The Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the Subclass 500 Visa Explained

What a Confirmation of Enrolment is

A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is an electronic document issued by an Australian education provider once you have accepted an offer and met the provider's enrolment conditions, such as paying a tuition deposit. Each CoE confirms that you are enrolled in a specific course, for a stated duration, at a provider and course registered on CRICOS (the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students).

The CoE is generated in the government's PRISMS system and carries a unique CoE number. For the subclass 500 (Student) visa, the Department of Home Affairs treats the CoE as proof that you have a genuine, registered place to study — which is why it sits at the centre of the application.

This is general information, not immigration advice. Always confirm the current CoE rules on the official Home Affairs website before you act.

Why the CoE comes before the visa

You cannot lodge a valid subclass 500 application without evidence of enrolment. In most cases this means holding one or more CoEs at the time you apply; in limited situations a Letter of Offer may be accepted, but the safest path is to secure your CoE first.

Because the CoE confirms a real CRICOS place, it also feeds into other parts of your application — the financial-capacity and English-language evidence the department asks for are calculated from your main course of study, which the CoE identifies.

If you are combining courses (for example, an English-language pathway followed by a degree), you may hold a CoE for each, and your visa is generally granted to cover the full study package. Confirm the current rules on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before relying on them.

What to check on your CoE

Read your CoE carefully before lodging. The details on it must match your passport and your visa application exactly, because mismatches can cause delays or a request for more information.

• Your name and date of birth match your passport
• The CoE number and provider/CRICOS course code are present
• Course name, start date and expected end date are correct
• Tuition fees and any deposit paid are shown accurately
• OSHC (health cover) details, if your provider arranged it

Keeping the CoE valid through your studies

A CoE is tied to an active enrolment. If you defer, withdraw, or change to a different course or provider, your provider may cancel or reissue your CoE, and that can affect your visa status because of the enrolment conditions attached to the subclass 500.

Keep a copy of every CoE and tell your provider promptly if anything about your enrolment changes. If you switch providers, you generally need a release and a new CoE before you can be reported as enrolled elsewhere.

Requirements and document lists change. Verify the current enrolment and CoE rules on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and with your education provider before relying on them.