Many students worldwide choose Australia as their destination for an excellent education and a chance to experience a mix of cultures. International students who wish to study in Australia are required to obtain a student visa. Being well-informed about the requirements and procedures beforehand is a plus when applying for an Australian Student Visa since the process can be complicated and time-consuming.
In this Guide, we’ve created detailed information on how to get a Student Visa for Australia.
Understanding Study Visa Australia
Getting an Australian Student visa is a must for students seeking to study in Australia for an extended period (more than 12 weeks). There are some subclasses of visas, and you need to apply for one depending on your age, type of program, and stay period. Regardless of the field of study, most overseas students go for the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) when seeking higher education in Australia.
Understanding the Student Visa (Subclass 500)
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) lets you enroll in a full-time course at an Australian institution. You can live, work, and study in Australia for up to five years, as per the duration of your course.
As per the current migration law, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during your term time, and there is no restriction on the duration of your study break. You must only engage in employment if your course commences.
Steps of getting Subclass 500 Student Visa:
To secure a student visa for Australia, you need to follow a series of steps to ensure a smooth and eventually successful application process.
Here is a Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Choose a Course and Institution: Conduct research to select the course and educational Institution in Australia that align with your academic aspirations. Ensure the course is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) to guarantee its quality and recognition.
2. Check Visa Requirements: You can check the requirements by visiting the Department of Home Affairs website. Generally, you will need the following documents: Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from your chosen Institution, proof of financial ability, results of your English proficiency test (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL), and health insurance.
3. Apply for Admission: Next, you must submit your application for admission to your preferred educational Institution. Ensure to provide all the required documents and pay the application fees in advance.
4. Receive an Offer Letter and CoE: Initially, the Institution will issue an offer letter for the desired course. Once you accept the offer and pay the required deposit, the Institution will issue you the COE, i.e. Confirmation of Enrolment, which is a crucial document for your visa application.
5. Gather Supporting Documents: Gather all the required documents, consisting of your COE, a valid passport, all the financial documents depicting your financial capacity to cover the necessary expenses, the result of your English Language Proficiency test, and your health insurance coverage.
6. Create an ImmiAccount: To begin your visa application, sign up for an account on the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount online portal. This platform enables you to electronically complete and submit your visa application with ease.
7. Complete the Visa Application Form: Make sure to be as specific as possible when filling out the Student Visa Application Form (Form 157A) online, including accurate information about the course of study, where you’ll be staying, and your personal information.
8. Attach Supporting Documents: You need to upload all the gathered supporting documents to your ImmiAccount. The documents you upload should be understandable. To prevent further trouble, provide complete papers and confirm that they adhere to the necessary specifications.
9. Pay the Visa Application Fee: Proceed with paying the fees for the relevant visa application using your ImmiAccount online.
10. Submit and Wait for a Decision: You’ll get a confirmation once you’ve submitted the application. As the processing time for student visas can vary, it’s usually a good idea to plan on completing all the stages on time. You must be patient and regularly check the ImmiAccount portal to see how your application is progressing.
11. Attend a biometrics appointment: Visit the closest visa application centre to submit your biometrics (fingerprints and a photo), if applicable to your country of passport.
12. Visa Grant: You will receive a visa grant notification if your visa application is successful. Go through the visa conditions stated in your grant letter. Seeking the guidance of an expert is always beneficial, or you can find updated and precious information on the Department of Home Affairs Website regarding student visa applications for Australia.
Eligibility Requirements For Subclass 500 Student Visa Entry
Below is a list of documents that are primarily required to start the application for your Study Visa in Australia:
- Electronic Confirmation of Enrollment
- A valid passport
- Visa application fee
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) documents
- Academic and work experience certificates
- Proof of your English proficiency skills (such as IELTS or TOFEL test scores)
- Evidence of financial capacity (curricular fees, living costs, return airfare, expenses for supporting dependents, etc.)
- Health insurance policy details
- Passport-size photographs
- If you are under 18, you must additionally provide proof of your parents’ consent.
Subclass 500 Student Visa Processing Time Frame
The field of study you choose may affect the processing time for your visa. However, the general processing time for the student visa subclass 500 is as follows:
- In higher education, 75% of the applications are handheld in just 21 days, and 90% are completed in only 35 days.
- In the vocational education and training sector, most applications (75%) are processed in 37 days, while 90% of applications are completed within 63 days.
Documents Required For Subclass 500 Student Visa :
As part of the procedure for applying for a student visa of subclass 500 in Australia, you must provide some supporting documents. The documentation is beneficial in showcasing your eligibility and preparing you considerably for the visa.
The primary supporting documents that are required to begin your journey are:
1. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): All the details related to your course are mentioned in this document, which is issued by your chosen educational Institution, confirming your approval for a registered course. The COE includes your course name, duration, and commencement date.
2. Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement Documents: To demonstrate your intentions of residing in Australia for educational purposes, you must include this document alongside your other documents. In this document, you need to share information such as your purpose for choosing Australia for your education, plans for returning to your home country after completion of your course, and other documents keeping in mind the conditions stated for the visa.
3. Financial Capacity Documents: You need to show the resources that will cover your educational fees, daily expenses, and other expenses related to your education. The documents can consist of your bank statements maintaining adequate funds, letters of scholarship, and sponsorship if you have one.
4. English Language Proficiency Documents: You can be asked to submit evidence of your English language proficiency, depending on the country of your origin. Results from a range of approved English language tests (such as IELTS or TOEFL) can depict the same.
5. Passport and Visa-Sized Photographs: According to the requirements specified, you have to share a legitimate and clear copy of your passport’s biodata page alongside some passport photographs.
6. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Documents: It is a mandate for all international students in Australia to share their OSHC coverage in the application. The same can be obtained from an approved OSHC provider and should also consist of a certificate of insurance in the application.
Benefits Of Subclass 500 Student Visa
- The visa ensures some provision and entitlement and permits a student to study in a full-time programme in Australia that is registered under CRICOS.
- Students can apply for this visa, which includes family members.
- Once the course begins, the students can work for 48 hours per fortnight, and there is no limit on working hours during study breaks.
- The maximum duration of the visa is five years; however, this could vary depending on the time of your chosen course or courses.
- This visa permits the holder to travel to and from Australia as he or she pleases for the duration of 5 years.
Fee For Student Visa In 2023-2024
In Australia, applying for a student visa costs at least AUD$ 710. The processing times can vary for each individual.
New Rules & Requirements for Australian Study Visas In 2023.
- As of 01 July 2023, the students are allowed to work only 24 hours per week instead of full-time or unrestricted hours during COVID-19.
- Also, the Department of Home Affairs has instructed all the institutions to start face-to-face classes as of 01 July 2023.
- Once students complete their minimum two years of study, they may be eligible for SC485 Graduate Stream Visa or SC485 Post Study Stream Visa. Post Study Visa is a kind of reward given to students for studying in Australia. You may get two years to 5 years visa depending on your course. You can work full-time on your post-study visa. Every course is not eligible to get SC485 Visa, so you must check the eligibility of the course before applying whether it is eligible for SC485 Visa or not.
Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of the Australian visa process, you can confidently start on your journey to study, work, or visit this beautiful country. Stay informed and explore the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below to guide you through the Australian visa process.
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)
What happens when my student visa in Australia expires?
There are more visa alternatives you can choose from if you want to stay longer than your student visa permits:
You may be eligible for SC485 Graduate Stream Visa or SC485 Post Study Visa, depending on your course of study.
Once you get your SC485 Graduate Stream or SC485 Post Study Visa, you may be eligible to apply for various Skilled Visas like SC491 Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa or SC190 Skilled Nominated Visa, or SC189 Skilled Visa subject to meeting the requirements of the particular visa.
How do I get PR in Australia with a student visa?
Remember that obtaining a student visa does not guarantee permanent residency. However, you can qualify for a PR visa after your student visa if your course of study prepares you for a job on the Skilled Occupation List.
Why Student visa rejected for Australia?
Because students do not match the requirements for “Genuine Temporary Entrants,” the majority of student visa applications are rejected. In order to prove to the Department of Home Affairs that a student has a sincere intention to enter Australia temporarily for academic purposes, the student must fulfill the requirements as specified in this criteria.
Am I allowed to change my study course?
You can change your course after the completion of at least six months of your primary course, depending on various other factors. Having said that, it is very important to maintain the AQF level of your qualification. Otherwise, your visa may be subject to cancellation by the Department of Home Affairs.
What will happen to my visa if I don’t continue my studies?
If you decide not to continue your studies, your visa will be subject to cancellation and you will get 28 days to leave the country once your COE is canceled by the Institution.
What happens if my study visa application is refused?
If your student visa is refused when you apply from overseas, you do not get any review rights. On the other hand, if your student visa is refused when you apply from Australia, you do have the option to apply for a review with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) if, unfortunately, your visa application is refused. You can seek professional help to better understand the reason for the refusal and proceed accordingly.
Can I apply for a study visa in Australia if I have a previous visa refusal?
Every case is addressed, and this time you still have a chance to be accepted. Evaluate what you can offer in addition to strengthening your application this time. Keeping track of the reasons for previous rejections will be helpful.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, enrolling in Australia as an international student involves several essential steps that pave the way for a successful educational journey. From selecting the right course and Institution to meeting visa requirements and submitting a well-prepared application, careful planning and attention to detail are paramount. By following these steps and staying focused on their academic goals, aspiring students can open up a world of opportunities in Australia’s prestigious education system. At Ausyes Migration, we are committed to helping aspiring students achieve their educational dreams in Australia and providing them with the necessary support and resources they need to succeed. We offer services from selecting the right course and Institution to visa application support.
