Student Compliance
Know Your Rights & Responsibilities
Every country has its own rules for international students — visa conditions, work limits, enrolment requirements. This guide covers what you need to stay compliant, country by country.
Visa-compliant guidance
Updated for 2026
Expert-verified
As a Subclass 500 Student Visa holder, you must meet strict conditions set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Breaching these conditions can result in visa cancellation and a ban from re-entering Australia.
Enrolment & Attendance
- Remain enrolled full-time at your registered education provider at all times.
- Maintain satisfactory course progress — each provider sets its own benchmarks (typically 50% pass rate per semester).
- Attend at least 80% of scheduled contact hours. Providers report attendance to the Department via PRISMS.
- Notify your institution immediately if you change your study load, defer, or plan to transfer.
- You cannot transfer to another provider within the first 6 months of your principal course unless an exemption applies.
Unsatisfactory attendance or academic progress triggers a PRISMS report. The Department may then cancel your visa — even if you are still enrolled.
Work Rights
- You may work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session.
- There is no work-hour cap during official scheduled course breaks (semester holidays, Christmas break).
- Your spouse or de facto partner on a Subclass 500 visa may be entitled to work — check your individual visa grant notice.
- Work includes paid employment, volunteer work that replaces a paid position, and contract work.
- You cannot work before your course commencement date, even if you have arrived in Australia.
The 48-hour per fortnight limit applies to all paid work combined. A fortnight is any 14-day period — not necessarily aligned with a calendar fortnight.
Health Cover (OSHC)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for the full duration of your student visa.
- Purchase OSHC before your visa is granted. Most universities arrange it on your behalf — confirm before arrival.
- OSHC must cover you, your spouse, and any dependent children on the same visa.
- Keep your OSHC membership card and policy number accessible at all times.
- If you change providers, ensure your OSHC is transferred or re-purchased to avoid a gap in coverage.
Address & Reporting Obligations
- Notify your education provider of your residential address within 7 days of arriving in Australia.
- Update your provider and the Department of Home Affairs within 7 days of any address change.
- Keep your contact details (phone and email) current with your provider at all times.
- If you are under 18, you must live with an approved guardian or with a parent/relative approved by your provider.
Before You Depart from Nepal
- Obtain your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) letter from your institution before applying for the visa.
- Take out OSHC and save your policy document and certificate number.
- Carry your original academic transcripts, IELTS/PTE score report, and acceptance letter in your carry-on.
- Declare all food items, plant material, and large sums of cash (AUD 10,000+) at Australian customs.
- Do not carry any items prohibited under Australian biosecurity laws — fines are substantial.
Need help? Contact the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or speak to your Transit Education counsellor for personalised guidance.