Australia Student Visa for Indian Students in 2026

While considering higher education, several different destinations come to our mind and Australia stands out as one of the most suitable and reliable options for international students seeking career growth and global opportunities.

An Oceanic country with a scarce population, embedded with perfect infrastructure, globally ranked universities, quality education and supportive learning environment with real-world exposure, Australia has come a long way to become a trusted choice amongst international students for their education prospects. An Australia student visa is a one stop visa for international students seeking career growth with abundant opportunities. 

What is an Australian student visa?

The Australia Student visa (Subclass 500) is a legal permission which allows international students to live and study in the country up to 6 years and in line with the enrollment of the course in the Australian university.

The Australia Student Visa, or Subclass 500 is an opportunity for international students seeking higher education, long term career opportunities, which help them achieve their dream of securing permanent residency in Australia.   

Why Study in Australia in 2026?

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian government has announced its next annual National Planning Level (NPL) for new international students. From 2026, the Australian Immigration department will increase its limit for NPL as there will be 2,95,000 Australian student visa applications. This is an addition of 25,000 applications to the number of student visa applications as compared to 2025. Over the years, Australia has invited hundreds of student visa applications and let us see why international students choose Australia for their higher education: 

❖  Access to World-Class Education

Australia’s education system is globally recognised for its academic excellence and individuals with Australian qualifications are often taken with respect at all the levels in the labour market. With Australian education, individuals become eligible for the competitiveness ahead in the global market. 

❖  Part-time Work Rights During Studies

Australia is one such country that allows applicants to work part time during their study sessions in order to manage their expenses while living in the country on an Australian study visa. 

Australia Student Visa Working Hours?

This is one of the frequent questions ever asked by an international student before applying for the Australia student visa. Yes, applicants do inquire about the working hours the country allows to students while studying in the country. Australia student visa allows international students to work 48 hours a fortnight during the course of study or training is in session. 

❖  Post- Study Work Opportunities

Australia student visa permits students to stay in the country on student visa grant period, as this allows applicants to stay in the country for a while and apply for the post-study work visas. Australian Post-study work visa also known as 485 visa Australia. As 485 visa Australia, is a temporary Graduate visa, which allows freshly Graduates to apply for work visa. This enables them to work and stay in the country for a limited period of time. With this visa, applicants gain Australian work experience while gaining better career and educational opportunities. 

❖  Pathway to Better Paying Careers

An Australia student visa has been considered a smooth pathway to better career opportunities in Australia. After the completion of their studies, international students often apply for post-study work opportunities, which enriches them with Australian work experience. With their continuous service in the Australian labour market, they grab some of the highest paying jobs in Australia, making them eligible for world luxuries. 

❖  No travel Restrictions 

With Australia student visa, applicants are free to travel in and out of the county without any time restrictions. They can travel endless times to and from the country. 

❖  Industry Exposure and Skill Development

Equipped with world class education, individuals move ahead for employment opportunities, giving them an opportunity for industry exploration and skill development. With more Australian years of work experience, individuals learn a lot of skills needed in the Australian labour market. 

❖  Quality of Life

Australia, not only a land of opportunities but a country with scenic beauty which provides better infrastructure, better quality of life to its people living in the country. Apart from Australian educational facilities, Australian healthcare facilities, known as Medicare facilities provide free and subsidised healthcare facilities to its people. 

❖  Clear Pathway to Permanent Residency

An Australian student visa provides applicants a clear pathway to permanent residency as after completion of their studies in the country, they apply for 485 visa Australia, a temporary Graduate visa which permits them to stay in the country for up to 2-3 years. After fulfilling all the requirements for Australian permanent residency, individuals move ahead to become permanent residents of Australia. 

Planning to Study in Australia? But where? Know it All !

Planning to study in Australia in 2026, but not sure which university to choose? Get all the answers here.

Australia, the land of globally ranked universities, have marked their presence over the world. About 97 % of the Australian universities are ranked globally, with 6 universities are once again ranked in the top 100 list and 10 universities in the top 200 list worldwide.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, have been released for the year 2026, which assess universities over certain factors such as:

●    Teaching

●    Research

●    Knowledge transfer

●    Internationalisation 

With these factors, the universities all across the globe are assessed, and Australian universities have proved their worth once again in the 2025 rankings. 

Australian Universities in 2026

Here is a list of Australian universities which are ranked globally in the top 200 universities. 

❖  University of Melbourne 

❖  The University of Sydney  

❖  Monash University   

❖  Australian National University   

❖  UNSW Sydney

❖  The University of Queensland     

❖  University of Technology Sydney 

❖  The University of Western Australia   

❖  Macquarie University

❖  Adelaide University

Highlights from the Global Ranking

Australian universities are considered some of the best universities across the globe. The ranking listed almost 10 Australian universities in the top 200 list, which highlights the diverse academic strengths of Australia’s higher education sector. Some of the top-performing subjects for Australian education sector are:

●    Computer Science

●    Engineering

●    Accounting and Finance

●    Medical and Dentistry

●    Law and Education studies 

Australia universities which are featured among the highest ranked universities across all of the subject categories are: 

●     Four universities in the top 50 for Law 

●     Four universities in the top 50 for Education Studies

●     Three universities in the top 50 for Medical and Health

●     Three in the top 50 for Life Sciences

●     Three in the top 50 for Psychology

●     Two universities in the top 50 for Arts and Humanities

●     Two universities in the top 50 for Social Sciences

●     One university in the top 50 for Computer Science

●     One university in the top 50 for Business and Economics

●     Five universities in the top 100 for Engineering 

●     Five universities in the top 100 for Physical Sciences

Look Out: Who is Eligible for Australia Student Visa

Are you also wondering how you can become eligible for an Australian student visa? the Australia student visa, an opportunity for aspiring professionals to gain globally recognised education, develop practical skills, and compete confidently in the tough international job market. With certain factors, a student can become eligible for an Australia student visa. Let us see what makes a student eligible for the Australian Student visa:

❖ Must have applied online in or outside Australia for studies.

❖  Enrolled in a course of study in Australia and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE).

❖  Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). 

What is the student visa Australia age limit?

Another question that is most searched on the internet for the Australia Student visa is what is the age limit to apply for the Australia student visa. To eradicate all the doubts for the age limit for the Australia student visa is that it does not have any maximum age limit for Australia student visa. 

Australia Student Visa Requirements

Australia student visa provides access to world- class education, part-time work opportunities during the course and later post study work opportunities to international students, but require some of the requirements such as: 

❖  Be Enrolled in a Course of study and Provide Evidence

The foremost requirement for the Australia student visa is a CoE certificate which enlist all the necessary details of the student. Providing a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) certificate ensures the applicant must be enrolled in a full-time course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

CRICOS is an Australian official website that lists all the Australian education providers that offer courses to people studying in Australia on the student visa and the courses offered. 

 ❖  Meet English Language Requirements

Another major requirement for an Australian student visa is the English language at the time of visa application. The Department of Home Affairs Australia accepts various English language tests scores required for the student visa application. IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL iBT, and OET are some of the English language tests which are acceptable for Australian student visas.

For instance, applicants applying for an Australia Student visa, are required to score at least Band 6 in each of the four modules (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). 

❖  Have Adequate Health Insurance

Proceeding further, applicants are required to have a valid health insurance which is Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved Australian health insurance provider.  

❖  Financial Proof

After holding a valid health insurance, applicants require enough financial funds to stay in the country as an international student.

Applicants are required to hold a minimum AUD 29,710 required as a financial proof. This financial proof acts as an assurance that the international student is capable of surviving in the country. 

❖  Meet Health and Character Requirements

After keeping a financial proof, applicants are required to meet health and character requirements. Applicants are required to have a valid police clearance certificate, and medical certificate. 

❖  Australian Value Statement

One of the essential factors that is considered as a requirement for the Australia Student visa is the Australian value statement which is officially known as a testament to be duly submitted with visa application. It ensures that the applicant will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.  

English Language Requirements for Australia Student Visa

The Australia Student visa not only opens doors for quality education overseas but also makes international students capable of competing in the international job market. With all certain requirements, English language proficiency test report is also considered an essential aspect for an Australia Student visa. The language aspect is considered crucial for student visa as it acts as an assurance to the Australian Universities that the eligible students who are going to be enrolled for the next semester are capable of pursuing education in the country. Later on, these students will also compete for career opportunities in the country, thus becoming an asset to the Australian economy.

However, the English language requirements applicable for the Australia Student visa are:

In August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs brought about certain changes in the English language proficiency tests score for Australia immigration. The department has also introduced some new language tests to be included in the immigration process. The suggested changes were made applicable from August 7, 2025.