Your Student Visa Guide
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If you want to study in Australia as an international student, the Student (Subclass 500) Visa will allow you to study in Australia for the length of your proposed course or up to 5 years, whichever is shorter, as long as it is a full-time course of study or training.
There are a number of requirements you will need to meet for the grant of a Student (Subclass 500) Visa, including but not limited to:
being enrolled in a full-time registered course of study or training registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS);
Alternatively, the applicant must be applying as a Foreign Affairs Student or Defence Student, and must have the support of the Foreign Minister or Defence Minister (as applicable) for the grant of the visa.
being a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student (the Genuine Student Test);
satisfying English language requirements;
having genuine access to sufficient funds to meet the costs and expenses of the Student Visa Applicant and each accompanying family members in Australia;
having adequate arrangements for health insurance during the period of the Student Visa Applicant’s intended stay in Australia;
for school students (other than school students participating in a secondary school student exchange program) -
at least 6 years old at the time of application; and
if proposing to undertake year 9 studies—less than 17 years old when commencing year 9; and
if proposing to undertake year 10 studies—less than 18 years old when commencing year 10; and
if proposing to undertake year 11 studies—less than 19 years old when commencing year 11; and
if proposing to undertake year 12 studies—less than 20 years old when commencing year 12; and
satisfying health and character requirements (subject to health examinations and police checks).
What is the Genuine Student Test?
The Genuine Student Test was introduced on 23 March 2024, replacing its predecessor - the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement (which previously required that Student Visa Applicants demonstrate their genuine intention to remain in Australia temporarily).
Under the new Genuine Student Test, the Department will now assess whether a Student Visa Applicant is a genuine student in Australia, as opposed to someone who is utilising the Student Visa Programme to maintain residence in Australia for other inconsistent purposes (e.g. for the primary purpose of working).
On its face, the abolishment of the GTE requirement is a positive development for Student Visa Applicants and Student Visa Holders in Australia, as they will no longer be penalised for intending to seek permanent residence in Australia after the completion of their studies. However, the Genuine Student Test is also designed to “weed out” applicants who are trying to use the Student Visa Programme as a backdoor to gain working rights in Australia, and certain Student Visa Applicants are also subject to greater scrutiny when being assessed under the Genuine Student Test.
Under the Genuine Student Test, the Department will now consider the following factors when deciding whether an applicant is a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student (or as a member of the family unit of the person who holds a Student Visa):
the applicant’s circumstances;
the applicant’s immigration history;
if the applicant is a minor - the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant;
the applicant’s record of compliance with any condition of a visa previously held by the applicant (if any);
the applicant’s stated intention to comply with any conditions to which the visa may be subject; and
any other relevant matter.
Under Ministerial Direction 106 which was made under s. 499 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) on 21 March 2024, the Department may further scrutinise Student Visa Applications where:
information in statistical, intelligence and analysis reports on migration fraud and immigration compliance compiled by the Department indicate the need for further scrutiny;
the applicant or a relative of the applicant has an immigration history of reasonable concern;
the primary applicant for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa intends to study in a field unrelated to their previous studies or employment;
there are apparent inconsistencies in information provided by the applicant in their visa application;
the applicant holds a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa, a Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa, a Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority) visa or a Subclass 651 (eVisitor) visa; or
the applicant holds a student visa, or previously held one or more student visas.
If you fall into the above categories, we strongly recommend that you consult with an immigration lawyer about your eligibility for a Student Visa, so that you obtain the right advice about the appropriate information and documentation you should providing in support of your Student Visa Application, and are aware of the potential issues in your application.
The Department will otherwise require all Student Visa Applicants to answer the following questions in the online application form, including an additional question where they have previously held a Student Visa, or where they are lodging an onshore Student Visa Application while holding a non-Student Visa:
These questions are current as of 27/04/2024 and are subject to change.
The exact answers each Student Visa Applicant is required to answer will depend on the individual circumstances of each case.
It is imperative that you answer the above questions carefully and in detail, as well as provide supporting documents which substantiate your answers, as generic statements which are unsupported by evidence are not given significant weight in the Genuine Student assessment. This means that any unsubstantiated claims and/or answers will not be taken into account if they are not backed by documentary evidence.
To properly answer these questions and demonstrate your satisfaction of the Genuine Student requirement, all Student Visa Applicants should address and provide documentary evidence of the following points in their Student Visa Application, where applicable:
Previous study
Academic transcripts showing qualifications achieved
Name of the education provider(s)
Length of study
Certificates of attainment
Previous study in Australia
A complete history of study record(s) in Australia
Reasons for change of course and/or education providers
Details of information on course progress
Study gaps of more than 2 months during an academic year
Any other information relevant to your study record in Australia
Current or past employment
Details of your current/ past employer and company address
Period of employment
Details of position(s) held
The name and contact details of someone who can confirm the circumstances of your declared employment
Circumstances in your home country or country of residence
The nature of your applicant’s personal ties eg. example family, community and employment
Why you are not studying in your home country if a similar course is available.
Economic circumstances in your home country or country of residence
Documents showing employment or business activities for 12 months before lodging an application
Potential employment offers including salary and other benefits, after course completion
Income tax return or bank statements
Situations in your home country or country of residence
reason for not studying in their home country or region if a similar course is available there
the nature of the applicant’s personal ties to their home country
economic circumstances
military service commitments political and civil unrest in their home country
Potential situation in Australia
level of knowledge of the proposed course and education provider
research the you have undertaken into your proposed course of study
previous study and qualifications
planned living arrangements
financial stability
Value of the course to your future
if the course is consistent with your current level of education and if the course will assist you to obtain employment or improve employment prospect in your home country or another country
if the course is relevant to past or proposed future employment in your home country or another country
expected salary and other benefits in your home country or another country obtained with your qualifications from the proposed course of study
Immigration history
visa and travel history for Australia and other countries
previous visa applications for Australia or other countries
visa refusals or cancellations
Any other relevant matter
What are the English language requirements?
Student Visa Applicants must meet at least one of the following English language requirements in the table below, unless they fall under one of the prescribed exemptions:
The following persons are exempt from the English language test requirements:
An applicant who is a citizen and passport holder of one or more of the following countries -
Canada
New Zealand
the Republic of Ireland
the United Kingdom
the United States
An applicant who is enrolled in one of the following courses, where that course is the only course of study enrolled in for the purposes of the Student Visa:
a course of study registered to be delivered in a language other than English
an ELICOS
a registered school course
a registered post-graduate research course
An applicant who is -
a Foreign Affairs student;
a Defence Student; or
a Secondary exchange student.
An applicant who in the 2 years before applying for a Student Visa, has successfully completed -
the requirements for a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, in a course that was conducted in Australia and in English; or
a substantial component of a course leading to a qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV level or higher that was conducted in Australia and in English, while the applicant was holding a Student Visa.
An applicant who has successfully completed a minimum of 5 years of study in English undertaken in one or more of the following countries -
Australia
Canada
New Zealand
South Africa
the Republic of Ireland
the United Kingdom
the United States of America
Please note that these requirements are current as of 29 April 2024 and are subject to change.
What are the minimum funds I need for a Student Visa?
Under the streamlined processing arrangements and the simplified student visa framework (SSVF), certain Student Visa Applicants from specified countries and/or who are enrolled in a course of study with a particular education institution in Australia may not be required to provide documentary evidence of their satisfaction of the financial requirement.
Notwithstanding these streamlined arrangements, Student Visa Applicants must generally provide evidence of their financial capacity to cover the following minimum expenses in at least one of the following ways:
IMPORTANT: From 10 May 2024, the Department will be imposing higher financial capacity requirements for Student (Subclass 500) Visa and Student Guardian (Subclass 590) Visa applications. If you lodge your Student Visa application on or after 10 May 2024, you must satisfy these higher financial requirements. See our blog post dated 8 May 2024 for more information.
Money deposit with a financial institution, loan with a financial institution, government loan or scholarship/financial support, that covers:
Annual living costs of AUD24,505 for a primary applicant who intends to stay in Australia for 12 months or more (or the pro rata equivalent if the applicant intends to stay for less than 12 months); and
NOTE: From 10 May 2024 onward, the 12-month living costs for a primary applicant is AUD 29,170.
The relevant course fees for the first 12 months of study in Australia, minus any amount already paid (or for the entire course of study where the period of study is less than 12 months); and
Travel expenses; and
AUD2,500 for travel costs if you are applying from East or Southern Africa.
AUD3,000 for travel costs if you are applying from West Africa.
AUD2,000 for travel costs if you are applying from anywhere else outside Australia.
AUD1,000 for travel costs if you are applying in Australia. If you will be returning to Africa include AUD1,500.
If applicable, annual living costs for each secondary applicant who intends to stay in Australia for 12 months or more (or the pro rata equivalent if the secondary applicant intends to stay for less than 12 months) -
AUD8,574 for a spouse or de facto partner; and
NOTE: From 10 May 2024 onward, the 12-month living costs for a spouse or de facto partner is AUD10,394.
AUD3,670 for a dependent child.
NOTE: From 10 May 2024 onward, the 12-month living costs for a spouse or de facto partner is AUD4,449.
If applicable, school fees for each school-aged dependant who intends to stay in Australia for 12 months or more (or the pro rata equivalent if the school-age dependant intends to stay in Australia for less than 12 months)
AUD9,661 (exemption available to school-aged dependants enrolled in a course of study at a State or Territory government school where the fees have been waived, and the the Primary Applicant is enrolled in a course as a doctoral degree student, a Foreign Affairs student, a Defence student or a Commonwealth sponsored student.)
NOTE: From 10 May 2024 onward, the annual schooling costs for a school-aged dependant is AUD13,502.
Official Government documentation of personal income issued in the 12 months immediately before the application is made, demonstrating that the Student Visa Applicant’s parent, spouse or de facto partner has a personal annual income (in the 12 months before the application is made) that is:
if there is no secondary applicant - AUD72,465;
NOTE: From 10 May 2024 onward, the minimum personal income must be at least AUD87,856.
if there is a secondary applicant - AUD84,543.
NOTE: From 10 May 2024 onward, the minimum personal income must be at least AUD102,500.
For Secondary Exchange Students, a completed Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student (AASES) form from the relevant State or Territory education authority containing -
a declaration made by the student’s exchange organisation, accepting the student; and
a declaration made by the student’s parent or the person(s) having custody of the student, agreeing to the exchange.
For Foreign Affairs Students, a letter of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
For a Defence Student, a letter of support from the Department of Defence.
What health insurance do I need to obtain a Student Visa?
Student Visa Applicants must provide evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover which covers not just the entire duration of their study in Australia, but also their entire visa period as this will be a condition on their Student Visa. You can generally purchase Overseas Student Health Cover and compared plans and prices from the following health insurers:
Do I need to hire an immigration lawyer for my Student Visa Application?
You can certainly lodge your Student Visa Application on your own and it is ultimately your prerogative as to whether you seek legal advice and/or assistance with your application. However, the recent reforms to the laws and regulations which are applicable to Student Visa Applications have resulted in increased scrutiny of Student Visa Applications as a whole, and even an increased rate of refusal due to more Applicants being assessed as failing the Genuine Student Test. In particular, approval rates for Student Visas in Australia have reportedly dropped to the lowest level in almost two decades, with an increase in the refusal of Student Visa Applications from countries such as India, Pakistan and Nepal.
These Student Visa changes may have also resulted in lengthier processing times for certain Student Visa Applications, especially where they have provided incomplete and/or incorrect information in their Student Visa Application, or where they have not provided sufficient information to demonstrate that they are a Genuine Student.
As a matter of prudence, we recommend that all prospective and current Student Visa Applicants consult with an immigration lawyer about their eligibility for a Student Visa, especially where they fall under the following categories of applications which are subject to further scrutiny:
the applicant or a relative of the applicant has an immigration history of reasonable concern;
the primary applicant for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa intends to study in a field unrelated to their previous studies or employment;
there are apparent inconsistencies in information provided by the applicant in their visa application;
the applicant holds a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa, a Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa, a Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority) visa or a Subclass 651 (eVisitor) visa; or
the applicant holds a student visa, or previously held one or more student visas.
As always, we wish you all the best with your Student Visa Application, and should you wish to discuss your eligibility for a Student Visa in further detail, please do not hesitate to send us an enquiry at info@inclusivemigration.com.au. While we strive to provide our clients with affordable fixed rates for our services, we recognise that not everyone has the means to obtain professional assistance with their immigration matters, and we hope that this free Student Visa Guide provides you with some clarity on the Student Visa programme in Australia.
