Short answer: if you’re in Australia and moving from high school to higher education, you’ll need to apply for a new Student visa (subclass 500) that is linked to your new university course. Think of it as “extending your stay in Australia” for the duration of your degree. If you’re currently on another visa that will end before you finish your degree, you can switch to a Student (subclass 500) before you start. Immigration and citizenship Website
Below is the simple plan we use with students every day.
What the visa actually requires
- A valid CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) from your chosen institution.
- OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) for the full length of your stay.
- You must meet the Genuine Student (GS)
- You may need to show financial capacity and English evidence (varies by country/institution).
Tip: The Student visa is granted in line with your enrolment length (with a small buffer at the end). Your OSHC dates must cover that period. Immigration and citizenship Website
When to apply (and what happens if your current visa ends)
Apply as soon as you accept your offer and receive your CoE. If you lodge onshore while holding a valid visa, you’ll typically be issued a Bridging visa A (BVA) that keeps you lawfully in Australia while Home Affairs processes your new Student visa. (If you need to travel before grant, you’ll need a Bridging visa B – ask before you book flights.) Immigration and citizenship Website
Documents you’ll usually prepare
- Passport
- CoE for each course in your package
- OSHC policy certificate covering your full stay
- Evidence of funds (amounts are updated periodically)
- English test results (if required)
Any extra items shown in your ImmiAccount document checklist
The fast, 4-step pathway we use with students
1) Confirm your course & CoE
2) Line up OSHC
3) Prepare evidence
4) Lodge early in ImmiAccount
Common pitfalls (and how we prevent them)
- OSHC dates too short → we align OSHC so your visa can be granted for the full study period.
- Out-of-date fund numbers → we verify the current financial threshold before you lodge.
- Weak GS responses → we coach you to show clear study intent, course and employment progression.
Timing gaps → we plan your lodgment so your lawful stay is covered (and advise on bridging visas if you must travel).
Quick FAQ
Functionally, you apply for a new Student (subclass 500) linked to your uni CoE. If you’re already on a Student visa, this is the pathway that extends your stay for higher education.
Student visas allow limited work during study periods (check our content on student work rights in our resources and tools section of our website)
If you lodged onshore, a Bridging visa A will generally keep you lawful until the decision. If you need to travel, ask about a Bridging visa B first.
How we help (start to finish)
At Arya Group, we support onshore international students with counselling, admissions & enrolments, scholarship applications, visa support, accommodation/guardianship, and OSHC – so your plan is aligned end-to-end: from university admissions to employment. We’ll:
- Audit your docs against the ImmiAccount checklist
- Align OSHC and CoE dates to your intended visa length
- Coach your GS responses and evidence
Keep your timeline tight so there are no gaps in lawful stay
Ready to set up your visa the right way?
Book a consultation. We’ll map your course → CoE → OSHC → visa lodgment, and keep you on track until grant so you can focus on your life, studies and priorities.
