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Australia: Visa Guides - Must read

How to apply for a student visa in Australia

Applying for a student visa in Australia may be easier than you imagine. Our guide will give you a detailed roadmap of what you'll need and how to make your application.

Graphic containing various imagery related to Australian student visas, including a passport and a map of the world with a magnifying glass placed over Australia

Known for its vibrant coastal cities and spectacular outback, Australia is an extremely popular place for international students. The country's vast and highly regarded education system combines with a famously relaxed culture to make it one of the world's top study destinations.

 

Of course, getting there can take time and effort. There are many things that you will need to prepare for, and that often includes a visa. While there are lots of rules regarding this, we're here to make them simpler. Read on for our guide to applying for an Australian student visa.

 

Which visa is right for you?

 

First, it is important to look at what visas are available to you, and which of those would best suit your needs. You can do this with our quick comparison table.

 

Note: you do not need a visa to study in Australia if you are a citizen or resident of New Zealand.

 

Which visa is right for me?

I want to study in Australia…

Visa type

for a maximum of three months (but not work)

eVisitor visa (subclass 651)

for a maximum of four months (and have the option to work)

Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)

as a graduate and stay in the country after my studies

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

on a work-based or professional development training course

Training visa (subclass 407)

full-time for four months or longer

Student visa (subclass 500)

 

This article will show you the process of applying for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

 

What does an Australian student visa allow?

 

A student visa can permit you to live and study in Australia for up to five years, depending on your course. When you receive your visa, you can arrive in the country up to 90 days before your course starts.

 

International students may also apply to bring their partners or school-aged children (sometimes referred to as dependents). You can find out more on the Australian government website.

 

Work

 

Most international students in Australia can work for up to 48 hours in every 14 days during term time. During university holidays, working hours are unlimited. There are also no such limits for those studying PhDs or postgraduate research courses. However, you may only begin working once you have started your course.

 

Other rules

 

When living in Australia on a student visa, you must:

 

 

Be aware that every visa is unique, with each one given on a case-by-case basis. Yours may therefore include other conditions, depending on your circumstances.

 

Getting ready to apply for a visa

 

Before you apply for your Australian student visa, you will usually need:

 

  • A current passport
  • Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

 

Your CoE

 

To get a CoE, you must formally accept an offer of enrolment on the course you wish to study and pay a deposit for your tuition fees.

 

Your CoE document will contain information about your studies. You will need to include a copy in your visa application and enter your CoE code (found in the top right corner of the document) on the application form.

 

Health insurance

 

You must obtain and pay for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before you complete your student visa application. International students in Australia need OSHC for the duration of their studies. Depending on the plan you choose, this will provide you with cover for most:

 

  • Medical and hospital care
  • Prescription medicines
  • Ambulance journeys

 

When you apply for your student visa, you will need to prove that you have bought OSHC. The price will depend on your plan type and personal circumstances.

 

Find out more about student health insurance and OSHC specifically.

 

When to apply

 

You can apply for your Australian student visa as soon as you have received your CoE. Try not to delay, as you will need approval before you arrive. As of May 2024, student visa applications were taking an average of 86 days to process.

 

Costs

 

An Australian student visa costs AUD 1,600. To get one, you will also need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself during your time in Australia, covering costs such as course fees, rent and travel. This is known as the financial capacity requirement.

 

International students must provide evidence that they will have access to AUD 29,710 for each year that they are in Australia. If you wish to bring a dependent family member, this figure increases. Partners require at least AUD 10,394, while children each need AUD 4,449.

 

We have helpful articles about the cost of living in Australia and Australian tuition fees.

 

Knowledge of English

 

Most international students in Australia need to prove that they can use English to a required standard. Typically, this is done with an approved English language test score, which you must have received no more than two years before applying for your visa. Acceptable tests include PTE, TOEFL and IELTS.

 

The score you need will depend on your study level, institution and course. As a general guide, the table below shows the minimum IELTS scores required by the government at different levels.

 

Type of course Required IELTS score
English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS)

5.0 (if you plan to study another course afterwards)

No requirement (if you do not plan to study another course afterwards)

Foundation or pathway course 5.5 (if the course includes English training)
Postgraduate research course No requirement
Course delivered in a language other than English No requirement
All other higher education courses 6.0 

 

It is important to keep in mind that these are only the government's minimum scores. Universities often set higher requirements, so you should check what is needed for your chosen course carefully.

 

Some students are exempt from English language requirements. To find out if this includes you, check the rules stated by the Australian government.

 

Other requirements for a student visa in Australia

 

Biometrics

 

Depending on the country from which you apply, you may be required to give fingerprints and a photograph as part of your application. Find out more about this here.

 

Health

 

You must be in good health when you enter Australia. You may be asked to take a health examination or provide a medical certificate before your visa is approved. Read more about health examinations to understand this in detail.

 

Character

 

You will be asked some simple questions to make sure you meet the Australian character requirements for visa approval. Occasionally, you may need to provide further details, such as a police background check.

 

Genuine Student (GS) requirement

 

You will need to answer four questions to show that you meet the GS requirement, which establishes your commitment to education. These questions cover:

 

  • Your current circumstances (family, community, employment and economic)
  • Your reasons for studying your chosen course at your chosen institution, and your understanding of the requirements of them and life in Australia
  • How you believe your course will help you
  • Any other relevant information you wish to include

 

Your answer to each question must be no more than 150 words in length.

 

Completing your application

 

You must complete your student visa application online. Make sure you have your bank card ready to pay the fees associated with your application.

 

After you apply

 

As mentioned above, the average time taken for an application to be processed in May 2024 was 86 days. However, all applications are different, so you may well receive a response more quickly.

 

Hopefully, your application will be approved. If it is not, there may still be a way forward. In some circumstances, an appeal can be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

 

Final considerations

 

Check the conditions and dates of your visa when you receive it. These will tell you what you can and cannot do when you are in Australia, and for how long. If you think there has been a mistake, you must inform the Department of Home Affairs as soon as possible for it to be amended.

 

We hope you now have a good idea of how to apply for a student visa in Australia. You can continue your research by exploring how to apply to study in Australia and discover universities in Australia.

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