The visa, the costs, how much you can really earn and the 7 real steps to study and work in Australia, explained without the fluff.
If you're Mexican and you've ever googled "how to study and work in Australia", you've probably come across a lot of contradictory information. You need a super expensive visa. You can work with no limits. The application will eat up all your savings. The Working Holiday is a better option… With so much scattered information out there, it's normal to end up more confused than when you started. 🤯
The good news? There is a clear, legal pathway for Mexicans to study and work in Australia at the same time. It's not about buying a plane ticket and "seeing what happens once you're there". It's a process with concrete steps, defined timeframes and a specific visa that makes it all possible.
In this guide, we explain, using official 2026 data, how the process really works, what you need to have ready before you fly and what to expect once you land in Australia.
⚡ Quick summary
- The visa: Student visa (subclass 500). It lets you study and work from the day your course starts.
- Work hours: up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods, and unlimited hours during course breaks.
- Visa cost: from AUD $2,050 (English courses) or AUD $2,500 (VET, higher education or packaged courses).
- Funds to show: AUD $29,710 in living costs for 12 months, plus tuition and flights.
- What you can earn: approx. AUD $1,300–$1,600 per fortnight before tax, working the maximum hours allowed.
01Can Mexicans study and work in Australia?
The short answer is yes. ✅ Australia allows international students to work while they study, as long as they hold the right visa: the Student visa (subclass 500).
One of the biggest advantages of this visa is that, as soon as your course starts, you can start working straight away, without waiting an extra 3 or 6 months like you would with student visas in other countries. This means that from your very first weeks in Australia, you can already earn an income to help cover your living costs while you study.
That's why Australia is one of the most attractive destinations for anyone who wants to study English or a vocational course while gaining international work experience and covering part of their stay.
It also makes Australia much more than just a holiday abroad. The experience combines:
- 🎓 Internationally recognised qualifications.
- 💼 Work experience in an English-speaking country.
- 🗣️ Real English improvement, both inside and outside the classroom.
- 🌏 A multicultural experience, living alongside people from all over the world.
- 💰 Extra income to help with your day-to-day expenses.
- 🚀 Professional growth, with international experience on your CV.
02Official 2026 requirements and figures: Australian student visa for Mexicans
📊 Key figures (Student visa subclass 500)
Before you plan any travel dates, it's essential to know the real figures the Australian Government works with for the Student visa (subclass 500), according to Australia's Department of Home Affairs and Fair Work Ombudsman:
| 🛂 Student visa · Application type | Cost from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Main applicant: English only (ELICOS) | AUD $2,050.00 |
| Main applicant: package (ELICOS + VET/HE), VET or higher education | AUD $2,500.00 |
Sources: Department of Home Affairs · Fair Work Ombudsman
💡 Tip: Want to see how every visa fee changed this year? Read our guide to the Australian visa fee increase (July 2026).
🏥 Mandatory health insurance (OSHC)
This is a visa condition, not an optional extra: every student must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from the day they arrive and keep it for the entire length of their visa.
- Estimated cost: AUD $600–$850 per year per person (Bupa, Medibank, Allianz Care and other government-approved providers).
- You need to buy it before you apply for your visa: it's part of the requirements.
Source: Department of Health and Aged Care
03What to sort out in your first days in Australia
- 🧾 Apply for your Tax File Number (TFN): without one, your employer will withhold tax at the highest rate. You can apply for free online with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
- 🏦 Open an Australian bank account: most banks (Commonwealth Bank, NAB, ANZ, Westpac) accept international students, even before you arrive, with your passport and CoE.
- 📱 Get a local phone plan: you'll need it for banking, transport and accommodation. Prepaid plans (Boost, Amaysim, Woolworths Mobile) are the most affordable.
- 🏠 Book your initial accommodation before you fly: even if it's temporary, don't arrive without anything booked.
- ⚖️ Know your work rights: the Fair Work Ombudsman protects international students just like any other worker, regardless of visa status.
Sources: Australian Taxation Office (ATO) · Fair Work Ombudsman
04Working in Australia as a Mexican: how much can you really earn?
This is where most of the information on social media falls short or flat-out exaggerates. With the minimum wage and the 48-hour fortnightly cap, the maximum legal income during study periods is around AUD $1,300 to $1,600 per fortnight (approx. AUD $2,700–$3,400 per month), before tax.
| Scenario (48 hrs per fortnight) | Per fortnight | Approx. per month |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage (AUD $26.44/hr) | ≈ AUD $1,270 | ≈ AUD $2,750 |
| With casual loading (≈ AUD $33/hr) | ≈ AUD $1,590 | ≈ AUD $3,440 |
Calculated before tax. Wage source: Fair Work Ombudsman (effective 1 July 2026).
🚨 Heads up: it's real help, but it doesn't replace solid financial planning before you fly, especially in your first few months while you look for a job. Any pathway that promises "work will pay for everything" isn't giving you the full picture, and that's exactly the kind of confusion we want to save you from.
Worried about how to save up? 💸 Check out our guide on how to fund your studies abroad as a Mexican: scholarships, education loans, savings and family support.
05The real pathway to Australia for Mexicans, summarised step by step
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Choose what to study
English (ELICOS), a vocational course (VET) or higher education. Your course must be CRICOS-registered and, most importantly, make sense for your future career. This is where we can help you the most. 😉
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Work out your budget
Add up your tuition, the AUD $29,710 in living costs, the visa fee, your OSHC and your flights. Knowing the full number from the start saves you nasty surprises.
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Get your CoE
Your Confirmation of Enrolment is the document your school issues once you accept your offer and pay the deposit. Without a CoE, you can't apply for your visa.
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Apply for your Student visa (subclass 500)
You apply online with your passport, CoE, OSHC, proof of funds and any other documents Home Affairs asks for. Apply early: processing times vary.
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Fly to Australia
Check your visa for the date you're allowed to enter the country, and arrive with your initial accommodation booked. ✈️
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Study and work
Apply for your TFN, open your bank account and start looking for work. Remember: attending classes and keeping up good academic progress are also conditions of your visa.
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Make the most of your experience
Once you finish, depending on your course and goals, you can keep studying, specialise or explore other visa options. Everything you build in Australia stays on your CV for life. 🌟
06Frequently asked questions
Which visa do Mexicans need to study and work in Australia?
The Student visa (subclass 500). It lets you study a CRICOS-registered course and work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods, with unlimited hours during course breaks.
How much does an Australian student visa cost in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, it costs AUD $2,050 for English-only courses (ELICOS) and AUD $2,500 for VET, higher education or packaged courses.
How much money do I need to show for the visa?
AUD $29,710 in living costs for 12 months, plus your tuition fees and flights.
Can I start working as soon as I arrive in Australia?
You can work once your course has started, with no extra waiting period. Before you start, apply for your Tax File Number (TFN) so your employer doesn't withhold tax at the highest rate.
Will working cover all my expenses?
Working the maximum hours allowed, you can earn approx. AUD $1,300–$1,600 per fortnight before tax. It's a big help, but it doesn't replace solid financial planning, especially in your first few months.
Does Study Destination charge for its help?
No. Our service is 100% free for students: we help you choose your course, enrol in your school and prepare your visa at no cost.
Ready to take the first step? 🙌
We know that, even though the pathway is clear, every case is different: the right course for you, the timing, your budget and your specific visa requirements all depend on your personal situation.
At Study Destination, we support you through the whole process free of charge, so you can study and work in Australia with the right information from day one: transparent advice, no empty promises and official data.
🎥 Register for our free webinar: The real pathway to study and work in Australia as a Mexican
Learn every step in detail and chat directly with our visa experts, who can guide you based on your situation.
Register for the free webinar →Prefer to talk to an adviser directly? 📩 Book your free consultation here.
⚠️ Please note: the Australian Government may update fees and requirements at any time. Before you apply, check the latest information on the Department of Home Affairs and Fair Work Ombudsman websites.
