Are you planning to apply for a student visa for Australia (Subclass 500)? There are different eligibility requirements for international students that you will have to keep in mind before you start your application process. A student visa can only be obtained based on revised authority guidelines with the SSVF (Simplified Student Visa Framework) being implemented from July 1, 2016. All students will thus have to apply for their Subclass 500 visas accordingly.
An Australian study visa will help you remain in Australia and pursue your study. This visa also allows you to bring your family members to the country.
Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) – Processing Timelines
The processing time for obtaining an Australian Student Visa would depend on the sector to which you apply. The visa applications of students applying from outside Australia are generally prioritized and are processed faster than those applying from Australia itself.
One must also keep in mind that visa processing may take longer if the information provided by the applicant is missing/ incomplete or is found malicious/ faulty.
Have a look at the prevailing Australia study visa processing time for different sectors:
Sector
Timeline for finalization 75% of visas
Timeline for finalization 90% of visas
Timeline for international students (as per August 2022 data for 75% of applications)
Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector
21 Days
39 Days
19 days
Postgraduate Research Sector
3 months
9 months
78 days
Independent ELICOS Sector
3 months
5 months
3 months
Schools Sector
84 days
4 months
82 days
Vocational Education and Training Sector
5 months
9 months
4 months
Higher Education Sector
72 days
5 months
62 days
Non-Award Sector
42 Days
79 Days
42 days
Australian Student Visa Requirements & Highlights
Wondering how to get a student visa for Australia? Mentioned below are several crucial application-related aspects that you should keep in mind.
a. What is the Validity for Australian Student Visa?
The visa will allow you to stay up to 5 years in Australia, depending upon your course duration. This implies that if your course is for 6 months, your visa will be valid for 6 months, if it’s a 2 year program, the visa validity duration will be 2 years.
b. What is the Eligibility Guidelines for Australian Student Visa?
Only students who have enrolled in full-time courses can apply under Subclass 500. Those enrolled in distance learning/part-time courses will not qualify to apply for this student visa.
c. GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) –
Getting an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) will require students to prove they are GTEs. This means that you should prove that you wish to visit Australia temporarily only for educational purposes and will return to your own country after completing the course or gaining some experience.
To complete the GTE requirement in the application form, you must include a statement addressing your personal reasons for pursuing a course in Australia. You should take care of the fact that generic statements which are unsupported by evidence are not valued much in the GTE assessment process.
d. Health Check-up & Insurance-
Another crucial requirement for an Australian study visa is proof of good health. All applicants must meet the set minimum health standards to get the visa. The temporary requirement of undertaking medical examinations and chest x-rays has been uplifted for maximum applicants. You will only have to take these examinations if you do not fall under the exempted category.
Along with the health check-ups, it is mandatory to have OSHC, i.e., Overseas Student Health Cover. The average cost is AUD 438 per person for 12 months.
It is to be ensured that you and your family member/s have the OSHC when you arrive in Australia and maintain it for your entire stay. The cover must start from the day you are in Australia and not from when the course begins. When applying for a student visa, you must know vital details like the health service provider’s name, policy number, start and finish date of the policy, etc.
e. What are the Language Requirements for Australian Student Visa?
If you do not fall under the exempt category, you must obtain a satisfactory score in the accepted English language exam to prove your proficiency. The acceptable tests include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAE, and occupation English test (generally for the healthcare sector). Also, these tests should have been taken in the 2 years preceding your visa application date.
English Language Test
Minimum Score Requirement
IELTS
5.5
TOEFL (internet-based)
46
Cambridge English: Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English)
162
PTE Academic
42
Occupational English Test
B for each test component
If you have a lower score (than the minimum required score for each test), you can pursue a 10 or 20-weeks ELICOS training course to meet the language requirements. It is to be taken into account that whether you go for a 10-week course or a 20-week training, there still is a minimum score requirement set for each category that you will have to meet.
f. What is the Age Limit for Australian Student Visa?
There is no prescribed maximum age limit to apply for a student visa in Australia. Although the country accepts an application even if the aspirant is over 40 years of age, it might be difficult for the applicant to justify their reasons for studying).
If the applicant is under 18 years, special conditions may apply, and you may have to make adequate welfare arrangements accordingly.
g. What are the Financial Requirements for for Australian Student Visa?
You will have to show evidence of your financial capacity to cover all your expenses during your intended stay. This includes your travel cost, tuition fees, living costs, travel expenses, etc. The minimum financial capacity may differ for each applicant, depending on factors like your stay duration, tuition fees, which country you are from, etc.
There are two ways to meet the financial capacity requirements. First, you can opt for a 12-month funds option, showing you have sufficient money to cover traveling to Australia and living there for 12 months for yourself and the accompanying family members. This can be shown through money deposits from a financial institution, government loans or loans from a financial institution, or any scholarships or similar financial support.
Second, you can demonstrate a sufficient annual income of your parents or partner in the 12 months preceding your visa application date. The annual income to show is equal to AUD 62,222 for a single applicant and AUD 72,592 if you wish to bring your family members. In any case, the annual income must be supported by official government documentation, viz., tax assessment. Bank statements or proofs from employers are not acceptable.
Along with financial capacity, you must also prove that you have genuine access to these funds.
h. Character Certificate
All students must furnish proof of their good character. This means that they should have no criminal records, no suspects of being involved in any illegal conduct, and should have never been deported earlier from Australia.
i. Other Criteria
Visa applications are also assessed based on significant criteria like your home country’s circumstances, economic scenario, the value of your chosen future course, potential opportunities for you in Australia, immigration track record, and other relevant aspects.
You can follow the below steps to apply for an Australian study visa:
Register and apply to an educational institution in Australia
Receive an unconditional offer letter
Accept the letter & pay the tuition costs in order to acquire OSHC
Receive eCOE (electronic Confirmation of Enrolment) letter
Collect all the required documents & Apply for Visa
Evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Evidence of good health conditions
Other mandatory documents
Apply for the Visa. Ensure that the information that you provide is true and not misleading
Fill out the application form
Fill out the online visa application form.
Declare all your family members in the application form so they can accompany you or join you subsequently in the country.
Check that the amount on your credit card is in Australian dollars.
Applications will only be considered for approval if the mandatory Australia student visa application fee is paid.
After submitting the application
Make an appointment for a health examination.
An approved Australian Immigration panel physician (hospital/clinic) must conduct the examination.
Schedule a biometrics appointment if required.
Submit any additional documents (as and when needed/asked) through your immigration login account.
If there is any change in vital details like phone number, relationship status, passport, etc., you must immediately inform/ update the same through your ImmiAccount.
Visa application results
If your student visa is approved, the immigration department will send it to you by email.
Australian student visas (Subclass 500) are electronic, so you will not get any visa grant stamps on your passport.
If your visa is rejected, you will be notified of the reason for the refusal. You should note that the application fee will not be refunded if your visa application is rejected.
A student visa in Australia costs AUD 650 for international students. However, there are additional costs that one may have to pay. This includes costs for health checks, biometrics, police certificates, etc.
If you are under the age of 18, your total Australia student visa fees will be AUD 650 + AUD 160.
If you are above 18 years of age: AUD 650 + AUD 485 would be the total Australia student visa fees.
MasterCard, VISA, and American Express are the only accepted credit cards. You may be charged banking and currency conversion fees if you pay by credit card in Australian dollars. Furthermore, fluctuations in currency might affect the total fee.
With your student visa, you can take your immediate family members (called dependents) along. The family members can be included in your original student visa application or join you later as subsequent entrants once you begin your studies in Australia. You must remember to declare all your family members in your initial student visa application if you want them to accompany you or join any time later in the country.
Applicants who include their dependent family members in their original student visa application should fill out form 157A with all the details. The student visa holder must have a visa valid for at least 12 months, sufficient finances, and insurance to cover expenditures during the stay.
Dependent Family Members on Student Visa
On a student visa, you are allowed to bring the following immediate family members as dependents:
Your spouse or partner who you have been living with for the past 12 months
Your children under the age of 18 or who are still in education (studying A-levels)
Also, the dependent partner’s job rights will vary depending on the course you are taking:
The dependent partner may work up to 40 hours per week if you are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program.
Your partner has complete and unrestricted work rights if you are pursuing a master’s degree or doctorate.
Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) – Documents Needed
Students should keep the following documents ready when applying for an Australian student visa:
Passport- There should be a valid passport with a duration being 6 months beyond the course tenure.
Payment receipt for the application fee.
Non-immigrant application for the visa.
COE (Confirmation of Enrollment Form), issued by the institution where you will be studying.
Acceptance letter from the university, including a proposed plan of study.
Students with Subclass 500 visas can work part-time for up to 40 hours every fortnight in any sector of the economy. However, the student visa work hour cap increased from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight from 1 July 2023
Students are allowed to work for unrestricted hours during breaks or holidays. However, they can only start work once the course begins. Casework is sometimes a part of the course; the limit will not apply in such cases. Students in the Postgraduate Research Sector may work unlimited hours at the beginning of their doctoral thesis or research assignment. Those completing study requirements in Australia may apply for their post-study work permits under the stream-Graduate. ELICOS students are not eligible to apply for the post-study work permit.
If you are outside Australia, you must apply for your visa at least 8 weeks before your course commences. You may visit Australia around 90 days (maximum) prior to the beginning of the course. The application procedure is as follows:
Create your ImmiAccount and log in to the same.
You should fill up the application form as per the subclass.
You will have to track your application after logging into ImmiAccount. You can use this account to attach all documents, update your passport details, change your address and email address, and check your application status.
The TRN (Transaction Reference Number) is a unique number given to every application made online. This will be required for managing and tracking your application and identifying scenarios where you must communicate with your visa center. You can also use this for checking entitlements under your visa.
Conclusion
In conclusion, navigating the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) process in 2024 requires a comprehensive understanding of its requirements, fees, and processing times. This visa subclass, critical for international students aiming to pursue their studies in Australia, underscores the country's commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive educational environment. With the detailed process designed to assess applicants' eligibility, financial stability, and genuine intent to study, students are encouraged to prepare meticulously to ensure a smooth application journey. The associated fees and processing times, reflective of the Australian government's efforts to streamline and expedite the visa process, further demonstrate the country's investment in attracting global talent. By staying informed and proactive, applicants can effectively navigate the complexities of the Subclass 500 visa process, paving the way for a rewarding academic experience in one of the world's most sought-after educational destinations in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one bring dependents on a student visa?
Under the dependent visa program, international students and professionals can call their families to Australia. You can either include them in your original student visa application or apply for their visas once you have begun your studies in Australia and they can join you later. Dependent visas are available for spouses, partners, and unmarried children under the age of 18.
What are the English language requirements to study in Australia?
If you aren’t from an English-speaking nation or have not studied for at least five years in one, you will need to show proof that you can communicate in the language at the required level. You will be required to submit the results of English language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. The score required in these tests varies depending on the course you will be taking.
What is the GTE statement?
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) is one of the most important requirements for your Australian student visa application. It demonstrates that your objective is merely to study in Australia and not to stay there permanently.
Can I do business on a student visa in Australia?
No. You can’t do business on a student visa or be self-employed, though part-time work can be undertaken. Until further notice, these temporary measures remain in place.
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