Subclass 500 Visa Conditions (8202, 8105, 8501): What You Must Comply With

When you are granted an Australian student visa (Subclass 500), you must comply with mandatory visa conditions. The three most critical conditions are:

• Condition 8202: Maintain enrolment and course progress.
• Condition 8105: Work no more than 48 hours per fortnight during teaching periods.
• Condition 8501: Maintain adequate health insurance (OSHC).

Breaching any of these conditions can result in visa cancellation and deportation. This guide explains each condition, what compliance means, and consequences of breach.

Condition 8202: Maintain enrolment and course progress

What it means

You must remain enrolled full-time in your CRICOS course and maintain satisfactory course progress. “Satisfactory progress” typically means:

• Achieving at least 50% pass rate in your courses (specific definition depends on your provider).
• Attending classes as required by your provider (usually minimum 80% attendance).
• Not being on academic probation or suspension.

How it is monitored

Your education provider reports your enrolment and progress to PRISMS (Provider Registration and International Student Management System) — the government system that tracks international students. Home Affairs monitors PRISMS reports to identify students who are:

• Not enrolled in a full-time course.
• Failing courses (less than 50% pass rate).
• Not attending classes.
• On academic suspension.

See au-prisms-and-condition-8202.md for detailed information on PRISMS reporting.

What triggers a breach

You will breach condition 8202 if:

• You withdraw from your course without arranging a course transfer or deferral.
• You fail too many courses (usually 50%+ failure rate over a teaching period).
• You do not attend classes (your provider reports non-attendance to PRISMS).
• You take a semester off without arranging a formal deferral.
• You are suspended or expelled from your course.

Consequences of breach

• Home Affairs can cancel your visa automatically once your provider reports a breach to PRISMS.
• You will be required to depart Australia within a specified timeframe (usually 28 days).
• You may face deportation action if you do not depart voluntarily.
• Future Australian visa applications may be affected (you may be deemed an unsatisfactory character).

How to comply

• Attend all classes and complete all assignments.
• Aim to pass all courses (or at least maintain 50%+ pass rate).
• If you are struggling academically, contact your provider immediately for support (tutoring, course withdrawal, deferral).
• If you need to change your enrolment (e.g., reduce course load, defer a semester), get written approval from your provider before making changes.
• Maintain regular communication with your provider; notify them of any circumstances affecting your studies.

Condition 8105: Work no more than 48 hours per fortnight during teaching periods

What it means

During the teaching periods of your course, you may work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight (2 weeks). This applies to all work: paid employment, volunteer work, internships, and self-employment.

Important dates

• Teaching period: The period during which your course is actively running (lectures, tutorials, exams).
• Course break: The period between semesters when no teaching is occurring. During course breaks (including semester breaks, mid-year breaks, exam breaks), you can work unlimited hours.

Example: If your teaching period is February–May and August–November, you can work unlimited hours in June–July and December–January.

How it is monitored

• Employer reporting: Some employers report hours worked to the ATO (Australian Tax Office), which can cross-reference with student visa records.
• Border records: If you leave and re-enter Australia, border officials may ask about your work arrangements.
• Visa breach reports: If you are working excessive hours, your education provider or another person may report this to Home Affairs.

The 48-hour limit is not actively monitored day-to-day, but it is enforced through complaints, visa breaches, and tax records.

What triggers a breach

You will breach condition 8105 if:

• You work more than 48 hours per fortnight during a teaching period (e.g., working 50 hours in one fortnight).
• You work unlimited hours during teaching periods, even if under 48 hours average (e.g., working 80 hours in one fortnight and 16 hours in another).

Note: Hours worked are averaged across the fortnight. If you work 45 hours in week 1 and 3 hours in week 2, that is within the limit. If you work 50 hours in one week, that is a breach.

Consequences of breach

• Home Affairs can cancel your visa for breach of condition 8105.
• You will be required to depart Australia.
• Future Australian visa applications (working holiday, skilled visa) may be refused.
• You may be found to be of unsatisfactory character.

How to comply

• Keep a record of your working hours (work diary, payslips).
• Discuss your work hours with your employer; ensure your schedule aligns with the 48-hour limit during teaching periods.
• Plan your work schedule around course breaks (work more during breaks, less during teaching periods).
• If you are considering a change of employment, confirm with the new employer that they can accommodate the work-hour restriction.
• If you are self-employed (e.g., freelancing, tutoring), track your hours carefully.

Exceptions and clarifications

• Voluntary work: Unpaid voluntary work may not count towards the 48-hour limit; check with Home Affairs or your provider.
• Internships: Formal, credited internships (part of your course) may be exempt. Check your course provider.
• Work-integrated learning: Some courses include work-integrated learning; these may be exempt if they are part of the course structure.

See au-working-as-student-48-hours.md for more detail.

Condition 8501: Maintain adequate health insurance

What it means

You must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your student visa. If your OSHC lapses (you stop paying the premium), your visa is automatically cancelled.

What counts as “adequate” OSHC

Adequate OSHC must include:

• Hospital cover (public or private hospital accommodation).
• Doctor services (general practice and specialist).
• Prescription medicines (PBS and some non-PBS).

See au-oshc-overseas-student-health-cover.md for details on OSHC providers and coverage.

How it is monitored

• Your OSHC provider reports your coverage status to Home Affairs.
• If your OSHC lapses (premium not paid), the provider notifies Home Affairs.
• Home Affairs automatically cancels your student visa if your OSHC lapses.

What triggers a breach

You will breach condition 8501 if:

• Your OSHC policy is cancelled (e.g., you stop paying the premium).
• Your OSHC lapses and there is a gap in coverage.
• Your OSHC plan no longer meets the “adequate” standard (e.g., you downgrade to a plan that does not cover hospitals).

Consequences of breach

• Your student visa is automatically cancelled by Home Affairs once the provider reports a lapse.
• You must depart Australia immediately (or within a grace period, usually 7–28 days).
• You may face deportation action if you do not depart voluntarily.

How to comply

• Enrol in OSHC before your course starts or before you arrive in Australia.
• Pay your annual premium on time (set up automatic payments if possible).
• Renew your OSHC before the policy expiry date.
• If you change providers, ensure there is no gap in coverage.
• Update your personal details (visa end date, family status) with your OSHC provider if your circumstances change.
• If you cannot afford the premium, contact your provider about payment plans or cheaper plan options.

Other important conditions

Beyond 8202, 8105, and 8501, you must also comply with:

What to do if you breach a condition

If you have breached or are at risk of breaching a condition:

1. Contact your education provider immediately (for condition 8202, 8533).
2. Contact your OSHC provider immediately (for condition 8501).
3. Seek immigration advice from a registered migration agent if your breach is serious.
4. Do not ignore the issue: Home Affairs will discover breaches through provider reports or tax records.

In some cases, if you notify Home Affairs voluntarily of a minor breach and take corrective action, they may not cancel your visa. However, this is not guaranteed.

FAQ

Q: Can I work full-time during university holidays? A: Yes. If your course is not running (during scheduled breaks, semester breaks, exam breaks), you can work unlimited hours. Confirm with your provider when the teaching period ends.

Q: What counts as “work”? A: Any paid employment (part-time job, full-time job), self-employment (freelancing, running a business), internships (paid or unpaid), and volunteer work. Some unpaid volunteering may be exempt; ask your provider.

Q: If I work 40 hours one fortnight and 8 hours the next, is that within the limit? A: Yes, provided each fortnight is within 48 hours. You do not average across multiple fortnights; the limit applies to each fortnight separately.

Q: What if my OSHC policy is cancelled by the provider due to a billing error? A: Contact your OSHC provider immediately to reinstate the policy and get written confirmation of reinstatement. Notify Home Affairs via ImmiAccount. In cases of genuine error, Home Affairs may not cancel your visa if you correct the issue quickly.

Q: Can I take a semester off and come back? A: A semester off requires a formal deferral arrangement with your provider. If you simply stop attending classes without deferral, you breach condition 8202. Contact your provider about deferral options.

Q: What if I fail a course? A: If you fail one course but pass others (maintaining 50%+ pass rate overall), you may not breach condition 8202. However, if you fail too many courses (less than 50% pass rate), you breach. Talk to your provider about support or course changes.

Q: Can my visa be cancelled without warning? A: If you breach a condition, your provider reports it to PRISMS and Home Affairs. Home Affairs then notifies you of the breach and gives you time to respond (usually 7–28 days) before cancelling. However, in serious cases (e.g., your OSHC lapses), cancellation may be automatic.

Sources

• Student visa conditions: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/student-visa-conditions
• Student visa (Subclass 500): immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-visa-500
• PRISMS: prisms.deewr.gov.au
• Working conditions: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/working-conditions-student-visa

Last reviewed: April 2026. Visa rules and charges change frequently — always verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.