Riddhi Mevada
Oct 30, 2026
Australia Student Visa 2026: Subclass 500 Fees, Funds & New Rules for Indian Students
Quick answer: Indian students apply for the Student visa (subclass 500). The base application charge rose to AUD 2,500 on 1 July 2026, the main applicant's living-cost evidence is AUD 29,710, and for applications lodged from 2 October 2026 most new students can no longer bring family members. You must also pass the Genuine Student requirement and hold health cover (OSHC).
What Is the Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)?
The subclass 500 visa lets you study full-time at a recognised Australian institution. You apply once you hold an offer and enrolment from your provider, and your visa conditions are tied to your course. It cannot be extended, so continuing to a new course usually means a new student visa application.
What Changed for Australian Student Visas in 2026?
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2026 | Base application charge rose from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 |
| 2 October 2026 | Most new students cannot bring dependants; most temporary visa holders must leave Australia to lodge a student visa application |
| Until 1 July 2027 | Non-school students must stay enrolled with their provider for 12 months, up from 6 |
| 1 July 2027 | A new student transfer stream applies to students changing providers |
How Much Does the Australia Student Visa Cost in 2026?
| Cost | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa base application charge | AUD 2,500 | From 1 July 2026 (previously AUD 2,000); can change each year |
| Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) | Varies | Required for the whole stay; price depends on provider and length |
| English test (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL) | Varies | Paid to the test provider |
| Medical exam and police certificates | Varies | Where requested |
Charges for additional applicants differ and should be checked on the Department of Home Affairs website.
How Much Money Do You Need for an Australian Student Visa?
Guides based on Home Affairs figures list AUD 29,710 as the living-cost amount for a single main applicant, in addition to your tuition and travel costs. Different amounts apply for family members and school-age children, and the Department updates these figures from time to time. Show funds that are genuinely available to you, and keep a clear record of where they came from.
What Is the Genuine Student Requirement?
The Genuine Student requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test on 23 March 2024. Instead of a long statement letter, you answer targeted questions in your application about your circumstances, your reasons for choosing Australia, your course and provider, and what the course means for your future. Answers must be specific, consistent with your documents and in your own words.
Who Is Eligible for the Australia Student Visa?
- An offer and enrolment from an Australian provider registered for international students
- A genuine intention to study, shown through the Genuine Student requirement
- Enough funds for tuition, living costs and travel
- Accepted English test results or an approved English pathway
- Overseas Student Health Cover for your full stay
- Good health and character, with medical and police certificates where requested
What English Score Do You Need?
| Test | Standard requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall (lower scores accepted with an English course or pathway first) |
| PTE Academic | 50 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 64 overall |
Tests are valid for two years from the test date. Your university or course may ask for a higher score than the visa minimum.
Can You Bring Your Spouse or Children in 2026?
For visa applications lodged from 2 October 2026, most new international students cannot bring family members to Australia, and cannot add them to the visa later. Families already in Australia will not be separated, and eligible student visa holders applying onshore may include only family members already in the country.
Exemptions apply to groups such as PhD students, Australian Government-sponsored students, foreign government scholarship holders and eligible students from Pacific and ASEAN countries. Indian students on regular coursework programmes should plan on studying without family unless they fall into an exempt group.
Can You Apply for a Student Visa From Inside Australia?
From 2 October 2026, most visitor and other temporary visa holders must leave Australia to lodge a student visa application. Limited exemptions exist, for example for students sponsored by government schemes, school-level applicants, and students needing 12 more months to finish their studies. Because the list has changed, check your own situation before booking a course.
Can You Work on an Australian Student Visa?
Student visas carry a limit on work hours per fortnight during study, with more freedom during official course breaks, and work can only start once your course has begun. Research master's and doctoral students are treated differently. Sources quote different hour limits, so confirm the current limit on your visa grant notice and on the Department of Home Affairs website before you start a job.
How Long Does an Australian Student Visa Take?
Processing times are published by the Department and depend on your education sector. Recent published figures put higher education applications at about 19 days for half of cases and around 4 months for 90%, while VET and independent English-language applications can take much longer. Apply early, ideally well before your course start date, and keep your documents complete to avoid delays.
Common Reasons for Australian Student Visa Refusal
- Answers to the Genuine Student questions that are vague, copied or inconsistent
- Funds that are unclear, unexplained or below the required level
- A course choice that does not fit your academic or work background
- Expired or insufficient English evidence
- Missing health cover or incomplete documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OSHC compulsory?
Yes. You need Overseas Student Health Cover for the full length of your stay.
Can I extend a subclass 500 visa?
The student visa cannot be extended. To continue studying you generally need a new student visa, and from 2027 new transfer rules will apply to changes of provider.
Is the visa fee refundable if I am refused?
Visa application charges are generally not refunded, which is why a complete, consistent file before you lodge matters.
Does the new dependants rule apply to students already in Australia?
Families already in Australia will not be separated. The rule applies to applications lodged from 2 October 2026, so check the details of your own case.
Planning to Study in Australia?
Volumaax helps you choose the right course, prepare your Genuine Student answers and funds, and file a complete application.
Talk to an Australia Visa ExpertRelated Guides
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Visa rules, fees, funds requirements and processing times change; verify all details on the official Australian Department of Home Affairs website (homeaffairs.gov.au) before applying. Volumaax is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with the Australian Government.
