Australia Student Visa Guide for Nepali Students explains the subclass 500 requirements, current application charge, Confirmation of Enrolment, health cover, Genuine Student assessment, supporting evidence and work conditions. A university offer is not a visa grant, and every document must match the facts declared in ImmiAccount.
Information checked on 24 July 2026 against the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Fees, evidence settings, processing priorities and visa conditions can change, so recheck the live subclass 500 page before lodgement.
Australia Student visa facts at a glance
| Item | Current official guidance |
|---|---|
| Visa subclass | Student visa subclass 500 |
| Main application charge | From AUD 2,500 for applications under the rules effective 1 July 2026 |
| Enrolment evidence | A valid Confirmation of Enrolment is generally required when the visa is decided |
| Health cover | Overseas Student Health Cover is required unless an exemption applies |
| Primary purpose | The applicant must satisfy the Genuine Student requirement |
| Work during study | Up to 48 hours a fortnight while the course is in session |
| Application method | Online through ImmiAccount in or outside Australia, subject to eligibility |
What subclass 500 allows
The visa permits study in an eligible Australian course, travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid, and work subject to the visa conditions.
The possible stay can be up to six years and is linked to enrolment. The actual grant dates and conditions control the individual case.
Choose a CRICOS-registered course
International students normally need a course and provider registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Check the provider and exact course, not only a marketing agent’s brochure.
Compare academic level, duration, campus, tuition, entry requirements and graduate outcomes before paying a deposit.
Confirmation of Enrolment
A Confirmation of Enrolment, or CoE, is issued after the provider’s enrolment conditions are met. Home Affairs says a valid CoE is generally required when it decides the visa.
A cancelled CoE or completed course is no longer valid for this purpose. Upload the correct CoE for every course in a genuine package.
Current visa application charge
From 1 July 2026, Home Affairs lists the Student visa charge from AUD 2,500 for the main applicant, with limited concessions for specified groups and sectors.
Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator immediately before payment. Health checks, biometrics, translations, tests, OSHC and dependants can add separate costs.
Genuine Student requirement
The Genuine Student requirement applies to applications lodged from 23 March 2024. The applicant must show that studying in Australia is the primary reason for the visa.
Home Affairs considers current circumstances, family and community ties, employment and economic context, reasons for the course and provider, and the value of study to the applicant’s future.
Write GS answers from evidence
Explain the academic progression, research into the course, career relevance and realistic funding in the applicant’s own words. Address gaps, course changes or previous refusals honestly.
Do not use a copied template. Dates, salaries, responsibilities and plans should agree with transcripts, work letters, financial records and the application history.
Financial capacity
Home Affairs requires enough money for the stay. The document checklist and ImmiAccount determine whether evidence must be attached at lodgement for the applicant’s provider and circumstances.
If financial evidence appears on the required list, attach it before submission or the application may be refused. Minimum visa figures are not a promise that actual living costs will be that low.
Show genuine access to funds
Funds should have a credible source and be genuinely available for tuition, living costs, travel and family members. Explain sponsors, income, savings and large recent transactions with documents.
Do not temporarily borrow money only to create a bank balance. Inconsistency can damage credibility.
English language evidence
The document checklist may require approved English-test evidence. Home Affairs applies test, score, timing and exemption rules to the individual application.
The Department says fully online or at-home English tests are not accepted for Student visa evidence. Use an approved test format and verify the current instrument.
Overseas Student Health Cover
The applicant must hold OSHC for the required stay unless an exemption applies. Coverage dates should align with the intended travel and visa requirements.
Every included family member needs suitable health cover. A single policy may need conversion to couple or family cover when dependants are added.
Health, character and biometrics
Home Affairs can request health examinations, police certificates or biometrics. Follow only the instructions in ImmiAccount and use approved providers.
Complete requests promptly but do not arrange unnecessary examinations before official guidance says to do so.
Passport and civil documents
Upload clear passport biodata, identity and required civil-status documents. Names, dates of birth and relationships must be consistent across the CoE, OSHC and application.
Explain any spelling variation with supporting evidence. A digitally linked visa does not place a physical label in the passport.
Translations
Documents not in English need translations meeting Home Affairs requirements. Upload both the original and translation where instructed.
The translator’s details and credentials should satisfy the application rules. Do not edit a source document to make it match the translation.
Apply through ImmiAccount
Create or use the applicant’s own secure ImmiAccount, complete every question and upload the current checklist evidence. Review declarations before paying and submitting.
Keep control of the email, password and multi-factor authentication. An adviser does not need unrestricted ownership of the applicant’s identity.
Attach mandatory evidence before submission
Home Affairs warns that required English and financial evidence shown in the checklist must be attached before submission. An incomplete mandatory set can lead to refusal without a later invitation.
Use readable files, accurate labels and sensible grouping. Do not upload password-protected or corrupted documents.
Processing times and priorities
The processing-time guide shows recently decided applications and is not a guarantee for one case. Offshore applications are also handled under current ministerial processing directions.
Lodge a decision-ready application early enough, but do not invent urgency or book non-refundable travel based only on an estimate.
Work conditions
Home Affairs states that most Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while their course is in session. Different settings apply outside scheduled course sessions and for certain research students.
Students studying a master’s by research or doctoral degree and their families can have different work limits. Always read the conditions attached to the grant in VEVO.
Family members
Eligible family can be included or may apply later as subsequent entrants, but relationship, funds, health cover and Genuine Student dependent criteria apply.
Declare family members as required even when they are not travelling immediately. Non-disclosure can complicate a later application.
Applicants under 18
An applicant under 18 needs parental consent and adequate welfare arrangements. Home Affairs lists forms and evidence depending on a nominated guardian or provider-approved accommodation.
Welfare dates must cover the required period. A student who turns 18 before arrival still needs the specified documentation at application stage.
Visa grant and travel
Read the grant letter for start and end dates, conditions and travel rights. Verify status through official systems and carry key enrolment, accommodation and health-cover records.
Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa. A new visa may be needed for further study.
Visa scam warnings
- An agent guaranteeing approval or a fixed decision date
- A fake CoE or unregistered course
- Temporary borrowed funds presented as genuine savings
- Copied Genuine Student answers unrelated to the applicant
- An at-home English test sold as accepted visa evidence
- A request for the ImmiAccount password or one-time code
- Payment to a personal account for an alleged government fee
Step-by-step subclass 500 checklist
- Verify the course. Check CRICOS registration and academic fit.
- Secure the CoE. Meet genuine provider conditions.
- Run the document checklist. Use current applicant and provider details.
- Prepare GS answers. Connect claims to real evidence.
- Document funds. Show source and genuine access.
- Arrange OSHC. Cover every applicant for the required period.
- Complete ImmiAccount. Attach mandatory evidence before submission.
- Respond to requests. Monitor the account and email.
- Check the grant. Read dates and conditions before travel.
Common Student visa mistakes
- Submitting an invalid or incorrect CoE
- Using copied Genuine Student language
- Missing required financial or English evidence
- Relying on work income to fund the whole stay
- Buying OSHC for the wrong dates or family type
- Hiding a refusal, gap or family member
- Using unverified translations
- Assuming published processing time is a deadline
- Ignoring conditions shown in VEVO
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Australia Student visa fee?
Home Affairs lists the main applicant charge from AUD 2,500 under the rates effective 1 July 2026. Use the official estimator for the live total.
Do I need a Confirmation of Enrolment?
Yes, a valid CoE is generally required when Home Affairs decides the Student visa, subject to limited specified situations.
What is the Genuine Student requirement?
It requires the applicant to be genuine and show that studying in Australia is the primary reason for seeking the Student visa.
Can I use an at-home English test?
Home Affairs says tests delivered entirely online or at home are not accepted as Student visa English evidence.
How much can a Student visa holder work?
Most can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while the course is in session. Read the individual grant and VEVO because exceptions and other conditions apply.
Official sources
- Home Affairs: Student visa subclass 500
- Home Affairs: Genuine Student requirement
- Home Affairs: Student visa document checklist
- Home Affairs: welfare for students under 18
- Australian Government: CRICOS course register
Australia application review in Nepal
For a visible review of course choice, CoE, Genuine Student evidence, funds, OSHC and the application checklist, use MKS Education study in Australia guidance. Students preparing for IELTS, PTE, GRE, GMAT or SAT can compare courses at MKS Prep. Home Affairs and the education provider remain the final authorities.