Student Visa Australia: Visa Processing Time, Visa Fees & Visa Success Rate in 2026

Indian students need to understand the student visa for Australia to have a safe and successful application process and start their higher education journey. Australia remains a top destination for many international students, especially from India, who want to study abroad in a modernised country with a strong culture of learning. However, the landscape of the visa process has become increasingly complex and difficult for many students to grasp. After migration strategy updates in 2024 and 2025, Australia is now prioritising students who are genuine and capable of meeting the country’s demands for high-skilled workers in top demanding sectors. Let’s see how Indian students can study in Australia with a better understanding of the new regulations and requirements to take admissions in the 2026 intake.

Get Free Australia Student Visa Counselling!

A Quick Overview of Visa Requirements Changes in 2026 for All International Students

Before we start with the student visa Australia and its different parameters, let’s take a glance at how Australia has become a complex and dynamic country with stricter visa requirements for international students. Here is a list of implementations the Australian government has made:

• The Australian Department of Home Affairs has replaced the old requirement of GTE with the “Genuine Student” (GS) requirement to simplify the process and avoid non-genuine applications. Now, they focus more on the choice of courses, return value for the students, and ties with the home country of a student.
• The requirement for showing financial support to pay for the cost of living in Australia has increased in recent months due to the rising inflation rate.
• All international students must show their English proficiency to qualify for a student visa in Australia. The minimum requirement for entry using IELTS or PTE scores has increased for all visa applications (including those who want to travel).
• The application fees for the visa have increased to around AU$ 1,600 per person.

Why Should Indian Students Study in Australia in 2026?

If there are so many complications for Indian students to study in Australia, then why not just drop the plan to study at Australian universities? The reason is that Australia still offers a lot of benefits to all international students regardless of the new changes, which include:

• While the duration of the post-study work permit has been changed in late 2024, the graduates still enjoy the rights, specifically in the regional areas of Australia.
• Australia is home to 9 universities (Melbourne, UNSW, and others), which rank among the top 100 universities on a global scale, as per the QS World University Rankings 2025.
• A student visa for Australia gives all international students permission to work in part-time positions for up to 48 hours per fortnight while pursuing their studies. This helps them to manage their budget and gain experience, considering they work in a relevant field.
• For students who want to pursue their higher education in the most student-friendly areas of the world, they should consider Australian cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, as these cities offer them a quality of life while receiving quality education in universities.

A Brief Summary of the Types of Student Visa in Australia for International Students

Most Indian students are not aware that student visa Australia has now fallen under two main categories, which are as follows:

1. Student Visa (Subclass 500) – This study visa is given to those students who are eligible to pursue a full-time degree in a recognised institution.
2. Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) – This visa is given to those who are parents of students or guardians of children aged under 18.

Eligibility and Requirements for Indian Students to Consider for 2026 Admissions

The visa officers in Australia assess each applicant based on their set criteria, including CoE certification, GS requirements, financial evidence, and English language proficiency. These factors are considered collectively to allow international students to enter the country and pursue their studies. Here are all the new criteria for obtaining a student visa for Australia (Subclass 500):

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

When you apply to an Australian university and receive the offer letter, you must accept it and pay the required fee deposit to secure your spot. The university then provides you with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which you can use to apply for a visa. Without a CoE from a CRICOS-recognised institution, you cannot apply for a student visa for Australia.

Genuine Student (GS) Requirement

Most Indian students fail to mention important details about themselves and their career goals. The GS requirement implies that students must provide valid information about the following areas to ensure a proper assessment process for their application:

• Ties to their family, community and any employment in the home country.
• Explanation for why the particular course was chosen in a particular university.
• Information on how they will benefit from the course: salary growth and career prospects, either in the home country or abroad.
• Any previous immigration status or gaps in the study.

English Language Proficiency 

Getting a student visa for Australia for international students involves English proficiency as well. However, the level of English proficiency has increased for most courses. While requirements may vary across different institutions, here is what Indian students can do to increase their chances of success in visa processing:

• IELTS - 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0)
• PTE Academic - overall 58 (with no communicative skill less than 50)
• TOEFL iBT - 79
• ELICOS (English language before the degree) - minimum IELTS score of 5.5

Proof of Financial Support

All international students who are planning to study in Australia starting from the present day (in 2026) must prove that they have enough money to pay for the tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs associated with their education for a minimum of 12 months, which can look like this:

• For a Student - AU$ 29,710
• For a Partner/Spouse - AU$ 10,390
• For a Child (under 18) - AU$ 4,450

Documents Required For a Student Visa in Australia

When submitting your application and required documents, keep in mind that all your documents will reflect the “Genuine Student” requirement, increasing your chances of receiving approval for your visa. Here is what you need to submit as part of your application process (required documentation):

• Valid passport with 6 months of validity
• Birth certificate
• Police clearance certificate (wherever applicable)
• Medical certificate and general health reports
• A Statement for a “Genuine Temporary Entrant”
• Financial statements (proof of sufficient funds)
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) certificate
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Passport-sized photographs
• Proof of tuition deposit for admission
• Filled out the visa application form for Subclass 500
• Academic transcripts
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Application Processing for Student Visa in Australia for Indian Applicants (As Per New Changes in 2026)

The application process for a student visa in Australia involves different kinds of steps and procedures. Completing all the required steps and regulations takes about 4 to 8 weeks. Here is how you can apply for the visa application while considering the new changes in 2026:

1. Research universities that are “Level 1” (meaning low risk) and apply ideally 6 months before the intake period.
2. You will receive the offer from the university; accept it and pay the fee deposit to obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the university.
3. Get an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your medical needs in advance.
4. Prepare your documents for the visa application process, and make sure all of them are in English so that authorities assessing your student visa application can easily understand them.
5. Create an ImmiAccount on the official website of the Department of Home Affairs. Fill out the application form correctly and attach your documents to it. Any mismatch between your GS statement and the submitted documents can lead to rejection.
6. Once your application is signed in successfully, you will receive a notification to provide biometrics. Submit your fingerprints and photo at the VFS centre and complete the process of medical examination with a professional.

Things to Keep in Mind to Increase Success for Your Student Visa Australia Application

Most students applying for a student visa Australia receive rejected applications back from the visa offices, as many fail to comply with their requirements and regulations. Consider the following reasons while applying for the application to increase your chances of approval:

• Avoid giving vague explanations like “Australia is a great place to study.” Be specific about your reasons by providing details on the curriculum and your career goals.
• For the financial aspect, you cannot provide a “recent deposit” without a clear source of funding. This includes things like land sale and salty savings, which can result in your application being denied by the authorities.
• You should not have any previous record of visa rejections. If yes, then you should be able to explain it to the authorities in a way that makes sense to them.
• Having study gaps for more than a year can be troublesome. If a student has any work experience, they might be exempt from the rejection. But not showing a valid reason why you took that gap will land you in a bad position for your student visa Australia.

Career Opportunities and Expected Return on Investment for Indian Students

While explaining your plans and how you will benefit from your chosen course, you can consider the following list of career opportunities that show the expected return on investment for the most demanding fields in Australia:

Note: The represented range of salaries for each field of study is based on the trends and standards in the Australian job market for entry-level positions. The exact amount of the pay will vary depending on the location, degree level, employment type, and other factors.

Final Thoughts

The process for a study visa Australia has become more complex than the previous year because authorities want to ensure that the selection process is fair and orderly. The Department of Home Affairs focuses on accepting applications from those international students who can contribute to the Australian economy. Remember to provide a “Genuine Student” statement (explaining your motivation and plans) and show proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in the country during your course of study. By adhering to all the requirements for your visa and course, your application will receive a green light from the government.