Student visa
Visit Australia to participate in a course of study.
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At a glance
- Base application charge
- A$2,050 to A$2,500
- Depending on stream: ELICOS sector A$2,050, Non-Award sector A$2,050, All other students A$2,500, Postgraduate research sector A$2,500
- Checked with the Department on 22 October 2026
- Primary applicant only. The Department publishes five further charges per row.
- 90% decided within
- 7 months
- Slowest of 7 streams - see below
- Age limit
- No limit
- English
- Varies by course level (typically IELTS 5.5-6.5)
Processing times
How long the Department took to decide recently finalised applications. Each figure is a percentile, not an average or a promise.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational Education and Training Sector | 53 days | 7 months |
| Schools Sector | 28 days | 7 months |
| Higher Education Sector | 16 days | 4 months |
| Postgraduate Research Sector | 17 days | 55 days |
| Independent ELICOS Sector | 22 days | 53 days |
| Non-Award Sector | 3 days | 43 days |
| Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector | 3 days | 22 days |
Captured from the Department of Home Affairs on 16 October 2026. The Department does not state a reporting period for this source. Check the Department's tool for the figure as it stands today.
Streams
Each stream has its own eligibility, duration and charge. Read them alongside the Department's page before lodging.
| Stream | Duration | Base fee | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
Higher Education For bachelor degrees, graduate diplomas/certificates, and masters by coursework. | Varies | A$2,500 All-other charge | Varies by institution (typically IELTS 6.0-6.5) Pathway to subclass 485 |
Vocational Education and Training (VET) For Certificates I-IV, diplomas, and advanced diplomas at registered training organisations. | Varies | A$2,500 All-other charge | Varies by institution (typically IELTS 5.5) Pathway to subclass 485 |
Postgraduate Research For masters by research and doctorate (PhD) students. | Varies | A$2,500 Primary applicant | Varies by institution (typically IELTS 6.5) Pathway to subclass 485 |
As published by the Department of Home Affairs on 22 October 2026
Data verified from immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Charges and processing times are published by the Department of Home Affairs and change from time to time. Each figure on this page carries its own capture date - the page has no single “as at”, because the charge and the processing times are captured separately.
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