Australian Student Visa / Study Visa

All international students, regardless of the school or course they apply for, must apply for the 500 student visa. Whether inside or outside Australia, all student visa applications must be submitted online; paper applications are no longer accepted. The location of the applicant does not affect the submission or approval process, meaning that if you apply from within Australia and then return to your home country, you can still receive your visa while abroad.

With the switch to online applications, the student visa application process has become significantly shorter, and the approval speed is expected to increase, which is a key goal of implementing the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF). However, the requirements for application materials may become stricter. Therefore, students preparing for a DIY visa application should thoroughly understand the new policies, and it is recommended to seek assistance from our consultants.

The current 500 visa does not mandate proof of financial capacity or English proficiency, which is good news for many students.

Additionally, based on our submission cases, the application process for a dependent visa under the new system is similar to that for a student visa (subclass 500), with no significant changes in requirements. All applications must be submitted online, regardless of the applicant’s location, and must include Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) documentation. It is important to note that the Department of Home Affairs may be more stringent in assessing the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria and the authenticity of relationships.

Overview of the Student Visa

Since July 1, 2016, the Australian Department of Home Affairs has implemented the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF). Under the new policy, the student visa categories have been streamlined from eight types to two: Subclass 500 (Student) and Subclass 590 (Student Guardian). All international students, regardless of the course they choose, must apply for the Subclass 500 student visa.

Subclass 500 Visa Overview

The Subclass 500 visa allows applicants to study full-time in Australia. Eligible family members can accompany the student.

  1. Courses Eligible for Subclass 500 Visaa) Intensive English Language Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS);b) Primary and Secondary School Courses;c) Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses;d) Higher Education Courses: Bachelor’s degree, Associate degree, Graduate Certificate/Diploma, Master’s (coursework), Higher Education Diploma, Higher Education Advanced Diploma;e) Master’s (research) and Doctoral degrees;f) Students sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defence.
  2. Age Requirements

Students applying for an Australian primary and secondary school student visa must meet the following age requirements:

  • At least 6 years old at the time of application;
  • Less than 17 years old when starting Year 9;
  • Less than 18 years old when starting Year 10;
  • Less than 19 years old when starting Year 11;
  • Less than 20 years old when starting Year 12.

Note: According to Australian immigration policies, the maximum duration of the previous student visa was five years, but the visa duration for primary school students is generally shorter, with a maximum of two years.

  1. Visa Validity Period

The visa validity period varies depending on the course length:

  • For courses over 10 months ending at the end of the Australian academic year (November-December), the visa is valid until March 15 of the following year;
  • For courses over 10 months ending between January and October, the visa is valid for two months after the course end date;
  • For courses less than 10 months, the visa is valid for one month after the course end date.
  1. Application Requirements

Generally, applicants must meet two major criteria: acceptance by an Australian full-time educational institution and sufficient financial support during their stay in Australia.

Basic Documents Required for Application

  1. Identity Proof: Birth certificate, passport, ID card, and household registration book (original and copies).
  2. Educational Proof/Enrollment Confirmation (COE): Educational proof or enrollment confirmation from the domestic school, transcripts, and academic papers for postgraduate or doctoral students. Confirmation of Enrollment (COE) from the Australian school.
  3. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): OSHC is designed for international students studying in Australia to help them access appropriate medical services during their study period. Applicants must provide their insurance number and coverage dates when applying for the visa. Note: The OSHC effective date should be the intended date of arrival in Australia, not the course start date. If the insurance effective date is later than one week before the course starts, your visa will not be granted!
  4. Financial Requirements: Applicants or their parents must have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses during their stay in Australia. Visa officers may request financial proof, such as documents showing funds covering 12 months of tuition, living expenses, travel costs, and school fees for accompanying children. Reference for 12-month living expenses:
    • Student or Guardian: AUD 21,041 per person;
    • Partner or Spouse: AUD 7,362 per person;
    • Accompanying Child: AUD 3,152 per person;
    • School-age Children’s School Fees: AUD 8,296 per person.
  5. English Requirements: Minimum English language test scores:a) IELTS overall score of 5.5; b) IELTS overall score of 4.5 plus at least 20 weeks of ELICOS; c) IELTS overall score of 5.0 plus at least 10 weeks of ELICOS; d) Equivalent English test scores, such as TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge English: Advanced, or Occupational English Test.Exemptions from English requirements apply to:
    • Full-time school courses, including secondary school exchange programs, research master’s degrees, or standalone ELICOS;
    • Foreign Affairs or Defence students, or secondary school exchange students;
    • Citizens or passport holders of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland;
    • Applicants who have studied in Australia for at least five years in the past;
    • Applicants who have completed secondary school or Certificate IV or higher courses in Australia within two years before applying for the visa, holding a student visa.
  6. Other Documents: Health examination reports (from approved health examination centers), documents proving temporary stay in Australia, criminal history checks, and notarized translations.

Checklist for Australian Student Visa Application

  1. Visa fee;
  2. Visa application form;
  3. Family members form;
  4. Supplementary assessment form;
  5. Offer of admission and Confirmation of Enrollment (COE);
  6. Birth certificate;
  7. Scanned ID card;
  8. Notarized/scanned household registration book;
  9. Financial guarantee statement;
  10. Financial proof;
  11. Sponsor’s income proof;
  12. Enrollment proof/employment proof;
  13. Notarized academic certificates and transcripts;
  14. Scanned IELTS, TOEFL, or other language test scores;
  15. Complete scanned passport;
  16. Recent color passport-sized photo (within six months);
  17. Study plan/resume;
  18. Overseas student health insurance proof;
  19. Health examination report.

Important Tips for Australian Student Visa Application

Visa processing usually takes 2-4 weeks. The peak period before the February intake may slow down the process, so ensure all documents are prepared in advance and submitted correctly to avoid delays.

Key Considerations for Australian Study Visa Applications

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement

This step requires a clear statement of why the applicant wants to study the chosen degree, future plans after graduation, etc. Key points to address:

  1. Why choose this degree?
  2. Why choose this university?
  3. Why study this degree in Australia instead of another country?
  4. How to manage living arrangements and support yourself during your studies?
  5. Post-graduation plans, intentions to stay in Australia, and preferred industry after graduation.

Proof of Financial Capacity

This section requires proof that the applicant has sufficient funds to complete their studies. Generally, select “Yes” to indicate financial support from an individual and provide detailed information such as bank statements and bank details.

Health Insurance

All entrants to Australia must have health insurance. Purchase OSHC immediately after receiving the COE, and ensure coverage starts from the intended arrival date. Many Australian insurance companies offer OSHC, with monthly premiums around AUD 50. After purchasing, the insurance company will provide documentation containing the Insurance Policy Number.

Education Background

Detail the applicant’s highest degree, including the degree level (e.g., PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s), degree name, awarding institution, and country. Also, include any additional degrees obtained in Australia or other countries.

Employment Background

Provide detailed information about past employment, including start and end dates, employer, and job title. Indicate any job offers after obtaining the degree and post-graduation career plans.

Language Background and English Proficiency

Include the applicant’s native language and English proficiency. If the applicant has taken an official English test in the past 24 months, provide detailed information and select the appropriate options for Mandarin or Cantonese. Indicate any study experience in English-speaking countries.

Residential History

List the countries where the applicant has lived in the past ten years, including dates and reasons for stay.

Current Visa Information

Detail any Australian or third-country visas held by the applicant, including visa type, issuing country, and expiry date. Indicate any history of illegal stays.

Health Condition

Provide information on any medical history, especially infectious diseases. A health examination will be required.

Criminal Background

Indicate any criminal records or deportation history from any country.

Visa Conditions

Acknowledge the legal implications and restrictions of the Australian student visa, including the prohibition of illegal overstays.

Legal Declaration

Applicants must ensure all submitted materials and information are truthful and valid. The visa can be cancelled if any materials or information are found to be false.