Student visa routes in Commonwealth of Australia
Thinking about Commonwealth of Australia as a place to work? Below is the 1 Commonwealth of Australia visa route that most commonly fits students, with what each one needs and a link to the official government source. Always confirm the current rules on the primary source before acting.
Also searched as: international student, graduate student, postgraduate, undergraduate.
What this means for students
Of the 1 Commonwealth of Australia route that commonly fits students, 1 needs a sponsoring employer and 0 do not, and 0 can lead to permanent residence. Students are not usually a licensed profession, so your main gates are securing a qualifying job offer where a route needs a sponsor, and meeting any salary or points threshold, rather than re-credentialing.
The most-used skilled route into Commonwealth of Australia overall is the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189); it is not specific to students but is worth understanding as the benchmark route.
Typical figures — Australian Student visa (subclass 500)
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
4 weeks – 4 months
Student visa (subclass 500) typically resolves in 4–16 weeks depending on source country and provider risk rating.
Verified 1 June 2026 · Home Affairs — Student visa →
Routes that fit students
Figures by route
Verified salary floor and processing window per matched route, each primary-sourced. Indicative, not legal advice.
| Route | Salary floor | Processing | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Student visa (subclass 500) | — | 4 weeks – 4 months | No |
Frequently asked questions
Which visa routes suit students moving to Commonwealth of Australia?+
Commonwealth of Australia has 1 route that commonly fits students: Australian Student visa (subclass 500). The best fit depends on whether you already have an employer sponsor, your salary, and your qualifications — open any route below for its full eligibility criteria and primary government source.
Do students need a job offer to move to Commonwealth of Australia?+
For the routes that fit students here, yes — all 1 require a sponsoring employer or a confirmed job offer. Securing that offer is usually the first and slowest step, so it is worth starting there.
Can students settle permanently in Commonwealth of Australia?+
None of the routes that most closely fit students here are flagged as leading directly to permanent residence — they are temporary or transitional. You may still be able to switch to a settlement route later; see all Commonwealth of Australia routes for the options.
How long does the Australian Student visa (subclass 500) take to process?+
The typical published decision window is 4 weeks – 4 months (Home Affairs — Student visa, verified 1 June 2026).