Study in Australia
Australia is a popular destination known for its quality of life and post-study work opportunities. The **Student Visa (Subclass 500)** requires applicants to satisfy the **Genuine Student (GS) requirement** and maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their stay.
Application timeline
4 weeks to 5 months (highly dependent on the applicant's country of origin and education sector).
Living cost
AUD 1,600 - 3,000/month (Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive cities).
Hourly wage
$24.80 - $35 AUD/hr (National minimum wage is high; casual loading makes student wages very competitive).
Study visa confidence
Our AI compares your grades, finances, and previous visas with real student approvals to predict how admissions officers will view your application for Australia.
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Student visa pathways
Processing times, work rights, required documents, and dependent rules for each permit route.
Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Temporary, Academic
Validity
Up to 5 years (duration of course)
Processing time
Varies greatly (75% of applications processed in 29 days to 5 months, depending on sector).
Fee
AUD $710 (Base Application Charge)
Work rights
Yes, with limits.
Documents required
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), Proof of Funds, Passport, Evidence to meet Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Dependents
Yes, in most cases (partner and dependent children). · Limited: Same work rights as the student (48 hours/fortnight), or full-time if the student is a Masters/Doctoral research student.
Top universities & flagship programs
Shortlist globally-ranked institutions with tuition benchmarks.
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC · #1 (in Australia, varies globally)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
4 years · AUD $90,000/yr (Intl)
University of Sydney
Sydney, NSW · #2 (in Australia, varies globally)
Master of Data Science
1.5-2 years · AUD $55,000/yr
Scholarships & exchange routes
Reduce tuition costs and build international exposure.
Scholarships
Merit + needs-based opportunities
Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS)
Full tuition fees, return air travel, living allowance, health cover.
Citizens of participating countries (mainly Indo-Pacific region) for full-time study at a participating Australian university.
Destination Australia Scholarship (DAS)
AUD $15,000 per year
Domestic and international students studying in regional Australia, to support living costs and help regional providers attract students.
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship (University Specific)
Up to 50% tuition reduction or one-off payment ($10,000)
High-achieving international students; specific to each university's criteria and course.
Exchange partners
1-2 semester mobility
OS-HELP Loan Scheme
1-2 semesters
Australian students undertaking an exchange with a partner university; not for international students directly.
University Exchange Agreements
1 semester
Specific to the student's home university and Australian partner institution; requires minimum GPA.
Announcements & policy watch
Stay ahead of IRCC and embassy updates.
Genuine Student (GS) Requirement
The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement has been replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, focusing on the applicant's suitability for the course and academic history, not just their temporary intentions.
Visa success playbook
Action items that consistently strengthen study permit approvals.
Address the new **Genuine Student (GS) requirement** comprehensively by linking the course directly to your past studies or future career goals in your home country; ensure **Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)** is valid for the entire proposed stay.
Country fast facts
Key embassy + lifestyle data
Official language
English
Currency
Australian Dollar (AUD)
Time zone
UTC+08:00 to UTC+10:30
Visa portal
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Part-time work ideas
Average hourly wages
Casual Sales/Cleaner/Food Service
AUD $25 - $35/hr (Casual rates are high, but hourly wage is min $24.80)
Working in retail, cafes, or cleaning services. Casual work is very common for students.
Trainee/Internship (Unpaid/Paid)
Varies (Min wage to full salary if professional)
Work experience related to studies, often counts towards the 48-hour limit if paid.
Nearest embassies
Plan biometrics & interviews
Job market insights
High. The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa provides a generous work period after graduation, which is a key pathway for points-based skilled migration.