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Study & Training Visas

Study in Australia — the right visa, the right advice.

Nilesh Nandan

Immigration Lawyer · BBus(Accy) LLB MBA · Last updated March 2026

Overview

The Student visa (subclass 500) allows you to study full-time at a registered Australian educational institution. With significant changes to the Genuine Student (GS) requirement in 2024-2026, and increased financial evidence thresholds, getting expert advice before you apply has never been more important.

The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test in 2024. Under the GS requirement, the Department assesses whether you are a genuine student — considering your circumstances in your home country, your potential circumstances in Australia, the value of the course to your future, your immigration history, and any other relevant matters. This is a holistic assessment, and a well-prepared application that addresses all of these factors is essential.

Financial evidence requirements have increased significantly. As of 2026, you must demonstrate access to at least AUD $29,710 for 12 months of living expenses, plus your tuition fees and travel costs. The Department may also consider your financial capacity to support any dependants.

Student visa holders have limited work rights (typically 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks). Breaching work conditions is a common reason for visa cancellation. I advise on visa conditions and compliance to ensure you maintain your visa status throughout your studies.

Key Facts

Visa Subclass500 (Student)

Key RequirementGenuine Student (GS) test

Financial ThresholdAUD $29,710 + tuition + travel (as at March 2026 — verify on DHA website)

Work Rights48 hours per fortnight during study

Post-Study OptionSubclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa

How I Work — Step by Step

Course & Provider Review

I review your chosen course and education provider to ensure they meet the Department's requirements and support a strong GS case.

GS Statement Preparation

I prepare a detailed Genuine Student statement addressing all five assessment factors.

Financial Evidence

I advise on the financial evidence required and help you demonstrate sufficient funds for tuition, living expenses, and travel.

Application Lodgement

I lodge your student visa application with all supporting documents and evidence.

Visa Conditions Advice

Once granted, I advise on your visa conditions including work limits, course requirements, and compliance obligations.

What I Do

Assess your eligibility for a student visa and advise on the GS requirement
Prepare a strong application addressing all GS assessment criteria
Advise on financial evidence requirements and how to demonstrate sufficient funds
Handle complex cases involving previous refusals, visa breaches, or changes of course
Appeal student visa refusals at the ART
Advise on post-study options including the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

Who Is This For?

›International students applying to study at Australian universities, colleges, or schools
›Students whose student visa has been refused and who wish to appeal
›Students who need to change courses or education providers
›Students facing visa cancellation due to condition breaches
›Graduates seeking advice on post-study visa options

Recent Case Outcome

I recently assisted a client whose Subclass 407 Training visa was refused because the Department did not accept that the client had the required 12 months of full-time experience. We successfully appealed to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), providing detailed evidence of the client's overseas work experience, which resulted in the ART overturning the refusal and the visa being granted.

* Details anonymized to protect client confidentiality.

Common questions about

What is the Genuine Student (GS) requirement?+

The GS requirement replaced the old GTE test in 2024. It assesses whether you are a genuine student by considering your circumstances in your home country, your potential circumstances in Australia, the value of the course to your future, your immigration history, and other relevant matters. A well-prepared statement addressing all of these factors is essential.

How much money do I need to show for a student visa?+

As of 2026, you must demonstrate access to at least AUD $29,710 for 12 months of living expenses, plus your full tuition fees and return travel costs. If you have dependants, additional funds are required. The funds must be genuinely available to you.

Can I work while studying in Australia?+

Yes, but with limits. Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Exceeding these limits is a breach of visa conditions and can result in visa cancellation.

Can I work full-time on a student visa in Australia?+

As a seasoned immigration lawyer, I often encounter clients who are unsure about their work rights on a Student visa (subclass 500). It's a critical aspect to understand to maintain your visa status. The standard condition, 8105, attached to your student visa dictates that you cannot engage in any work before your course of study commences. Once your course starts, you are permitted to work for up to 48 hours per fortnight when your course is in session. A 'fortnight' is a period of 14 days starting on a Monday. During scheduled course breaks, however, you are permitted to work unlimited hours. It is crucial to keep track of your hours to avoid breaching this condition, which could lead to visa cancellation under section 116 of the Migration Act 1958. I always advise my clients to maintain clear records of their employment and study schedule.

What are the work experience requirements for a Training visa (subclass 407)?+

I frequently advise clients on the Training visa (subclass 407), and a common point of confusion is the requirement for recent practical experience. To be eligible for this visa for occupational training to improve skills, you must be able to demonstrate that you have been employed in your nominated occupation for at least 12 months full-time in the 24 months immediately before you apply. This experience does not have to be continuous. The Department of Home Affairs will assess your employment history to ensure it is genuine and relevant to the proposed training. I guide my clients in preparing comprehensive evidence, such as employment contracts, payslips, and reference letters, to satisfy this crucial requirement under the subclass 407 visa regulations.

Your Visa Was Refused — What Now?

I wrote a free guide covering the 5 most common refusal reasons, your appeal options, and the deadlines you cannot miss. It is the same advice I give clients in their first meeting.

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The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Thoughts only — not legal advice.