What it costs
The Subclass 500 application charge increased meaningfully in the past year. The primary applicant fee rose to AUD 2,000 from 1 July 2025, a jump worth building into your total budget planning early, since it's paid at the point of application, well before you know the outcome.
Work hour limits
Subclass 500 holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, with the cap lifted during official course breaks. This is a hard limit tied to your visa condition, not a guideline, and it's worth planning your part-time work and budget around it from the start rather than discovering it mid-semester.
48 hours per fortnight averages to roughly 24 hours a week during term — enough for meaningful part-time income, but not a substitute for the savings requirement below.
The financial requirement
For 2026, the commonly cited financial capacity figure for the primary applicant sits around AUD 29,710, with additional amounts required for a partner (roughly AUD 10,394) or dependent children (roughly AUD 4,449 each). This figure is reviewed periodically by the Department of Home Affairs, so treat it as a current estimate to confirm directly, not a fixed number to rely on without checking.
How long it lasts
The Subclass 500 is granted for the duration of your enrolled course as shown on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), up to a maximum of five years. A one-year master's and a three-year PhD are issued visas of correspondingly different lengths, tied directly to your actual study plan rather than a flat standard term.
Key takeaways
- Application fee: AUD 2,000 for the primary applicant, as of 1 July 2025.
- Work limit: 48 hours per fortnight during term, unrestricted during breaks.
- Financial requirement: roughly AUD 29,710 for the primary applicant in 2026, plus more for family.
- Duration: tied to your CoE, up to a maximum of 5 years.
- Confirm all figures directly with Home Affairs before budgeting, since amounts are reviewed periodically.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Australia Subclass 500 student visa cost?
The primary applicant application charge rose to AUD 2,000 from 1 July 2025. Additional family members applying alongside you incur their own separate charges.
How many hours can I work on a Subclass 500 visa?
Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, with unrestricted hours during official course breaks.
How much money do I need to show for an Australian student visa?
For 2026, the commonly cited financial capacity figure for the primary applicant is around AUD 29,710, with additional amounts required for a partner or dependent children. This figure is reviewed periodically, so confirm the current amount directly with the Department of Home Affairs before applying.
How long does a Subclass 500 visa last?
It's granted for the duration of your enrolled course, up to a maximum of five years, tied directly to your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Budgeting your Australia visa application?
Book a free strategy call and we'll map your full application timeline and costs together.
Book your free strategy call →Keep reading
Sources & further reading
- Subclass 500 Student visa (official) — Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au