Visa Options for Vietnamese Citizens Moving to Australia in 2026

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

The primary pathway for Vietnamese citizens.

### Application Requirements

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): From a CRICOS-registered institution in Australia. You must be accepted into a course before applying for the visa.

English proficiency: Minimum scores depend on course level:
- Foundation/ELICOS: Varies by institution
- Certificate/Diploma (TAFE): IELTS 5.5 overall
- Bachelor's degree: IELTS 6.0-6.5
- Master's/PhD: IELTS 6.5-7.0
- Nursing: IELTS 7.0 (all bands)

Financial capacity: Demonstrate funds for:
- Full first-year tuition
- AUD 29,710 for living costs (per year)
- AUD 2,000 for return travel
- Additional amounts per dependent (AUD 4,540 per partner/child)

Financial evidence includes bank statements (showing funds held for at least 3 months), scholarship letters, sponsor declarations, or government funding letters.

OSHC: Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of your visa. Cost: AUD 500-700 per year for singles.

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement: A written statement explaining why you want to study in Australia, how the course relates to your career, and your ties to Vietnam. This is critically important for Vietnamese applicants — the GTE assessment is a key reason applications get refused.

### GTE Tips for Vietnamese Applicants

Vietnam is in a higher risk assessment category. Strengthen your application by:

- Choosing a course that logically follows your previous study or work. A business graduate applying for an IT master's needs a strong explanation. A nursing graduate applying for nursing in Australia is logical.
- Demonstrating ties to Vietnam. Family members, property, employment history, and a stated intention to return (even if your long-term plan is migration — the GTE assesses your intentions at the time of application).
- Showing career relevance. How will this Australian qualification advance your career? What specific roles or industries are you targeting?
- Using a reputable education agent. Agents registered with your chosen institution understand the GTE requirements and can help you present your case effectively.
- Avoiding "visa shopping" patterns. Multiple refused visas, previous visa breaches, or applications for courses unrelated to your background raise red flags.

### Cost

Visa application fee: AUD 2,500 (≈VND 41.1 million).

Tuition fees (annual):
- TAFE/vocational: AUD 10,000-25,000
- University bachelor's: AUD 25,000-45,000
- University master's: AUD 28,000-50,000
- PhD: Often fee-waived with a scholarship; otherwise AUD 30,000-50,000

Total first-year cost (visa + tuition + living + OSHC): AUD 55,000-85,000 (≈VND 900 million-1.4 billion). This is a significant investment, which is why course selection matters so much.

### Work Rights

48 hours per fortnight during term. Unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. This allows you to earn AUD 800-1,500 per fortnight (at minimum wage), which helps with living costs but doesn't fully cover tuition.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The bridge between study and long-term migration.

### Graduate Work Stream

For graduates whose qualification relates to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Duration: 18 months. Requires a skills assessment.

### Post-Study Work Stream

For graduates of a bachelor's degree or higher from an Australian institution (at least 2 years of study). Duration:
- Bachelor's degree: 2 years
- Master's by coursework: 3 years
- Master's by research: 3 years
- Doctorate: 4 years

No skills assessment required for this stream. No occupation list restrictions.

Work rights: Unlimited. You can work full-time for any employer in any occupation.

### Cost

AUD 5,750 for the primary applicant, current as at 1 July 2026. Dependants cost AUD 2,875 each for applicants aged 18 or over and AUD 1,450 per child under 18.

### Application Deadline

You must apply within 6 months of completing your course (receiving your completion letter). Do not miss this deadline — there's no extension.

### Using the 485 Strategically

The 485 is your window to build the profile needed for permanent residency:

- Gain Australian work experience in your field (adds points for 189/190)
- Improve your English score — aim for IELTS 8.0 or PTE 79+ for maximum points (20 points)
- Get a skills assessment for your occupation
- Find an employer willing to sponsor you on a 482
- Build professional networks that can provide references and opportunities

Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)

Available but limited for Vietnamese citizens.

### Requirements

- Aged 18-30
- Completed at least two years of tertiary study
- Functional English (IELTS 4.5 overall)
- Letter of government support from Vietnam's Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA)
- Annual cap applies — places may fill up

### Cost

AUD 840 for a first visa (≈VND 13.8 million); AUD 1,000 for a second or third.

### Practical Considerations

The 462 is harder to access for Vietnamese citizens than the student visa because of the government letter requirement and the annual cap. It's also a shorter-term option — 12 months initially, extendable with regional work.

However, it's useful if:
- You want to experience Australia before committing to expensive study
- You're considering a career change and want to test the Australian job market
- You don't meet the financial requirements for a student visa

Employer Sponsorship (Subclass 482)

For Vietnamese professionals with a job offer from an Australian employer.

### Requirements

- Occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Minimum salary of AUD 73,150 or market rate
- Skills assessment (sometimes required)
- English proficiency (IELTS 5.0 overall, 5.0 in each band for medium-term stream)

### Common Occupations for Vietnamese Applicants

Software engineers, IT professionals, accountants, chefs, cooks, automotive mechanics, electricians, and nurses are frequently sponsored. Check current occupation lists for your specific role.

### Pathway to PR

The medium-term stream leads to PR through the subclass 186 after 2-3 years. Ensure your occupation is on the MLTSSL (not just the STSOL) if you want this pathway.

Points-Tested Skilled Visas (189/190/491)

Direct skilled migration for qualified professionals.

### Points Calculation for Vietnamese Applicants

Typical points profile for a 28-year-old Vietnamese applicant with a master's degree, 5 years' experience, and competent English:

- Age (25-32): 30 points
- English (competent, IELTS 6.0): 0 points
- Qualification (master's): 15 points
- Overseas experience (5 years): 10 points
- Total: 55 points — below the 65 minimum

To reach competitive scores, Vietnamese applicants typically need:
- Superior English (IELTS 8.0 or PTE 79+): +20 points
- Australian study requirement (2 years): +5 points
- Australian work experience: +5-15 points
- State nomination (190): +5 points
- Regional nomination (491): +15 points

This is why the student pathway is so important — it adds Australian qualifications, work experience, and English improvement that dramatically increase your points score.

Document Authentication for Vietnamese Applicants

Translation: All Vietnamese documents must be translated into English by a NAATI-certified translator (in Australia) or a sworn/official translator recognised by the Australian Embassy in Hanoi or HCMC.

Police clearance: Obtain from the Vietnamese police authority. Known as "Lý lịch tư pháp" — apply through the Ministry of Justice or local Justice Department. Processing: 10-20 business days.

Academic documents: Certified copies of degrees, transcripts, and graduation certificates. Some institutions require documents authenticated by Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (consular legalisation).

Medical examination: Must be done by a panel physician approved by the Department of Home Affairs. Panel physicians are available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Cost: approximately VND 3-5 million.

Choosing Your Pathway

Recent graduate in Vietnam wanting to study: Student visa (500) → 485 → skilled or sponsored pathway. The most reliable long-term route.

Experienced professional in Vietnam: Direct 482 employer sponsorship if you have a job offer, or 189/190 if you have high English and an in-demand occupation.

Young and flexible (18-30): Consider the 462 Working Holiday to test the waters, especially if you can secure the government letter and a place before the cap fills.

In a relationship with an Australian: Partner visa (820/801). Can be combined with student or work visa in the meantime.

Next Steps

Read the overview guide for the broader picture.

If you're planning the student route, start researching courses that align with skilled occupation lists. Our guide on the student to 485 pathway covers the transition in detail.

For settling-in advice, see our Vietnam settling guide.

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Related Resources

- Vietnam to Australia: Complete 2026 Guide
- Settling in Australia from Vietnam
- Student Visa to 485 Graduate Pathway
- Student Visa Expiring? Your Options
- Change Course on Student Visa
- Best OSHC for International Students
- 482 to PR Pathway
- First Week in Australia Checklist

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What English score do I need for an Australian student visa?

Minimum IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) for most vocational courses, and IELTS 6.0-6.5 for university degree programs. Some institutions accept lower scores with a packaged English course (ELICOS). PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT equivalents are also accepted.

How long is the 485 post-study work visa?

The duration depends on your qualification: 2 years for a bachelor's degree, 3 years for a master's by coursework, and 4 years for a master's by research or doctorate. Some qualifications in areas of demand may receive additional time.

Can I bring my family on a student visa?

Yes. You can include your spouse/de facto partner and dependent children in your student visa application. Your partner gets work rights (48 hours per fortnight). Children can attend Australian schools. However, adding dependents increases the financial requirement significantly.

Is it better to study at a university or TAFE?

Both can lead to migration outcomes. Universities offer bachelor's and master's degrees that give longer 485 work rights. TAFEs offer trade and vocational qualifications that can lead to trade assessments and 482 sponsorship. Choose based on your career goal and the relevant skilled occupation list.