2026 Student Visa (Subclass 500) Document Submission Guide for Australia

Knowing what documentation you need to submit is a frustrating aspect of applying for the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) for many people. One of the key factors for why an application is delayed or denied is incorrect documentation or sloppiness. This list has all that is required to find and/or prepare something so you are equipped to write an informed application for the decision maker.

Details about immigration laws, including what it takes to qualify and the processing time for applications, is often changing. These details are not changeless. Check what you need when applying using the Department of Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool

1. Identity Documents

• Valid passport, must be valid for the entire planned stay. Renew it if it is to expire in six months of your course end date.
• A colour scan of your biographical page in your passport.
• Copies of any pages with visas or travel stamps on them.
• Passport size photographs (per the requirements of your visa application)
• Birth Certificate 

2. Confirmation of Enrolment

• Your Confirmation of Enrolment issued by a CRICOS-registered education provider that has been sent electronically 
• For a packaged course (such as Foundation Course + Degree Course) list all of the CoEs.
• Frequently, postgraduate research students who require to be in Australia to complete their thesis are exempt from providing a CoE.

The basis of your visa file is that without a valid CoE, your application cannot go ahead.

3. Genuine Student Requirement

The old Genuine Temporary Entrant test has been replaced by the Genuine Student test from March 2024 onwards. A written statement will be required that will include a response to the following questions:

• Your reasons for choosing Australia as your study location rather than other study locations.
• Explain your personal choice of institution and course.Justify your personal choice of institution and course.
• How the course relates to your former study or work experiences
• Careers and progression opportunities within this qualification.
• The situation in your home country regarding you personally
• Any other information that is relevant to establish a true desire to study.

Be specific and personal, generic, templated answers are a red flag, and the Department compares your statement against your other documents.

4. Financial Evidence

In order to demonstrate your ability to pay your tuition, transportation and living expenses. The indicative living cost estimates are about AUD 20,710 per year for the main applicant and further costs for each accompanying family member.

Acceptable evidence includes:

• Personal bank statements (usually for past 3-6 months)
• A letter of approval for the loan from a recognized financial institution.
• Documents of scholarship or sponsorship applications
• Sponsor’s financial documents plus a statutory declaration
• Term deposit certificates

Tip: Ensure that money has a solid and consistent history. A big deposit that occurs just prior to submitting the application (“funds parking”) is a frequent reason for refusal.

5. English Language Proficiency

One of the requirements, unless exempted (eg. citizens of certain English-speaking countries, five years or more of study in English), is to show a legal test result for the Liverpool Test and Tally Reading Institute London Test. There are a few tests that have received the most acceptance:

• IELTS Academic
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL iBT
• Cambridge English

Confirm minimum score requirements for your institution—these may be higher than the Department’s minimums, particularly for programs in nursing, teaching and allied health.

6. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

• You are required to have this throughout your visa
• Must cover you from your arrival date in Australia through to the end of your visa
• Please provide proof of purchase/policy confirmation in your application.

7. Health & Character Documents

• Health examination — some applicants, depending on country of origin, length of stay, and course of study are required to have a health examination.
• Police clearance certificate(s) — from your country of citizenship and any country you have lived in for an extended period (depending on your circumstances)

8. Academic Documents

• Academic transcripts and certificates (in certified copies).
• All supporting study gaps or career transitions documents included in your GS statement

9. Other papers for Family Members

For those travelling with a partner and/or dependent children:

• Marriage Certificate or proof of de facto relationship.
• Birth certificates of dependent children.
• Financial proof of more family members.
• All members of the family rostered on the application were covered for OSHC.

10. Visa Application Charge (VAC)

• The base application charge is currently around AUD 710
• Extra charges for each additional dependant are subject to.

There are a number of reasons why applications might be delayed or refused.There are several reasons why applications might be delayed and/or refused.

• Lacking of or poor quality financial evidence
• Weak and generic Genuine Student statements
• Pupils make progress that is lower than the providers’ expectations in English tests.
• Where there is a gap in, or an expiry of, an OSHC cover.
• The source of funds is not known.No source of funds information.

Here are some final tips before applying to the competition.

1. Use Department’s official checklist tool for your situation to double check all documents.
2. Do not vary names, dates and numbers across documents.
3. Translation and certification of any documents in a language other than English.
4. Submit application as soon as CoE obtained (Processing times – varies by application course level and country of origin).
5. If your case is complex (work leave, visa denial, sponsoring need, etc.), you might consider consulting a MARA registered migration agent.