Study Abroad Education

Types of Student Visas to Study in Australia

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Types of Student Visas for Australia, Requirements, Cost, Processing Time, and Reasons for Rejection

You must first obtain an Australian student visa in order to study there. In order to do this, the student must fill out a visa application form, pay 630 UD (about 34,313 INR) in fees, and show up in person for an interview. A Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a Letter of Offer confirming your acceptance into a programme listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions of Courses must be obtained prior to applying for a visa.

Depending on your age, type of programme, and length of stay, you must apply for a certain subclass of visa out of the many available subclasses. Most often, foreign students seeking higher education in Australia must apply for the subclass 500 of the Australian Student Visa (regardless of the chosen field of study.)

See Also: Study in Australia

How much does it cost to Study in Australia?

S.no. Study program Average annual fee
1 Undergraduate program $20,,000 to $45,000 per year
2 Postgraduate master’s degree $22,000 to $50,000 per year
3 Doctoral degree $18,000 to $42,000 per year
4 MBA $22,000 per year

*Please note that all fee amounts are approximations.

When applying to an Australian university and obtaining a student visa, it’s crucial to understand some key details, including:

  • ImmiAccount allows for the submission of online applications.
  • For subclass 500, the application fee is around 630 AUD.
  • The amount of money needed as proof for one student is 62,222 AUD.
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    Student Visa for Australia (Subclass 500)

    In July 2016, the student subclass 500 visa became operational. It corresponds to your enrollment date, covers the entire length of your study programme, and permits you to stay in Australia for up to five years. An Australian visa requires a base application fee of 620 AUD (equivalent to 34,311 INR). The benefits of acquiring this student visa include the ability to bring a family member to Australia, take part in a course of study that qualifies, and submit an online application for the programme of your choosing from within or outside of Australia.

    Read: Best Destination Study in Canada

    International students who wish to get a category 500 student visa must:

    • Enrolled full-time in a programme on a university campus in Australia
    • Holds an OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) or fit one of the exceptions.
    • Need to be least six years old.
    • Having documentation of a welfare arrangement is necessary if you are under the age of 18.

    Visa types in Australia for Students

    Types Applicable for
    Student Visa (subclass 500) Up to 5 years
    Visitor Visa (subclass 600, 601, 651) For maximum of 3 months of study
    Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 and 462) For maximum of 4 months of study
    Student Guardian Visa (subclass 590) For guardian with the  international student in Australia and 3 months’ study or ELICOS course for 20 hours per week for the duration of visa
    Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) For students who have completed their study in Australia to remain and work for 18 months to 4 years.
    Training Visa (subclass 407) For those who wish to temporarily relocate to Australia in order to pursue professional development or vocational training

    Eligibility for an Australian Student VISA

    You must ensure that you meet the following requirements as an international student planning to enrol in an Australian university in order to be granted a student visa: See More

    Register Into a Course of Study and Provide Proof

    The following forms are frequently available as proof of enrollment for your Australian student visa application:

    • Confirmation of Enrollment, or CoE, is sent to students who have been accepted into full-time courses that are listed on CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students).
    • Packaged courses and CoEs: Your visa application must include all of the CoE codes if you are requesting enrollment in several courses; otherwise, your student visa will only cover the time required to complete the designated CoE.

    You may submit applications for two or more connected courses. There shouldn’t be more than two months between the start of the two courses. When the first course concludes by the end of the academic year and the second course starts with the start of the following academic year, there is an exemption to the gap period rule.

    • Letter of Support: You can provide your letter of support as proof of enrollment if you are admitted to a full-time study or training programme sponsored by the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade scholarship programmes.

    In a similar manner, you may submit an application for a student visa along with your letter of support if you are supported by the Australian Department of Defense.

    • Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Students (AASES): Applicants who intend to pursue an exchange degree with a university in Australia may submit this document as part of their application.
    • Letter from Educator: Postgraduate students are required to produce a letter from their professors confirming their requirement to remain in Australia while their thesis is being graded.

    A Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)

    A GTE statement must be written by you, ideally in English. A translated copy is necessary if the statement is written in another language. In order to detect students who want to apply for a student visa for purposes other than study, such as establishing or maintaining continued presence in Australia, GTE statements are evaluated. Therefore, having a reliable and honest GTE statement is crucial.

    The GTE statement must include the following information or proof:

    • Previous Study: Academic transcripts, the name of the education provider, the length of study, and the degree earned.
    • Study Gap: Justifications for any gaps in prior education.
    • Current Employment: Contact information for references, current employer, company address, job title, and length of employment.
    • Links to Home Country: Describe how you have strong social, economical, and familial ties to your country of origin and how you intend to return there.
      Economic Situation in Home Country: Income tax returns or bank statements, potential job offers, and records of business or employment for the twelve months before the application were submitted.
    • Employment in a Third Country: Potential job offers with payscale information and additional benefits.

    Sufficient health insurance

    The candidate for the visa, as well as their family, must possess and maintain OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover). Finding an authorised insurance company in Australia and paying for your chosen coverage will get you an OSHC. OSHC must be represented to the immigration authorities for any family members that will be joining you once you have arrived in Australia. For the entire time you intend to stay in Australia, this should cover your health.

    • The annual minimum for individuals is 430 AUD.
    • The annual minimum for couples is 2680 AUD.
    • A family needs at least 4,000 AUD/year in coverage.

    English Language Prerequisites for Student Visa in Australia

    Candidates who must give proof of their English language ability may submit specific test results that have been authorised by the department. The minimum test score standards for the various ELP tests that the department has approved are listed below.

    Exam Minimum Score Minimum Score for at least 10 weeks ELICOS Minimum Score for at least 20 weeks ELICOS
    IELTS 5.5 5 4.5
    TOEFL-iBT 46 35 32
    CAE 162 154 147
    PTE 42 36 30
    Occupational English Test B for each test component NA NA

    *ELICOS– English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students

    Have sufficient funds for your stay in Student Australia Visa:

    You must provide financial documentation proving you have enough money to support yourself while visiting Australia. The costs necessary change according on the length of the stay, the curriculum chosen, and other factors. You must have enough cash on hand to pay for your course fees, living expenses, and overall travel costs. Documents that you may offer include:

    • Deposits of money with a financial institution
    • Loan or other financial documentation
    • Australian educational scholarships or other related financial papers
    • You must provide evidence of an overall income of 62,222 AUD during the previous 12 months before applying for a visa. The charges to be reflected are 72,592 AUD if you bring family.
    • Consider the costs involved, which will include living expenses, tuition, and other related fees for courses.
    • Costs for bachelor’s programmes range from 27,390 to 61,632 AUD (about $14.88 to 33.48 lakhs).
    • Costs for master’s programmes range from 30,138 to 68,490 AUD (16.37 to 37.21 lakhs).
    • Living expenses for a single student are $21,041 AUD annually (11.43 lakhs). A spouse requires an additional 7362 AUD (4.0 lakhs), while a child requires an additional 3,152 AUD (1.71 lakhs).

    Meet the Character Requirements for Student Australian Visa

    For an Australian student visa, you must meet character standards if you are 16 years old or older. When submitting applications, in order to meet the requirements, you must:

    • Give a detailed account of all criminal activity you have participated in.
    • Give accurate responses to the questions that are related
    • Provide the Ministry of Home Affairs with all the information needed.

    See Also: Scholarship to Study in USA

    After you have applied, the Home Affairs department may require you to submit more paperwork. Which are:

    • Form 80 of the police certificate: Personal Information for Character
    • Evaluation
    • Statutory declaration of character
    • Military certificate
    • Employer’s letter of conduct.

    Meet the Necessary Health Requirements for Australian Visa

    You must be free of any illness that could endanger public health, incur significant healthcare and community service costs, or put a strain on already overburdened community services or healthcare services in order to meet the health standards.

    Sign the Australian Values Statement

    The declaration attests to the applicant’s commitment to upholding and respecting Australian law. You must also have read the booklet Life in Australia. The specifics of the paperwork needed when applying for an Australian student visa are listed below:

    • Passport
    • Birth certificate
    • OSHC (Overseas Health Coverage)
    • Offer letter
    • Confirmation of enrollment
    • Proof of Financial Capacity (minimum $20,000 excluding tuition fees) for a 12-month stay and round-trip travel

    Real temporary participant (GTE) Proof of English proficiency test results: For students who have completed five years of study in one of the following nations:

    Other exceptions: Australian universities do not require a student visa for students from New Zealand. For New Zealanders, the expense of education is comparable to that of domestic students. It is not mandatory for international students from Belgium or Norway to purchase the Overseas Student Health Cover.

    2023 Will Bring New Requirements for Australia Study Visas

    • A new rule in Australia prohibits international students from changing their courses without the Minister’s consent.
    • Due to COVID-19, the government will now count as part of the Australian Study Requirement for current and newly admitted students all online educational courses that were taken outside of Australia.
    • If due to this epidemic, international students are unable to finish their registered course at an Australian university within the visa’s validity, they may also apply for a student visa at no additional cost.
    • Graduates who previously had a student visa may now do so if they are outside of Australia and are unable to enter the country due to travel limitations.
    • The government is also helping students who are stranded in Australia for more than a year due to COVID-19 who are experiencing financial difficulties. Students are being given early access to their Australian superannuation (FUNDS) by the government.

    Step by Step Process for Student Visas in Australia

    International applicants must submit their visa application for Australia at least six months before the start of the programme. Now, let’s briefly go over the whole procedure for obtaining a student visa to attend an Australian university:

    Step no 1: Before the Application

    • Plan your medical exams.
    • Obtain assistance with your visa application
    • Obtain a passport that is up to date

    Step 2: Documents needed to apply for an Australian student visa

    • Letters of acceptance, support, and Certificate of Authenticity
    • Evidence that you have the resources to stay put
    • Show proof that you actually have access to the money.
    • If relevant, provide proof that you are exempt from paying the visa application fee.
    • Documents from OSHC GTE in support
    • if valid, partner documentation.
    • Documents for children and dependents, if any.

    STEP 3: Where to Submit a Visa Application

    • Create a login for ImmiAccount to submit an online application for an
    • Australian student visa.
    • Add the necessary paperwork.
    • Pay the Visa application costs. MasterCard (including Debit MasterCard), VISA (including VISA Debit Card), American Express, Diners Club, JCB, China Union Pay, Prepaid credit cards, PayPal, and BPAY are all accepted methods of payment for Australian student visa payments.

    Step 4: Following Application

    You must complete the following through ImmiAccount after submitting your applications:

    • Offering biometrics
    • Obtain medical evaluations and letters of recommendation.
    • Give any necessary supplementary information Comply with the law

    Step 5: Visa Decision

    You will receive a written response regarding the outcome of your application for an Australian student visa. If you are approved, a letter with your visa grant number, expiration date, and visa restrictions will be sent to you.

    Plan for money and other paperwork once you have the Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from an Australian university. Follow the instructions listed below to apply for an Australian student visa:

    Submit your paperwork and the $413 required for a student visa
    On homeaffairs.gov.au, you can create an ImmiAccount or download the form in PDF for offline use.
    Include the aforementioned documents; no more than 60 files or 5 MB per person.
    Complete the final application and submit it.

    Processing Time for Student Visas for Australia

    The average processing period for an Australian student visa is one month, but it could take up to ten months. The Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) accelerates the processing of visas, though. A student visa’s processing time is:

     

    Stream 75% processing 90% processing
    Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector 45 days 76 days
    Postgraduate Research Sector 3 months 6 months
    Independent ELICOS Sector 4 months 9 months
    Vocational Education and Training Sector 6 months 10 months
    Higher Education Sector 44 days 6 months

    Work in Australia as a Foreign Student

    Most Australian student visas let foreign students to work while enrolled in classes. Students with subclass 500 visas are permitted to work up to 40 hours every two weeks once their course has begun. Depending on the rules of your college or institution, you may work part-time either on or off campus.

    Australia is a fantastic country in which to work and study. Why is this:

    • International students receive the same level of workplace protection as any other Australian.
    • Regardless of your employment, you will get a minimum wage pay rate on an hourly basis in accordance with Australian Government regulations.
    • International student workers are given strong support from educational institutions as well as from public and private organisations.

    With an Australian student visa subclass 500, you are permitted to work an unrestricted number of hours throughout the holiday season.

    Acceptance Rate for Student Visas in Australia

    With 228,150 visas granted so far in 2021–2022, Australia’s student visa success rate has returned to pre–pandemic levels, up from a low of 232,750 in 2020–21 and a peak of 405,742 in 2018–19. The acceptance rate for student visas from Australia for various fields of study is:

    • Higher Education: 23.3%
    • Training in Vocational and Academic Fields: 18.9%
    • Sector of Postgraduate Research: 11.8%
    • English language intensive courses for international students (ELICOS): 82.8%

    The likelihood that your visa application will be approved depends heavily on a few criteria, including your visa refusal history, the veracity of the information you submitted, your financial situation, your language abilities, and the completeness of your supporting documents. An Australian Student Visa may be denied if any of these are absent.

    Reasons for Rejecting an Australian Student Visa

    International students are warmly welcomed at Australian universities, but the likelihood of having a student visa denied is higher. Among the grounds for denying an Australian student visa are:

    • Misleading or incomplete documents
    • Choosing a course that has nothing to do with previous academic work
    • Being unable to afford living, education, and other expenses in Australia
    • A lack of proficiency in the English language
    • Health problems
    • Inability to defend your GTE status (Genuine Temporary Entrant)
    • Crime histories (if any)
    • Unfulfilled academic obligations
    • Plans to remain inside the nation

    FAQ's

    Can I get a free education in Australia?

    You must obtain a scholarship that fully covers the cost of living, lodging, and academic expenses in Australia in order to study in Australia for free. Such scholarships include Australian Awards, Australian Government Research Training Programs Financing, etc. that provide full funding to international students.

    Is obtaining an Australian student visa simple?

    An Australian student visa is a little easier to obtain than those for other well-known study abroad countries like the USA and the UK. You can quickly apply for an Australian student visa subclass 500 after you have been accepted into a full-time programme at one of Australia’s universities that will run longer than six months.

    How long can I use my student visa to study in Australia?

    With a student visa, you are permitted to remain in Australia for up to 5 years. You may, however, remain until the end of your course.

    After being rejected, may I reapply for my Australian student visa?

    If you intend to reapply for your student visa, be sure to focus on the factors the immigration officer cited as the reason why your application was denied.

    What professions or competencies are in demand in Australia?

    There are numerous professions and skills, and they vary depending on the category of visa. However, there are certain common fields like engineering, nursing, statistics, performing arts, architects, doctors with specialised training, scientists, etc.