Student Visa for Australia: Duration and Cost Guide

15/09/2025 adminSiec

Once you’ve chosen your school and program, the biggest questions for students and parents are: **”How long does it take to get an Australian student visa?”** and “How much does it cost?” Knowing the timeline and required fees is not only key for planning but is also a crucial factor in ensuring a smooth application process and avoiding unnecessary risks.

This detailed guide provides the most current and accurate information for 2025, giving you a comprehensive overview of the student visa (subclass 500) journey to the Land of Oz.

Answering the question 'how long does an Australian student visa take' with an image of a passport and a visa application — Thorough preparation is the key to shortening the Australian student visa processing time.

Table of Contents

Part 1: How Long Does an Australian Student Visa Take?

The processing time for an Australian student visa isn’t fixed and depends on many factors. However, the Department of Home Affairs publishes a guide to visa processing times. You can check the latest figures directly on the **Department of Home Affairs website**.

1. Official Processing Times (Estimated)

Study Sector	Processing Time for 90% of Applications
Higher Education (University / Postgraduate)	40 – 60 days
Vocational Education and Training (VET)	50 – 90 days
Schools Sector	40 – 80 days

2. Factors That Influence Processing Time

Why do some applications get approved quickly while others face long delays? The answer to **”how long does it take to get an Australian student visa”** depends heavily on these factors:

**Timing of your application:** Applying during “peak seasons” (June-August and November-January) often takes longer due to the high volume of applications.
**Completeness and accuracy of your documents:** A complete, logical, and error-free application will be processed much faster. If the embassy requests additional documents, the waiting time can increase significantly.
**The risk level of your application:** Applications assessed as low-risk (strong financials, a logical study plan, and good adherence to the GS requirements) are typically prioritized for faster processing.

Part 2: What Are the Costs of an Australian Student Visa?

To finalize your Australian student visa application, you’ll need to account for several different fees. Below is a detailed and comprehensive breakdown of the costs.

Cost Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
1. Visa Application Charge	715 AUD (~12.2 million VND)	Official fee from the Department of Home Affairs, non-negotiable.
2. Biometrics Fee	~ 480,000 VND	Paid at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre.
3. Health Examination Fee	~ 2,500,000 VND	Must be completed at a designated medical facility.
4. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)	From 500 AUD/year (~8.5 million VND)	Mandatory to purchase for the entire duration of your course.
5. Translation and Notarization Fees	~ 1,000,000 – 3,000,000 VND	Depends on the number of documents you need translated.
TOTAL (ESTIMATED)	~ 24,000,000 – 27,000,000 VND

Important Update: The New Genuine Student (GS) Requirement

As of March 23, 2024, the **Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)** requirement has been replaced with the new **Genuine Student (GS)** requirement. Instead of writing a long essay, you’ll need to answer a set of targeted questions integrated into the online visa application form. Answering these GS questions persuasively, logically, and honestly is a crucial factor in the success of your application and directly impacts the answer to **”how long does an Australian student visa take?”**.

For the best preparation, refer to our detailed guide on the **new Genuine Student (GS) requirement**.

Your Step-by-Step Australian Student Visa Process

To get a clear picture, let’s walk through the standard 7-step process:

**Step 1: Receive Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE):** After being accepted by the school, you’ll receive your CoE—this is your prerequisite document.
**Step 2: Prepare a Complete Application:** Gather all personal, academic, and financial documents, and prepare your answers for the Genuine Student (GS) questions.
**Step 3: Purchase OSHC:** Buy your Overseas Student Health Cover for the entire duration of your course.
**Step 4: Submit Your Application and Pay Fees Online:** Create an ImmiAccount, fill out the form, answer the GS questions, and pay the visa application charge.
**Step 5: Schedule and Give Biometrics:** Book an appointment at a VFS Global center after submitting your application.
**Step 6: Undergo a Health Examination:** Schedule and complete a health exam as required.
**Step 7: Monitor and Receive Your Results:** Wait for the visa outcome to be announced via email.

Conclusion

Applying for an Australian student visa is a process that requires patience and thorough preparation. While the question of **”how long does it take to get an Australian student visa?”** and the costs are figures you can estimate, the most decisive factor is the quality of your application. By planning ahead and preparing your documents transparently, you can optimize your waiting time and confidently hold the ticket to the Land of the Kangaroo.