Australia student visa from Pakistan (subclass 500)
An Australia student visa (subclass 500) is for full-time study on a CRICOS-registered course. You need a Confirmation of Enrolment, Overseas Student Health Cover, answers to the Genuine Student questions, English such as IELTS 6.0, and money for a year: AUD 29,710 living costs plus tuition and AUD 2,000 travel. The main fee is A$2,500 (about PKR 482,000).
Last checked:
At a glance
- Main fee
- A$2,500 (about PKR 482,000)
- Processing time
- Varies, see below
- Documents
- 12 on the list
- You need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and health cover (OSHC).
- Show AUD 29,710 living costs, the first year of tuition and AUD 2,000 travel.
- Since 2 October 2026 most students cannot bring a partner or children.
Fees
| Fee | Official amount | About in PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application chargeFrom 1 July 2026; English-only (ELICOS) and non-award courses AUD 2,050. Card payments carry a small surcharge. | A$2,500 | PKR 482,000 |
Rupee amounts are a guide only, at the mid-market rate on October 9, 2026 (1 AUD = PKR 192.68). Your bank and the visa centre use their own rates.
Check the amount on the official source.
Official fee pages:Current visa pricing (from 1 July 2026)
Processing time
Not confirmed
Higher education: half decided in 16 days, 90% in 4 months; vocational courses take longer (90% in 7 months). Processing starts sooner or later depending on your provider’s place in the priority order.
Official source: Global visa processing timesDocuments you need
From our draft document list for this visa. Your own list depends on your situation, so check the official source.
Usually needed
Passport
Scan of the passport pages with your photo and details.
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE, Australia)
A Confirmation of Enrolment for every course, still valid when the visa is decided.
Health insurance certificate
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from the day you arrive for the whole stay.
Bank statement / proof of funds
Money for 12 months: AUD 29,710 living costs, the first year's tuition and AUD 2,000 travel, with the history of where it came from (a one-day balance certificate is not enough). Or your parents' income of at least AUD 87,856, shown by tax assessments.
Statement of purpose / motivation letter
Your Genuine Student answers, up to 150 words each.
English language test result
English test: IELTS 6.0 (5.5 with at least 10 weeks of English classes, 5.0 with 20 weeks), PTE Academic 47 or TOEFL iBT 67 taken as 'Taking TOEFL for Australia'. The Document Checklist Tool says whether you must attach it.
Other vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA, e.g. meningococcal ACYW, influenza)
A polio (IPV) dose within 12 months of travel: the High Commission asks applicants from Pakistan for it, and missing it can delay or stop a visa.
Needed in some situations
Employer reference or leave letter (NOC)
Proof of work or business: part of your ties to Pakistan.
Immigration medical exam (panel physician)
Medical examination and, from age 11, a chest x-ray with a Home Affairs panel physician (studying 6 months or more).
Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA)
Pakistan exit requirement, not a visa document: when you leave Pakistan you must show a NIMS/NADRA vaccination certificate including polio (the old paper card is no longer accepted, and since 14 September 2026 airports check a NADRA-integrated vaccination record). Verify current rules.
Can support your application
Transcript / detailed marks certificate
Transcripts and certificates of your studies so far.
FBR income tax return / wealth statement
Your parents' tax assessments, if you use the income option.
Where to apply in Pakistan
The mission does not take visa applications at its counter: you apply in the ways listed below.
Australian High Commission in Islamabad
High commissionConstitution Avenue and Ispahani Road, Diplomatic Enclave No. 1, Sector G-5/4, Islamabad
Does not take visa applications at its counter. You apply online in ImmiAccount, and the Department of Home Affairs decides. The High Commission takes no visa applications and answers no visa enquiries; if Home Affairs asks for your biometrics, give them at a VFS Global centre.
Ways to apply
Online portalApply online in ImmiAccount
Create an ImmiAccount, apply and pay online; you do not need to visit the High Commission or use an agent.
Visa centreAustralian Biometrics Collection Centre (VFS Global)
Only when Home Affairs asks for biometrics: walk in, no appointment, with your passport, photo ID and the letter. The centre charges a service fee.
In Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi
Health examinations are done by Home Affairs panel physicians in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, booked with the HAP ID from ImmiAccount.
How to apply, step by step
Get your CoE
Accept an offer for a full-time CRICOS-registered course and pay what your provider asks; it issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course.
Student visa (subclass 500)Buy health cover
Buy Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from the day you arrive to the end of your visa; the application asks for the policy.
Student visa (subclass 500)Answer the Genuine Student questions
Prepare your answers (up to 150 words each) on your situation in Pakistan, why this course and provider, and how it helps you, with evidence such as transcripts and work records.
Genuine Student requirementApply online
Apply in ImmiAccount from Pakistan and pay AUD 2,500, with proof of money and English. When processing starts depends on your provider: the priority order follows its intake allocation.
Student visa processing prioritiesHealth checks and biometrics
Do your medical examination and chest x-ray with a Home Affairs panel physician (book with the HAP ID from ImmiAccount), and give biometrics at a VFS Global centre if asked.
What health examinations you need
Questions people ask
How much does an Australia student visa cost from Pakistan?
Visa application charge: A$2,500 (about PKR 482,000). Fees change, so check the official fee page before you pay.
Current visa pricing (from 1 July 2026) (opens in a new tab)How long does an Australia student visa take from Pakistan?
Higher education: half decided in 16 days, 90% in 4 months; vocational courses take longer (90% in 7 months). Processing starts sooner or later depending on your provider’s place in the priority order.
Global visa processing times (opens in a new tab)What documents do I need for an Australia student visa from Pakistan?
The usual documents are: Passport, Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE, Australia), Health insurance certificate, Bank statement / proof of funds, Statement of purpose / motivation letter, English language test result, and Other vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA, e.g. meningococcal ACYW, influenza). Depending on your situation, you may also need: Employer reference or leave letter (NOC), Immigration medical exam (panel physician), and Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA).
Where do I apply for an Australia student visa in Pakistan?
Australian High Commission in Islamabad does not take visa applications at its counter. Ways to apply: Apply online in ImmiAccount and Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (VFS Global).
How much bank balance do I need for an Australia student visa?
For 12 months: AUD 29,710 living costs, the first year's tuition and AUD 2,000 travel from Pakistan, with the history of where the money came from. Instead, your parents can show a yearly income of at least AUD 87,856 with tax assessments.
Student visa (subclass 500) (opens in a new tab)Can I take my family on an Australia student visa?
Since 2 October 2026 most students cannot include a partner or children, and family cannot join later. PhD students and some government-sponsored students are among the exceptions.
Changes to student visa application rules from 2 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)What IELTS score do I need for an Australia student visa?
IELTS 6.0 overall, or 5.5 with at least 10 weeks of English classes before your course, or 5.0 with 20 weeks. PTE Academic 47 and TOEFL iBT 67 are among the equivalents.
Student visa (subclass 500) (opens in a new tab)Can I work on an Australia student visa?
Up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session, with no limit for master's by research and doctoral students.
Student visa (subclass 500) (opens in a new tab)