# Student > visa-500 — as in force on 2026-06-01 — F2026C00497 · Compilation No. 287 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026C00497/latest/text Subclass 500—Student 500.1—Interpretation 500.111 In this Part: course of study means the following: (a) in relation to a secondary exchange student—a full-time course of study under a secondary school student exchange program administered by a State or Territory education authority; (b) in relation to a Foreign Affairs student—either: (i) a full-time course of study or training under a scholarship scheme approved by the Foreign Minister; or (ii) a full-time course of study or training under a training program approved by the Foreign Minister; (c) in relation to a Defence student—either: (i) a full-time course of study or training under a scholarship scheme approved by the Defence Minister; or (ii) a full-time course of study or training under a training program approved by the Defence Minister; (d) in any other case—a full-time registered course. higher education course means a course of study leading to the award of any of the following: (a) a diploma (higher education); (b) an advanced diploma (higher education); (c) an associate degree; (d) a bachelor degree; (e) a graduate certificate (higher education); (f) a graduate diploma (higher education); (g) a bachelor honours degree; (h) a masters degree (course work); (i) a masters degree (extended). postgraduate research course means a course of study leading to the award of: (a) a masters degree (research); or (b) a doctoral degree. school student means a student who is enrolled in, or intends to enrol in, a course of study at a primary or secondary school. Note: For Defence student, Foreign Affairs student, registered course, school-age dependant and secondary exchange student, see regulation 1.03. 500.2—Primary criteria Note: The primary criteria must be satisfied by at least one member of a family unit. The other members of the family unit who are applicants for a visa of this subclass need satisfy only the secondary criteria. All criteria must be satisfied at the time a decision is made on the application. 500.211 One of the following applies: (a) the applicant is enrolled in a course of study; (b) if the application is made in Australia—the applicant is seeking to remain in Australia because the relevant educational institution requires the applicant to do so during the marking of the applicant’s postgraduate thesis; (c) if the applicant is a Foreign Affairs student—the applicant has the support of the Foreign Minister for the grant of the visa; (d) if the applicant is a Defence student—the applicant has the support of the Defence Minister for the grant of the visa. 500.212 The applicant is a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student: (a) having regard to: (i) the applicant’s circumstances; and (ii) the applicant’s immigration history; and (iii) if the applicant is a minor—the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant; and (b) because the applicant intends to comply with any conditions subject to which the visa is granted, having regard to: (i) the applicant’s record of compliance with any condition of a visa previously held by the applicant (if any); and (ii) the applicant’s stated intention to comply with any conditions to which the visa may be subject; and (c) because of any other relevant matter. 500.213 (1) If required to do so by the Minister, in writing or by use of a computer program available online, at any time, the applicant gives to the Minister evidence that the applicant has a level of English language proficiency that meets the requirements specified in an instrument under paragraph (3)(a). Note: For arrangements for the use of a computer program, see section 495A of the Act. (2) Subclause (1) does not apply to an applicant within a class of applicants specified in an instrument under paragraph (3)(b). (3) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify: (a) requirements for the purposes of subclause (1); or (b) a class of applicants to which subclause (1) does not apply. 500.214 (1) The applicant will have genuine access to funds of a kind mentioned in subclause (2) and, if subclause (3) applies, subclause (3). (2) While the applicant holds the visa, sufficient funds will be available to meet: (a) the costs and expenses of the applicant during the applicant’s intended stay in Australia; and (b) the costs and expenses of each member of the applicant’s family unit (if any) who will be in Australia. (3) If required to do so by the Minister, in writing or by use of a computer program available online, at any time, the applicant gives to the Minister evidence of financial capacity that satisfies the requirements specified in an instrument under subclause (4). Note: For arrangements for the use of a computer program, see section 495A of the Act. (4) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify requirements for the purposes of subclause (3). 500.215 The applicant gives to the Minister evidence of adequate arrangements for health insurance during the period of the applicant’s intended stay in Australia. 500.216 If the applicant is a school student (other than a school student participating in a secondary school student exchange program), the applicant is: (a) at least 6 years old at the time of application; and (b) if proposing to undertake year 9 studies—less than 17 years old when commencing year 9; and (c) if proposing to undertake year 10 studies—less than 18 years old when commencing year 10; and (d) if proposing to undertake year 11 studies—less than 19 years old when commencing year 11; and (e) if proposing to undertake year 12 studies—less than 20 years old when commencing year 12. 500.217 (1) The applicant satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4010, 4013, 4014, 4020 and 4021. (2) If the applicant has not turned 18, public interest criteria 4012A, 4017 and 4018 are satisfied in relation to the applicant. (3) If the applicant had turned 18 at the time of application, the applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4019. (4) The applicant (other than a Foreign Affairs student or a Defence Student) satisfies public interest criterion 4005. (5) The applicant, being a Foreign Affairs student or a Defence Student, satisfies public interest criterion 4007. (6) If the applicant’s course of study or intended course of study is a postgraduate research course, the applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4003B. 500.218 The applicant satisfies special return criteria 5001, 5002 and 5010. 500.3—Secondary criteria Note: Requirements to be satisfied by applicants who are members of the family unit of a person who satisfies the primary criteria. 500.311 The applicant is a member of the family unit of a person (the primary person) who holds a student visa, having satisfied the primary criteria for that visa, and either: (a) the applicant became a member of the family unit of the primary person before the grant of the student visa to the primary person, and was included in: (i) the primary person’s application under subregulation 2.07AF(3); or (ii) information provided in relation to the primary person’s application under subregulation 2.07AF(4); or (b) the applicant became a member of the family unit of the primary person: (i) after the grant of the student visa to the primary person; and (ii) before the application was made. 500.312 The applicant is a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a member of the family unit of a person who holds a student visa, having satisfied the primary criteria for that visa: (a) having regard to: (i) the applicant’s circumstances; and (ii) the applicant’s immigration history; and (iii) if the applicant is a minor—the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant; and (b) because the applicant intends to comply with any conditions subject to which the visa is granted, having regard to: (i) the applicant’s record of compliance with any condition of a visa previously held by the applicant (if any); and (ii) the applicant’s stated intention to comply with any conditions to which the visa may be subject; and (c) because of any other relevant matter. 500.313 (1) The applicant will have genuine access to funds of a kind mentioned in subclause (2) and, if subclause (3) applies, subclause (3). (2) While the applicant holds the visa, sufficient funds will be available to meet: (a) the costs and expenses of the applicant during the applicant’s intended stay in Australia; and (b) the costs and expenses of each member of the applicant’s family unit (if any) who will be in Australia. (3) If required to do so by the Minister, in writing or by use of a computer program available online, at any time, the applicant gives to the Minister evidence of financial capacity that satisfies the requirements specified in an instrument under subclause (4). Note: For arrangements for the use of a computer program, see section 495A of the Act. (4) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify requirements for the purposes of subclause (3). 500.314 The applicant gives to the Minister evidence of adequate arrangements for health insurance during the period of the applicant’s intended stay in Australia. 500.315 If: (a) the applicant is a school-age dependant of the primary person mentioned in clause 500.311; and (b) the period of stay proposed in the application is more than 3 months; the applicant gives to the Minister evidence that adequate arrangements have been made for the education of the applicant in Australia. 500.316 (1) If the applicant is a member of the family unit of a Foreign Affairs student, the applicant has the support of the Foreign Minister for the grant of the visa. (2) If the applicant is a member of the family unit of a Defence student, the applicant has the support of the Defence Minister for the grant of the visa. 500.317 (1) The applicant satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4010, 4013, 4014, 4020 and 4021. (2) If the applicant has not turned 18, public interest criteria 4017 and 4018 are satisfied in relation to the applicant. (3) If the applicant had turned 18 at the time of application, the applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4019. (4) The applicant (other than a member of the family unit of a Foreign Affairs student or a Defence Student) satisfies public interest criterion 4005. (5) The applicant, being a member of the family unit of a Foreign Affairs student or Defence Student, satisfies public interest criterion 4007. (6) If: (a) the applicant is a member of the family unit of a person who holds a Subclass 500 (Student) visa, having satisfied the primary criteria for that visa; and (b) the person’s course of study or intended course of study is a postgraduate research course; the applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4003B. 500.318 The applicant satisfies special return criteria 5001, 5002 and 5010. 500.4—Circumstances applicable to grant 500.411 The applicant may be in or outside Australia when the visa is granted, but not in immigration clearance. 500.5—When visa is in effect 500.511 Temporary visa permitting the holder to travel to, enter and remain in Australia until a date specified by the Minister. 500.6—Conditions 500.611 (1) If the applicant satisfies the primary criteria, the following conditions must be imposed: (a) in all cases, conditions 8105, 8202, 8501, 8516, 8517, 8532 and 8533; (aa) in all cases, condition 8208; (b) if the applicant is a citizen of Iran and intends to undertake a higher education course or a postgraduate research course, condition 8203; (c) if the applicant is a citizen of Iran and intends to undertake a course of study other than a higher education course or a postgraduate research course, condition 8204; (d) if the applicant is a Foreign Affairs student or Defence student, condition 8535. (2) If the applicant satisfies the primary criteria, the following conditions may be imposed: (a) if the applicant is provided with financial assistance by the Commonwealth or the government of a foreign country, condition 8535; (b) either or both of conditions 8303 and 8534. 500.612 (1) If the applicant satisfies the secondary criteria, the following conditions must be imposed: (a) in all cases, conditions 8104, 8208, 8501 and 8516; (b) if the applicant has not turned 18, condition 8518; (c) if the applicant has turned 18, condition 8201; (d) if the applicant is a citizen of Iran, condition 8204. (2) If the applicant satisfies the secondary criteria, conditions 8303 and 8534 may be imposed.