Student and Graduate Visas

If you are interested in studying in Australia, and are already in the country, there may be a limitation on your ability to apply for a Student visa.

From 1 July 2024, it is no longer possible to apply for a Student visa while in Australia if you hold one of the following visas:

• Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate
• Subclass 600 Visitor
• Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority
• Subclass 602 Medical Treatment
• Subclass 651 eVisitor
• Subclass 771 Transit
• Subclass 988 Maritime Crew
• Subclass 995 Diplomatic Temporary – primary visa holders only
• Subclass 403 Temporary Work International Relations – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
• Subclass 426 Domestic Worker Temporary – Diplomatic or Consular

Intending students with these visas must depart Australia in order to lodge a valid Subclass 500 Student visa application.

The application process for these visas can be complex and may require a significant amount of documentation. It’s important to carefully review the requirements for each visa and seek professional advice if you are unsure about any aspect of the application process.

For more information on studying in Australia and the visa options available to you, you can consult with a visa and immigration expert here:

Book a Consult

If you are currently on a Student visa in Australia, there may be several temporary or permanent visa pathways available to you.

Here are a few options to consider:

1. Graduate Visa (subclass 485): If you have completed a course of study at an Australian educational institution, you may be eligible for the Graduate Visa. This visa can be a pathway to skilled migration in Australia.
2. Skilled Migration: Australia has a points-based system for skilled migration, which may be an option for you if you have certain qualifications and work experience in Australia or overseas. To be eligible, you must first have a Skills Assessment, ensure you have suitable points, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply for a visa. There are several visa options available for skilled migration, including the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) and the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190), Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
3. Employer-Sponsored Visa: If you have a job offer from an Australian employer, you may be eligible for an employer-sponsored visa, such as the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) or the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482). These visas may require the employer to demonstrate that they cannot find an Australian worker to fill the role.

Your overseas qualifications and work experience may be used to start your pathway to permanent residence before you even finish your studies.

As of end March 2025, the Department of Home Affairs advises the following processing times for Graduate visas:

Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) stream – 12 to 45 days

Post Vocational Education Work (PVEW) stream – 78 days to 5 months

Processing times are updated monthly based on the time Immigration has taken to finalise previous cases. It is not a guaranteed timeframe for a decision.

There is no age limit to obtain a Student visa for Australia, however, there are limitations for further visas including Graduate visas (less than 36 yrs of age or less than 50 for PhD and Masters by Research students), General Skilled Migration (less than 45 years of age) and most permanent Employer-Sponsored visas (less than 45 unless an exemption or Labour Agreement concession applies).

AVIE has experience in dealing with refused Student visas. Depending on the decision, our team may suggest an appeal with the Administrative Review Tribunal, or alternative visa options for your situation.

If your Student visa application is refused, there is a limited period of time in which to lodge an appeal. We suggest contacting AVIE as soon as a refusal is received to discuss your options.