Study in Australia and Even Work to Pay for Everything: How the Student Visa Makes This Possible

Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500): Cost, Processing Time, and Work Rights — 2026

In summary: The student visa (subclass 500) is issued for the entire duration of the course and allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight — enough to earn between AUD 2,100 and AUD 2,700/month and cover a large portion of your costs. It requires acceptance from an accredited school (CRICOS), CoE, and mandatory OSHC. Start the process 6 to 8 weeks in advance.

The student visa (subclass 500) is the passport for anyone who wants to study English for more than 12 weeks, take a VET course, or enroll in an Australian university. It is one of the most sought-after visas by Brazilians — and also one of the most well-structured in the Australian system.

In this guide, Yooz Study explains everything you need to know to get your student visa in 2026.

What is the student visa (subclass 500)?

The student visa is a temporary visa issued by the Australian government that allows international students to pursue educational programs at accredited institutions in the country. It covers:

• English courses (ELICOS) lasting more than 12 weeks

• VET courses (Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma)

• Undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, and doctorate degrees

• University preparatory courses (Foundation)

The visa duration corresponds to the course duration — if you take a 1-year course, the visa is issued for 1 year. If you take a 3-year course, the visa is valid for 3 years.

Who can apply for the student visa?

Anyone, of any age and nationality, can apply for the student visa (500) to study at an accredited institution in Australia. There is no age limit (unlike the WHV, which is restricted to 18-30 years old).

To be approved, you need to:

• Have been accepted into a course at an Australian registered institution (CRICOS)

• Have sufficient financial resources to cover studies and stay

• Meet health and character requirements

• Have a genuine intention to study (Genuine Student requirement)

• Obtain OSHC (mandatory health insurance)

Step-by-step: how to get your student visa

Step 1 — Choose the course and school
Research course and school options with Yooz Study. Our team knows the best schools for each profile and goal.

Step 2 — Apply to the institution
The school assesses your English level (usually through a free online test) and accepts you at the appropriate level.

Step 3 — Receive the Letter of Offer and pay tuition
After acceptance, the school issues a Letter of Offer. You sign the contract and pay the first installment of tuition fees.

Step 4 — Receive the CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment)
With payment confirmed, the school issues the CoE — the official document that proves your enrollment and is required for the visa application.

Step 5 — Obtain OSHC
Before applying for the visa, you need to obtain OSHC health insurance for the entire duration of the course. Available insurers are: ahm, nib, BUPA, Medibank, and Allianz Care.

Step 6 — Apply for the visa via ImmiAccount
Access immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, create an account on ImmiAccount, and fill out the subclass 500 visa form. You will need to attach:

• Valid passport

• CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment)

• Proof of OSHC

• Proof of financial resources

• Genuine Student statement

• Other documents as requested

Step 7 — Await processing
Processing times vary according to the volume of applications and your profile. Check updated processing times at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. We recommend starting the process at least 6 to 8 weeks before your desired departure date.

What you can and cannot do with a student visa

You can:

• Study at any CRICOS accredited institution

• Work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session

• Work unlimited hours during school holidays

• Bring spouse and children as dependents (in many cases)

• Travel outside Australia and return (with a valid visa)

• Study additional courses beyond the main one

You cannot:

• Work more than 48 hours per fortnight during the course (except for postgraduate research or situations specified by Home Affairs)

• Change to another school without notifying Home Affairs in some cases

• Stay in Australia after your visa expires without renewal

Can I work with a student visa?

Yes — and this is one of the great advantages of the subclass 500 visa. The current rule (effective in 2026) is:

• During the course: up to 48 hours per fortnight (two weeks)

• During school holidays: no hour restriction

• Postgraduate research (master's/doctorate): no hour restriction

With the minimum wage of AUD 26.44/hour from July 2026, a part-time job yields between AUD 2,100 and AUD 2,700 per month — very relevant for those who want to be financially self-sufficient during their exchange.

Can the student visa 500 lead to permanent residency?

Not directly — but it can be a fundamental strategic step. Many Brazilians use the student visa as a stepping stone to permanent migration in the following way:

1. Study a VET course or undergraduate degree in an in-demand area in Australia

2. After completing the course, apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (485), which allows working for 2 to 4 years in Australia

3. Accumulate work experience in Australia, which adds valuable points in SkillSelect

4. Achieve the necessary score and apply for permanent residency (189, 190, or 491)

VET courses and undergraduate degrees in areas such as IT, health, civil construction, education, and social services have the best results in this trajectory.

Can I bring my family on a student visa?

In many cases, yes. For higher education courses (undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA), you can include:

Spouse or partner: generally receives work permission in Australia for the duration of your visa.

Children: can attend Australian public schools at no additional cost in some states.

To include dependents, you will need to prove the relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate) and obtain OSHC for each family member.

What is a CRICOS school and how to choose the right one?

To apply for a student visa, you need to be enrolled in an institution registered in CRICOS — Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. CRICOS is the official Australian government registry of schools and courses approved to receive international students.

Any school not registered in CRICOS cannot receive students with a subclass 500 visa. Checking the school's CRICOS number before enrolling is essential.

How to choose the right school?

• Check if the school is CRICOS accredited (cricos.teqsa.gov.au)

• Research reviews from Brazilian students who have studied there

• Consider the location (near your neighborhood or with good transport)

• Compare class schedules — morning, afternoon, or intensive?

• Check if the school has Portuguese support for the first few weeks

Yooz Study works with over 40 accredited partner schools, all verified and evaluated by our team. We provide personalized recommendations based on your level, goals, and budget.

What is the CoE and why is it essential for the visa?

The CoE — Confirmation of Enrolment — is the official document that proves you are enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course. It is issued by the school itself and is mandatory for the student visa application.

The CoE contains information such as:

• Full name and date of birth of the student

• Name and CRICOS number of the institution

• Course name and code

• Expected start and end dates

• Amount paid and payment method

Without the CoE, the visa cannot be applied for. Therefore, the correct process is: pay tuition → receive CoE → apply for the visa.

What is the Genuine Student Requirement (GS)?

Since March 23, 2024, the Australian government has implemented the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. This criterion replaces the old GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) and assesses whether the student has a real intention to study in Australia and whether their educational proposal makes sense with their profile.

In practice, when applying for the visa, you need to demonstrate:

• That the course is appropriate for your educational level and history

• That you have the financial capacity to support yourself during your studies

• That you understand the student visa conditions

Yooz Study guides students on how to present documentation so that the GS is positively assessed by Home Affairs.

What happens if I want to change schools?

Students with a subclass 500 visa have the right to transfer to another school, but there are rules:

Within the first 6 months of the course: transfer generally requires authorization from the original school (except in situations of abuse or inadequate conditions). Without authorization, the visa may be compromised.

In any case, the new school must issue a new CoE, and you must notify Home Affairs of the change within the stipulated timeframe.

If you are experiencing problems with your current school or want to understand the transfer conditions in your specific case, contact the Yooz Study team before making any decision.

Tips for getting your student visa approved quickly

• Prepare all documentation before applying: Incomplete documents are the most common cause of delays. Have a valid passport, CoE, OSHC, proof of financial resources, and other required documents ready before accessing ImmiAccount.

• Demonstrate ties to Brazil: Having a job, family, or other ties in Brazil helps prove the Genuine Student Requirement — that you plan to return to your country after your studies.

• Respond to requests quickly: If Home Affairs requests additional documentation, respond within 28 days to avoid having your application canceled.

• Apply in advance: Although processing is variable, start the process at least 6 to 8 weeks before your departure date.

• Use an accredited agency: Yooz Study reviews each application before submission to identify potential problems in advance.

Frequently asked questions about the student visa (subclass 500)

What is the difference between a student visa and a tourist visa for studying English?
A tourist visa (600) allows you to study for up to 12 weeks and does not authorize work. A student visa (500) has no study duration limit and allows you to work up to 48 hours/fortnight. For courses over 12 weeks, the subclass 500 visa is mandatory.

How much does the subclass 500 student visa cost?

The student visa fee is updated annually by the Australian government. Consult the exact amount on the official estimator at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying, as values change each year.

In addition to the visa fee, include in your budget:

• OSHC (mandatory): AUD 52 to AUD 67 per month

• Proof of financial resources (for analysis purposes, not a fee)

How does Yooz Study help with the process?

Yooz Study handles the entire student visa process for you:

• We identify the best course and school for your profile and goals

• We manage all communication with the school

• We guide you in obtaining OSHC

• We prepare and review documentation before submission

• We monitor the progress of the process until approval

• We offer post-arrival support in the cities where we operate

Want to get started? Fill out the form on the website or contact our team via WhatsApp for a consultation.