Attach evidence to your ImmiAccount showing the steps you have taken to complete the requested test or examination. Do this before the deadline given by the Department of Home Affairs.
With a Student visa, you can
Study
Complete an eligible course with an Australian education provider.
Stay
in Australia in line with your enrolment, for up to 6 years, and travel in and out of Australia while your visa is valid.
Work
up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session for master's degree by research or doctoral degree, no limit on hours worked after your course starts.
Family
You can only include family members in your Student visa application if an exemption applies. You cannot add family members after your visa is granted.
Important changes from 2 October 2026
Student visa application rules changed on 2 October 2026.
The changes affect:
- who can apply for and be granted a Student visa while in Australia
- Student visa holders applying for another Student visa
- whether family members can be included in an application.
Make sure you understand how the rules apply to you before making visa, study, travel or relocation plans.
What can I study with a Student visa?
You can use this visa to study:
- Higher education
- Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Pathway courses
- English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
- Primary and secondary school
- Secondary school exchange programs
- Postgraduate research
- Non-award courses, including Study Abroad and Exchange
- courses sponsored by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or Defence.
Before applying, you will generally need to enrol in a course and receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your education provider. Your CoE must still be valid when the Department of Home Affairs decides your visa application. A CoE is no longer valid if it has been cancelled or the course is complete.
Check Student visa application requirements.
Applying for a Student visa
Where you can apply depends on the visa you currently hold and your circumstances.
- If you are outside Australia: You can apply for a Student visa. Allow enough time for your application to be processed before you travel.
- If you are in Australia: You can only apply for a Student visa if you hold an eligible visa and meet an exemption that allows you to apply while in Australia.
- If you are inside Australia and already hold a Student visa: You can only apply for another Student visa while in Australia if you meet an exemption that allows you to apply onshore.
Before you submit an application
Make sure you:
- meet the Student visa requirements
- enrol in an eligible course
- obtain a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- include all required documents
- provide complete and correct information
- arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies
- confirm the current visa application charge
- allow enough time for processing before travelling.
If you are under 18, you must also have an approved welfare arrangement.
Missing documents or incorrect information can delay your application. Your application may be refused if you do not meet the requirements.
Check the evidence you need with the Document Checklist Tool.
Visa fees and processing times
Student visa application charges and processing times can change. The published processing times are a guide based on recently decided applications. They are not specific to your application.
Allow enough time for your application to be processed before your planned travel to Australia. Do not make travel plans based on an assumption that your visa will be granted.
View Student visa requirements and application information.
View current Student visa processing times.
Your Student visa conditions
Your Student visa has rules and conditions you need to follow while you are in Australia. Your visa grant letter and the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system, known as VEVO, show the conditions that apply to you.
Depending on your visa and course, you may need to:
- give your education or training provider your residential address within seven days of arriving
- remain enrolled and meet your course requirements
- maintain satisfactory attendance and course progress
- tell your provider if you are sick or have another issue that may affect your attendance
- maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the required period, unless an exemption applies
- follow the work conditions attached to your visa
- leave Australia or obtain another valid visa before your current visa expires.
Check your visa conditions using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO).
Check health insurance information for visa holders.
Find out more about Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Working while you study
A Student visa allows you to work while studying in Australia. You cannot work before your course starts unless you held another visa that allowed you to work at that time.
You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight:
- while your course is in session
- during study terms and semesters, including exam periods
- during a term break if you are taking another course that counts towards your main course, unless it is a mandatory requirement listed on CRICOS.
You can work unlimited hours:
- during scheduled course breaks
- if your course has been deferred or suspended in line with Standard 9 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students
- after you have completed the course listed on your CoE, while you still hold a valid visa
- if your enrolment has been cancelled because your education provider defaulted, until you enrol in and start a new course
- after your course starts, if you are studying a master’s degree by research or a doctoral degree.
You cannot work before your course starts unless you hold another visa that allows you to work.
The work conditions attached to your visa may vary. Use VEVO or your visa grant letter to confirm your work rights before starting or changing work. International students have the same workplace rights and protections as other workers in Australia.
Check your work conditions using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO).
Learn more about working in Australia.
Studying a package of courses
You can study two or more courses under one Student visa if the courses show clear progression from one course to the next. This is known as course packaging.
You will need:
- a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course
- to identify the final course in the package as your main or principal course of study
- to meet the requirements for gaps between the packaged courses.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) uses your main course to determine the financial and English language evidence you need to provide with your application.
Gaps between courses
The gap between packaged courses must generally be less than two calendar months. It can be up to four months if the first course finishes at the end of the Australian academic year in November and the next course begins in February. Standard visa grant periods continue to apply.
Learn more about pathways to further study.
Bringing family members
You can only include family members in a Student visa application if an exemption applies. Eligibility depends on your circumstances. Family members cannot be added after your Student visa is granted. There are no exemptions to this rule.
Check if you are eligible to include family members in your application.
Frequently asked questions
If the DHA is still assessing your Student visa application, attach your new CoE to your application through ImmiAccount as soon as possible.
If you already hold a Student visa, your provider will give DHA your new CoE. Changes to your course may affect your visa requirements.
You may be able to apply for another Student visa while you are in Australia if an exemption applies. This may include some students progressing to a higher-level course after completing the main course covered by their current visa. Before enrolling in another course, confirm whether you can apply in Australia and whether your planned course meets the exemption requirements.
You may need a new Student visa if you change providers. This depends on factors including your course level, how long you have held your current visa, your remaining visa period and whether an exemption applies. Before changing providers, confirm that you can make the change and whether you need to apply for another visa. You can find more information in the Department of Home Affairs website.
Check visa requirements before changing education providers.
You will generally need to apply for a new Student visa if you move to a lower Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level. An exception may apply when moving from an AQF level 10 doctoral degree to an AQF level 9 master’s degree. Before changing courses, confirm whether you need a new visa on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Take action before your visa expires. If your visa is close to expiring, find out whether you need to leave Australia or apply for another visa. If your visa has expired, you may be an unlawful non-citizen. the Status Resolution Support Service provides information and support for people who do not hold a valid visa.
Find out what to do if your visa has expired or is expiring.
The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for Australian visas.
You can use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO) to check your current visa details and conditions.
If you are paying someone to help with your application, make sure the person is legally permitted to provide immigration assistance.
If you have questions about your visa or individual circumstances, please contact the Department of Home Affairs.
