Explore Courses

GTE in Australia: Requirements for Australian Student Visa

Updated on 23 November, 2023

Pragya Sharma

Pragya Sharma

Sr. Content Editor

Study in Australia

Indian students have chosen Australia as one of their favorite study destinations over the past few years. As a testimony to this fact, the number of Indian students was the second highest in Australia in 2022. According to government sources, India is set to become Australia's largest group of international students by 2023.

Amid this growing interest in Australia as a study destination, you may have encountered the term "GTE" during your visa application process. The GTE full form in Australian student visa application is ‘Genuine Temporary Entrant.’ It is an essential requirement that every international applicant must meet before obtaining a student or work visa in Australia.

This blog post will dive into what it is all about and the significance of GTE in Australia.

GTE Requirements for Australia

To clear the GTE for an Australian student visa, you must prove that you intend to live in Australia temporarily and are not using the student visa merely to extend your stay or maintain your ongoing residency in the country. GTE requirements are necessary to help identify applicants taking advantage of the student visa program for reasons other than obtaining a quality education. This means to fulfill the GTE requirement, you must exhibit your ties to your home country and ensure you will return when your visa expires.

Personal statement addressing the GTE requirement

As part of the online application process for student visas, you must submit a personal statement in English explaining how you fulfill the GTE requirement. 

There are some factors that you need to take into account when writing a personal statement for the GTE requirement. These are:

  1. Keep your statement under 300 words (use a maximum of 2000 characters).
  2. Talk about the personal circumstances that have influenced your decision to study in Australia.
  3. The personal statement requires not only the elaboration of information but evidence supporting the same must also be mentioned.
  4. You must include your previous academic qualification details along with the relevant information of your education provider. You must also include the certificates you attained during your previous studies.
  5. If you have gap year/s in your studies, include why you did not maintain enrollment during that period. 
  6. As a standard requirement, you have to mention the details of your potential employment offers that you will be getting after your course completion.
  7. If you are employed, you must elaborate upon your current employment. Mention your company’s name, address, and period of employment. You will also have to mention the details of the position you’re working at and the details of someone who can confirm your employment circumstances.
  8. Another requirement entails providing your home country’s economic situation. You must give information on any employment or business opportunity you might have possessed up to 12 months before lodging your application. You must also submit your bank and income tax return statements as part of GTE requirements in Australia.

Lastly, you must showcase evidence of your family and financial and social ties to your home country. You will also have to exhibit that you have robust reasons to return to your home country after completing the course in Australia.

Read More: 
Australia Post Study Work Visa

Cost of Study in Australia

Requirements for Studying in Australia

How is GTE Assessed

The purpose of the GTE requirement is to ensure that the student visa program is accessed in accordance with its purpose and not misused for ulterior motives. Several potential situations could impact the GTE assessment for students applying for an Australian visa. Following are some of the essential parameters that are considered in how GTE is assessed:

1.The potential situation in Australia

The assessing committee considers your financial stability and how you have planned to carry out your expenses while you stay in the country. They also look into if the chosen course is, in reality, relevant to your background or previous studies and what the proposed outcomes of the course you want to pursue are. They also check if you have any ties that present strong reasons for you to stay in Australia.

2.Your home country’s situation

The Australian home affairs department needs to understand your situation in your home country. This means looking at your current employment status and salary, family ties in your home country, educational background, the reason for not pursuing the particular program in your home country, etc. It also takes into account if there is any political or civil unrest in your country. All these factors are important when determining whether or not you meet the GTE requirement.

3.Value of the course to your future

Here, the home affairs department of Australia will consider if the course is relevant to your past or future employment in the home country or another country and if the course corresponds to your current educational level. They will also look into the salary and other benefits you can expect in your home country or a third country with these qualifications.

4.Your immigration history

Lastly, the home affairs department will check your immigration history to assess your GTE requirements. This includes your previous visa applications to Australia or other countries. They will also check for any visa cancellations or refusals in your name.

Conclusion

GTE in Australia is an essential pathway for students to gain temporary residency and access the benefits associated with the status. The process can be difficult to navigate; however, it is essential that applicants understand each step before applying.

This article highlighted how the GTE works in Australia, giving prospective applicants the confidence to approach their application with greater knowledge. Want to explore the interview questions and answers for an Australian student visa? Read here

More articles on study in Australia:

FAQs

Is it mandatory to take the GTE interview in Australia?

GTE interviews are not required for everyone. The level of risk in your home country and  its specific regions determines whether or not you need to attend a GTE interview.

What is the estimated approval time for GTE?

After completing the GTE application, assessing your GTE statement and questionnaire takes around ten working days.

Pragya Sharma

Sr. Content Editor

Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and has now scaled up as a 360-degree content professional well-versed with the intricacies of digital marketing and different forms of content used to drive and hook the target audience. She is also a co-author of 2 stories in an anthology based on the theme- women empowerment.

See More