Studying and Training Visas in Australia

Student visa (subclass 500) | Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) | Training visa (subclass 407)

Australia’s visa system provides structured pathways for international students and professionals seeking to study or undertake occupational training. Here’s an in-depth guide to the Student visa (subclass 500), the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590), and the Training visa (subclass 407)—each tailored for different educational and training needs under the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994.

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

Purpose

This visa allows international students to enrol in full-time courses in Australia at all levels—primary, secondary, tertiary, vocational, and English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be enrolled in a registered course (CRICOS-approved).

• Have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the education provider.

• Meet Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirements.

• Must show sufficient financial capacity to cover tuition, travel, and living costs.

• Demonstrate English proficiency (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL etc.).

• Must have adequate health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover - OSHC).

• Meet health and character requirements.

Work Rights

• Can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods.

• Unlimited work during scheduled breaks.

• Dependent family members can also work under similar limitations.

Validity

• Generally aligns with the duration of the course, plus additional months for travel and graduation.

Key Benefits

• Access to world-class education institutions.

• Pathway to Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study.

• Family members can be included in the application.

Common Pitfalls

• Breaching visa conditions—such as not maintaining enrolment, poor attendance, or working over the limit—can lead to visa cancellation under s116 of the Migration Act.

• Providing false or misleading GTE statements can be grounds for refusal under PIC 4020.

Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)

Purpose

This visa allows a parent, legal guardian, or relative (over 21) to accompany a student under 18 years of age (or older in exceptional circumstances) studying in Australia on a subclass 500 visa.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a parent, custodian or relative (as defined under regulation 1.03) of the student.

• Must provide proof of capacity to support self and the student (financially and emotionally).

• Must hold adequate health insurance.

• Cannot work in Australia—no work rights whatsoever.

• Must have GTE intentions.

• Must not bring family members unless they are under 6 years old and with exceptional approval.

Duration

• Generally mirrors the student visa holder's duration.

• Multiple entries permitted.

Limitations

• No work rights—not even volunteering.

• Can study for up to 3 months, or longer if enrolling in an English course to assist in guardianship responsibilities.

Practical Use

Ideal for younger students who cannot live independently and whose parents prefer to be physically present during the education period. Often used in conjunction with enrolments in boarding schools and international secondary programs.

Training Visa (Subclass 407)

Purpose

This is a temporary visa designed for individuals seeking occupational training or to participate in professional development activities. It's non-pathway (not leading to permanent residency) but is often a precursor to future skilled migration routes.

Streams

There are three core streams:

1. Occupational training required for registration or licensing

2. Training for skill enhancement in an eligible occupation

3. Professional development training for overseas employers

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be sponsored by an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor.

• A training plan (detailed and tailored) must be provided.

• Applicant must demonstrate GTE status.

• Must meet English proficiency and health and character requirements.

Occupations

• Must be listed in the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.

• Includes trades (plumbing, electrical), nursing, engineering, ICT, hospitality, and more.

Duration

• Maximum of 2 years.

• Shorter if only limited training is required.

Work Rights

• Participation must be closely tied to the training activities.

• Not a general work visa—any unrelated work can breach visa conditions.

Visa Conditions

• Can include 8102 (no work except as specified in training plan) and 8303 (no disruptive activities).

• Participants must not cease the training program without prior Departmental approval.

Strategic Use

• Often used by employers as a pathway to skill up future potential visa applicants.

• Frequently accessed by international professionals requiring local experience for licensing (e.g. international nurses).

Comparative Overview

Strategic Considerations for Migration Pathways

• Subclass 500 can transition into the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa, opening skilled migration options under subclass 189, 190, or 491.

• Subclass 407 is not a direct pathway to PR, but can help fulfil licensing or skills assessment requirements.

• Subclass 590 is purely supportive in nature and provides no migration leverage on its own.

Final Notes for Agents and Applicants

• Be rigorous with document preparation—especially for CoEs, GTE statements, and training plans.

• OSHC compliance is mandatory and audited.

• Visa condition breaches—especially employment-related—are heavily penalised and often non-reviewable.

• For under-18s, welfare arrangements must comply with Department of Education requirements or institutional approval.

For serious candidates looking to migrate long-term, proper sequencing and timing of these visas—particularly 500 to 485 to 189/190/491—is crucial. Subclass 407 remains powerful in strategic upskilling but must be handled precisely due to its non-migration nature. And guardians under 590 must be fully aware of their limitations, especially around employment.

1. Understanding Financial Capacity Requirements

Visa applicants must provide evidence that they have enough money to cover:
✔ Tuition fees for the first 12 months of study (or full course fee if less than 12 months).
✔ Living costs for the student and any accompanying family members for 12 months.
✔ School fees for dependent children (if applicable).
✔ Travel costs to and from Australia.

If your course duration is shorter than 12 months, you only need to provide proof of funds for the entire duration of the course.

2. Breakdown of Minimum Financial Requirements

A. Living Costs

The minimum annual living cost requirements are as follows:

💡 Note: These figures are the minimum required by the Australian Government. However, actual living costs may be higher, depending on your city and lifestyle.

B. Tuition Fees

You must provide proof of funds covering the first 12 months of tuition fees or the full course fee if the duration is shorter.

✔ If you already paid some tuition fees, deduct that amount and provide receipts or a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) as evidence.

✔ If you are on a scholarship, submit an official scholarship award letter detailing the financial coverage.

C. School Fees for Dependent Children

If your school-aged children (aged 5 to 17) accompany you, you must show evidence of at least AUD 13,502 per year per child for schooling costs.

Exemptions:
✅ If you are a PhD student and your child is enrolled in an Australian government school, fees may be waived.
✅ If you receive an Australian Government Scholarship (e.g., Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Scholarship), school fees may also be waived.

D. Travel Costs

You need to show that you have sufficient funds for travel to and from Australia. The expected minimum travel costs are:

✔ Applicants from Africa (East/Southern): AUD 2,500
✔ Applicants from Africa (West): AUD 3,000
✔ Applicants from other regions: AUD 2,000
✔ Applicants already in Australia (for return flights): AUD 1,000
✔ For return flights to Africa: Additional AUD 1,500

3. Methods to Demonstrate Financial Capacity

You can prove your financial capacity using one or more of the following options:

A. Personal Bank Statements

✔ Recent official bank statements showing sufficient funds to cover tuition, living, and travel costs.
✔ The money should have been held in the account for at least 3 months before the visa application.
✔ The account must be in the student’s name or an approved sponsor’s name.

B. Evidence of Annual Income

✔ If relying on annual income, your parents or partner must have a personal annual income of at least:

• AUD 87,856 for the primary applicant.
• AUD 102,500 if family members are accompanying the student.

✔ This must be verified using official government documents such as tax assessment notices (issued within the last 12 months).
✔ Employer statements or bank deposit receipts alone are not acceptable.

C. Student Loan Approval Letters

✔ If you secured a student loan, provide:

• Official loan approval letter from a recognized financial institution.
• Loan disbursement details.
• Terms and repayment plan.

✔ The loan should be for educational purposes only, and disbursement should be scheduled according to tuition payments.

D. Scholarships or Sponsorship

✔ If a scholarship, government sponsorship, or institutional grant is funding your studies, provide:

• Official letter from the scholarship provider stating the coverage details (tuition, living costs, etc.).
• Evidence that the funds will be provided before or upon arrival in Australia.

✔ The scholarship must meet or exceed the minimum financial requirements.

E. Affidavit of Financial Support

✔ If a relative or third party is funding your education, submit:

• A signed affidavit of financial support stating the relationship to the student.
• Proof of the sponsor’s financial capacity (bank statements, tax records, salary slips, etc.).

✔ The sponsor must have genuine access to these funds and a stable income source.

For Primary and Secondary Applicants Please complete this form

For Sponsors (Parents) please complete this form 

For other sponsors in Australia Statutory Declaration

For other Sponsors Residing Outside Australia 

4. Ensuring Genuine Access to Funds

Simply having money in a bank account is not enough. You must demonstrate genuine access to these funds by:

✅ Showing regular transactions in your bank account.
✅ Providing proof of income sources (e.g., salary, business income, rental income).
✅ If another person is sponsoring you, proof of relationship is required.

Loans and large cash deposits just before applying may raise concerns unless clearly explained.

5. Consequences of Not Meeting Financial Requirements

🚫 Visa Refusal – If you fail to provide sufficient proof of funds, your student visa application may be rejected.
🚫 Increased Scrutiny – If you cannot explain your financial sources clearly, your application may be delayed or denied.
🚫 Legal Consequences – Providing false or misleading financial information can lead to visa cancellation and bans.

Upload Your Resume for Assessment

To enhance your visa success rate and education pathway, please upload your resume (CV) for our expert review.

Buy OSHC Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

OSHC is a mandatory requirement for international students in Australia, ensuring they have access to essential healthcare services during their studies. Students must secure OSHC for the entire duration of their student visa, including any extra months required for visa validity.

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Estimated OSHC Costs by Study Duration (2025)

Below are the estimated OSHC costs for different visa durations (1 to 5 years) based on leading providers.

📌 1-Year OSHC Cost Estimates (12 Months)

📌 2-Year OSHC Cost Estimates (24 Months)

📌 3-Year OSHC Cost Estimates (36 Months)

📌 4-Year OSHC Cost Estimates (48 Months)

📌 5-Year OSHC Cost Estimates (60 Months)

📌 Key Considerations Before Purchasing OSHC

🔹 Policy Duration: Ensure OSHC covers the full length of your student visa plus any additional months required by immigration.
🔹 Provider Rates: OSHC costs vary across providers, so compare coverage and benefits before making a decision.
🔹 Coverage Details: Standard OSHC includes GP visits, hospital treatments, ambulance services, and limited pharmaceuticals. Additional coverage (e.g., dental, optical, physiotherapy) may be available for an extra cost.
🔹 Mandatory for Visa Approval: Your student visa (Subclass 500) will not be granted without valid OSHC.

How Our Technology Assesses Your Visa Application:

At MyCourseFinder, we use cutting-edge technology powered by 20 years of historical student visa data to assess your visa grant probability with precision and accuracy. Our system is designed to analyze every application against a set of objective criteria used by the Department of Home Affairs, ensuring that you receive an unbiased and data-backed assessment before submitting your official visa application.

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Step 1: Data Collection & Document Verification

Once you submit your application details, Offer Letter, CoE, and financial documents, our system initiates a multi-layered analysis that includes:
✔ Regulation & Compliance Check – Verifying whether your education provider meets Australian immigration standards and assessing their risk level based on past visa approvals.
✔ Financial Capacity Verification – Cross-checking tuition fees, living costs, and proof of funds against minimum visa financial requirements.
✔ Document Authenticity Check – Detecting missing or inconsistent information that could trigger visa refusals.

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Our system has been trained on millions of past visa applications to identify patterns that contribute to visa approvals or rejections. We analyze:
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📌 Course & Career Alignment – Checking if your chosen field of study matches your previous education and work history to ensure compliance with the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement.
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📌 Document Accuracy & Completeness – Flagging missing financial documents, work history gaps, or inconsistencies that could weaken your application.

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Our system assigns each applicant a Visa Grant Probability Score based on historical approval rates and individual application strength.
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Step 4: Expert Review & Personalized Feedback

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