updated from time to time. If your offer mentions a cap or allocation, ask your provider how it affects you. Check the Home Affairs page for the current position.

## Verify before you act

The official page is the only place with the current rules: [Student visa (subclass 500) on Home Affairs](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500).

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General information, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm current rules, fees and thresholds on the official source above.