Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity to gain a world-class education, immerse yourself in a new culture, and advance your career prospects.
As one of the top study destinations globally, Australia offers a high-quality education and lifestyle for international students.
But before you can begin your academic journey and adventures down under, you need to get your student visa sorted. While the process may seem daunting at first, understanding the key requirements will set you on the right path.
This guide covers everything you need to know about applying for an Australian student visa in 2024 - from choosing the right visa subclass to bringing your family members over.
Let's break it down step-by-step so you can study in Australia with confidence!
Choosing the Right Visa Subclass
With Australian student visas, you first need to choose the appropriate visa subclass for your situation.
Here are the main options:
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- Student Visa (Subclass 500) —
For bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees at Australian universities.
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- Independent ELICOS Visa (Subclass 570) —
For English language courses to improve proficiency.
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- Schools Visa (Subclass 571) —
For primary or high school studies in Australia.
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- Higher Education Visa (Subclass 573) —
For vocational education and training certificates or diploma courses.
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- Postgraduate Research Visa (Subclass 574) —
For masters by research or doctoral degrees.
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- Non-Award Visa (Subclass 575) —
For single non-award foundation studies or short courses.
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- Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 580) —
For guardians accompanying minor student visa holders.
The subclass you choose depends on your study plans in Australia. For example, if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree at an Australian university, the Student Visa (Subclass 500) is the route for you.
But if you are coming for an English language course, you would need the ELICOS Visa (Subclass 570).
When applying, double-check that you select the right visa subclass for your intended course of study. This ensures your application is processed smoothly and avoids unnecessary delays.
The table below summarises the key differences:
| Visa Subclass | Type of Study | Application Process | Work Rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral Degrees | The most common student visa | Can work 40 hours per fortnight |
| 570 | English language courses | Need acceptance from ELICOS institute | No work rights |
| 571 | Primary and high school | Need confirmation of enrolment | No work rights |
| 573 | Vocational education and training | Need CoE from a registered provider | Can work 40 hours per fortnight |
| 574 | Masters by research or PhD | Need confirmation of candidature | Unlimited work rights |
| 575 | Non-Award courses | Need acceptance from an institute | No work rights |
| 580 | Guardian for student visa holder | Accompanying minor on student visa | No work rights |
Do your research and ensure you pick the Australian student visa subclass that aligns with your planned studies. This will set you on the path to visa success!
Visa Application Requirements
Once you've selected the right visa subclass, it's time to prepare your visa application and meet the requirements.
Here are some key things you'll need include:
- Proof you meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria —
You must convince the authorities you are a genuine student who will go back home after studying. Provide evidence of financial, family, and career ties to your home country.
- Financial documents —
Show you have enough funds to cover tuition fees and living costs. This may be through:
- Personal savings —
Provide bank statements showing you have sufficient funds in your account to cover at least the first year's tuition and living costs.
- Loans —
If you have taken an educational loan, submit the loan sanction letter from your bank. Ensure the approved loan amount is enough to cover your expenses.
- Scholarships —
If you have received a scholarship, provide documentation confirming scholarship details including the award amount and duration.
- Parental support —
If your parents are funding your education, have them provide bank statements, fixed deposit receipts, and financial statements to prove the availability of funds. Also, get a declaration letter from them stating they will support your education costs.
- Combination -
You can also show multiple types of financial sources like savings, loans, and family funds to cover the total costs.
- Personal savings —
- English test results —
To apply for a student visa, you will need to take an English proficiency test like IELTS or TOEFL and obtain the minimum required scores for your chosen course of study in Australia.
- IELTS score requirements can range from an overall band of 5.5 for short courses up to a band of 7.0 for postgraduate degrees.
- TOEFL score requirements vary from around 46 points for vocational studies to as high as 96 points for university programs.
- The scores required depend on your level of study, institution, and field. Some degrees like information technology or business studies need higher English scores than humanities or social sciences.
- Check the specific IELTS or TOEFL score listed as an entry requirement for your chosen course at the Australian education provider's website. Meeting this minimum score is essential for admission.
- Medical check —
Get health examinations done and provide the required certificates to show you meet health and fitness requirements.
- Complete visa application form —
Use ImmiAccount to fill out the application form online with all required details.
- Certified documents —
Get your documents certified to prove they are genuine copies.
- Visa application fee —
The student visa application fee is $630 for the primary applicant and $470 for the additional applicant.
If you’re completely new to these, consulting with a student visa agency like Edge International can help guide you through the process.
But whether you do it yourself or through an agent, make sure to do thorough research on requirements for your situation so your student visa application is comprehensive. Also, double-check you've included all necessary documents before submission.
Health Insurance Requirements
Health insurance is mandatory for international students in Australia.
Specifically, you will need to get Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) which offers medical and hospital insurance.
When applying for your visa, include proof you've purchased OSHC.
You can get OSHC through Australian healthcare providers like Medibank, Bupa, and NIB. OSHC costs start at A$1,500 per year.
Make sure your OSHC provides adequate coverage for your study duration. It must cover doctor visits, hospitalization, surgeries, ambulances, and more. Some exemptions apply to countries with reciprocal health agreements with Australia.
Maintaining OSHC is essential during your stay as a student. Let your provider know if you change addresses, extend your visa, or enroll in a new course. You can also include dependents like family members in your cover for additional fees.
Alternatively, you can opt for private health insurance if you are in Australia on a non-student visa or wish to top up your coverage.
However, OSHC is mandatory for all international student visa applicants. So, don't forget this requirement!
Terms and Conditions for Working Part-Time on Student Visa
One major advantage of Australian student visas is you are allowed to work part-time. However, there are limits on how much you can work.
As an international student, you can work up to 40 hours per fortnight during semesters.
This rises to unlimited hours during semester breaks. But any work must not interfere with your studies.
As for the job types, most jobs are in retail, hospitality, or administration.
To start working, you'll need to get a tax file number from the Australian Tax Office. This number helps you pay tax on your earnings.
Working too much on your student visa can get you in trouble with the authorities. So, you should always stick within your allowed hours, and ensure work does not hamper your attendance or academic performance. If studies are impacted, your visa could get canceled.
Some courses may require work experience for graduation. Your visa lets you undertake such unpaid work placements which are a curricular requirement.
If you’re a postgraduate research student, you can enjoy unlimited work rights.
Overall, part-time work on a student visa is great for gaining skills, meeting people, and earning extra income in Australia. Just remember to abide by the visa work conditions at all times.
Visa Conditions and Obligations
When studying in Australia, you must comply with student visa conditions or risk cancellation:
- Study full-time —
Take the required course load and make satisfactory progress.
- Update details —
Inform immigration about address changes, new passports, etc.
- Meet attendance rules —
Don't miss classes excessively.
- Abide by visa duration —
Do not overstay after your course ends.
- Notify changes —
Request permission for new providers, courses, or education levels.
- Comply with state/territory laws —
Don't break any local rules and regulations.
- Maintain health insurance —
Keep your OSHC valid throughout your stay.
- Cost of living —
Have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and everyday expenses.
- Australian values statement —
Read this statement and confirm you will respect life in Australia.
If you don't meet visa obligations like your attendance or course progress requirements, your visa could get canceled.
So, be diligent in following your visa conditions and visa rules when studying and living in Australia. This will ensure a stress-free student experience.
Bringing Family as Dependents
If you wish to bring your family members to Australia while you study, they can accompany you as visa dependents.
Your options are:
- Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 580) —
For guardians of students under 18 years old. This lets them take care of a minor studying in Australia.
- Student Dependent Visa (Subclass 500) —
For partners, children, or other relatives who depend on you. Allows them to live in Australia with you.
To add dependents, you need to provide proof of your relationship to them like marriage or birth certificates. Dependent family members also undergo health and character checks. Partners, however, need functional English ability or else take English classes in Australia.
As a dependent, your family can access healthcare, schooling, and limited work rights in Australia. They can also apply for the same visa subclass and duration as yours. Fees and application process are similar to student visas.
Research schools suitable for your kids and family accommodation options before arriving.
Most importantly, consider your family's needs when budgeting for life in Australia. With some planning, they can have a great experience abroad with you!
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide has provided a clear overview of the Australian student visa requirements you'll need to apply for and study in Australia.
While the visa process involves preparation, it is very doable if you understand the requirements. So read up on the specifics of your situation and get your documents ready.
With attention to detail, you can have your Australian student visa approved and be on your way to achieving your study abroad goals.
On the other hand, if you’re having difficulty navigating through the Australian student visa requirements, it’s wise to seek professional assistance from a reliable agency like Edge International.
We are education and immigration experts with years of experience helping students worldwide realize their Australian study dreams. Our knowledgeable consultants can offer step-by-step guidance tailored to your situation.
So, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need support with your Australian student visa application. Our consultants at Edge International will help make the process smooth and stress-free.
Contact us today to take the first step towards achieving your study goals in Australia!
