Student Visa — Subclass 500
The Student visa lets you study full-time at a CRICOS-registered provider in Australia — a university, TAFE, school, or other registered institution. It covers most English language courses, vocational training, and higher education.
To qualify you need:
- A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a registered institution
- Genuine Student (GS) assessment — the Department looks at why you're studying in Australia, your study history, and your ties to your home country
- Sufficient funds to cover tuition and living costs
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full duration of your stay
- Health and character clearances
Work Rights on a Student Visa
Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Dependants who accompany you may also have work rights depending on your course level — generally allowed for postgraduate students without restriction.
Temporary Graduate Visa — Subclass 485
After completing a qualification at an Australian institution, you may be eligible for the 485 visa, which lets you live and work in Australia for a set period. It operates in two streams:
| Stream | Who it's for | Visa length |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Work | Completed a qualification in a nominated skilled occupation | 18 months – 5 years |
| Post-Study Work | Completed a bachelor, masters, or doctoral degree | 2–6 years depending on qualification and study location |
Regional study gets an extension. If you studied for at least two years in a regional area of Australia, you're eligible for an additional two years on a Post-Study Work stream 485.
Using the 485 as a Pathway to Permanent Residence
Most people use the 485 to gain Australian work experience while building points for a skilled migration visa. The timing matters — skills assessments, English tests, and work experience need to line up with the end of your 485.
We advise students on this pathway before they enrol, so the course selection and work strategy are planned from the start rather than scrambled at graduation.
What We Handle
- Initial student visa applications (subclass 500)
- Changes of course or provider
- Visa extensions and bridging arrangements
- Temporary Graduate visa applications (subclass 485)
- Skills assessment coordination for post-study migration
- Student visa issues — attendance, academic progress concerns