Common Myths About Extending a Student Visa in Australia – University Living

Starting 1 January 2025, international students applying for a subclass 500 visa while in Australia must provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) to submit their application.
International students planning to study in Australia must apply for a study visa: Subclass 500. This study visa makes international students legally eligible to pursue their dream course and achieve academic success. However, most of the international students in Australia often face misconceptions about extending their study visa. On this article, we will dispel common myths associated with extending your student visa in Australia and how to apply for the visa.
Australia Study Visa
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) permits international students to study a full-time course in Australia. This includes higher education, vocational training, and English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).
If you’ve secured admission at an Australian university, then you must provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your university and show sufficient financial capacity to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
Students must have minimum health insurance for the duration. The visa’s validity aligns with the course length, up to a maximum of five years. Adherence to visa conditions, such as satisfactory academic progress and compliance with work restrictions, is essential to maintain legal status in Australia.
Visa Application Fee
The application fee for an Australian study visa is A$1,600. This is a 125% increase from the previous cost of A$710. The table below highlights all the details about different types of Australian visa fees.
Visa Subclass | Base Application Cost | Additional Applicant Cost (18 and above) | Additional Applicant Cost (Below 18) |
Adoption Visa (subclass 102) | A$3,140 | A$1,570 | A$790 |
Aged Dependent Relevant Visa (subclass 114) | A$5,125 | A$2,565 | A$1,285 |
Aged Parents (subclass 804) | A$5,125 | A$2,565 | A$1,285 |
Australian Declaration Visa (zz 998) Adult Inside Australia | A$185 | – | – |
Career Visa (subclass 116) | A$2,115 | A$1,060 | A$530 |
How to Apply for Study Visa?
Australia is a top student destination. Their Department of Home Affairs issued over 298,000 visas to foreign students between October 2023 to August 2024. The Australian study visa application process is as follows:
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): Secure enrollment from a registered Australian educational institution as proof of your intent to study.
- Create an ImmiAccount: Register online and complete and manage your visa application.
- Provide Required Documentation: Valid passport, Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), Evidence of financial capacity to cover tuition, living costs, and travel expense, Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay, Complete the Application Form: Accurately fill out the Student Visa (subclass 500) application form and upload all required documents.
- Pay the Visa Fee: Submit the appropriate fee through the ImmiAccount.
- Attend a Biometrics Appointment (if required): Provide fingerprints and photographs if requested.
- Wait for Processing: Monitor your application status via your ImmiAccount and respond promptly to any additional information requests.
- Receive Visa Decision: Once approved, review and comply with visa conditions.
Australia Student Visa Eligibility
- Enrollment in a Course: Get a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your Australian university registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement: Demonstrate a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily for study purposes.
- Financial Requirement: Provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs for the duration of the stay.
- English Proficiency: Show proof of English proficiency through approved tests like IELTS, unless exempt.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Maintain valid health insurance for the entire period of stay in Australia.
- Health and Character Requirements: Meet mandatory health standards and provide police clearance certificates to demonstrate good character.
- Welfare Arrangements for Under 18s: Applicants under 18 must have appropriate welfare arrangements in place during their stay.
Financial Requirements
The Minimum required funds to meet financial capacity requirements for primary applicants are A$29,710. These requirements have been updated to align with a proportion of the national minimum wage (75 per cent).
The financial capacity requirement has been updated to align with a proportion (75 per cent) of the national minimum wage. This approach aims to better reflect the financial resources deemed sufficient to support a minimum standard of living for students pursuing their studies in Australia. It considers that students are typically not engaged in academic sessions for approximately 25% of the year, during which they may either return to their home country or can undertake unrestricted employment.
The table below highlights the minimum funds required to meet financial capacity for the Australian study visa.
Category | Minimum Finances Required |
Primary Applicant | A$29,710 |
Spouse or de facto partner of the primary applicant (not applicable to Student Guardian applicant) | A$10,394 |
Dependent Child | A$4,449 |
Annual school costs | A$13,502 |
Personal annual income if there is no member of the family | A$87,856 |
Personal annual income where there is a member of the family unit | A$102,500 |
Top Student Cities in Australia
The top student cities in Australia are Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. These metropolitans are home to Australia’s top universities and globally recognized for their exclusive student environment and academic-friendly policies. Here’s a list of top universities in these cities.
Cities | Universities |
Adelaide | University of AdelaideUniversity of South AustraliaFlinders University |
Brisbane | University of QueenslandQueensland University of TechnologyGriffith University |
Canberra | Australian National UniversityUniversity of CanberraAustralian Catholic University (Canberra Campus) |
Melbourne | University of MelbourneMonash UniversityRMIT University |
Perth | University of Western AustraliaCurtin UniversityMurdoch University |
Sydney | University of SydneyUniversity of New South WalesMacquarie University |
Common Myths About Australia Study Visa
Now that you are aware of all the dimensions of Australia study visa, it’s time to uncover some common myths to make your academic journey seamless.
Myth 1: “A student visa guarantees permanent residency.”
Many believe that obtaining a student visa is a direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia. In reality, while studying can enhance your skills and employability, it doesn’t automatically lead to permanent residency.
Myth 2: “Students on a visa can work unlimited hours.”
Some students think they can work unrestricted hours while studying. However, the Australian student visa typically allows up to 40 hours of work per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
Myth 3: “Any course enrollment makes you eligible for a student visa.”
Not all courses make you eligible for a student visa. The course must be registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Enrolling in a non-CRICOS registered course means you won’t meet the visa requirements.
Myth 4: “Health insurance is optional for international students.”
Some assume that health insurance isn’t mandatory. In fact, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a compulsory requirement for the duration of your stay. It ensures you have access to healthcare services without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses. Neglecting to maintain valid OSHC can lead to visa compliance issues and unexpected medical costs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we would like to add that studying in Australia is a journey. Your study visa will allow you to pursue your dream education, and you can live in Australia for up to 5 years. Its subcategories will allow you and your family members to live together in Australia and thrive in a supportive environment.