The Australian student visa (Subclass 500) is the pathway for Indonesian nationals to study in Australia for courses longer than 3 months. Unlike some student visas, it is applied for entirely online, but the assessment involves a subjective judgment (the Genuine Student requirement, which replaced the older Genuine Temporary Entrant test in March 2024) that Indonesian applicants need to understand and prepare for carefully.
The Subclass 500 at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Subclass 500, Student visa |
| Application | Online at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Processed by | Australian Department of Home Affairs |
| Fee | AUD 2,500 for the primary applicant (current as of mid-2026, after two fee increases during the year; check current at time of application) |
| Processing time | Median 33-60 days (varies; can be faster or slower depending on volume and complexity) |
| Working rights | 48 hours per fortnight during semester; unlimited during semester breaks |
| Duration | Length of your programme + 1-2 months (depends on visa grant) |
| Health insurance | OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) required for full duration |
| Post-study | Can transition to Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) after graduation |
Before You Apply: Getting Your CoE
The Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is the Australian equivalent of the UK's CAS, a document issued by your Australian education provider after you accept an offer and pay any required enrolment deposit.
You cannot apply for a Subclass 500 without a CoE. The CoE contains:
- Provider CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) code
- Course start and end date
- Tuition fee amount
- Your student ID
Most Australian universities issue the CoE within 2-4 weeks of receiving your acceptance confirmation and enrolment deposit.
IELTS and English Language Requirements
The Subclass 500 itself has a minimum English requirement of IELTS 5.5 overall (or PTE Academic equivalent). However, your Australian university's admission requirement, typically 6.5-7.0 overall for postgraduate programmes, is higher and will be your operative target. If you meet the university's English requirement, you meet the visa's as well.
IELTS vs PTE for the visa: Both IELTS Academic and PTE Academic are accepted for the Subclass 500 student visa. Some other English tests (TOEFL iBT, Cambridge) may also be accepted, check the current list at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
The Genuine Student (GS) Requirement - The Key Hurdle
Since March 2024, the Genuine Student (GS) requirement has been the most important and most misunderstood aspect of the Australian student visa for Indonesian applicants, replacing the older Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test. Home Affairs assesses whether your primary purpose is genuine study; unlike under the old GTE test, wanting to stay in Australia afterward through a lawful pathway (such as the Subclass 485 visa) is no longer treated as a negative factor on its own.
The GS requirement is a judgment, not a checklist. Home Affairs considers:
| Factor | What It Looks At |
|---|---|
| Your circumstances in Indonesia | Economic ties: employment history, family situation, property ownership |
| Immigration history | Previous visa compliance; previous Australian or other visas |
| Value of the course | Does an Australian degree logically advance your career in Indonesia? |
| Your study plans | Is the chosen course appropriate for your background and career goals? |
| Potential overstay risk | Are there indicators you might not leave when your visa expires? |
What Strengthens the GS Assessment
- Stable employment history in Indonesia before applying
- Family members (spouse, children, parents) remaining in Indonesia
- Property ownership in Indonesia
- A clear and specific career plan that the Australian degree will serve back in Indonesia
- Previous international travel with full compliance on return
- Academic track record consistent with the level of study applied for
What Weakens the GS Assessment (Common Issues for Indonesian Applicants)
- Applying for a course significantly below or unrelated to your existing qualification level
- Previous visa refusals or overstays in any country
- Travelling to Australia with close family members who then stay
- Significant financial assets recently moved out of Indonesia
- Vague or inconsistent explanation of why an Australian degree is necessary
The GS Statement
When applying, you submit a GS statement: a written explanation of why you want to study in Australia, why you chose this specific course and provider, your career plans, and your ties to Indonesia. This statement is assessed alongside your other documents.
Write it clearly and specifically. "I want to improve my career" is not sufficient. "I am an engineer at PT X in Jakarta working on [specific project type]. This master's in [specific field] at [specific university] will allow me to [specific advancement], which I will apply in my role at PT X / a similar Indonesian organisation" is the level of specificity that works.
Financial Evidence
You must demonstrate you can cover:
| Cost | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Course tuition for first year | As stated on your CoE |
| Living costs | AUD 29,710/year (current figure for the primary applicant, raised from AUD 21,041 in May 2024; check for further updates at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) |
| Living costs for family members (if accompanying) | AUD 10,400/year per adult accompanying; AUD 4,449/year per child (current figures, up from the pre-2024 amounts; confirm before applying) |
Acceptable evidence:
- Bank statements showing sufficient funds, ideally showing the balance held over a period of time (not a recent large single deposit)
- Term deposit or savings certificates
- LPDP or Australia Awards scholarship letter, replaces financial evidence requirement entirely
- Loan approval letter from a bank or financial institution
- Sponsor letter (e.g., employer or parents) + their financial evidence
Currency: Australian dollars are the reference, but funds can be in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) or other currencies, converted at the day's exchange rate. Given IDR/AUD exchange rate, confirm the IDR equivalent of AUD 29,710+ in your bank statement at the time of application.
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)
OSHC is mandatory for Subclass 500 holders for the full duration of the visa. Most Australian universities arrange OSHC for international students as part of the enrolment process, the cost is added to your student fees.
Providers: Allianz Care Australia (the most common), Bupa, nib OSHC, Medibank, CBHS.
Cost: Approximately AUD 600-800/year for a single student (varies by provider and coverage level).
OSHC covers hospital treatment, some medical services, and limited pharmaceutical costs in Australia. It is not the same as Medicare (the Australian universal health insurance for residents/citizens) but provides comparable coverage for many services.
The Application Process
Step 1: Accept University Offer and Receive CoE
Step 2: Purchase OSHC (if not arranged by university)
Step 3: Complete Online Visa Application
Apply at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au using your ImmiAccount. Complete all sections including the GS statement, attach all documents.
Documents to attach:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid for full study duration + buffer |
| CoE | From Australian university |
| IELTS/PTE score report | Meeting the university minimum |
| Financial evidence | Bank statements showing a stable balance over time (Australia has no strict 28-day continuous-holding rule like the UK's; the balance and history of the funds matter more than a fixed holding period), scholarship letter, or loan approval |
| OSHC certificate | Proof of cover |
| GS statement | Written by you, explain your study purpose and ties to Indonesia |
| Academic transcripts and degree certificates | Supporting your eligibility for the course level |
| English-language documents or certified translations | If any of your documents are in Indonesian |
Step 4: Health and Character Requirements
Some applicants are asked to complete a health examination (medical check), this is more common for longer programmes or if there are health indicators in your history. You will be directed to a Home Affairs-approved panel physician in Jakarta if required. Character: a police clearance certificate may be requested.
Step 5: Wait for Decision
Processing times vary, median is 30-60 days, but it can be faster for straightforward applications (strong GS statement, clear financials, scholarship). Apply at least 2-3 months before your intended travel date.
Working Rights on Subclass 500
| Period | Working Hours |
|---|---|
| During semester / term | 48 hours per fortnight (approximately 24 hours per week) |
| During official semester breaks | Unlimited hours |
| PhD enrolment | Unlimited (no restriction during enrolment) |
Part-time work in retail, hospitality, cafes, and student administration is common for Indonesian students in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Work must be lawful, casual work arrangements through formal employment (with TFN and superannuation) rather than informal cash work.
Post-Study: Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa
After completing your Australian degree, you can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa:
| Pathway | Duration (commonly cited, confirm current figure) |
|---|---|
| Post-Vocational Education Work stream (eligible vocational qualification, skills-list occupation) | Confirm current duration |
| Post-Higher Education Work stream (bachelor's, master's, doctoral) | 2 years (non-regional study); 3-4 years (regional study) |
These streams were renamed and restructured from 1 July 2024 (replacing the old Graduate Work stream and Post-Study Work stream), and the visa fee has risen sharply during 2026, so confirm the current structure directly with Home Affairs or see our dedicated Subclass 485 guide. You apply from within Australia before your Subclass 500 expires. The Subclass 485 has no employer requirement, you can work for any employer in any field.
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble: the Australian student visa requires IELTS 5.5 minimum, but your university's requirement (typically 6.5-7.0 for postgraduate) is the operative target, and LPDP and Australia Awards both require IELTS 6.0-6.5 or higher. AI-powered Speaking and Writing practice with instant band scores helps you reach the threshold you actually need.