Australian universities operate on a semester system with two primary intakes: February (Semester 1) and July (Semester 2), and a smaller November intake at select institutions. Understanding the differences between these intake windows and planning your application and visa lodgement accordingly is one of the most important steps in your study planning. Missed deadlines can delay your start date by six months or more.
February (Semester 1)
The February intake is the main annual intake across all Australian universities. It offers the widest course availability, the largest scholarship pool, and is the only intake for certain clinical programs, including Nursing, Medicine, and Physiotherapy at most institutions. If you are targeting a Group of Eight university, February is typically your only option.
Application Stage | Timeline (for February 2027 intake) |
|---|---|
Research courses and universities Submit university application Receive Offer Letter Accept the offer and receive the CoE Lodge Subclass 500 student visa Visa decision expected Course commencement | March – June 2026 June – September 2026 August – October 2026 September – November 2026 By November 2026 at the latest January 2027 (allow 6–12 weeks processing) February 2027 |
July (Semester 2)
The July intake is fully resourced for Business, IT, Engineering, and Arts programs and represents an excellent option for students who need additional time to prepare English test scores, finalise documentation, or complete their undergraduate degree. Many students targeting regional study benefits also choose July to secure extended post-study work rights under the regional incentive framework.
Application Stage | Timeline (for July 2026 intake) |
|---|---|
Research and shortlist Submit university application Receive Offer Letter Accept the offer and receive CoE Lodge a student visa Visa decision expected Course commencement | September – December 2025 January – March 2026 February – April 2026 March – May 2026 By May 2026 June – early July 2026 July 2026 |
November (Trimester 3)
The November intake is offered primarily by RMIT University, Griffith University, Deakin University, and UNSW. It is ideal for students who missed the July deadline due to extended visa processing times (particularly relevant for students from countries classified at Level 3 by the Department of Home Affairs). Course availability is more limited than the February and July intakes.
Plan Your Timeline
Student visa (Subclass 500) processing times vary by the applicant's country of origin, the university's Evidence Level classification, and application volume. Current guidance from the Department of Home Affairs indicates:
Standard processing: 4–6 weeks for straightforward applications
Higher-risk country applicants: 8–16 weeks processing time
Peak periods (June–August for February intake): allow additional buffer
Apply for your visa as soon as you receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Applications lodged less than 4 weeks before course commencement face a significant risk of not being approved before the intake starts.
Documents Needed for Visa Lodgement
Valid passport (must be valid for the full duration of study)
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered provider
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy document
Proof of financial capacity: bank statements, a loan letter, or scholarship evidence
English proficiency test results (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1)
Genuine Student (GS) requirement responses (replaced GTE from March 2024)
Academic transcripts and qualification certificates
Health examination results (where required by nationality)
Next step
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