To study in Australia, the following information will help you decide which class of student visa you need.
You need to obtain an Australian Student Visa to study in Australia. The following are the main Australia Student visa requirement as you must be able to prove to the Department of Home Affairs:
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement
- Financial requirement
- English Proficiency requirements
- Health and character requirements
You need to pay the visa application fee and perhaps attend an interview after you have completed an Australian student visa application form.
What is Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)?
The visa applicant should be able to demonstrate a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily for the purpose of study or to accompany a student as a dependent or as a guardian according to the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement. The following are the factors that the decision-makers at the Department of Home Affairs will consider:
- Situations in your home country
- Potential circumstances for you in Australia
- Value of the course chosen to your future
- History of your immigration
You might be asked to attend an interview at your nearest Australian embassy or consulate to determine whether you meet the GTE requirements. The visa application form needs to be filled only by some of the candidates.
Completion of Australian student visa application form
It is for the same visa that the students are applying for: the Student Visa (Subclass 500) this is something that you should apply online.
You will need to obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a Letter of Offer confirming you have been accepted into a course registered under the Commonwealth Register of Institutions of Courses or CRICOS before applying for a visa. There is also a deposit fee that you will need to pay.
To study in Australia at the same or higher study level, you will be able to change course afterwards. But, if you are changing course to a lower level on the Australian Qualification Framework or an non-AQL level course, you need to apply for a new visa. By studying two or more courses on your Student Visa, where there is a clear progression from one course to another you may also package your studies.
Australian student visa requirements
- Financial requirements: Covering for tuition, travel, and living costs needs the evidence of sufficient funds. You will also have to show evidence of being able to cover living costs for your dependents if any including school fees. Evidence of your spouse or parents who are willing to support you earning at lease AU $60,000 a year.
- English proficiency requirement: You will have to prove that you can speak English to the required level if you are not from an English-speaking country. The IELTS, TOEFL, iBT, Pearson Test of English Academic, and Cambridge Advanced English are the eligible tests. In doing a foundation course or enrolling on a preliminary English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students, the score that you will need will depend on whether you are starting a full degree or not.
- Health requirements: The students might have to undergo medical as well as radio-logical checkup to show that they are in steady health condition. You must attend an appointment with a doctor who has been approved by the Australian immigration department if told to do so.
- Character requirements: You must be of good character to enter into Australia is what is stipulated through the Australian student visa requirements. To make sure that you do not have a substantial criminal record, this includes a criminal record check. You may be asked to complete a Character Statutory Declaration Form, a penal clearance certificate or get a police statement.
Australian student visa documents
To offer you with a list of documents required for your specific circumstances, the Department of home Affairs website has a document checklist feature. The following are what the students should be submitting:
- Completion of Australian student visa application form or 157A
- The paid visa application fee is currently AU$620 in most of the cases
- Copy of the passport bio-data page
- Letter of Offer or Certificate of Enrolment
- Evidence of sufficient funds
- Evidence of sufficient funds
- Evidence of health insurance coverage
- English proficiency test results
- Criminal record check results
- Four passport sizes photos recently clicked
Usage terms of student visa
Before the start of your course, you can enter Australia on your student visa up to 90 days. You should also inform your education provider of your resident address and also inform them within seven days if you change address within just 7 days of your arrival.
You may work up to 40 hours per fortnight during term time, and full-time on holidays while on a student visa. Although you are not allowed to begin working until your course started and should no rely on work in order to support yourself or your family while in Australia as the visa is automatically issues with permission to work.
You do not have any work restrictions if you are studying master’s by research. For non-profit organisation and for the benefit of the community, voluntary/unpaid work is also not included in the 40-hour limit.