Subclass 500 grants in 2020-21
Due to COVID-19, there has been a reduction in the numbers of subclass 500 (formerly 570 to 576) visas granted.
Some examples, showing 2018-19 as a pre COVID period, 2019-20 as a part COVID period and 2019-21 as a full COVID period, are shown here:
Independent ELICOS Sector (570)
- 37,285 grants in 2018-19.
- 31,023 grants in 2019-20.
- 4,873 grants in 2020-21 (to 31 May 2021).
Schools Sector visa (571)
- 10,824 grants in 2018-19.
- 7,171 grants in 2019-20.
- 2,501 grants in 2020-21 (to 31 May 2021).
Vocational Education and Training Sector visa (572)
- 86,121 grants in 2018-19.
- 81,446 grants in 2019-20.
- 59,884 grants in 2020-21 (to 31 May 2021).
Higher Education Sector visa (573)
- 189,447 grants in 2018-19.
- 151,520 grants in 2019-20.
- 107,152 grants in 2020-21 (to 31 May 2021).
Post Graduate Research Sector (574)
- 6,829 grants in 2018-19.
- 6,261 grants in 2019-20.
- 5,550 grants in 2020-21 (to 31 May 2021).
Non Award Sector (575)
- 20,329 grants in 2018-19.
- 12,349 grants in 2019-20.
- 379 grants in 2020-21 (to 31 May 2021).
Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector visa (576)
- 3,729 grants in 2018-19.
- 2,579 grants in 2019-20.
- 669 grants in 2020-21 (to 31 May 2021).
All numbers quoted are for Primary applicants only.
Being granted a student visa does not mean that entry to Australia is permitted.
Advice issued by the Department of Home Affairs, confirms that the Australian Government has recommenced issuing student visas in all locations. This means that students can travel as soon as borders re-open and it is safe to do.
Source: data.gov.au
Reports are based on lodgement and grant data recorded for visa subclass 500 and former subclass 570 to 576.
subclass 500 visa processing times.
These times were current at 1 July 2021 at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/…/student-500
Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector
75% of applications within 5 months
90% of applications over 9 months
Postgraduate Research Sector
75% of applications within 4 months
90% of applications over 10 months
Non-Award Sector
75% of applications within 3 months
90% of applications over 8 months
Schools Sector
75% of applications within 7 months
90% of applications over 9 months
Independent ELICOS Sector
75% of applications within 5 months
90% of applications over 7 months
Vocational Education and Training Sector
75% of applications within 4 months
90% of applications over 6 months
Higher Education Sector
75% of applications within 3 months
90% of applications over 5 months