Document checklist
Djibouti → Australia: Student visa (subclass 500)
What you need before you submit, checked against official requirements, not guesswork.
Checked by our automated verification on 20 Oct 2026: every source on this page resolves and the data is structurally complete. This does not confirm a person re-read the source text for accuracy.
Required documents
10 itemsIdentity
Valid passport
RequiredThe photo and personal details pages of your current passport, valid for the length of your intended stay.
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500)
Financial
Proof you can cover your costs
RequiredEvidence that you have enough money to cover travel, tuition, living, and school costs (for you and any family members coming with you) for the first 12 months of your stay, or evidence of annual income above a specified amount belonging to your spouse, de facto partner, or parent, provided that person isn't travelling with you.
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Financial capacity, Evidence of (Student)
Purpose of travel
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
RequiredA valid CoE for each course you're enrolled in, from a provider and course registered on CRICOS. Without a CoE at the time you apply, your application isn't valid. If you're covering more than one course, include every CoE code so your visa isn't limited to just one of them. Some applicants (Foreign Affairs/Defence sponsored students, secondary exchange students, postgraduate research students awaiting thesis marking) provide a letter of support or an AASES form instead.
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500)
Genuine Student (GS) responses and supporting evidence
RequiredAnswers, in the application form, about your current circumstances (family, community, employment, economic ties), why you chose this course and provider, and how the course will benefit you, plus documents that support those answers, such as academic transcripts, evidence of your current employment, or economic circumstances at home. Each response is limited to 150 words and must be in English.
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Genuine Student requirement
Insurance
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
RequiredOSHC from an approved Australian provider for you and any family members, covering your whole stay. If you're applying from outside Australia, cover must start the day you arrive, not the day your course starts. Norwegian, Swedish, and Belgian students covered under their own national/reciprocal health schemes are exempt.
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500)
Other
Character requirement
RequiredYou, and any family members aged 16 or over who apply with you, must meet Australia's character requirement.
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500)
English language test result
RequiredEvidence of an approved English language test score, unless you fall into an exemption category (for example, citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, NZ, or Ireland; students in an ELICOS or registered school course; or students who've completed at least 5 years of English-medium study). Home Affairs can still ask for this evidence at any point while processing your application, even if you weren't asked for it up front. Tests delivered entirely online/at-home (e.g. IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition) aren't accepted.
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500)
Health requirement
RequiredYou and any family members applying with you must meet Australia's health requirement.
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500)
Signed Australian values statement
RequiredIf you're 18 or older, you must have read (or had explained to you) the Life in Australia booklet and sign an Australian Values Statement confirming you'll respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian law.
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500)
Welfare arrangements for under-18 applicants
RequiredEvidence of adequate welfare arrangements while you're in Australia, if you're under 18.
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500)
Why applications on this route get refused
No Confirmation of Enrolment at lodgement
If you don't provide a CoE for your course when you lodge your application, the application isn't valid and can't be processed.
How to avoid it: Have a valid CoE for every intended course ready before you submit your application.
Not assessed as a genuine student
All applicants must satisfy the Genuine Student requirement, showing that studying in Australia is genuinely your primary reason for applying. Weak or unsupported responses to the GS questions can lead to refusal.
How to avoid it: Answer the Genuine Student questions on the application form yourself, in English, and back up your answers with supporting evidence such as transcripts or employment details.
Insufficient proof of financial capacity
You must show you can cover travel, tuition, living, and school costs for the first 12 months of your stay (or an alternative income source), which is a core eligibility requirement, not optional.
How to avoid it: Provide clear, current evidence of funds or income that meets the requirement before you apply.
Character requirement not met
You and any family members aged 16 or over must meet Australia's character requirement to be granted this visa.
How to avoid it: Be ready to provide any character evidence requested, and disclose your history accurately.
Health requirement not met
You and any family members applying with you must meet Australia's health requirement.
How to avoid it: Complete any requested health examinations promptly and provide accurate information.
Past visa cancellation or refusal
Home Affairs considers your immigration history when deciding your application, a prior visa cancellation or refusal can mean you're not eligible for this visa.
How to avoid it: Disclose your immigration history accurately and seek advice if you've had a visa cancelled or refused before.
Sources
- Australian Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500) · checked 13 Sept 2026
- Australian Department of Home Affairs, Genuine Student requirement · checked 13 Sept 2026
- Australian Department of Home Affairs, Financial capacity, Evidence of (Student) · checked 13 Sept 2026
- Australian Department of Home Affairs, Special Category visa (subclass 444) · checked 13 Sept 2026
Check your documents against this list before you pay the Australia application fee.
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