One visa, from English school to a master's degree
The Subclass 500 student visa covers study at every level, from an English language course to an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. We build your course plan and your visa file together, and prepare every application against the Genuine Student requirement. Choose your level below.
A registered migration agent will review your enquiry and come back to you within one business day. If your matter is urgent, call (08) 6555 7037.
What every student visa has in common
- ›You must be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course and hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
- ›Every application is assessed against the Genuine Student (GSR) requirement.
- ›You must show the financial capacity, English level and health cover (OSHC) your course requires.
- ›Visa conditions, including a work limit, apply once the visa is granted.
The requirements shared across all levels are set out further down this page.
The level sections cover what changes.
We manage your study plan and your visa file, end to end
From choosing a course to lodging your Subclass 500 application, one team handles the whole process.
Course & provider selection
We match a course, campus and city to your academic background, budget and long-term goal, and compare your options honestly.
Admission & CoE management
We prepare your application, manage the Letter of Offer and its conditions, arrange OSHC and follow the CoE through to issue.
Subclass 500 visa file
Your visa application is prepared under our Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2418576), built around the Genuine Student requirement.
English Language Courses (ELICOS)
ELICOS courses (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) suit students building their English before further study or for professional and personal goals. There is no formal academic entry like a university, but your program length and level still need to make sense for your profile.
General English
All levels
Everyday speaking, listening, reading and writing, from beginner to advanced, to build a solid foundation.
IELTS & PTE preparation
Exam focused
Targeted preparation for the tests most often used for university entry and visa purposes.
Cambridge preparation
Exam focused
Structured courses leading to recognised Cambridge English qualifications.
Academic English (EAP)
University pathway
English for academic study, often used to meet a university's conditional English requirement.
Pathway programs
University pathway
Programs designed to lead into further study once your English reaches the required level.
Vocational & sector English
Specialised
English tailored to specific industries or professional settings.
Language schools our students choose
The providers below are CRICOS-registered English schools our clients often choose. This is not a ranking or a recommendation; the right provider is decided with you, based on your profile.
Provider and campus details were confirmed as at 30 July 2026. Schools may update programs, addresses and fees during the year, so all details are verified with the provider before enrolment. If you prefer a provider not listed here, simply mention it at your assessment.
Bachelor's Degrees
Australian bachelor's degrees sit within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Most take three years; engineering, law and health can run four years or more. Below is the general entry framework; exact requirements vary by institution, program and intake.
Academic
Entry requirement
Your high school diploma and transcript are the core documents. Institutions assess your results against their own equivalency tables. The average required varies by program, and some courses ask for a portfolio, interview or prerequisite subjects.
English
Entry requirement
A set level in IELTS, PTE or another accepted test is required. The level required for a bachelor's is generally moderate and varies by university and course. Without a test score, entry may be possible through a university's own academic English program.
Financial
Entry requirement
You must show you can meet tuition, travel and living costs. The source and history of your funds are also assessed, so consistent documentation matters. Current thresholds are set by the Department of Home Affairs and are checked per file.
If you don't receive direct entry: Foundation & Diploma
If your school results or English level are not enough for direct entry, bridging programs can open a pathway into a degree.
Foundation program
8-12 months
An academic program that prepares you for first-year university. On successful completion it can lead into the first year of a bachelor's degree. Entry conditions vary by provider.
Diploma (pathway)
8-12 months
Treated as equivalent to first-year study. On success it can lead directly into second year, which may shorten your total time.
Academic English (EAP)
Conditional entry
For applicants held back only by English, entry may be possible through the institution's own academic English program.
Universities for undergraduate study
The institutions below are among those our clients apply to for undergraduate study. This is not a ranking or a recommendation; the right institution is decided with you. "Go8" marks membership of the Group of Eight research universities.
This information is for general guidance. Universities update programs, entry conditions and fees during the academic year, so all details are verified with the institution before applying.
Master's Degrees
Australian postgraduate programs are defined at different levels within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Choosing the right program is the foundation of your application.
Master's by coursework
Most common
Coursework-focused and typically one and a half to two years. If your bachelor's is in the same field, some programs may be shorter.
Master's by research
Thesis focused
Research and thesis based, suited to those aiming at an academic career or a PhD. A research proposal and supervisor may be required.
MBA & business master's
Management
Management-focused programs. Many providers ask for a set period of professional work experience; this varies by program.
Graduate Certificate / Diploma
Shorter postgraduate
Shorter postgraduate programs that can serve as a step towards a master's for applicants who do not meet direct entry.
Field-change (extended) programs
Career switch
Extended master's for applicants coming from a different bachelor's field; these usually take longer.
Accredited programs
Professional
In areas such as accounting, engineering and nursing, some programs are accredited by professional bodies. Accreditation varies and should be confirmed with the institution.
What a master's requires
The headings below show the general framework. Exact requirements vary by institution, program and intake.
Academic
Entry requirement
A completed bachelor's degree and transcript are the core documents. Some programs require your bachelor's to be in a related field.
English
Entry requirement
For a master's, the English level required is usually higher than for a bachelor's, and varies by university and program.
Experience & documents
Entry requirement
MBA and some specialist programs require professional experience. A statement of purpose, current CV, reference letters or a portfolio may also be requested.
A logical step: course progression
Your choice of master's should make sense against your previous study. This matters for the Genuine Student assessment.
Deepening in the same field
Continuing into a master's that builds on your bachelor's is the most straightforward progression.
Changing field
A change of field is possible but should be explained clearly, so the move makes sense as a whole.
Stepping back a level
Enrolling in a lower or equivalent qualification than you already hold is closely examined and needs a clear, genuine reason.
Linking to work experience
A program that connects to your work history strengthens the logic of your study plan.
Universities for postgraduate study
The institutions below are among those our clients apply to for postgraduate study. This is not a ranking or a recommendation; the right institution is decided with you. "Go8" marks membership of the Group of Eight research universities.
This information is for general guidance. Universities update programs, entry conditions and fees during the academic year, so all details are verified with the institution before applying.
The Genuine Student (GSR) Requirement
The Genuine Student requirement is the core assessment the Department of Home Affairs applies to every Subclass 500 application. It replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement in 2024, and it applies whichever level you study at.
Your background & situation
Your ties to your home country, your economic position, your social and legal obligations (for example military service) and your likely circumstances in Australia are considered as a whole.
Immigration & travel history
Previous visas, your compliance record on those visas, and your travel to other countries are examined.
Purpose & logic of study
How your chosen course fits your previous education, current career and future plans, and the genuine academic or professional value it offers you.
A common misunderstanding
Wanting permanent residence after your studies is not, by itself, a breach of the Genuine Student requirement. However, if the main purpose of the application appears to be a migration outcome rather than study, that can be grounds for refusal. The assessment looks at the whole application, not a single document, so your statements and evidence need to be consistent.
Where the levels differ
- Language courses: program length, the level chosen and your post-study plan must form a logical whole; for example, an advanced English speaker enrolling long-term in a beginner course would be questioned if unexplained.
- Bachelor's: your program should be consistent with your previous education and your stated goals.
- Master's: course progression must make sense; stepping back a level or an unexplained change of field is examined closely.
Your Student Visa Conditions
Once your student visa is granted, specific conditions are attached to it. Breaching them can lead to consequences up to cancellation of the visa.
Work limit
During your course you may work up to 48 hours per fortnight. This limit does not apply during your provider's official breaks. You cannot begin work before your enrolled course has actually started, even after arriving in Australia.
Enrolment & attendance
You must remain enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course and meet attendance and academic performance requirements. This is the most critical condition.
Health cover (OSHC)
You must hold a valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy for your entire stay in Australia.
Address notification
You must tell your provider your residential address, and any change of address, within the required time.
An honest word about working
A student visa is not a work visa. The 48-hours-per-fortnight limit is a ceiling; finding work, actual hours and income vary from person to person and by industry. When you plan your budget, treat work income as possible support, not a guarantee. Your application must separately show the financial capacity to cover your study and living costs. For current work conditions and minimum pay, refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au); for visa conditions, the Department of Home Affairs (homeaffairs.gov.au).
Guidance you can trust, at every level
OMARA-registered
Your visa file is handled under the guidance of a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2418576).
Turkish & English support
We work with you in Turkish and English, so nothing is lost in translation.
End-to-end management
One team from course selection to CoE and your Subclass 500 application.
The right strategy
We match your course to your background and goals, not just to an easy admission.
Long-term planning
We consider your path beyond graduation, including options such as the 485 graduate visa.
Perth-based
Based in Perth, Western Australia, working with students across the country.
Frequently asked questions
Australian Migration Co is a private migration consultancy. Immigration assistance is provided by a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2418576) registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). Australian Migration Co is not a government body and is not part of, or operated by, the Australian Government or the Department of Home Affairs. Visa applications can also be lodged directly with the Australian Government at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, and some are free of charge; our services are paid. The information on this page is general in nature, does not constitute immigration advice, and does not guarantee any admission or visa outcome. Course, institution and visa requirements change over time and are verified against current sources before you proceed.