Australia Student Visa

If you wish to study or follow a particular training program in Australia, you can apply for a student or training visa. There are some essential details about the visa application process that all applicants should be aware of.

There are two types of temporary visas in Australia, and both allow the holder to stay for a limited time. These are:  

• Student visa subclass 500.  
• Training visa subclass 407.  

Student visas are available to international students who wish to study in Australia. Applicants must follow the Immigration Office’s guidelines in order to qualify for a visa subclass 500. In this article we will be focusing on Student visa.  

So let us first start with the requirements of the student visa. 

Australian Student Visa Requirements-  

These documents must be submitted with your Australian student visa application (subclass 500):  

• Passport- Students who wish to apply for a visa to Australia must present a valid passport issued by the country in which they currently reside or were born. Additionally, you might have to submit a copy of your national identification card and driver’s license.  

• Recent Photograph and Biometrics- It is also necessary to submit recent identity photographs and biometrics. You will be notified if the Immigration Office needs your fingerprints. Make sure you follow the specific guidelines for the photo.  

• Student Visa Application Form- You must complete, sign, and submit the application form with the other requirements for a student visa.  

• Age Requirements- Subclass 500 visas require students to be at least 6 years old or older. In addition, to begin a primary, secondary, or tertiary education, students must be a certain age:
  • At the start of class 9, they must be under 17 years old. 
  • At the start of class 10, they must be under 18 years old. 
  • At the start of class 11, they must be under 19 years old. 
  • At the start of class 12, they must be under 20 years old. 

• Evidence of Study Program- A Confirmation Letter of Enrollment (CoE) for every course you intend to take during your study program is required when you apply for an Australian student visa. Prior to obtaining your visa, you must submit your CoE. You will have to keep in mind that it’s your responsibility to make sure that you have a valid CoE during your stay. You may lose your student visa if you do not comply.

Additional Information- If you are enrolled in more than one course, you must submit CoE for each course. In the absence of this, your visa will only be valid for the course you are studying. If there is at least a two-month gap between the classes and one course leads to another, you are allowed to take two courses. If you fall into one of these categories, you must submit a letter of support instead of a CoE:  

• Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-sponsored student.  
• Student sponsored by the Department of Defense.  
• An Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student Form is required for secondary exchange students.  

The education provider must provide a letter confirming the student’s requirement to remain in Australia for the duration of their thesis. 

And if you are a Postgraduate research student who is required to remain in Australia for your thesis, then you will have to provide a letter from your education provider. 

• Parental Consent- A parental consent form should be attached to the visa application if you are bringing a child under 18 years old to Australia without one of the parents.  

• Civil Documents- The documents you need to provide include your birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce papers, adoption papers, and proof of your relationship. Additionally, a certificate verifying the change must be submitted if your name changes.  

• Health Insurance- In order to apply for an Australia visa, students must have adequate health insurance. Students and their families require Overseas Student Health Cover (OSCH). Students’ insurance must be valid from the day they arrive in Australia, not from the start of their courses. If students do not have health insurance, they may not be allowed to enter Australia. OSCH must be obtained from an approved provider, followed by the insurance policy payment. 

• Evidence of Financial Capacity- It is necessary that-
  • You provide enough funds to cover your travel costs, one year of living expenses in Australia, and your tuition fees (including family members).    
  • You must prove that your family will support you financially during your studies. In the case of single students, the family members must make at least AUD 62,222 per year, while in the case of students with other family members, it must be AUD 72,592.  
  • Form of Acceptance Advice for Secondary Exchange Students.  
  • Either a letter of support or approval from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Australian Department of Defence.  

• English Language Certification- If you apply for an Australia visa, you may need to provide proof that you are proficient in the English language. Depending on your type of visa, whether you plan to work, study, or just visit, and how long you’ll be in Australia, this requirement will vary.  

• Character Requirements- Students who want to study in Australia have to meet the requirements for good character laid out by the Australian authorities. Like you shouldn’t have a criminal record or convicted of domestic violence and many others.  

• Genuine Temporary Entrant- Students who wish to study in Australia temporarily must submit a written statement stating their intentions. As a genuine temporary entrant, you must show the Immigration Office that you will not overstay your visa after it expires. Wondering what GTE is? A GTE that is, a genuine temporary entrant, is usually a statement stating that the visa applicant intends to stay only temporarily in Australia. 

• Employment History- Also, you must provide proof of employment. You may also send your updated resume and a copy of a recent contract if you have one. You should submit a copy of your transcripts if you have been studying till now. Foreign or defense-sponsored students or secondary exchange students are not subject to this requirement.  

• Form 157N- Students under the age of 18 require this form. To bring a guardian with them to Australia, they must fill out a nomination form.  

• Australian Values Statement- All future students in Australia must sign an Australian values statement confirming that they will uphold Australian values and laws.  

• Authorized Recipient Form- You must submit this form if someone else is helping you with your application. If you are working with a migration agent, you must include the form. You may also write a letter explaining why you need help and who is helping you and upload it to your ImmiAccount.   

English language requirements-

There may be a requirement that students provide evidence of their ability to understand English: 

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Process of applying for the Visa-

The application process for students is as follows:  

1. Set up your ImmiAccount.  
2. Gather the necessary documentation.  
3. Make a payment for subclass500 visa fees.  
4. Apply for the subclass 500.  

Let us see the process in detail. 

Create Your ImmiAccount – Online visa applications require ImmiAccounts. Start the application process by creating an account if you do not have one. 

Gather the necessary documentation- Gather the necessary documents. All records must use English or English translations. 

Make a payment for subclass500 visa fees- An Australia student visa costs AUD 630. It is also possible that the application fee will change if you are bringing dependents with you. You should pay the visa fee as soon as possible. The Australian authorities will not consider your application unless you pay the visa application fee. Online applications require payment through ImmiAccount. 

Apply for the Subclass 500- You can submit your student visa application once you have completed your documents and paid your visa fee. Once the Immigration Office makes the decision, they will inform you in writing. 

Validity of Australia Student Visa 

If you are wondering how long this visa is valid, let me tell you that there is usually a five-year validity period for student visas in Australia. Your visa will remain valid if your study course does not last more than that. 

Higher education usually takes four months to process the visa. Students can expect to wait anywhere between three months and a year to receive their visas. Depending on what you intend to study in Australia, it will differ. 

Cancelation of Australia Student Visa  

The Department of Foreign Affairs can cancel a student visa 500 if the student does not meet the following conditions:  

• Limited Amount of Work- There is a limit to how many hours students can work.  
• Course Requirements- Study visa holders must remain enrolled in their study courses, attend the lectures regularly, and not have more than two-month gaps between courses.  
• Remain in the Same Course- Students cannot change their course of study without the minister’s permission. Furthermore, without Minister’s approval, students cannot change their thesis or research topic.  
• Have Valid Insurance- Student visa holders should maintain valid health insurance in Australia.  
• Have Valid CoE- The student must keep the Confirmation of Enrollment up-to-date. Their educational providers will issue it.  
• Maintain Educational Arrangements- If a visa holder has underage children with him or her, they must make sure that they maintain adequate educational arrangements.  
• Have Valid Welfare Arrangments- There must be adequate welfare arrangements for students under 18 or a student guardian accompanying them.  
• Update Personal Details- Upon arrival in Australia, students should let their educational provider know their address within seven days of receiving their visa. Students must update their details if their address changes.  
• Not Be Disruptive- Students must cause no disruptions, violence, or harm to those around them.  
• Meet the Criteria for the Visa- All visa holders must meet the same conditions as when the visa was granted.  
• No Further Stay 8534- If you are in Australia, you can’t apply for another visa unless it is a visa subclass 485, 590, or a protection visa.  
• No Further Stay 8535- Unless the Commonwealth or a foreign government sponsors you, you cannot apply for a visa.  

Possibility to stay in Australia after the Student Visa expires: 

For those who wish to stay longer than the duration of their student visa, there are some other options available:  

• Temporary Graduate Visa-subclass 485- Student visa subclass 500 holders who have completed specific qualifications in Australia and held a previous student visa subclass 500 are eligible for this visa.  
• Skilled Recognition Graduate Visa- subclass 476- A reputable university must offer this visa subclass to engineering graduate students.

If the Student Visa expires before graduation, the students can apply for Visitor visas and subclass 600.

Does an Australia Student visa give permanent residency in the country?  

Permanent residency is not possible for students with student visas. It is necessary for students to apply for permanent residency through a permanent skilled work visa. Otherwise, students must leave Australia when their student visa expires.  

Australia’s New Student Policy  

Australia has implemented new policies for international students now that Covid-19 measures are easing up:  

• Australia is now issuing visa 500 from outside of Australia.  
• For students affected by Covid-19, a free visa extension is available to complete their studies under their current visa.  
• If you were enrolled with an Australian university and were impacted by Covid-19, it will be easier to get a work visa after you finish your studies.