The 6 steps to getting your Australian Student Visa

The first step towards studying in Australia is speaking with our experienced team about your study goals and student visa plans. We help international students choose the right school, college, TAFE, or university from hundreds of registered education providers across Australia. Whether you’re interested in an English language course, a Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or PhD, we’ll help you find the best course to suit your career goals and visa requirements.

Once you’ve selected your preferred course, we will prepare and submit your enrolment application on your behalf. Our team ensures you meet all admission and enrolment requirements, helping to avoid delays and making the process as smooth as possible. After your enrolment is approved, your education provider will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which is required to apply for an Australian student visa.

It’s important to note that not every course in Australia is available to international students. To enrol on a student visa, the course must be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). If you’re unsure whether a course is CRICOS-approved, our team can help you find an eligible program. Depending on your chosen course or institution, you may also need to meet English language requirements by providing results from an approved English language test such as IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL.

Once we submit your course enrolment application to your chosen school, college, TAFE, or university in Australia, the education provider will assess your application. If your application is successful, you will receive an Offer Letter. This document confirms that you have been accepted into your chosen course and outlines important information, including your course start and end dates, tuition fees, and any conditions you must meet before commencing your studies.

Your Offer Letter will usually include the tuition fee deposit required to secure your place, as well as a payment schedule showing when future course fees are due. It will also explain your enrolment conditions, such as attendance requirements and academic obligations for international students. Before your enrolment can proceed, you must carefully review and sign the Offer Letter to confirm that you accept the terms and conditions.

Once the signed Offer Letter and initial tuition fee deposit have been submitted, your education provider can issue your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). The CoE is a mandatory document required when applying for an Australian student visa. In most cases, the initial payment covers the first semester or approximately six months of tuition fees, as well as any applicable enrolment or administration fees.

Some Australian education providers may also require you to arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before your CoE is issued. OSHC is a compulsory requirement for most international students applying for a student visa in Australia. In the next step, we’ll explain everything you need to know about OSHC, including your health insurance obligations and available cover options.

Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is one of the most important documents required to apply for an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500). Without a valid CoE, you cannot lodge a student visa application to study in Australia.

Once you have met all of your education provider’s admission requirements, accepted your Offer Letter, and paid the required tuition fee deposit, your school, college, TAFE, or university will finalise your enrolment. Your education provider will then register your enrolment through the Australian Government’s Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS) and issue your official Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Your CoE confirms that you have been accepted into a CRICOS-registered course and contains the information required by the Department of Home Affairs to assess your Australian student visa application.

Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) includes important details such as:

• Course name and CRICOS code
• Course start and end dates
• Tuition fees
• Enrolment conditions
• Student details and student identification number
• A unique CoE reference number

When completing your Student Visa (Subclass 500) application, you must enter the unique CoE reference number so that your course enrolment can be linked to your visa application.

If you are enrolling in a packaged course (for example, an English course followed by a Diploma or Bachelor’s degree), you will usually receive a separate Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course. All relevant CoEs must be included with your Australian student visa application to ensure your full study plan is covered.

After we submit your course enrolment application to your chosen school, college, TAFE, or university in Australia, your application will be assessed by the education provider. If your application is successful, you will receive an Offer Letter. This document confirms that your application has been accepted and provides important information about your chosen course, including the course name, start and end dates, tuition fees, and any conditions you must meet before commencing your studies.

Most Offer Letters for international students also include:

• The tuition fee deposit required to secure your place
• A payment schedule outlining future tuition fee instalments
• Enrolment conditions, such as attendance and academic requirements
• Any additional documents required before your enrolment can be finalised

If you are happy with the offer, you will need to sign and return the Offer Letter to formally accept your place. Our team will then submit the signed Offer Letter to your education provider together with your initial tuition fee deposit. In most cases, this payment covers the first semester (or approximately six months) of tuition fees, as well as any applicable enrolment or administration fees.

Some Australian schools, colleges, and universities may also require you to arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before they can issue your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). OSHC is a mandatory requirement for most Student Visa (Subclass 500) applicants and helps cover the cost of medical treatment while studying in Australia. In the next step of our guide, we explain everything you need to know about OSHC, including who needs it, what it covers, and how to arrange your health insurance before applying for your Australian student visa.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory requirement for most international students applying for an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500). To be eligible for a student visa, you must hold a valid OSHC policy for the entire duration of your stay in Australia. Since your student visa may extend beyond your course end date, it’s important that your OSHC cover matches your visa period to avoid any gaps in health insurance.

As part of our student visa service, we can arrange an eligible Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy with one of Australia’s approved health insurance providers. We’ll ensure your OSHC policy meets the Department of Home Affairs requirements and aligns with your course dates and student visa conditions.

Once your course enrolment has been finalised, your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) has been issued, your supporting documents have been prepared, and your OSHC policy is in place, we’ll complete and lodge your Student Visa (Subclass 500) application online through the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs portal.

Student visa processing times can vary depending on your education sector and individual circumstances. In some cases, processing may take several weeks or even a few months. For this reason, we strongly recommend starting your student visa application and course enrolment process at least three months before your intended course commencement or your current visa expiry date. Applying early gives you enough time to organise your documents, secure your OSHC, receive your visa decision, and prepare for your studies in Australia without unnecessary stress.

Our experienced team supports you throughout the entire process—from choosing the right course and arranging your OSHC to lodging your Australian student visa application—making your journey to studying in Australia as smooth as possible.

Once your Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) has been granted, you’re ready to begin your journey and travel to Australia. We recommend waiting until your student visa has been approved before booking your flights whenever possible. If you need to book in advance, choosing flexible or changeable airfares can help you avoid unnecessary costs if your travel plans change.

Our support doesn’t end once your student visa is granted. Before you arrive in Australia, we can assist you with opening an Australian bank account, allowing you to access your money shortly after landing and making your transition to life in Australia much easier.

After you arrive, we’ll also help you apply for your Tax File Number (TFN) through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). A TFN is essential if you plan to work while studying in Australia, helping you meet your tax obligations and ensuring you’re taxed at the correct rate. Most international students on a Student Visa (Subclass 500) are permitted to work while studying, subject to the current visa work conditions.

If you’re looking for student accommodation in Australia, our team can provide guidance on finding suitable housing before or after your arrival. Whether you’re interested in student accommodation, shared housing, homestay, or private rentals, we’ll help you explore the options available in your chosen city.

At Study Gurus, our support continues long after your Australian student visa has been granted. From course enrolment and visa assistance to settling into life in Australia, we’re here to support you throughout your entire study abroad journey. Whether you need help extending your student visa, changing courses, understanding your visa conditions, or planning your next visa pathway, our experienced team is only a phone call or email away.