Australian Student Visa 2027: What Indian Students Need to Know

The Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) is the visa that allows international students, including Indian students, to study full-time at a CRICOS-registered institution in Australia. If you’re targeting the Semester 1 2027 intake, understanding the current requirements, costs, and timelines now will give you the best chance of a smooth application.

This guide walks you through eligibility, financial proof, costs, work rights, and the step-by-step application process, drawing on StudyIn’s experience supporting Indian students studying in Australia.

What Is the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)?

The Subclass 500 visa allows you to study full-time at institutions registered on CRICOS, the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. It covers higher education degrees, VET courses, ELICOS English language programmes, school studies, and doctoral qualifications.

In most cases, your visa remains valid for the full length of your course, plus a short additional period afterwards. The exact stay period depends on your course length and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for an Australian Student Visa?

To qualify for the Subclass 500 visa, your application as an Indian applicant is assessed against the following core requirements.

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). You must hold a valid CoE from a CRICOS-registered provider confirming full-time enrolment.
• Genuine Student (GS) requirement. You must answer targeted questions in your application to demonstrate that your primary purpose is study. This requirement focuses on your ties to India and how the course supports your future career.
• English language proficiency. Standard minimums are strictly enforced: IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each band, PTE Academic 50, or TOEFL iBT 64.
• Health and character requirements. You must meet Australia’s health standards, which may include a medical examination, and declare good character, with police clearance sometimes requested.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). OSHC is mandatory health insurance covering hospital, medical, and emergency services for your full stay.
• Financial capacity. You must show sufficient funds to cover tuition, travel, and living expenses, with a current living cost benchmark of AUD 29,710 per year for a single student.

How Much Money Do You Need for an Australian Student Visa?

Since 8th January 2026, India has been assessed under Evidence Level 3, which means detailed financial documentation is mandatory. You must show funds covering at least 12 months from your course start date.

INR figures are approximate, based on an indicative exchange rate of AUD 1 to INR 67.5, and will vary with currency movements. Funds must generally be held for at least three months before you apply.

In addition to the living cost benchmark, you’ll need to budget for your first 12 months of tuition as shown on your CoE, travel costs of around AUD 2,000 to AUD 3,000, and OSHC, which typically costs between AUD 500 and AUD 700 per year for single cover.

To support your application, you’ll need credible, traceable financial evidence submitted through ImmiAccount. Acceptable documents include education loan sanction letters from recognised institutions, three to six months of bank statements showing a stable history, liquid fixed deposits nearing maturity, and a sponsor affidavit with income proof and three years of income tax returns.

How Much Does the Australian Student Visa Cost in 2027?

As of 1st July 2026, the Subclass 500 visa application charge is AUD 2,500 for the main applicant, with additional charges for accompanying family members.

Agent or documentation costs are optional, since the Australian government doesn’t regulate private agents. You can apply independently if you’d like to avoid this expense, or work with StudyIn’s counsellors as part of your free application support.

Can You Work on an Australian Student Visa?

Yes, alongside your studies, the Subclass 500 visa gives you the right to work under the following conditions.

• Work limits. You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semesters, with unlimited hours during official university breaks.
• Research perks. Master’s by Research and PhD students have unlimited work rights once their course starts.
• Compliance. The 48-hour limit applies to a rolling 14-day period, and exceeding it can put your visa status at risk.
• Earnings. From 1st July 2026, the national minimum wage is AUD 26.44 per hour, so working full hours under the fortnightly limit typically earns you around AUD 1,270 per fortnight before tax.

While part-time earnings support your day-to-day life, they’re unlikely to cover the full AUD 29,710 living cost benchmark on their own. Your financial evidence for the visa application should rely on verified savings or loans, not projected income from future work.

What Happens After You Graduate? Post-Study Work Opportunities in Australia

For many Indian students, studying in Australia is about more than the degree itself. It’s also a chance to gain international work experience and strengthen long-term career prospects.

After completing an eligible qualification, graduates may apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485). As of 1st July 2026, the application charge for this visa is AUD 5,750 for the main applicant.

• Post-Study Work stream. Available to students who complete an eligible bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, typically granting two to three years of work rights depending on qualification level and current settings, with no occupation list requirement.
• Graduate Work stream. For graduates with qualifications aligned to occupations on Australia’s skilled occupation list, generally shorter in duration and sometimes requiring a skills assessment.

Post-study work experience can strengthen your CV, improve your eligibility for skilled migration pathways, and expand your professional network, though it doesn’t guarantee permanent residency on its own. If long-term migration is part of your plan, our guide to PR pathways in Australia explains how post-study work fits into the wider process.

What Visa Conditions Must You Follow?

Staying compliant with your visa conditions is essential, since your academic performance and personal circumstances directly affect your ability to remain in Australia.

• Academic progress (condition 8202). You must maintain full-time enrolment, achieve satisfactory course progress, and keep attendance above 80%.
• Work rights (condition 8105). Strictly follow the 48-hour fortnightly limit during semesters, as exceeding it is a common reason for visa cancellation.
• Mandatory updates. You must notify the Department via ImmiAccount within seven days of any change to your address, course, or personal circumstances.

If you plan to bring your partner or children as subsequent entrants, you’ll need to show the additional annual living funds set out in the financial requirements table above, roughly AUD 10,394 for a spouse or partner and AUD 4,449 for each dependent child.

Why Do Australian Student Visas Get Refused?

Under Subclass 500 assessment, decisions come down to credibility, financial traceability, and compliance history.

• Weak financial evidence. Level 3 scrutiny requires proof of the source of funds, and sudden deposits or incomplete loan coverage often raise concerns.
• Unclear Genuine Student answers. Generic responses that don’t demonstrate a clear course rationale can lead to refusal.
• Inconsistent documentation. Name mismatches, missing translations, unsigned affidavits, or outdated CoEs can delay or affect your decision.
• Undisclosed history. Previous visa refusals or legal matters must be declared honestly, as transparency is essential.

What Documents Do Indian Students Need for an Australian Student Visa?

Indian applicants are assessed under strict evidence checks, so precision in your documentation matters.

How Do You Apply for an Australian Student Visa?

• Step 1: Secure your offer letter and CoE. Apply to a CRICOS-registered institution, accept the offer, and obtain your Confirmation of Enrolment.
• Step 2: Arrange OSHC. Purchase health cover for your full course duration and download the certificate.
• Step 3: Prepare your financial evidence. Make sure your funds, covering AUD 29,710 plus tuition, are traceable and have been held for at least three months.
• Step 4: Create your ImmiAccount and answer the GS questions. Lodge your application online and answer the mandatory questions about your study intent and ties to India.
• Step 5: Pay your visa fee. Upload your required documents and pay the current Visa Application Charge of AUD 2,500.
• Step 6: Complete biometrics and health checks. Attend biometrics and complete any medical exams through approved panel clinics.

How Long Does an Australian Student Visa Take to Process?

Processing times vary by education sector, and Indian applicants may see additional verification time under Level 3 assessment.

If you’re aiming for the Semester 1 2027 intake, which typically starts in February, try to have your offer and CoE finalised by around October 2026, so you can lodge your visa by November or December 2026 and allow time for processing before your course begins.

Start Planning Your Visa Application

The Subclass 500 visa process follows clear steps, but small inconsistencies in your documentation can lead to delays or refusal. With compliance checks continuing to tighten, preparation is key, and it’s best to begin at least four to six months before your intended intake.

StudyIn’s counsellors guide Indian students through each stage of the visa process, from financial evidence to lodging your application, so you can move forward with confidence.

FAQs

What are the requirements for an Australian student visa?

To qualify for the Subclass 500 visa, you must hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment, meet the Genuine Student requirement, demonstrate English proficiency such as IELTS 6.0 or PTE 50, show traceable financial capacity for living and tuition costs, maintain OSHC, and satisfy health and character checks.

How much is the Australia student visa fee for Indian students?

As of 1st July 2026, the base visa application charge is AUD 2,500. Additional costs apply for biometrics, medical examinations, and OSHC, and fees for any dependants applying with you are separate.

How much bank balance is required for an Australian student visa?

You must show at least AUD 29,710 for annual living expenses, plus your first 12 months of tuition fees and travel costs of around AUD 2,000 to AUD 3,000. Funds must be traceable, held for at least three months, and supported by credible financial documents.

What is the Genuine Student requirement?

The Genuine Student, or GS, requirement replaced the earlier GTE statement. Instead of a long written statement, you answer targeted questions in your visa application about your study purpose, ties to India, financial capacity, and how the course supports your long-term career plans.

Can I work in Australia on a Subclass 500 visa?

Yes. You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during official university breaks. Master’s by Research and PhD students have unlimited work rights once their course begins.

When should I apply for my Australian student visa for the 2027 intake?

For the Semester 1 2027 intake, aim to finalise your offer and CoE by around October 2026, then lodge your visa application by November or December 2026 to allow enough time for processing before your course starts.

How long does an Australian student visa take to process?

Processing times vary by sector. University applications are typically processed within 7 to 21 days, VET applications within 14 to 45 days, and postgraduate research visas within 2 to 7 days, though Indian applicants may see additional verification time under Level 3 assessment.

What documents are required for an Australian student visa?

You must submit your passport, CoE, financial evidence, English test results, Genuine Student responses, academic transcripts, and your OSHC certificate, along with any requested police or medical documents. All documents must be clear, consistent, and verifiable.

Why are Australian student visas refused?

Common reasons include weak or unverified financial evidence, unclear Genuine Student responses, inconsistent documentation, undisclosed history, and unexplained sudden bank deposits. Level 3 scrutiny for Indian applicants makes accuracy and transparency especially important.