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Student - Subclass 500 Visa - School Student
The subclass 500 - Student visa allows international students to attend school in Australia. The student must enrol with (or in some cases have a letter of offer from) an Australian school before applying for this visa.

SCHOOL STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS​​

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Requirements may vary based on the level of risk assigned to the application (the ‘Immigration Risk’). This is determined by the school’s risk rating and the student’s nationality.

As the visa applicant, the student must:

  • be over 6 years of age and

    • less than 17 years old at the start of Year 9

    • less than 18 years old at the start of Year 10

    • less than 19 years old at the start of Year 11

    • less than 20 years old at the start of Year 12

  • enrol as a full-time student in a registered school course at an Australian school, and obtain written confirmation of this enrolment

  • genuinely intend to complete the relevant period of study in Australia

  • have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the intended period of stay

  • have access to sufficient funds to cover their return airfares, tuition fees and the cost of living in Australia, as well as costs required for any Student Guardian

NOTE: The exact amount of funds a student requires is set by the Department of Home Affairs (the DOHA), and is determined by the student’s chosen education provider, and other personal circumstances. Please contact us for further details.

  • have consent from their parent(s) or guardian(s) to travel to, live and study in Australia

  • have adequate welfare arrangements in place for their stay in Australia, up until they turn 18. These can be provided by a nominated Student Guardian or by the school e.g. boarding school

NOTE: Secondary exchange students will instead require completion of an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student (AASES) form; Foreign Affairs/Defence students require written confirmation from the relevant government department.

APPLICATION PROCESS >

The student must first be enrolled in a full-time, registered primary or secondary school course at an Australian school, and obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from that school. We will then prepare and lodge the student’s visa application with the DOHA. The main criterion is that the student meets the requirements referred to above, the exact nature of which will depend the student’s passport nationality and school. The student must also meet the relevant health and character requirements.

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Once granted a visa, the student may enter into (or remain in) Australia in order to undertake the approved course of study. The student must not work more than 48 hours per fortnight whilst their course is in session. The student must also continue to meet the approved course requirements, have continuous welfare arrangements in place, and maintain health insurance, amongst other conditions.

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PLEASE NOTE: We estimate that it may take several weeks to prepare and lodge the student’s application, with the time taken largely dependent on how promptly you provide us with the necessary supporting information and documents.

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The time that it takes the DOHA to process the application is dependent upon its processing time service standards, and may also vary due to a number of other factors, including the complexity of the  case, perceived risk factors and processing priorities. Please contact us for current information regarding likely processing timeframes for this type of application.

 

This Fact Sheet contains general information only, and specific information relevant to the student’s circumstances should be confirmed with us before taking any action.

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Do you have additional questions regarding the subclass 500 - Student visa? Please feel free to contact us by email at admin@dojolegal.com.au, or by phone on ++61 02 9138 0688 to arrange a paid consultation.

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