A plain guide for international students in Australia: choosing a course, the student visa, work rights, health cover and staying after study. Talk to BYD in Brisbane.
Studying in Australia as an international student means enrolling in a registered course, holding a student visa (subclass 500), and meeting a few clear conditions while you’re here. In short: you choose a course at a provider registered on CRICOS, you get an offer and confirm your enrolment, you take out overseas student health cover (OSHC) for your whole stay, and you apply for a student visa that requires you to be a genuine student with enough funds and English. Once you’re here you can usually work limited hours during term and full-time in breaks, you must stay enrolled and keep up attendance, and after you finish there are pathways, like the Temporary Graduate visa (485), to stay and work. This guide walks through what actually matters, from picking a course to what happens after graduation.
Australia is one of the most popular study destinations in the world, and the system is well set up for international students. But the details decide whether your time here goes smoothly, so it pays to understand them early.
Students choose Australia for a mix of solid reasons. The universities and colleges are internationally recognised, the courses are practical, and the country is safe and welcoming to people from everywhere. The weather and lifestyle help. Just as importantly, Australia has real post-study pathways, so study can lead to work experience and, for some, a route toward permanent residency. That combination of quality education and a future you can build on is why so many international students pick Australia over other destinations.
Every course an international student takes must be at a provider registered on CRICOS (the official register of courses for overseas students). Getting the course right is the single most important early decision, because it drives your visa, your budget and your options later.
A qualified education agent can compare providers for you at no cost, because institutions pay the agent, not you. Our education consultant page explains how that works.
Australian institutions generally have two main intakes a year, commonly around February and July, and some providers add extra start dates for certain courses. Popular courses fill early and visa processing takes time, so you should start planning several months ahead of your intended intake. Leaving it late is the most common reason students miss the start date they wanted.
Most international students hold the Student visa (subclass 500). To get it, you generally need:
We keep exact dollar figures and thresholds general here because they change. Our student visa page and a consultation give you the current requirements for your situation.
International students on a subclass 500 visa can usually work, but there’s a cap on hours during study periods and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. The cap is set by the government and has changed in recent years, so check the current limit before you rely on it. You’re entitled to at least the Australian minimum wage and the same workplace protections as anyone else, regardless of your visa. Work is a good way to support yourself and gain local experience, but your course has to come first, because breaching your visa conditions or falling behind can put your enrolment and visa at risk. insert the current fortnightly work-hour cap for student visa holders at publish date.
OSHC is compulsory for the length of your student visa and covers a good part of your medical costs while you’re here. You’ll also want to sort the practical basics early: a local bank account, a phone plan, transport, and accommodation near your campus. Opening a bank account is straightforward with your passport and enrolment details, and many banks let you start the process before you arrive. Our OSHC guide covers health cover in detail.
For many students, the plan doesn’t end at graduation. Depending on your qualification, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which lets you live and work in Australia for a period after study. That work experience can, for some people, feed into skilled migration and a longer-term future here. Not everyone stays, and not every course leads to residency, so it’s worth getting honest advice about your realistic options before you enrol, not after. See our Temporary Graduate visa (485) page.
If you’re choosing between courses or providers, unsure whether you meet the student visa requirements, or you want your study to line up with staying in Australia later, get qualified help early. Education counselling is usually free to you, and getting the first choice right saves money and stress.
Most international students hold the Student visa (subclass 500). It requires a confirmed enrolment in a CRICOS-registered course, enough funds, the right English level, health cover, and meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
There’s a cap on work hours during study periods and no cap during scheduled course breaks. The exact limit is set by the government and has changed in recent years, so confirm the current figure before you rely on it.
International students are entitled to at least the national minimum wage and the same workplace rights as any other worker in Australia. Your visa doesn’t reduce your pay or your protections.
There are usually two main intakes a year, commonly around February and July, with some extra start dates for certain courses. Because places and visa processing take time, plan several months ahead.
Recognised qualifications, practical courses, a safe and welcoming lifestyle, and genuine post-study work pathways. The mix of quality education and a future you can build on is the main draw.
Many can, at least temporarily. Depending on your qualification you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (485) to live and work here for a period, which can feed into skilled migration for some people.
You need enough to cover tuition, living costs and travel, and you must evidence it for the student visa. Amounts change, so we give you the current funds requirement at a consultation rather than a figure that may be out of date.
Yes. Overseas student health cover (OSHC) is compulsory for the full length of your student visa and covers much of your medical care while you’re in Australia.
It’s straightforward with your passport and enrolment details, and many banks let you begin the process before you arrive so the account is ready when you land.
Usually yes, and it’s normally free, because institutions pay the agent. A qualified agent helps you pick the right course, checks your eligibility honestly, and manages the application so you avoid costly mistakes.
In many cases you can include eligible family members on your student visa, subject to conditions and extra funds. This depends on your situation, so get it checked before you plan around it.
Studying in Australia goes smoothly when your course, your visa and your plan for afterwards line up from the start. Our qualified education agent counsellor and registered migration agent work together at BYD. Call 0434 893 901 or contact us, and see our international students page.
