Study abroad · Australia

Study in Australia: the highest visa fee, the most work hours

Australia now charges the highest student visa fee of any major destination, and checks closely that you are a genuine student. In return, students can work 48 hours a fortnight and graduates get a two-year work visa.

By Anuj Arora · Last verified: 10 Nov 2026

At a glance

Student visaSubclass 500, with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Visa costsA$2,500 (from 1 July 2026), plus Overseas Student Health Cover
Money to showA$29,710 a year for living costs, plus tuition and travel
Work while studying48 hours a fortnight during term; unlimited in breaks
After graduationTemporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): about 2 years after a bachelor's or coursework master's, longer after a PhD; age limit 35
Main intakesFebruary and July
TestsIELTS, PTE or TOEFL
Official siteimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au · CRICOS register

Rules and fees change often. Confirm every figure on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you pay or apply.

What changed recently

  • Student visa fee rose to A$2,500 on 1 July 2026, from A$2,000.
  • Applications are assessed under the Genuine Student requirement: explain in your own words why this course, this provider and Australia.

Your year, step by step

Your year, step by step12–15 months before: Shortlist, courses, costs,|entry rules. 10–12 months: Tests, IELTS or PTE. 8–10 months: Apply, university portal. 4–6 months: Offer + funds, pay deposit,|arrange money. 2–4 months: Visa, CoE, OSHC,|genuine student. 12–15 months before Shortlist courses, costs, entry rules 10–12 months Tests IELTS or PTE 8–10 months Apply university portal 4–6 months Offer + funds pay deposit, arrange money 2–4 months Visa CoE, OSHC, genuine student
Count back from February or July. A CoE is issued only after you accept the offer and pay the deposit.

Check the course on CRICOS

Every course open to international students must be on the CRICOS register. Search the provider and the exact course code there; a course missing from CRICOS cannot be the basis of a student visa.

Before you pay any agent or university

  • Check the university on the country's official list (linked above), not on the agent's brochure.
  • Pay fees only to the university's own bank account, never to an agent's account.
  • Read the refund policy for a refused visa before paying any deposit.

Still deciding between countries?

Compare all eight on money to show, work rights and the years you can stay after your degree.

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Sources

  1. Subclass 500 fee A$2,500 from 1 July 2026; A$29,710 living funds (OdishaBytes)
  2. 485 visa: stay length, age and English rules (MyVisa)
  3. Official: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, cricos.education.gov.au