🎓 Subclass 500 (Student) Visa – Primary Applicants

✔ Required Evidence

An applicant must provide evidence of financial capacity that satisfies one of the following:

Option 1 – Funds-Based Evidence (Reg 500.214(3)(2))

Must include:

• Travel expenses to and from Australia

• Living costs:

  • AUD 29,710 for 12 months (or pro-rata if staying < 12 months)

• Tuition fees:

  • Full amount if staying <12 months; or

  • First 12 months' fees if staying >12 months (less any prepaid amount)

Plus for each secondary applicant:

• Travel expenses

• Living costs:

  • Spouse/partner: AUD 10,394

  • Dependent child: AUD 4,449

  • Pro-rata for shorter stay

• School fees:

  • AUD 13,502/year or pro-rata

  • Nil if:

    • Dependent is in public school with fees waived AND

    • Primary applicant is a doctoral, Foreign Affairs, Defence or Commonwealth-sponsored student

Option 2 – Income-Based Evidence (500.214(3)(3))

• Must be official government documentation issued within the past 12 months

• Annual income of:

  • AUD 87,856 (if no dependants)

  • AUD 102,500 (if dependants included)

• Income must be from parent, spouse or de facto partner

Other Acceptable Evidence

• AASES Form – for secondary exchange students (500.214(3)(4))

• Letter from DFAT – for Foreign Affairs students (500.214(3)(5))

• Letter from Defence – for Defence students (500.214(3)(6))

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Subclass 500 – Secondary Applicants

🔹 Included in Same Application

Must show evidence of financial capacity (as per 500.313(3)(2)):

• Costs for the primary applicant (same as above)

• Costs for each secondary applicant (same as above)

• Acceptable forms:

  • Funds-based or

  • Income-based (AUD 102,500 annual income)

  • DFAT/Defence letters if support includes dependants

🔹 Not Included in Primary Applicant’s Application

Must show funds are available for:

• Their own travel & living expenses

• The primary student’s living costs & course fees (up to 12 months)

• Any additional secondary applicant included with them

• Same income threshold applies (AUD 102,500)

🧑‍🎓 Subclass 590 – Student Guardian Visa

✔ Required Evidence

Must show ability to cover:

• Own travel + living costs:

  • AUD 29,710 for 12 months, or pro-rata

• Nominating student’s:

  • Travel, living (AUD 29,710) and tuition (up to 12 months, less prepaid)

• Any secondary applicant’s:

  • Travel + living (AUD 4,449) + school fees (AUD 13,502 unless waived under same exemptions as student visa)

Alternative: Income Evidence

• Income of spouse/de facto of at least AUD 102,500, supported by official documentation from the last 12 months

💼 Acceptable Forms of Financial Evidence (Section 10)

1. Money deposit with a financial institution

2. Loan from a financial institution

3. Government loan

4. Scholarship or financial support