How do I get an Australian student visa from Nepal?
अस्ट्रेलियाको विद्यार्थी भिसा कसरी लिने?
Australia's subclass 500 student visa from Nepal in 2026: AUD 2,000 fee, AUD 29,710 living costs, the Genuine Student questions and stricter checks for Nepal.
- Cost
- AUD 2,000
- Visa application charge in 2026, up from AUD 1,600.
- How long
- Weeks to months
- Applications from Nepal are assessed manually.
- Where
- Department of Home Affairs
- Last checked
- 8 Oct 2026
- Awaiting official confirmation
What it is
Australia's student visa is the subclass 500. Applications are made online through the Department of Home Affairs, after you have a Confirmation of Enrolment from a registered course.
Two things changed recently for Nepali applicants. The old Genuine Temporary Entrant statement was replaced by Genuine Student questions inside the form. And in January 2026 Nepal was reported to have moved to Australia's highest-risk assessment level, which means full financial and English evidence upfront and a manual check of every application. The figures here are 2026 rates. Check the Home Affairs website before you apply, because they change most years.
Who needs it
- Nepali students accepted into a registered Australian course (a Confirmation of Enrolment, or CoE).
What you need
- Official
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a registered Australian provider
- Official
Answers to the Genuine Student questions in the online application
Short written answers on why you chose the course and provider, how it fits your plans and how you'll follow your visa conditions.
- Official
Evidence of funds for travel, tuition and living costs
Living costs are AUD 29,710 a year for the student, plus AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 per child.
- Official
English test result
Usually IELTS 6.0 overall or an equivalent PTE or TOEFL score, lower for some pathway courses.
- Official
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the whole stay
- Official
Health examination and police certificate, if requested
- Official
No Objection Certificate (NOC) to pay fees from Nepal
How it works
- 1
Get your offer and CoE
Accept an offer from a registered provider, pay the deposit and get your Confirmation of Enrolment. You need the NOC from the Ministry of Education before sending fees from Nepal.
- 2
Prepare your financial evidence
Since Nepal was moved to Australia's highest-risk assessment level in January 2026, expect to provide full evidence of funds and their source upfront, not just a declaration.
- 3
Apply online in ImmiAccount
Create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website, answer the Genuine Student questions, upload your documents and pay the AUD 2,000 application charge.
- 4
Health check
Complete any health examination the department asks for at an approved panel clinic.
- 5
Wait for a decision
Every application from Nepal is now checked manually. Don't book flights until the visa is granted.
Where to go
Department of Home Affairs (Australia)
Online applications through ImmiAccount
immi.homeaffairs.gov.auMinistry of Education, NOC portal
noc.moest.gov.np
Cost and time
- Official fee
- AUD 2,000
- Visa application charge in 2026, up from AUD 1,600.
- Processing time
- Weeks to months
- Applications from Nepal are assessed manually.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Visa application chargeAs reported for 2026 | AUD 2,000 |
| Living costs to show, student | AUD 29,710 a year |
| Living costs to show, partner | AUD 10,394 a year |
| Living costs to show, each child | AUD 4,449 a year |
| Work allowed during termUnlimited during course breaks | 48 hours a fortnight |
Common problems
What does "Assessment Level 3" mean for me?
Australia rates countries by risk of visa misuse. Reports say Nepal moved to Level 3, the highest, on 8 January 2026. In practice you should submit complete financial evidence and English results with the application, because case officers check them more closely.
Can a relative sponsor me?
Yes, if they can show the funds and their relationship to you. Expect questions about where the money came from, especially large recent deposits.
Do I still need to write a GTE statement?
No. The Genuine Temporary Entrant statement was replaced by the Genuine Student requirement, which is a set of short questions inside the online application.
How much can I work?
Up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks.
Real experiences
Been through this recently? Tell the next person which office you went to and what they asked for. Reports are published as community notes, apart from the official information.
Share your experienceSources
- Department of Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500)immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- IDP: Australia student visa rules 2026 (updated February 2026)idp.com
- VisaHQ: Australia puts Nepal in highest-risk tier for student visas (January 2026)visahq.com
Written from the sources above and last checked on 8 Oct 2026. Some details aren't confirmed against an official page yet, so check fees and documents with the office before you go.
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