Country guide for Indian students
Study in Australia
Australia remains one of the top destinations for Indian students, English-taught degrees, strong post-study work rights, and large alumni networks in every major city. But the system tightened hard in 2024 to 2026: a new Genuine Student (GS) test replaced the old GTE test, English and financial-proof minimums rose, the visa fee has risen every year since 2024 and is now the most expensive student-visa charge in the world, and India itself was moved to the strictest document-scrutiny tier for a stretch of 2026. None of this makes the destination unviable, most well-prepared, genuine applicants still get through, but a counsellor who quotes 2023-era numbers or the old GTE language will actively mislead a student. Treat every figure in this guide as dated, and re-check the live Home Affairs and Study Australia pages before finalising a student's budget or visa file.
At a glance
Tuition (indicative)
AUD 25,000 to 55,000/year (Bachelors); AUD 28,000 to 70,000/year (Masters)
Wide range by university tier and discipline, Group of Eight universities and disciplines like Engineering/IT/Business/Medicine sit at the top. Always confirm on the specific university's fee page; e.g. University of Sydney 2026 undergraduate ≈ A$49,200 to 60,600, postgraduate coursework ≈ A$46,400 to 69,300.
Proof of funds (living costs)
AUD 29,710/year for a single applicant
Set by Home Affairs (tracks ~75% of the national minimum wage), it rose from AUD 21,041 → 24,505 (Oct 2023) → 29,710, and the AUD 29,710 figure has been in force since 10 May 2024 (not a 2026 change). Add ~AUD 10,394 for a partner and ~AUD 4,449 per child (confirm current supplements). On top of tuition and travel.
Visa application charge (2026)
AUD 2,500 (primary applicant)
Effective 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2,000 (which itself took effect 1 July 2025). It has risen every year since 2024 and is widely reported as the highest student-visa fee of any major destination. Confirm the live figure before quoting, it changes annually.
Main intakes
Semester 1 (Feb/Mar) & Semester 2 (Jul)
Semester 1 is the larger intake; many universities also run a smaller Semester 3 (Oct/Nov) trimester. Applications typically open 6 to 12 months ahead; apply for the visa only after receiving the CoE.
Work while studying
48 hours per fortnight (course in session)
Unlimited during scheduled course breaks. Masters-by-research and Doctoral students may work unlimited hours at any time once their course has started. A proposal to raise the cap to 60 hrs/fortnight from 1 Jul 2026 is NOT yet law, keep quoting 48 until Home Affairs confirms otherwise.
After graduation
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), 2 to 3 years work rights
Duration depends on qualification level (see Working & staying on). Applicants must generally be under 35 (under 50 for a Masters-by-research or PhD). Unlimited work rights during the visa.
Universities & admissions
Every institution that can enrol international students is listed on CRICOS; a course not on CRICOS cannot sponsor a student visa at all. Beyond that gate, admission is university- and program-specific: Indian Bachelors are widely accepted for Masters entry, but the percentage cutoff, subject prerequisites, and application portal vary by institution.
CRICOS registration
MandatoryMandatory for the institution AND the specific course
Check the course itself is CRICOS-registered, not just the university, some university divisions or short programs sit outside CRICOS and cannot be used for a student visa.
Degree recognition
Indian 3-year Bachelors generally accepted for Masters entry
Most Go8 and other universities accept a 3-year Indian Bachelors (15 years of education) for Masters admission, sometimes with a minimum aggregate (commonly 60 to 65%+, higher for competitive programs/Go8). This is set per university, not a national rule, always confirm on the program page.
Where to apply
Direct university portal, or via an authorised representative
Unlike Germany's uni-assist, most Australian universities take applications directly (online portal) or through the institution's own recognised agents. There is no single national clearing house.
Country/institution risk tier
ConditionalSimplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), evidence levels 1 to 3
Home Affairs assigns each course-provider + student's country of passport an evidence level; Level 3 requires the most documentation (financial + English evidence) and gets the slowest processing, Level 1 the least. Levels are reviewed periodically and CAN change mid-year, India's level changed more than once in the first half of 2026 alone. Always check the current level for the specific provider before telling a student what documents they need.
Shortlist by CRICOS-registered course, not just university brand
MandatorySearch the course on the CRICOS register to confirm it can sponsor international students, then check the university's own program page for entry requirements: minimum aggregate/GPA, specific subject prerequisites, English band, and whether the university uses direct application or a listed representative. Note the CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) is only issued once you accept an offer and (usually) pay a deposit, this document, not the offer letter, is what the visa application needs.
For Masters, check whether the program wants a same-field Bachelors or accepts cross-discipline entry with bridging/foundation subjects, this varies widely by university.Confirm the evidence level for the provider + India
ConditionalAsk the institution (or its agent) what SSVF evidence level currently applies to Indian applicants for that course. A Level 1/2 provider needs lighter financial/English documentation; Level 3 needs the fullest document set and takes longer. Because this has moved for India more than once in 2026, do not assume last cycle's level still applies.
Never quote a student a document checklist from memory, evidence levels changed for India twice within months in 2026; re-confirm every cycle.Apply, receive the offer, pay the deposit, and get the CoE
MandatoryAfter receiving a conditional or unconditional offer, accept it and pay the requested deposit (varies by university, commonly one semester's tuition or a smaller acceptance fee). The university then issues the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) through PRISMS, this is the document the visa application is built around, and its start date drives the whole downstream timeline.
You get: A CoE referencing the exact course, provider, and start date.
The Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), generated through the government's PRISMS system under the ESOS Act framework, is what the visa office checks the course, provider, and course dates against. Do not let a student apply for the visa before the CoE is issued, and do not let travel bookings or accommodation deposits get ahead of the CoE's confirmed start date.
PhD (and Masters-by-research) applicants are typically admitted by a supervisor/department directly rather than through a coursework portal, and the CoE still issues through PRISMS the same way, but scholarship-funded HDR candidates often have a lighter financial-evidence burden if the scholarship covers stipend + tuition. Confirm with the specific university's graduate research office.
Sources
- CRICOS, Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students, Department of Education (Australian Government)
- Simplified Student Visa Framework, evidence levels, Department of Home Affairs
- ESOS framework, frequently asked questions (CoE, PRISMS), Department of Education (Australian Government)
Language & tests
Almost every Bachelors/Masters program is taught in English, so the English-test requirement is the main language gate for Indian students. Home Affairs raised its own visa-office minimum in 2024, and it can differ from what the university itself asks for admission, always check both.
Student visa (500) minimum, main course
MandatoryIELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall, or equivalent
Raised from 5.5 to 6.0, effective for applications from 23 March 2024. Accepted equivalents include TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Cambridge C1 Advanced, the exact concordance table is set by Home Affairs, so use the visa office's own conversion, not a generic chart.
University admission (typical), separate & usually HIGHER
ConditionalIELTS Academic 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0
This is what most Bachelors/Masters programs ask to ADMIT you, higher than the 6.0 visa floor. Nursing, teaching, law and some health programs commonly require 7.0+. Institutional norm set per program, not a national rule, the visa minimum does not get a student into the course, so quote the university's own figure. Meeting only the 6.0 visa band but not the program's band means no offer.
University foundation / pathway program
IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
Applies to a foundation or pathway program that itself delivers recognised English-language training ahead of the main course.
ELICOS (English-only course)
IELTS 5.0 or equivalent
Raised from 4.5 to 5.0 from 23 March 2024, for students undertaking ELICOS before their main course.
No change for these groups
Full-time school students, secondary exchange, ELICOS-only, postgraduate research
Home Affairs explicitly excluded these categories from the March 2024 increase, do not apply the higher figure to them.
Test validity
Taken no more than 1 year before the visa application date
- The university's own admission requirement and the visa office's minimum are set independently, a program might admit on 6.0 but the visa file still needs a test taken within the 1-year validity window at application time.
- GRE/GMAT are not required by Home Affairs; some competitive Masters/MBA programs ask for them independently, check the specific program.
- Book test slots early: near Semester 1 and Semester 2 deadlines, IELTS/PTE centres in India fill up months ahead.
Sources
- Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025, Federal Register of Legislation, Australia
- Student visa (subclass 500), official visa page, Department of Home Affairs
- IELTS for Australian student visas, IELTS Australia (British Council / IDP)
Applying to universities
Applications go directly to each university (or through its own listed representatives) rather than a shared national portal. The two big intakes are Semester 1 (February/March) and Semester 2 (July); building in enough lead time before the visa stage is the main planning risk.
Lock the intake and each program's real deadline
Decide Semester 1 (starts ~Feb/Mar, applications commonly open 6 to 12 months ahead) or Semester 2 (starts ~Jul). Record the exact deadline per program, competitive programs and scholarship-linked places often close earlier than the university's general deadline.
When: 6 to 12 months before intakePrepare the document set
RecommendedTypical set: 10th & 12th marksheets, Bachelors transcripts + degree certificate, English test score, statement of purpose, CV, and (for some Masters/MBA) letters of recommendation and/or GRE/GMAT. Keep certified copies where the university's checklist requires them.
You get: A reusable, certified document pack for every application.Apply, accept the offer, pay the deposit
Submit directly on the university's international-student portal (or via its recognised representative). On receiving an offer, read whether it is conditional (e.g. pending final transcripts, English test, or a bridging/foundation requirement) or unconditional. Accept and pay the requested deposit to trigger CoE issuance.
You get: Accepted offer + paid deposit.Receive the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
MandatoryThe CoE is generated through PRISMS once enrolment is confirmed. Check every detail, provider name, course name, CRICOS code, and start/end dates, since the visa application is built directly from this document.
You get: CoE, the single most important document for the visa stage.
Home Affairs recommends applying for the visa as soon as the CoE is issued, visa processing, especially at a higher SSVF evidence level, can take many weeks. Do not let a student receive their CoE only 3 to 4 weeks before their course start and assume the visa will land in time.
Student visa
Indian students apply for the Student visa (subclass 500), lodged online through ImmiAccount. Since 23 March 2024 the core eligibility test is the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, which replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test, describe GS to students, not GTE, and expect short written answers rather than a long personal statement.
Visa type
MandatoryStudent visa (subclass 500)
Core eligibility test
MandatoryGenuine Student (GS) requirement, replaced GTE on 23 March 2024
GS asks about the applicant's current circumstances (ties to family/community/employment), why this course fits their background, financial capacity, and post-study plans. Responses are capped at 150 words per question, in English, backed by supporting documents in ImmiAccount. Unlike the old GTE test, a genuine future intention to seek skilled migration does NOT count against the applicant under GS.
Application charge (2026)
AUD 2,500 (primary applicant)
Effective 1 July 2026, raised from AUD 2,000 (effective 1 July 2025), which itself had been raised from AUD 1,600. Reduced/CPI-only rates apply for some ASEAN, Pacific Island, and Timor-Leste applicants and for independent ELICOS/non-award courses, none of these exemptions apply to mainstream Indian applicants. Always confirm the live fee on the Home Affairs fee page before quoting a figure.
How to apply
Online via ImmiAccount
No in-person visa office visit or VFS-style biometric centre is required in the way Germany's process needs one, biometrics (if requested) are captured at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in India when Home Affairs asks for them.
OSHC
MandatoryMandatory for the whole intended stay
MANDATORY, it is a subclass 500 visa condition. Overseas Student Health Cover must be current from before arrival through course completion; the visa application needs evidence of OSHC cover dates.
Assemble the visa file around the CoE
MandatoryCore documents: passport, the CoE (or CoEs, if multiple courses/packaged study), evidence addressing the Genuine Student criteria, English test result, financial evidence (see Money & proof of funds), OSHC certificate, and (if applicable) evidence for any accompanying family member. The exact document list depends on the provider's current SSVF evidence level for India, check it, don't assume last year's list.
Answer the Genuine Student questions carefully
MandatoryEach GS question is capped at 150 words. Answer in the applicant's own words, tie the course choice to prior academic/work background, and be specific about financial capacity and post-study plans. Statements should be corroborated by the supporting documents uploaded, since unsupported claims carry less weight with the case officer.
Coach students to avoid generic, templated answers, case officers see thousands of near-identical GS statements from coaching-centre templates and treat them as a red flag.Arrange OSHC before lodging
MandatoryBuy OSHC (directly from an approved provider, or via the university if it arranges a bulk policy) covering the applicant from before the intended arrival date through course completion. Attach the certificate/cover dates to the application.
Cost: Roughly AUD 600 to 850/year for a single student on standard cover (2026; providers raised rates ~4.4% from 1 April 2026), cover for a couple/family costs materially more. OSHC is only sold by government-approved insurers: ahm, Allianz Care, Bupa, CBHS International, Medibank, and nib. Get a live quote for the exact figure.Lodge online and pay the charge
MandatorySubmit through ImmiAccount and pay the visa application charge (AUD 2,500 for a primary adult applicant in 2026). If Home Affairs requests biometrics, attend the nearest Australian Visa Application Centre in India.
Cost: AUD 2,500 (2026, primary applicant) + OSHC + any AVAC biometrics feeWait for a decision
ConditionalProcessing time depends heavily on the provider/country evidence level under SSVF, a Level 1/2 file can clear in a few weeks, a Level 3 file materially longer (some 2026 reporting on India's brief Level 3 period cited 8 to 10 weeks against a previous ~3-week median). Apply as soon as the CoE is issued and do not book non-refundable flights until the visa is granted.
Any material referencing the 'Genuine Temporary Entrant' test for a subclass 500 application lodged today is out of date. The current test is the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, and it is assessed differently, notably, a genuine intention to later seek permanent skilled migration does not count against the applicant, which was not true under GTE framing.
Home Affairs re-rates each country's 'evidence level' under the Simplified Student Visa Framework periodically, and can do so out of cycle. India's evidence level changed more than once within the first half of 2026 alone (reported moves between Level 2 and Level 3), each time changing how much financial and academic documentation is expected and how long processing takes. Always ask the institution or check the current guidance for the live level before telling a student what to prepare, do not carry forward a level from a prior intake.
Sources
- Student visa (subclass 500), official visa page, Department of Home Affairs
- Genuine Student requirement, Department of Home Affairs
- Student Visa Application Charge increase (news), Study Australia (Australian Government / Department of Education)
- Simplified Student Visa Framework, evidence levels, Department of Home Affairs
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), Study Australia (Australian Government / Department of Education)
Money & proof of funds
Australia does not use a blocked account like Germany, instead the visa file must show evidence of enough money (savings, income, loan, or scholarship) to cover tuition, travel, and a government-set living-cost minimum, and Home Affairs has raised that minimum sharply since 2023.
Living-cost requirement
MandatoryAUD 29,710 for a single applicant, per year
Tracks ~75% of the national minimum wage; rose AUD 21,041 → 24,505 (Oct 2023) → 29,710, in force since 10 May 2024 (not a 2026 change). Add ~AUD 10,394 for an accompanying partner and ~AUD 4,449 per dependent child (confirm current supplements). Confirm the figure before finalising a student's funds file.
What the funds must cover
MandatoryTuition (1st year) + living costs (12 months) + return travel
Funds can be shown as personal/family savings, an education-loan sanction letter from a recognised lender, a scholarship, or a combination, an informal affidavit alone is weak evidence and should be backed by real bank statements.
Evidence expected (typical, India)
Conditional3 to 6 months of bank statements + source-of-funds paper trail
Because India has sat at a higher SSVF evidence level for parts of 2026, expect deeper scrutiny of source of funds, sudden large deposits should be explained with supporting paperwork (loan agreement, sale deed, ITRs), not left unexplained.
Tuition (indicative)
AUD 25,000 to 55,000/yr (Bachelors); AUD 28,000 to 70,000/yr (Masters)
Set entirely by the university and program, Go8 universities and Engineering/IT/Business/Medicine programs sit at the top of the range. Always use the specific university's own fee page (e.g. University of Sydney 2026: undergraduate ≈ A$49,200 to 60,600, postgraduate coursework ≈ A$46,400 to 69,300) rather than a national average.
OSHC
Mandatory≈ AUD 600 to 850/year for a single student (2026)
Mandatory for the full intended stay (visa condition). Sold only by six government-approved insurers (ahm, Allianz Care, Bupa, CBHS International, Medibank, nib); rates rose ~4.4% from 1 April 2026. Get a firm quote rather than budgeting off an average.
Build the funds file to the current living-cost figure
MandatoryCalculate: (1st year tuition, from the offer letter) + (AUD 29,710 for 2026, or the then-current living-cost figure) + (return airfare estimate). Add the partner/dependant supplement if family is accompanying. Gather 3 to 6 months of clean, explainable bank statements or an education-loan sanction letter from a recognised lender.
Line up an education loan early if self-funding is tight
Indian lenders (nationalised banks and NBFCs such as HDFC Credila, Axis, ICICI, Avanse) issue sanction letters that Home Affairs accepts as financial evidence. Start this well before the visa stage, loan processing and collateral valuation can take weeks.
A loan sanction letter plus clear repayment capacity is often viewed more favourably than an unexplained lump-sum deposit.Budget realistically beyond the visa minimum
AUD 29,710/year is a visa-eligibility floor, not a comfortable big-city budget. Sydney and Melbourne run well above it, especially for rent, counsel students to budget higher and secure student accommodation early, since housing (not admission) is often the real cost and availability bottleneck.
Don't let a student treat the AUD 29,710 figure as their real annual living budget in Sydney or Melbourne, it is a visa-evidence minimum.
The financial-capacity requirement has moved twice since 2023 and is reviewed periodically. Always check the current figure on the Home Affairs financial-capacity page before telling a student what to save or borrow.
Sources
- Financial capacity requirement for student visa (news), Department of Home Affairs
- Student visa (subclass 500), official visa page, Department of Home Affairs
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), Study Australia (Australian Government / Department of Education)
- International student tuition fees, The University of Sydney
Before you fly
Once the visa is granted, the goal is to land ready: OSHC active from arrival, accommodation for at least the first weeks, and paperwork organised so the first days aren't spent scrambling.
Confirm OSHC is active from the arrival date
MandatoryCheck the OSHC policy start date matches (or precedes) the actual arrival date, a gap between arrival and cover start leaves the student exposed and out of visa compliance.
When: Before departureSecure accommodation for at least the first few weeks
RecommendedUniversity-managed halls, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), or a short-term booking gives a real address to arrive to. Long-term share housing is often easier to arrange in person after landing, so avoid signing a long lease sight-unseen from India unless it's from a reputable, university-affiliated provider.
Avoid unverified private listings and advance full-year rent transfers to unknown landlords, accommodation scams targeting incoming international students are common.Book flights and plan arrival timing
RecommendedAim to arrive at least a week before orientation/enrolment to allow for jet lag, opening a bank account, and settling in. Carry the CoE, visa grant letter, passport, offer letter, OSHC certificate, and academic originals in hand luggage, not checked bags.
International arrival cards and biosecurity rules are strict, no food items, and declare anything of plant/animal origin.Prepare a document folder + digital backups
RecommendedPhysical folder: passport + visa grant notice, CoE, offer letter, OSHC certificate, academic transcripts/certificates (originals + certified copies), English test result, and passport photos. Keep scanned copies in cloud storage as backup.
You get: A grab-and-go folder covering enrolment, bank account opening, and any on-arrival checks.
After you land
Australia's post-arrival admin is lighter than some European systems, there is no mandatory municipal address registration, but a first-week checklist still exists: enrol/confirm attendance, activate OSHC, open a bank account, and get a Tax File Number as soon as any paid work or interest-bearing account is involved.
Complete enrolment / confirm attendance
Attend orientation and complete in-person enrolment steps the university requires (ID card, timetable confirmation, sometimes an in-person document check against the CoE). Universities must report non-start or early withdrawal to Home Affairs via PRISMS, so keep enrolment status current from day one.
You get: Student ID + confirmed enrolment.Open a bank account
RecommendedMajor banks (Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac, NAB and others) offer accounts for international students, generally requiring an Australian residential address and passport/visa evidence; some let you start the process online before arrival but finish in person once here. Having an account makes rent, bills, and part-time-work pay straightforward.
Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)
Apply online through the ATO once in Australia (you cannot complete the TFN application from overseas as a temporary visa holder). A TFN is needed to work without being taxed at the highest emergency rate, and it is commonly requested when opening some bank accounts or paid work. It is free and typically issued within about 4 weeks.
When: As soon as possible after arrival, and before starting any paid workCost: FreeYou get: A TFN letter from the ATO.Get a local SIM and set up the local transport card, budget for full adult fare in most states
OptionalA local SIM (prepaid is simplest at first) makes bank verification, food delivery, and transport apps easier. Set up the state's public-transport card (Opal in Sydney, myki in Melbourne, go card in Brisbane/SEQ, metroCARD in Adelaide, MyWay+ in Canberra), but do not assume a student discount applies. In NSW, international students pay full Adult Opal fares; the concession Opal card is restricted to Australian citizens/permanent residents plus a short list of scholarship holders (Endeavour, Australian Awards, RTP). Queensland is the opposite case: SEQ Translink fares are a flat 50 cents per journey for every passenger, so the concession question doesn't really arise there. Victoria and the ACT sit in between, see the callout below.
Cost: NSW: full Adult Opal fare (no international-student discount, bar named scholarships). QLD (SEQ/Translink): 50c flat fare for everyone, made permanent by the Queensland Government. VIC: up to 50% off via the International Student Travel Pass (ISTP), for eligible full-time undergraduates at participating universities. ACT: tertiary concession fares on MyWay+ are generally open to full-time students at an Australian university/CIT campus regardless of citizenship, confirm current criteria when registering. SA: concession metroCARD is stated as being for students with a valid ID from an SA-accredited tertiary institution; confirm current international-student eligibility with Adelaide Metro before budgeting on it.- Public transport concessions for tertiary and TAFE students, Service NSW
- 50 cent fares, flat fare for every passenger, every journey, Translink (Queensland Government)
- International Student Travel Pass (ISTP), Transport Victoria (Victorian Government)
- Concessions, MyWay+ tertiary student fares, Transport Canberra (ACT Government)
- metroCARD, concession cards for tertiary students, Adelaide Metro (South Australian Government)
Keep OSHC and visa conditions current
MandatoryConfirm OSHC remains active (renew before it lapses if the course runs longer than the original policy period) and keep track of the visa's work-hour condition (48 hours/fortnight in session) from the first pay cheque.
Lodge the rental bond through the state's official bond authority
ConditionalRenting privately (rather than staying in university/PBSA housing) almost always requires a bond up front, commonly capped at 4 weeks' rent (e.g. NSW). The bond is not paid to the landlord directly and kept in a drawer: it must be lodged with the state's statutory bond body, Rental Bonds Online (NSW Fair Trading) in NSW, or the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) in Victoria, which holds the money in trust and pays it back only when both tenant and landlord agree (or a tribunal orders it) at the end of the tenancy. New arrivals with no Australian rental history and no local references often find this the hardest part of the market, expect requests for extra proof (bank statements, an offer letter, or a guarantor) and factor several hundred to over a thousand AUD in for the bond alone, on top of the first period's rent paid in advance.
Cost: Bond: typically up to 4 weeks' rent (NSW cap); protected via Rental Bonds Online (NSW) or the RTBA (VIC) rather than held privately by the landlord.
Australia does not require registering your address with a local authority. The functional equivalent risk is enrolment: universities are legally required (under the ESOS framework) to report non-enrolment, course variation, or extended non-attendance to Home Affairs through PRISMS, which can put the visa at risk. Treat 'attend orientation and confirm enrolment promptly' as the must-not-miss first step.
A genuine surprise for first-time arrivals: in most Australian states, being an international student does not by itself qualify you for discounted public-transport fares. NSW and (on current guidance) SA restrict concession cards mainly to citizens/permanent residents and named scholarship holders; budget on the full adult fare unless a specific exception applies. Victoria has a dedicated International Student Travel Pass giving eligible full-time undergraduates up to 50% off. Queensland sidesteps the whole question with a flat 50-cent fare for every passenger. Always confirm the current rule for the specific state and institution before quoting a transport budget.
Sources
- TFN application, foreign passport holders, permanent migrants and temporary visitors, Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), Study Australia (Australian Government / Department of Education)
- ESOS framework, frequently asked questions (CoE, PRISMS), Department of Education (Australian Government)
- Public transport concessions for tertiary and TAFE students, Service NSW
- Rental Bonds Online for tenants, NSW Fair Trading / NSW Government
Working & staying on
Students get a meaningful part-time work allowance while studying, and Australia's real draw is the back end: the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa gives unrestricted work rights for 2 to 3 years after most Bachelors/Masters, longer for research higher degrees, opening a route into skilled migration.
Work while studying
Conditional48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session
A fortnight is any 14-day period; unlimited hours are allowed during scheduled course breaks. Masters-by-research and Doctoral students can work unlimited hours at any time once their course has started. A proposal to raise the cap to 60 hours/fortnight from 1 July 2026 has NOT been legislated as of this review, keep quoting 48 until Home Affairs confirms a change.
Post-study visa
ConditionalTemporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
Restructured from 1 July 2024: streams are now Post-Vocational Education Work, Post-Higher Education Work, and Second Post-Higher Education Work (regional). Bachelors/Masters graduates apply in the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
485 application charge
≈ AUD 5,750 (from 1 July 2026)
Like the student visa, the 485 fee has jumped repeatedly, reportedly AUD 2,300 → AUD 4,600 (1 Mar 2026) → ~AUD 5,750 (1 Jul 2026). Budget for it now as part of the full journey cost, and confirm the current charge on the Home Affairs fee schedule before the student applies (Home Affairs' fee page could not be machine-verified, treat this figure as high-confidence-pending-live-check).
485 age limit
Under 35 at time of application (most streams)
Exception: Masters-by-research and Doctoral (PhD) graduates, and Hong Kong/BNO passport holders, must be under 50. This replaced the old age-50-for-everyone rule from 1 July 2024, most Bachelors/Masters-coursework graduates are now capped at 35, not 50.
485 duration by qualification
Bachelors: up to 2 yrs · Masters (coursework): up to 2 yrs · Masters (research)/PhD: up to 3 yrs
The earlier 2-year skills-shortage extension for certain fields was discontinued from 1 July 2024, do not quote it as still available. Hong Kong/BNO passport holders get up to 5 years regardless of qualification level.
485 English requirement
IELTS 6.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent)
Raised from IELTS 6.0 overall as part of the 1 July 2024 changes. Hong Kong/BNO passport holders keep the lower IELTS 6.0/5.0 standard.
Work rights on the 485
Unlimited, no work-hour cap
Superannuation on part-time/485 earnings
ConditionalEmployer must pay 12% of ordinary earnings into a super fund
The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate is 12% from 1 July 2025, and it is compulsory for eligible employees regardless of visa status, a student working within the 48-hour cap, or a 485 holder working unrestricted hours, should check every payslip/fund statement to confirm the employer is actually paying it. From 1 July 2026 Home Affairs' 'payday super' reform requires employers to pay it on the same schedule as wages rather than quarterly. This money is not a bonus the employer can substitute for wages, it is paid on top of salary.
Claiming super back after leaving (DASP)
Departing Australia Superannuation Payment, claim online, no fee
Once the student/graduate visa has ceased and they have left Australia holding no other active visa, they can apply for a DASP to have accumulated super (minus tax withheld) paid out, via the ATO's free online DASP system. Payment is generally issued within 28 days of a complete application. Apply within 6 months of leaving/visa expiry, after that, unclaimed super is transferred to the ATO and the reclaim process gets more involved.
Work part-time within the fortnightly cap
ConditionalStudents may work up to 48 hours per fortnight while classes are in session, unlimited during breaks. Typical jobs: retail, hospitality, campus roles, tutoring. Keep a personal log of hours if working multiple jobs, the cap is a total across all employers, and breaching it risks the visa.
Apply for the 485 promptly after finishing the course
ConditionalCheck eligibility against the current age cap (35, or 50 for Masters-by-research/PhD) and the study requirement (generally at least 2 academic years of CRICOS-registered study in Australia). Lodge while the student visa is still valid or within the permitted window after course completion, do not let the student visa lapse first.
When: As soon as course completion is confirmedUse the 485 window to build toward skilled migration
With unrestricted work rights for 2 to 3 years, graduates can accrue the skilled work experience and (if relevant) state nomination needed for the General Skilled Migration program (subclass 189/190/491) or employer sponsorship. Point STEM, health, and other in-demand-occupation graduates at the current Skilled Occupation List early, since eligible occupations change.
Check superannuation is being paid on every payslip, then claim it back (DASP) after leaving
ConditionalAny eligible employee, a student on the 48-hour cap or a 485 holder working unrestricted hours, should be getting 12% of ordinary earnings paid into a super fund by the employer, on top of wages. This is easy for a first-time worker to miss, since it doesn't show up in take-home pay. After the student/graduate visa ends and the person has left Australia (holding no other active visa), they can claim the accumulated balance back as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) through the ATO's free online system, ideally within 6 months of leaving, before it's swept into ATO-held unclaimed monies.
When: Check payslips throughout any part-time/485 job; lodge the DASP claim after leaving Australia
Sources
- Student visa (subclass 500), work condition (48 hours/fortnight), Study Australia (Australian Government / Department of Education)
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), guide for students, Study Australia (Australian Government / Department of Education)
- Temporary Graduate visa, Subclass 485, Department of Home Affairs
- Changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program, from 1 July 2024, Department of Home Affairs
- Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025, Federal Register of Legislation, Australia
- Super guarantee, key rates and thresholds, Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP), Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Common mistakes applying to Australia
The Australia route fails in predictable places. These are the ones that cost applicants an intake.
- Describing the old 'Genuine Temporary Entrant' (GTE) test instead of the current Genuine Student (GS) requirement, GS replaced it for all applications from 23 March 2024 and is assessed differently (a genuine future interest in skilled migration is not held against the applicant).
- Quoting a stale visa application charge. It has risen every year since 2024, AUD 1,600 → 1,600 (mid-2024 rise for some categories) → 2,000 (1 Jul 2025) → 2,500 (1 Jul 2026). Always check the live Home Affairs fee page before telling a student the cost.
- Quoting a stale living-cost / financial-capacity figure. It rose from roughly AUD 21,041 to 24,505 to 29,710 across 2023 to 2025, confirm the current number every cycle, and remember it's a visa-evidence floor, not a real Sydney/Melbourne budget.
- Using an outdated English-test minimum. The subclass 500 minimum rose from IELTS 5.5 to 6.0 (23 March 2024); the subclass 485 minimum rose separately to 6.5 overall / 5.5 per component. Don't conflate the two visas' requirements.
- Assuming the 485 age cap is still 50 for everyone. From 1 July 2024 the general cap dropped to 35; only Masters-by-research/PhD graduates (and Hong Kong/BNO passport holders) keep the age-50 allowance.
- Assuming a 2-year 485 skills-shortage extension still exists. It was discontinued from 1 July 2024, don't promise it to a student picking a 'shortage' field expecting extra years.
- Assuming India's visa-document checklist is fixed. India's Simplified Student Visa Framework evidence level changed more than once in the first half of 2026 (reported moves between Level 2 and Level 3), always check the current level for the specific provider rather than reusing last intake's document list.
- Treating an unexplained lump-sum bank deposit as adequate proof of funds. Case officers, especially under a higher evidence level, expect a traceable 3 to 6 month history and a plausible source (salary, sale of asset, loan), sudden deposits without a paper trail invite refusal.
- Forgetting OSHC lapses matter. If a course runs longer than the original OSHC policy period, the student must renew before it expires, a lapse is a visa-condition breach, not just an insurance gap.
- Missing the CRICOS check on the specific course, not just the university. A university can be well known while a particular short program or non-award course sits outside CRICOS and cannot be used for a student visa.
- Exceeding the 48-hour fortnightly work cap by stacking multiple part-time jobs, the limit is a total across all employers, and it has not (yet) risen to 60 hours despite active 2026 policy proposals.
- Booking non-refundable flights or signing a full-year lease before the visa is actually granted.
- Assuming being an international student automatically means concession public-transport fares. In NSW (and on current SA guidance) it generally does not, full adult fares apply unless a named scholarship applies; Victoria's ISTP and Queensland's flat 50c fare are the exceptions, not the rule. Confirm the specific state's current policy rather than assuming Germany/UK-style blanket student discounts.
- Letting a student treat a private-rental bond as informal cash handed to the landlord. It must be lodged with the state's statutory bond authority (Rental Bonds Online in NSW, the RTBA in Victoria), a landlord asking to be paid the bond directly, off-platform, is a red flag.
- Assuming superannuation is optional or a bonus the employer can skip for casual/international student staff. The 12% Superannuation Guarantee is compulsory on ordinary earnings for eligible employees regardless of visa status, advise students to check payslips, and to claim it back via DASP (within 6 months of leaving Australia) rather than assuming it's forfeited.
Shortlist CRICOS-registered courses → check current SSVF evidence level for the provider → sit English test → apply & accept offer → pay deposit → get CoE → build funds file to the current living-cost figure → arrange OSHC → lodge subclass 500 online via ImmiAccount, answering GS questions carefully → wait for grant → book travel → arrive, enrol, open bank account, get a TFN → work within the 48-hour cap → apply for the 485 promptly at course completion.
Official sources
Every figure above traces to one of these. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything you are about to act on at the source.
- Student visa (subclass 500), official visa page, Department of Home Affairs
- Genuine Student requirement, Department of Home Affairs
- Student visa (subclass 500), guide for students, Study Australia (Australian Government / Department of Education)
- Student Visa Application Charge increase (news), Study Australia (Australian Government / Department of Education)
- Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025, Federal Register of Legislation, Australia
- Financial capacity requirement for student visa (news), Department of Home Affairs
- Simplified Student Visa Framework, evidence levels, Department of Home Affairs
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), Study Australia (Australian Government / Department of Education)
- Overseas Student Health Cover, consumer explanatory guidelines, Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing / privatehealth.gov.au
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), guide for students, Study Australia (Australian Government / Department of Education)
- Temporary Graduate visa, Subclass 485, Department of Home Affairs
- Post-Higher Education Work stream (subclass 485), Department of Home Affairs
- Changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program, from 1 July 2024, Department of Home Affairs
- ESOS framework, frequently asked questions (CoE, PRISMS), Department of Education (Australian Government)
- CRICOS, Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students, Department of Education (Australian Government)
- TFN application, foreign passport holders, permanent migrants and temporary visitors, Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- Study Australia, official portal for international students, Australian Government / Department of Education
- Public transport concessions for tertiary and TAFE students, Service NSW
- International Student Travel Pass (ISTP), Transport Victoria (Victorian Government)
- 50 cent fares, flat fare for every passenger, every journey, Translink (Queensland Government)
- Concessions, MyWay+ tertiary student fares, Transport Canberra (ACT Government)
- metroCARD, concession cards for tertiary students, Adelaide Metro (South Australian Government)
- Rental Bonds Online for tenants, NSW Fair Trading / NSW Government
- Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), Consumer Affairs Victoria (Victorian Government)
- Super guarantee, key rates and thresholds, Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP), Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Check where you actually qualify
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Other destinations
Bramica is independent and takes no commission from any university, recruiter or agency. This guide is information, not immigration advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change; confirm the current requirement on the official source before acting on it.