There were many types of Australian Student visas, however, on 1 July 2016 the student visas were simplified. All application process will be conducted online, including submission of supportive documents and paying the visa fee. The new classification and description can be found below.

If the student would like to study English language in Australia for up to 12 weeks, he/she does not need a student visa, and can undertake a course on a tourist visa.

Subclass 500

This student visa subclass is now for all the students who will have a letter of offer to study at one of the following programmes:

• Long-term English Language course;
• Primary or Secondary School;
• Exchange Programme for Secondary School;
• VET Course or a Combination of VET Courses (Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma);
• Higher Education Degree (Bachelor or Postgraduate Courses by Coursework);
• Postgraduate Programmes by Research (Master by research or PhD);
• Non-Award Courses (like Foundation Programme);
• Students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs or Trade or the Department of Defence.

Subclass 590

Student Guardian visa can be issued to a parent, a relative older than 21 years old, or an official guardian of the student, who is coming to Australia to study at school and under 18 years old. The visa is issued for the duration of the student’s programme or until the student turns 18 years old.

Course Packaging Visa

If students apply for two or more courses in Australia and the progression from one programme to another is clear, they will apply for one student visa (Subclass 500) for the duration of the whole course. It is known as course packaging.