The Australia Student Visa Subclass 500 is a highly sought-after visa, as international student numbers in Australia have risen dramatically in recent years. These student visas provide you access to a number of benefits, including staying in the country throughout the course of your studies and being able to work part-time.
In this article, we will explain the student visa application and provide helpful advice on how to maximize your chances of being able to study in Australia.
Understanding the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)
The Australia Student Visa Subclass 500 is the most common of the international student visas provided by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. It entitles students who have been enrolled in an Australian educational institution to receive a high-quality secondary, tertiary, or vocational education while gaining valuable life experience.
This is a substantive visa, meaning that you are able to stay in the country for a longer period of time; however, it is a temporary visa, so you will need to leave Australia at the end of your program.
You may be able to apply for a new student visa if you are accepted into a different program, and it’s also possible to apply for a course package, which allows you to complete up to three different degrees as long as they have a clear, logical progression between them.
Eligibility Criteria
International students seeking an Australia student visa must demonstrate that they are enrolled in a suitable program, that they have the financial capacity to sustain themselves, and that they have adequate English language skills to complete coursework at the given educational level.
Eligibility Requirements for the Student Visa
Obtaining the visa grant letter requires fulfilling a variety of different requirements, ranging from confirmed enrollment in a suitable program to having appropriate housing for the time when you are present in the country.
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
The Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is a letter from the educational institution showing that you have been accepted into coursework and what you will be studying. This will show the dates when the course begins and ends, as well as the tuition fees paid to the institution. You will typically receive this after you’ve been approved, paid your deposit, and signed up for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
If you are a Foreign Affairs or Defence student, you will need a sponsorship from the federal government and the relevant minister confirming that you are enrolled in an eligible course with an approved education provider.
Students under the age of 18 will also need a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW), which will also be provided by their education provider. This affirms that they have adequate welfare arrangements, such as housing. If your parent is accompanying you, you will also need to seek permission to stay with them rather than on-campus housing and provide proof of their relationship with you.
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement
The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement is applicable to students who applied for a visa before 23 March 2024; it is being replaced with the Genuine Student requirement, which is more rigorous and holistic.
With the GTE, an international student must demonstrate that there is a clear advantage to studying in Australia and that they intend to take what they have learned back home with them to benefit their home country. The purpose is so that the Australian government can be assured that overseas students are not attempting to gain permanent residency or citizenship through the visa, but actually intend to return home.
For the GTE, a student must complete a personal statement showing their ties to their home country, the reason why they chose to study in Australia, and how the specific coursework will positively impact their future career progression.
The new Genuine Student (GS) requirement goes further into depth about why you have chosen to study in Australia and how it will positively impact your life, with more emphasis on the overall benefits of getting an international education. It asks a series of questions about your current circumstances, such as your connection to your home country and why you have chosen the particular course in Australia.
Financial Requirements
In addition to paying your student visa fees, you must provide evidence that you have enough money to sustain yourself while in Australia. This includes paying course fees, covering your health insurance, paying living costs, and affording your travel into and out of the country.
While living expenses will vary in different parts of Australia, the current requirement is AUD 29,710 for a full year, which is about USD $20,000. You can prove you have sufficient funds through bank statements, grant letters, scholarship award letters, or gift letters from agencies and family members.
English Language Proficiency
To receive an Australian student visa, you must prove that you are conversant or fluent in English. This can be proven by getting a certain test score on an English language test. Acceptable tests include:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS), including One Skill Retake (OSR)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Cambridge English (CAE) (also known as C1 Advanced)
- Occupational English Test (OET), noting this is a test developed for health professionals
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT).
Some individuals are exempt from this requirement. If you have a valid passport from the UK, the United States, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, or New Zealand, you may not need to take the test. It’s important to note that despite English being spoken widely in many EU nations and India, EU and Indian students are not exempt.
If you have completed at least five years of secondary or higher education with coursework in English, you may also be able to waive this requirement.
Health and Character Requirements
You need to prove that you do not pose a risk to the Australian public, such as having an infectious disease or a criminal record. As such, you must complete a medical examination, which may include a chest X-ray to check for tuberculosis.
If you are over the age of 18, you must have a police certificate that shows your criminal record. This will be completed by the appropriate legal authority in your country; for example, a US resident may request this from either the Federal Bureau of Investigation or their state’s police clearance system.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Every international student must maintain OSHC, a type of health insurance that covers their medical costs while they are in Australia. This must be valid until you leave the country.
Applying for the Student Visa
You can apply for your student visa online. To apply online, you will make an ImmiAccount, provide your contact details, upload your supporting documents, and pay your visa application fee. If necessary, you can then schedule your biometric appointment at a visa application center, and this will then be submitted to the government for review.
If you are accepted, you’ll receive a valid visa sticker to place in your passport.
Required Documents
Documents that you must submit with your student visa application include:
- Current passport, valid for the entire time you are in Australia
- Passport-sized photos for your visa
- Certificate of Enrolment (CoE)
- A CAAW letter if you are bringing along a parent
- Proof of de facto relationship status is you are bringing a partner
- GTE or GS document, depending on whether you applied before or after 23 March 2024
- Bank statements or other financial documentation proving you have the funds to pay for your stay
- English language test results
- Medical exam
- Police certificate
To ensure that you have all the necessary documents, you should check the Department of Home Affairs website for an accurate document checklist tool.
Visa Application Fees
Student visa fees are AUD 1,600.00 unless you are exempt, such as if you are a Pacific Island or Timor-Leste resident. There will be additional fees if you are bringing along dependents.
Other costs associated with visa applications include police clearances, medical exams, translation fees for documents in a language other than English, and document preparation fees if a legal practitioner is helping you.
Processing Times
About half of student visas are approved within 71 days, with 90% of applications processed in 4 months.
The processing time depends on whether you are bringing additional family members, if you have completed the visa application properly the first time, and if they need any additional information from you. Processing times will also be longer if many students are applying at a given time.
To ensure you get your visa in time, apply well in advance.
Student Visa Conditions for International Students
It’s important to fulfill all the obligations of your visa so that you do not have any immigration trouble. These are the common conditions for a student visa.
Work Restrictions
If you are taking a full-time course, you can work for 48 hours or less per fortnight (two weeks). This does not apply to graduate or doctoral students, who can work as many hours as they would like.
Study Requirements
You must attend your courses regularly and get good grades. If you are put on academic probation, you may have your student visa revoked. Additionally, you must stay out of trouble with the law.
Bringing Family Members
With a student visa, international students can also bring a partner and a partner’s dependent child, assuming the child is under 18 and unmarried. A secondary exchange student can have their parent or legal guardian apply for a student guardian visa, which would allow their parent to remain with them in Australia while they are completing the program.
Visa Extensions
If your current visa expires before your course is over, you may need to apply for a new student visa or a visitor visa to cover the rest of your stay. You may be granted a bridging visa to stay in the country and continue studying until your application is approved.
Common Reasons for Student Visa Refusals
Common reasons that a student visa may be denied include:
- Insufficient funds to cover your time in Australia
- Inaccurate or missing information on the application
- Lack of ties to the home country
- Underlying medical conditions
- Previous visa refusals
- Previous criminal record
Tips for a Successful Student Visa Application
To give yourself the best possible chance at having your visa improved, follow these tips.
- Seek professional immigration assistance: A registered migration agent can be an invaluable tool for student visas.
- Apply early: Leave plenty of time for processing the visa.
- Ask for help from the college or university: They will have study abroad advisors who can offer acceptance advice.
- Have a professor or teacher look over your GTE or GS answers: They can ensure you are presenting yourself in the best light.
Always provide accurate information: Never lie on your application.