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A guide to the student visa for Australia

  • October 7, 2022
  • EduleaderIntl
  • 11587

Choosing to study with Australia is an exciting step into a bright future. Before you can take this step, you need to understand some important details such as the student visa requirements.

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

The Student visa (subclass 500) visa allows you to live, work and study in Australia for a maximum of five years, in line with your course. On this visa, you are normally allowed to work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight during term time and unlimited hours during study breaks. However, the Australian Government is temporarily allowing students to work over their normal limit of 40 hours per fortnight during term time across all sectors. Currently, students may also start working on arrival in Australia, and do not need to wait until their course commences.

Visa Fee

In Australia, student visa fees are from AUD$650 per visa application* unless you are exempt. Australian student visa processing times vary from person to person. Visa processing times are available on the Department of Home Affairs website.

*Prices are correct at October 2022.

Student Visa Requirements

Below is a list of everything required for the student visa application.

1.       Letter of Offer

Following your successful application for the course and meeting all relevant academic and English entry requirements, you will receive a Letter of Offer from the education provider.

–       Read the Letter of Offer carefully before you accept it. It will include your course details, enrolment conditions and fees you will need to pay if you accept the offer.

–       Make sure that you understand all your rights, including the refund arrangements; if you don’t start or finish your course, the agreement will be used to determine if you will receive a refund.

–       Keep a copy of the Letter of Offer. You will need this copy so that you are aware of your rights and if you have to make a claim against the institution.

2.     Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

–       A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is a document issued by your education provider that confirms your enrolment in a specific course. The CoE is sent to you after you have accepted your offer and paid your deposit.

–       CoE document must be included in the visa application so that the Australian Government has proof that you are registered in your declared course.

3.     Proof of English Proficiency

If you are not a native English language speaker, you’ll need to supply a certificate of results from an approved English language test. There are only certain tests (IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE/ OET/ CAE) you can take that will be accepted by the Australian Government, but all are easily accessible from around the world.

There are varying minimum requirements for each education level, and institutions sometimes set these requirements higher for certain courses. We can help you understand these requirements when you apply for your course.

4.     Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement

To meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement, you must write a statement that addresses two criteria:

–       That you are genuinely coming to Australia to study and not for any other reason.

–       That you will only be residing in Australia temporarily (and not overstaying your visa).

In your statement, include details on your ties to home (such as your friends and family, or a job that you have to return to) as well as the value of the course to your future career or academic goals.

By including these details, it will prove both your intention to return home at the end of your visa and your true intention to study in Australia.

5.     Proof of Sufficient Funds

To receive an Australian student visa, you must prove that you have enough money to support yourself throughout your stay. There are two options for meeting this requirement:

  • Provide bank statements, evidence of grants or scholarships. This will prove that you have enough money to cover all your costs and expenses through your course, such as travel, course fees and rent.
  • Supply proof of your parent’s or partner’s annual income, which must be AUD$62,222 in the year immediately before you apply. If you bring family members, the annual income must be at least AUD$72,592.                                                                              

6.     Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

As an international student in Australia, you must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay.

If you don’t provide proof that you have bought this insurance, your student visa application will be denied.

OSHC will help you:

·       Pay for medical or hospital care while studying in Australia.

·       Pay for most prescription medicines.

·       Provide you with ambulance cover in emergencies.

7.     Health Requirement

The Australian Government requires all international students to be in good health before entering the country. As a result, you may need to undergo a health examination and provide a medical certificate confirming that you meet these health requirements.

8.     Character Requirement

There are also certain character requirements that you must meet if you want to study in Australia. In your application, you’ll have to answer some basic questions about your character and past conduct. In some cases, you may even need to provide a police background check.

The above requirements may feel overwhelming and this is where we assist with every step of the study abroad journey to ensure things go in a calm and smooth manner.