Indian Students Semester 1 Applications to Australian Universities Open

(AUSTRALIA) Applications for Semester 1 at Australian universities are opening for the February 2026 intake, with most portals set to accept submissions between August and November 2025 and final deadlines falling from December through early February. The window is tight and the stakes are high for Indian students, who face rising demand for STEM seats, firm visa timelines, and a new post-study work policy that could shape long-term plans.

Key dates and application windows

• The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory has flagged:
  • Early-bird cut-off: 30 September 2025
  • Final close: 6 February 2026
• Direct-to-university application calendars vary by course and campus.

Several high-profile institutions have published intake cut-offs:
– University of Sydney: final date 1 December 2025
– Australian National University: 8 February 2026
– Curtin University: 15 February 2026
– Griffith University: two-stage dates — 21 December 2025 (January block) and 18 January 2026 (February block)

Admissions officers note that dates can depend on course caps and that competitive STEM programs may close earlier if places fill. Advisers therefore urge Semester 1 applicants to submit between August and November to secure assessments, housing options, and the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) — which unlocks the visa process.

Offer rounds and timing

Offer rounds for Semester 1 tend to move quickly after the first application waves. Some faculties release rolling outcomes; others batch them. This affects when a CoE is issued and how soon you can lodge a visa.

• Apply early to improve the chance of receiving an offer in initial rounds.
• Early offers help with housing, OSHC purchase, and timely visa lodgement.

Important: Competitive STEM programs can close early once places are full — don’t wait for a final deadline if you’re aiming for these courses.

Costs — tuition and living

Tuition fees for STEM programs vary by field, level, and location. For 2026 starters:

• Undergraduate STEM: AUD 20,000 – AUD 45,000 per year
• Postgraduate STEM: AUD 22,000 – AUD 50,000 per year
• Engineering:
  • Bachelor’s: AUD 20,000 – AUD 50,000
  • Master’s: up to AUD 60,000 per year

These figures exclude housing, health cover, and travel.

Living cost estimates for international students:
– AUD 24,505 – AUD 29,710 per year (depending on city and lifestyle)
– The Australian government requests applicants to show proof of funds around AUD 29,710 for the first year when applying for a student visa.

VisaVerge.com analysis shows budgeting matters for both visa approval and retention: early withdrawals often relate to financial pressures rather than academic failure.

Visa essentials — Student visa (subclass 500)

The Student visa (subclass 500) remains the key pathway for Semester 1. Core Department of Home Affairs requirements include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from an Australian university
• Proof of English language ability — typically IELTS 5.5–6.5 or PTE 42–58 (or equivalent)
• Financial evidence covering tuition, living costs, and travel
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) purchased before lodging the visa application
• A Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
• Character and health checks (medical exam, police clearance if requested)

Processing time:
– Government guidance: 4 to 8 weeks on average, but times vary by course and intake.
– Officials advise lodging well ahead of Semester 1 to allow for document requests, biometrics, and peak-season delays.

Work rights while studying

Rules updated in 2023 remain in force for Semester 1 entrants:

• Work up to 48 hours per fortnight during scheduled teaching periods
• Unlimited hours during scheduled breaks

Universities stress that work should not interfere with attendance requirements. These hours can help cover rent and living costs, and many students plan work rosters around lab and tutorial schedules.

Health insurance (OSHC)

OSHC is mandatory and must be in place before visa submission:

• Must cover the full length of intended stay
• Costs vary by provider and policy length
• Dependent cover required for accompanying family
• Switching providers mid-course can be costly (waiting periods may apply)
• Health insurance proof is commonly checked and missing proof can stall visa decisions during the Semester 1 rush

Post-study work changes (subclass 485)

Reforms effective in 2025 affect post-study pathways:

• Indian STEM graduates can stay and work in Australia for 2 to 6 years, depending on qualification and specialisation
• The Temporary Graduate visa application charge was reduced from AUD 1,890 to AUD 1,590
• These changes are influencing course choices now, with many applicants prioritising programs aligned to longer post-study bands (e.g., engineering, data science, applied sciences)

Practical timeline checklist for Indian applicants

1. Target applications: late August – November 2025
2. If offered, secure CoE and purchase OSHC immediately
3. Prepare financial documents (tuition, living costs, travel) — allow time for bank letters or sponsor statements
4. Lodge subclass 500 with sufficient buffer for checks and processing (aim well before February start)
5. Arrange housing and part-time work planning around campus timetables

Financial evidence — what to show

Financial evidence typically needs to demonstrate:

• Tuition (usually via offer letter)
• Living costs (bank statements, approved loans) — government benchmark near AUD 29,710
• Travel (usually estimated at AUD 2,000 for the first year)

Department of Home Affairs requires funds to be accessible; officers can ask for more detail. Family sponsors should prepare documents early, especially during December–January peaks when bank letters can take longer.

Location, living costs and settlement

• Government minimum funds test: near AUD 29,710, but a lower estimate AUD 24,505 assumes shared housing and strict budgeting.
• City differences (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth) affect rent and transport.
• Commuting time and campus schedules should shape housing decisions, especially for part-time workers.
• Many universities offer arrival weeks (late January / early February) with housing fairs and union advice — a week to settle can help meet attendance rules for labs and tutorials.

English testing timing

• Typical course requirements: IELTS 5.5–6.5 or PTE 42–58; some STEM units require higher bands.
• Book test dates that align with your lodgement timeline and allow time to retake if needed.
• Conditional offers must have conditions cleared in time for CoE issuance.

Competition and student choices

• STEM demand remains high; engineering masters with fees near AUD 60,000 continue to attract Indian applicants due to perceived links to longer post-study work.
• Visa and graduate policy settings in 2025 are already shaping application choices, with more applicants prioritising programs that match 2 to 6 year post-study bands.
• Advisors expect the 2026 Semester 1 intake to be one of the first where those reforms fully influence cohort choices across faculties.

Official resources and links

• Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500
• Universities and the UAC portal keep Semester 1 pages updated with course close dates and UAC-specific deadlines (including the 30 September 2025 early-bird and 6 February 2026 final dates for NSW and ACT).

Key takeaway: apply early, prepare documents in order, and allow sufficient time for visa processing. For Indian students, aim to submit between August and November 2025, budget for tuition plus AUD 24,505 to AUD 29,710 in living costs, and ensure OSHC is in place before lodging the visa. Missing any step can push an offer or visa decision past orientation week, so treat deadlines as firm.

For thousands of Indian applicants, the mix of competitive STEM programs and extended post-study options makes Australian universities a compelling choice for 2026 — but Semester 1 is unforgiving on timing and documentation.