Australia is a popular destination for Nepali students to pursue education abroad with superior schooling. High-ranked universities and colleges, an ample number of courses, a cosmopolitan society, and high-standard career prospects have made Australia a gateway to international opportunities. Yet, the Australian student visa (Subclass 500) has some eligibility conditions, outlines for necessary documents, and an approach towards the application process with confidence. This is the complete guide to everything Nepalese students must learn about the Australian student visa in 2025—requirements, charges, required documents, and the processing time of the visa.
Australia is a popular destination for Nepali students to pursue education abroad with superior schooling. High-ranked universities and colleges, an ample number of courses, a cosmopolitan society, and high-standard career prospects have made Australia a gateway to international opportunities. Yet, the Australian student visa (Subclass 500) has some eligibility conditions, outlines for necessary documents, and an approach towards the application process with confidence. This is the complete guide to everything Nepalese students must learn about the Australian student visa in 2025/26—requirements, charges, required documents, and the processing time of the visa.
Student Visa Subclass 500 is for international students seeking full-time study in registered schools in Australia. The student will be allowed to remain in Australia for five years or the course duration, work part-time, and avail themselves of student facilities.
Subclass 500 visa in Nepal translates to the following for Nepali students:
- Study in a CRICOS-registered (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) course.
- Work rights: up to 40 hours a fortnight while studying and unlimited hours in planned breaks.
- Dependent joining: can include partners and children of the principal visa holder.
- Alternative post-study work visas
The criteria to be considered when applying for a Student Visa for study in Australia include meeting the primary criteria of eligibility (with special eligibility in consideration of Nepalese Students in 2025/26) are:
Clarity and accuracy will be keys to any successful visa application. Applicants from Nepal must compile the following:
- Current passport plus photocopies.
- Evidence of enrolment (CoE) with an Australian education provider.
- Financial documentation - bank statements, scholarship letter, affidavits, fixed deposits, to establish that you have sufficient funds available.
- Results for English language tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE).
- Statement of purpose and intent for GTE.
- OSHC cert.
- Academic certificates, transcripts, and award letters from previous studies.
- Passport photo/s.
- Proof of visa application fee receipt.
- And any other documentation as required, parent consent for a minor student, police certificate, and proof of relationship for family members accompanying the applicant.
Applicants should budget for all costs associated with the student visa application process:
|
Fee Type |
Cost (AUD) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Visa Application Fee |
1,600 - 2,000+ |
Fees increased in 2025; check updates |
|
Overseas Student Health Cover |
500 - 600/year |
Mandatory for the entire visa duration |
|
English Test Fees |
Varies |
IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE costs vary by location |
|
Medical Examination Fee |
Varies |
Required for health clearance |
|
Biometrics Fee (if applicable) |
Varies |
Charged if a biometrics submission is needed |
The costs listed are based on estimates and may change according to Department of Home Affairs regulations. You should always verify current fees by visiting the official website of the Department of Home Affairs or with registered consultants.
Begin by thoroughly researching the registered universities in Australia on the CRICOS website. You may initially consider a wide variety of courses; however, ensure that you select courses that relate to your educational and career objectives. The tuition fee and the location of the university/institution and campus facilities should also be considered in your course selection process.
Once you have identified some universities or colleges for application, apply for admission into the selected institutions. Once you have accepted, you will receive a Letter of Offer from the institution, followed by your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which you will need when applying for your visa.
This will involve the preparation of all documents required for the application, and the registration online to apply for your visa on the Australian Government's online visa application platform (ImmiAccount).
You will complete the online application for the visa submission at the same time as you upload the required documents, including your study overseas financial evidence and GTE (genuine temporary entrant) statement, and pay the fee.
You will also need to make an appointment for your medical check-up at an approved clinic in Nepal for your health clearance. You will also need to add fingerprints and photographs for biometrics; this will be done at the designated locations referred to in the previous agenda item.
The processing of a Subclass 500 Visa typically takes around four to six weeks, depending on factors such as the completeness of the application, the particulars of each case, and high points during the application period. However, by pre-planning and applying as early as possible, it is possible to avoid any unnecessary delays.
Once granted, the applicants will receive a Visa Grant Letter, outlining essential travel conditions and visa conditions. They can then begin to plan to travel to Australia.
For Nepalese students applying for a Student Visa (Subclass 500) until 2025, the most likely timeframe is expected to be around 28-45 days, but 6 weeks or more during the high intakes—February and July. This is due to the following factors:
- How detailed and accurate is the information provided?
- How quickly can the medical check and biometric log be attended to?
- The volume of applications received from Nepal.
- Whether or not any further background/security clearance could be required.
- Satisfactory proof of a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) intention.
If there is proper preparation and the applicant takes some reasonable steps in advance, such as getting medical tests done before application, delays ordinarily due to medical processing taking 1-2 weeks or more could be avoided. If further medical tests, such as tests for tuberculosis, are required, or if further documents require authentication, then delays are likely unavoidable.
Since visa refusals are primarily caused by failed GTE requirements, Nepalese students will have to provide well-crafted, genuine personal statements. The GTE statement must:
Nepalese students coming to Australia on a student visa must:
- Enroll and study full-time according to visa requirements.
- Work 40 hours every fortnight during the duration of the academic year, with no restriction during holidays.
- Maintain OSHC.
- Notify the institution of changes to contact details.
- Follow Australian legislation and visa demands to avoid future troubles or cancellation of visas.
It requires filling an Australian Student Visa Subclass 500 application as a Nepali student with proper preparation, honest and truthful documentation, and timely action. With the increased tuition fee, living expenses, and visa charges, it is required to be well-prepared to prevent any delays. By adhering strictly to the eligibility criteria, true study motivations, and correct application, Nepalese students are able to take advantage of quality studies and professional development in Australia. It all starts with an effective visa application process, so 2025/26 is not a bad time to have international study in Australia on your agenda. If you've any queries regarding the Australia Student Visa Processing, then you can consult with the expert at Prasanna International Education Consultancy.
Nepali students must hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS registered education provider, provide proof of financial capacity (approx AUD 24,505 or more per year for living expenses, studying and travel), satisfy English language requirements (generally IELTS 6.0 or equivalent), fulfil the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement demonstrating genuine intentions of temporary study in Australia, provide Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of the visa, and meet health and character requirements in accordance with Australian immigration regulations.
For Nepali students, regarding the process time as it relates to the Australian Student Visa Subclass 500, direct students can expect a timeframe of approximately 4 to 6 weeks in 2025. This timeframe can be varied due to how complete the overall application is, if additional documents or medical clearance are required, how long it takes for biometrics to be completed, and how many applications are received during peak time. Filing early and efficiently helps to mitigate any delays.
The biggest cost is the visa application fee, which will be about AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000 in 2025. You will also have to pay for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) at around AUD 500–600 annually, any English language testing fees, medical examination costs, and you might need to pay a biometrics fee as well. Make sure to have money for all these fees after tuition fees and living expenses, so that you have no trouble getting a visa.