Five of Australia's cities are ranked among the top student cities worldwide, making it the third most popular country in the world for international students. Impressive amenities are also found in Australian universities. Australia is regarded as a location offering top-notch higher education for many reasons. However, you should be more aware of the procedures for obtaining your student visa before traveling for your study-abroad adventure in Australia.
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)
The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) condition, which was implemented in November 2011, requires visa applicants to prove a real determination to live in Australia temporarily for the sake of education or to follow a student as a dependent (i.e., husband or wife or kid) or as a caretaker. The essential elements will be taken into account by the Department of Home Affairs' judgment:
- Situations in your own country
- In Australia, there may be opportunities for you.
- The importance of your chosen path to your future
- Your immigration backgrounds
You may be invited to accompany an interview at your closest available Australian consulate or embassy to establish whether you fit the GTE eligibility requirements. Only a visa application form will be required for some candidates.
Completing Australia Student Visa Application Form
International students worldwide must register for the same visa, the Educational Visa (Subclass 500), which must be accessed electronically.
You'll have a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a Letter of Acceptance before submitting an application for a visa, proving that you've been enrolled in a program listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions of Courses (CRICOS). The COE will generate a specific digital number that you must input in the relevant part of the online Australia visa application form. You may also be required to pay your university fees before applying for a visa.
You can swap courses later to enroll in Australia at the equivalent or better degree. Still, suppose you're transferring to a lower level on the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) or a non-AQF category program (except switching from a Doctorate to a master's). In that case, you'll require to apply for a visa. On your Study Permit (Subclass 500), you can also arrange your education by taking two or more programs with a logical movement from one to the next.
Australia Student Visa Requirements
You'll need to present documentation of the following items when filling out your digital visa application form:
Financial requirements: Prove you have enough money to pay university fees, transportation, and daily expenses. The sum you must demonstrate you possess for living expenditures (excluding tuition and travel) has been set at AU$20,290 (US$13,750) for a year. If you have dependents (such as a husband and children), you must demonstrate that you can afford their housing expenses, including educational expenses. You can also show that your spouse or family members can support you and earn AU$60,000 (US$40,660) per year minimum.
English proficiency requirement: If you're not a native of an English-speaking nation (or haven't spent at least five years studying in one English-speaking country), you'll be required to demonstrate that you can communicate in English at the requisite standard. The IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, and Cambridge Advanced English are all valid tests (CAE). Whether you're pursuing a full degree, taking a training program, or registering in a preliminary English Language Intensive Course for International Learners will determine the score you'll need (ELICOS).
Health requirements: Some individuals may be required to attend a medical and/or radiographic examination to demonstrate that they are in excellent health You must see a doctor licensed by the Australian immigration department if you are ordered to do so.
All new students, except those from Belgium or Norway, must acquire Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC). You can get this insurance via your institution or from another of five healthcare practitioners: Australian Health Management, BUPA Australia, Medibank Private, Allianz Global Assistance, and nib OSHC. The price of healthcare coverage varies based on the operator and the length of time you obtain coverage.
OSHC is not required for Swedish students who have obtained healthcare coverage through Kammarkollegiet. Students from Belgium and Norway do not need to acquire OSHC as part of their temporary residency criteria.
Character requirements: To explore Australia on a study visa, you should be of excellent moral character. This involves a criminal background check to ensure no significant criminal history. You may also be required to obtain a criminal security clearance (or a police source) and submit a Character Statutory Declaration Form.
Documents Required for Australia Student Visa
A documentation checklist tool on the Ministry of Home Affairs website will present you with several documents you'll need to apply for an Australian Study Visa. In most cases, students are required to provide the following documents as given below:
- The applicant must provide a complete Australian student visa application form (157A) for Study in Australia.
- Pay the Application Fee - presently AU$620 (US$420) in most circumstances.
- A scan/photocopy of the background information section of your passport (some international students may be asked to provide their physical passport)
- An admission letter from an Australian University or Confirmation of enrollment.
- Proof of sufficient funds to afford the study in Australia.
- Proof of health / medical insurance coverage
- The scores of the English competency test
- The outcome of a criminal background check
- Four passport-sized photos taken recently
You'll be required to make a profile and submit it via the digital ImmiAccount application system once you've gathered and scanned all the required documents and uploaded them to your application.
In most cases of getting an Australian Study Visa, visa procedures take four weeks to finish. Your visa will generally be valid until 15 March of the coming year if you are going to study in Australia for more than ten months and terminate after an Australian educational year (typically mid-December). If your degree/course program lasts more than ten months and ends between January and October, your visa will normally be valid for two months after the completion of your study.
It may be conceivable to pursue a new visa at the end of your term under specific conditions (consult the Department of Home Affairs website for further information)
Top Scholarships In Australia
Fully Funded La Trobe University Research Scholarship in Australia 2024
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Fully Funded Australia National University Scholarship 2024
Fully Funded Monash University Research Scholarships in Australia 2024-25
Fully Funded University of Sydney Postgraduate Research Scholarship
Fully Funded La Trobe University Graduate Research Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a student visa take to process in Australia?
About 1 - 3 Months
Which intake is best for Australia?
February Intake
What is the success rate for Australia visa 2023?
23.3%
How much bank balance is required for an Australia student visa in 2023?
A minimum of AU$24,505 in savings to cover annual living costs.
How much money is required to study in Australia?
| Undergraduate Bachelor Degree | AUD 20,000 - 45,000
| Postgraduate Master's Degree | AUD 22,000 - 50,000
| Doctoral Degree | AUD 18,000 - 42,000
| Vocational Education and Training | AUD 4,000 - 22,000
Conclusion
Pursuing higher education in Australia is attractive, with the country hosting five cities among the world's top student destinations. The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) condition underscores the need for a sincere commitment to temporary residence for educational purposes. The application process, primarily for the Educational Visa (Subclass 500), demands documentation such as Confirmation of enrollment, financial proof, English proficiency, health coverage, and a clean character record. Adhering to these requirements and submitting a comprehensive application can lead to a smooth visa acquisition process, allowing international students to benefit from Australia's esteemed universities and enriching academic environment.