Australia Student Visa: All that You Need to Know

Leaving your family, friends, and close ones behind to explore a better future is both daunting and rewarding. Studying in Australia means getting a chance to go to top-notch universities and experience a unique culture. In fact, Australia is home to 43 universities in total, with 40 Australian, two international, and one private university. Over 800,000 international students got enrolled in education programs in Australia in 2018. To make your dream of going to Australia a reality, you will need an Australia visa. But what are the eligibility requirements for an Australian student visa? 

Basic Eligibility Requirements for Australian Student Visa

Before you decide on immigration to Australia, there are some basic requirements that a student needs to fulfil to become eligible for an Australian visa. These are as follows:

• Full-Time Course 

Only those who are successfully enrolled for a UG course in Australia become qualified to apply for a Student Visa under Subclass 500. It is also important to note that part-time and distance learning courses are not included. 

• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)

A student needs to demonstrate that he/she is a bonafide Genuine Temporary Entrant. This simply means that you testified that you are immigrating to Australia only for study purposes and will return back to your home country on successful completion of the course. 

• Fitness and Insurance

One of the main determinants of the Australia PR is good mental and physical health. You need to produce a certificate of good health given by doctors. However, you also need Health Insurance or an OSHC (Overseas Students Health Cover). This means that you should have an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your visa. The average cost of an OSHC is AUS $438 for 12 months per student.

• Good Character Declaration 

Students need to show that they have a clean record (haven’t indulged in criminal activities in the past) and that they have never been deported from Australia before. It is a part of Australia’s security measures and holds a significant role in the Australia student visa application process.

• English Language Requirements

You also need to take an English language test to prove your proficiency in the English language. You need to apply for the English Language Testing System (IELTS), which is the internationally recognised English language proficiency exam for study, work, and migration. The minimum score for an Australia student visa is 5.5 band.

Documents required for an Australian student visa

When applying for an Australia visa, you should keep the following documents handy- 

• Proof of enrolment (your electronic confirmation of enrolment)
• Passport
• Visa application fee
• Health insurance policy 
• Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement 
• Academic and work experience documents 
• Testimonial of your English proficiency skills 
• Testimonial of financial credibility (tuition fees, living expenses, other expenses)
• Statement of purpose
• Four passport-size photographs

Student visa (subclass 500)

Everyone who wants an Australia PR must apply for a student subclass 500 visa that permits you to stay in Australia and complete your studies with ease. You need to ensure that you abide by all of the rules and regulations mentioned in the Visa. For a more detailed explanation, you can always visit the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website.

How to Apply for Australia Student Visa?

You need to apply for an Australian student visa 124 days prior to the commencement of your course. You can travel to Australia up to 90 days before the start of your UG program. For an easy and quick Australia Student Visa process, follow these three simple steps:

1. The foremost step is to create and log into your ImmiAccount in the Department of Home Affairs. 
2. After this, you are required to fill the visa application form under the visa subclass and submit the form. Education agents and Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) can administer student visa applications on behalf of the student.
3. You can track your application form via your ImmiAccount using the transaction Reference Number (TRN). You can check the progress of your application and visa entitlements.

Visa Fees 

You need to pay for the Australia student visa on the basis of the category you fall under. To know where you stand, you can take a look at the table created by IDP below. Payment can be made through MasterCard, American Express and VISA. 

Ready to Apply?

We hope you got a complete understanding of the Australia student visa application process. Choosing to study in Australia is a good move as it is known for its world-class education and job prospects. So pack your bags and get ready to fly high.