Student Visa Subclass 500 – Know How It Works?

The Australian Student Visa 500 is the main visa that allows international students to enroll in their preferred education institution and build their academic careers. This visa is available for students from the age of 6. Besides studying, you can also work as a part-time employee and bring your family members to Australia, if applicable. However, for obtaining your visa, you have to know the whole procedure, and this blog can help you with that.

How does the Student Visa Subclass 500 application work?

This section discusses all eligibility requirements, application procedures, and other important points that you must know regarding the Student Visa Subclass 500.

Know the eligibility criteria

You must first know how you can become eligible for the visa. The criteria are as follows.

• Your age must be at least 6 years.

• Before applying for the visa, you have to apply to an Australian institution. Once you are fully accepted, you will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the authority. While applying for this visa, you have to show this document.

• Make sure the institute and the course you are applying for are registered with the CRICOS.

• You must be a genuine visitor to Australia, i.e. you have to show that you are entering Australia only for study and will return to your home country once the course is over.

• Having English language skills is necessary.

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is another essential requirement. Make sure both you and your family members have it throughout your stay in Australia. You can ask your institute to arrange it for you.

• Adequate welfare arrangements are required if you have not turned 18.

• You must have sufficient money to cover your costs.

• Fulfilling health and character requirements are also vital.

Know about the complete application procedure

Next, you have to know about the complete visa application procedure. Remember that your visa approval will depend on completing all the application steps properly. So, you must be careful while applying.

Step 1: Complete steps before starting the application

Some pre-application steps must be completed first. Note that you have to apply for your visa a minimum of 6 weeks before the course starts.

If the Department of Home Affairs asks you to undergo health checks, you can arrange them before applying.

Hiring a migration agent Adelaide can ensure the best application outcome. So, if you decide to hire such a professional, hire them in this step.

Step 2: Gather all your documents

You have to check the ‘Document Checklist Tool’ to see which documents you must submit for this visa. This tool is available on the Department of Home Affairs website and is updated on 31 March and 30 September each year. So, make sure you check the latest one.

You have to enter the name of your Australian education provider and the country of your passport to check these documents. If you have not decided on your educational institute, choose the option ‘I have not decided on a provider yet.’ You have to submit the following documents:

• Identity documents, including copies of your passport, a national id card, and name change document (if applicable)

• Documents confirming your acceptance by the university, like CoE, acceptance letter, letter of support, or Acceptance Advice of Student Exchange Student (AASES) form, whichever applicable

• Evidence that you have enough money

• Overseas Student Health Cover details

• Genuine temporary entrant documents

• A score of an English language test to confirm that you have proficiency in the language

• A filled out Form 956 if you take migration help

• Partner and dependent children documents

Note that your OSHC can be provided by your institute or any health insurance company. If your institute provides that, the details you must submit will include the provider’s name and the dates of issue and expiry. But if a health insurer provides that, you must add the policy number, too, while applying.

Test results of IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, OET, and CAE are accepted, and so you can give any one of these English language tests to confirm your ability in English.

Step 3: Submit the application

Once you have gathered all the documents, it is time to submit the whole application. If you prefer an online application, you must create your ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. Remember that you will need to upload scanned documents for an online application. Make sure every information provided is correct and accurate.

The visa application fee must also be paid at this step, and it is AUD620 for the main applicant.

Step 4: Steps to complete after submitting the application

Your responsibilities may not be completed even after applying. The post-application steps may include the following.

• You have to submit biometrics information.

• If you have not undertaken health checks before the application, arrange them now.

• If there are mistakes, correct them.

• The Department of Home Affairs may ask you for further information. You must respond to their queries promptly.

Step 5: Know your visa outcome

Once the decision is made on your visa application, the Department of Home Affairs will let you know about it through email. If they approve your visa, you will receive the following information in that mail:

• Visa grant number

• Visa conditions that you have to remain compliant with

• The expiry date of your visa

If your 500 Visa is refused, they will also tell you why it was refused and what options you will have.

Welfare arrangements that you have to make

If your age is under 18 years, you have to make the following welfare arrangements:

• You have to nominate a guardian, who may be your parent, a relative (aged more than 21 years), or a legal guardian. The guardian must have a valid Australian visa.

• If you are a secondary exchange student, you have to get your Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student (AASES) form.

• You will also need to organise a CAAW (Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare) with your institute.

• If you are a Foreign Affairs or Defence student, arrangements must be made with the concerned ministry.

Know these important points regarding adding your family members to your application

The Visa Subclass 500 allows applicants to add their partner or spouse and dependent children (including step-children) to the application. Remember that your children must be financially dependent on you or your spouse or partner to be included in the application.

Another point to note is that even if they don’t plan to travel with you, you must declare them in the application because you can face trouble if they plan to join you in the future.

Know the processing time of the visa

The visa processing time depends on two factors: the number of applications submitted at a given specific time and the education sector you are applying in. Based on these two, the processing times will be as follows.

• Foreign Affairs or Defence: 28 days-7 months

• Postgraduate Research: 19 days-8 months

• Non-Award: Less than 1 day-22 days

• Schools: 26 days-9 months

• VET: 30 days-16 months

• Independent ELICOS: 12 days-18 months

• Higher education: 12 days-7 months

Get help from an immigration agent from Adelaide if any change occurs

If any change occurs in your situation or you have to change your course, you must inform the Department of Home Affairs. A registered immigration agent Adelaide can give you the best possible advice on proceeding. However, before hiring, you must check client reviews.