What Is the Subclass 500 Student Visa?

The Subclass 500 lets you participate in a course of study in Australia, travel in and out of the country, and work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session. It's a temporary visa granted for up to 6 years, tied to the length of your enrolment. For the full eligibility criteria, English requirement, and financial evidence you need, see our Student visa 500 guide.

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What Is the Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa?

The Subclass 590 lets a parent, custodian, or nominated relative (21+) come to Australia to support a student visa holder who's under 18, or 18 or older in exceptional circumstances. You cannot work on this visa — you can only study part-time or briefly. For the full eligibility criteria and application process, see our Student Guardian visa 590 guide.

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Subclass 500 vs 590: Key Differences

Who it's for

Subclass 500: the person studying. 

Subclass 590: a parent, custodian, or relative (21+) supporting a student under 18.

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Genuine intent test

Subclass 500: Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

Subclass 590: Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement.

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Work rights

Subclass 500: up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session (no limit for master's by research or PhD students). Subclass 590: cannot work at all.

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Study rights

Subclass 500: full-time enrolment in a CRICOS-registered course.

Subclass 590: ELICOS under 20 hours a week, or other study/training up to 3 months only.

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Base cost

Subclass 500: from AUD$2,500 (AUD$2,050 for ELICOS/Non-Award).

Subclass 590: from AUD$2,500.

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Cost concession

Subclass 500: Pacific Island, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN citizens.

Subclass 590: Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens only — no ASEAN concession.

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Visa length

Subclass 500: up to 6 years, tied to your course.

Subclass 590: tied to the student's stay and age.

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Family inclusion

Subclass 500: partner plus unmarried dependent children under 18.

Subclass 590: children under 6 generally excluded unless compelling or compassionate reasons apply.

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How Does Australia's Student Visa System Actually Work?

Both visas sit under the Department's Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), which applies one evidence-level system to every international student and guardian, regardless of the course or country involved. Instead of a fixed checklist by nationality, the Department combines your education provider's risk profile with your country of citizenship to decide whether you need to submit financial and English language evidence with your application — this is why two applicants from the same country can face different document requirements depending on which provider they've chosen.

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A few system-level rules apply across both visas:

Family members joining later still need their own Subclass 500. If a family member doesn't already hold a Student visa and wants to join a student in Australia, they need to apply for a Subclass 500 in their own right — there's no separate "family visa" for this purpose, and there's no restriction on how long the student's course must run for family to join.

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Changing to a lower course level can cost you your visa.

Subclass 500 holders must stay enrolled at the same Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level or higher than what their visa was granted for (visa condition 8202). Moving to a lower-level or non-award course without first getting a new Student visa breaches this condition and can lead to cancellation. The one exception: moving from a doctoral degree (AQF10) to a master's degree (AQF9) doesn't breach the condition.

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Everything is lodged online. Both students and student guardians apply and manage their case through ImmiAccount — there's no paper-based pathway under the current framework.

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Do You Need Both Visas?

If you're an adult studying in Australia, you only need the Subclass 500 — you don't need a guardian. If your child is under 18 and enrolling in an Australian school, your child applies for their own Subclass 500, and you (as parent, custodian, or a nominated relative 21+) apply separately for the Subclass 590 to accompany them. Both applications are assessed independently, each against its own eligibility criteria, and each carries its own visa application charge.

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A common mix-up: including your partner or another child on your own Subclass 500 application is different from applying for a Subclass 590. The 500 lets you bring family members who share your visa; the 590 exists specifically for the guardianship role when the student is a minor.

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How Much Does a Student Visa Australia Cost in 2026?

Both visas share the same standard base charge: AUD$2,500 for the main applicant. Subclass 500 applicants in the ELICOS or Non-Award sector pay a reduced AUD$2,050. Neither visa fee is refunded if the Department refuses your application.

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The concessions differ between the two visas — this is the detail worth double-checking before you assume a discount applies. Subclass 500 offers a lower rate to eligible Pacific Island, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN citizens. Subclass 590 only extends that concession to Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens — there's no ASEAN concession on the guardian visa. For the full fee breakdown by category, including additional applicant charges, see our Student visa 500 and Student Guardian visa 590 guides.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Subclass 500 and Subclass 590 visa?

The Subclass 500 is for the person studying in Australia. The Subclass 590 is for a parent, custodian, or relative who accompanies a student under 18. The 500 lets you work up to 48 hours a fortnight; the 590 doesn't allow work at all.

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Do I need a Student Guardian visa for my child?

Only if your child is under 18 (or 18+ in exceptional circumstances) and needs a parent, custodian, or relative in Australia for welfare and support. Your child applies for their own Subclass 500; you apply separately for the Subclass 590.

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Can my partner or child join me on a Student visa (subclass 500)?

Yes. You can include your partner and your unmarried dependent children under 18 as family members on your Subclass 500 application, or they can apply later as subsequent entrants.

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Does the Student Guardian visa allow me to work in Australia?

No. The Subclass 590 does not permit work. You can study an ELICOS course for under 20 hours a week, or other study/training for up to 3 months.

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How much does a student visa Australia cost in 2026?

Both the Subclass 500 (standard) and Subclass 590 cost from AUD$2,500 for the main applicant. ELICOS and Non-Award sector Subclass 500 applicants pay AUD$2,050. Neither fee is refunded on refusal.

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Next Steps

To proceed:

• Read the full guide to Student visa (subclass 500) if you are planning to study.

• Read the full guide to Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) if you are accompanying a student.
   

Understanding the structure of the student visa Australia system will help you make informed decisions about studying and living in Australia.

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Choosing the Right Student Visa — Book a Consultation

Choosing between the Subclass 500 and Subclass 590 depends on your role, not just your family situation. Our MARA-registered migration agents can confirm which visa applies to you, check your eligibility against the Genuine Student or Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement, and help you prepare a complete application for both the student and the guardian. Book a one-on-one consultation today.