Study Australia

What it is

Study Australia is the Australian government's official website for international students. It lets you search courses and institutions, search scholarships, and read guidance on planning, applying, costs, visas, working and life in Australia. It also publishes news on policy changes, such as visa charges and international education settings.

Key rules to know (as of 2026-09)

These come from official government pages and change often, so check them when you apply.

• The Student visa is subclass 500. From 1 July 2026 the main application charge rose from 2,000 to 2,500 Australian dollars for most applicants.
• Home Affairs lists financial capacity of 29,710 Australian dollars for 12 months of living costs, plus tuition and travel, and requires Overseas Student Health Cover for your stay.
• Students can work 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session; masters by research and doctoral students have no limit.
• The Temporary Graduate visa gives two years after a coursework masters and three years after a masters by research or doctorate, with an age limit of 35 (50 for research graduates) and English requirements.
• Australia sets a yearly National Planning Level for new international students, 295,000 for 2026 and 2027, which affects visa processing priority rather than acting as a hard cap. Research students are given priority.

How to use it well

1. Search courses and scholarships, then confirm details on the institution's website.
2. Read the living costs and working sections to build a realistic budget.
3. Follow the links to Home Affairs for the visa itself and read the full visa page.
4. Check the news section when you hear of a policy change.

Is it worth it?

Yes, as your official starting point for Australia. It is free and current. Its limits: it summarises, while Home Affairs holds the binding rules, and course details come from institutions.

Free or paid

Free.

Common questions

Is the Research Training Program open to international students? Universities can award some Research Training Program scholarships to international research students; apply through the university.

Does a Temporary Graduate visa lead to permanent residence? Not automatically. It gives work rights for a set period.