- Education
- Study in Australia
- Student Visa
Australian Study Visa
An Australian study visa is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of your studies.
Guidelines for the Australian Student Visa have changed, effective from July 1, 2016, with the introduction of the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF).
According to the Australian Study Visa-Department of Immigration and Border Protection to Department of Home Affairs all international students intending to study in Australia are now required to apply for a visa under Subclass 500, which effectively consolidates the previous subclasses 571 – 576 into one.
Upcoming Intakes In Australia
Australian universities offer two intakes each year:
Intake 1: Runs from February/early March to late May/early June.
Intake 2: Runs from July/early August to November.
Some universities also offer Trimester or Quarter systems, with additional intakes in November or October, but these are less common.
The first intake is typically considered the primary intake by most students. It is advisable to prepare for the next upcoming intake.
When applying for an Australia Student Visa, you will typically need the following essential documents:
- Valid Passport: A current passport that remains valid for the duration of your stay in Australia.
- Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE): A CoE issued by your Australian education provider, confirming your enrollment in a registered course.
- Proof of Financial Capacity: Evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs while studying in Australia. This can include bank statements, scholarship letters, or a financial guarantee from a sponsor.
- Genuine Student (GS) Requirement Statement: A written statement explaining your intentions to stay in Australia temporarily for study purposes and your plans upon completion of your studies.
- English Language Proficiency: Proof of your English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE test results).
- Health Insurance: You may need to show evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay. OSHC health insurance policy.
- Academic Documents: Transcripts, certificates, or diplomas of previous study, especially if you are applying for a higher education course.
- If you are under 18 years of age, you may also be required to provide additional documents like parental consent.
Application Process:
Studying in Australia in 3 Simple Steps! Before filling out the visa application, ensure that you meet all the requirements. In order to fulfill these criteria, you will be required to:
Step 1: Ensure You Meet the Course Requirements:
-Enroll in a full-time undergraduate, master’s, or Ph.D. course that is registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). The university will provide an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) certificate as proof of your enrollment.
-Meet Language Requirements: Demonstrate your language proficiency by taking a language test. Acceptable test scores include:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.0
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 64
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): 50
- Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 169
- Occupational English Test (OET): ‘b’ for each test component.
Step 2: Check Financial Capacity
-Prove You Can Support Yourself: You need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs while in Australia. This could be done through bank statements, scholarship offers, or a financial guarantee from a sponsor.
Financial Capacity Required: Total Financial Capacity= 1 Year Tuition Fee + Travel Expense (A$ 2,200) per person and living expenses as follows:
Student/guardian – AUD 29,710
Partner/spouse – AUD 10,394
Child – AUD 4,449
-Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Make sure you have valid OSHC for the duration of your stay, as it’s a requirement for the visa application.
Step 3. Meet Health and Character Requirements
Health Examination: You may be required to undergo a medical examination after you visa has been applied to ensure you meet Australia’s health standards.
Character Check: You may need to provide a police certificate or clearance if you are offshore to show you have no criminal background.
Once you’ve ensured these requirements are met, you can proceed with the visa application on immi account!
- International Undergraduate Students – AUD 14,999 to AUD 389,999
- International Postgraduate Students (Masters Degree) – AUD 19,999 to AUD 36,999
- Doctoral Degree – AUD 13,999 to AUD 36,999
- For this step, you will need to obtain your Certificate of Enrolment, and you may be required to make a partial tuition fee payment to acquire it.
- Additionally, you might be asked to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover to provide assurance to authorities that your health-related expenses are covered.
| Stream | 75% Processing | 90% Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Affairs or Defense Sector | 13 days | 45 days |
| Postgraduate Research Sector | 20 days | 4 Months |
| Independent ELICOS Sector | 50 days | 7 Months |
| Vocational Education and Training Sector | 7 Months | 8 Months |
| Higher Education Sector | 19 days | 4 Months |
To ensure a smooth process, it is advisable to submit your student visa application at least 12 weeks prior to the orientation day at your chosen educational institution. However, this duration can vary depending on the specific educational institution, and additional documentation may be requested by the visa officer if deemed necessary.
International students who wish to study in Australia through the Student Visa Subclass 500 and enroll in a course registered under CRICOS must abide by certain eligibility rules and regulations. The eligibility criteria for the Student Visa 500 include:
