Student Visa for Australia

Student Visa for Australia: The third most popular destination to study abroad among international students is Australia. Every year thousands of students go to Australia on study visas to pursue undergraduate and graduate courses. If we look at numbers, 526,932 international students from over 90 countries took advantage of the Australian education system. The government of Australia welcomes every student fulfilling prerequisites for the student visa for Australia to accomplish their study goals. To apply for a student visa for Australia from India, one needs to apply for a student visa (subclass 500) irrespective of the program they are applying for.

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

People coming to Australia for study purposes are given the student visa (Subclass 500). The maximum validity of the student visa (subclass 500) is up to 5 years and in line with your enrollment. The student visa for Australia is given based on your age, study program, and the duration you plan to stay in Australia. For a hassle-free stay in Australia, it is essential that your Australia student visa remains valid and you follow all the terms and conditions mentioned therein.

Benefits of Student Visa for Australia

• It permits the enrolment and study in the eligible course.
• It allows family members to join you in Australia.
• It gives you permission to work part-time in Australia and full-time work rights for the spouse of students pursuing Masters, Phd or postdoctoral programs.
• It can be applied in Australia and outside too.

Australia Student Visa Requirements

• Age Limit - This depends upon the course you are applying to. This is particularly important for school students.
• Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE)or Letter of Offer for the course you will study in the university. This will be provided by your education provider in Australia (university/college/training institute) and must be submitted along with the Australia student visa application.
• English proficiency skills- If you are applying for a student visa for Australia from India you must have test scores of English standardized tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE etc with a minimum score band. The test must be in the validity period, that is not before 2 years from the date of visa application.
• Adequate Health Cover for yourself and family- Indian students applying for student visa for Australia must be covered by Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved Australian health insurance provider. You must have proper health insurance for the entire stay in Australia.
• Sufficient funds for your stay in Australia- To apply for a Australia student visa, you must show enough money in a bank account to cover tuition fees, cost of living, travel expenses, etc.
• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)- It’s a personal statement written in English by the applicant while applying for a student visa for Australia. It reflects that your purpose to come to Australia is to gain quality education and not for other motives. However, it does not impact your plans of attaining permanent residence in Australia, once you complete your studies and develop skills which Australia needs.
• Character requirements- You should not have any criminal record, are convicted of any immigration offense, are not a member of any suspected organization, not involved in illegal activities like smuggling, trafficking, genocide, sexual or war crimes, etc to avail an Australia student visa. Be honest and provide all necessary information to avoid any trouble later.
• No previous record of cancellation or refusal of your visa application- Your student visa may be refused on grounds of your previous visa application refusal/cancellation. You may be eligible for other visas but must fulfill all eligibility requirements.

Steps to Apply for a Student Visa for Australia

Step 1) When to Apply for a Australia Student Visa ?

• If you are living outside Australia, apply for your student visa for Australia at least six weeks before the start of the course. Gather all the documents and fill correct information as student visa Australia processing time depends on these factors.

Step 2) Documents Required to apply for a Student Visa for Australia

• Identity Proof- A copy of your passport. You can also attach a national identity card (like an Aadhar card for Indian students), a copy of your birth certificate and driving license.
• Your Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) or Letter of Offer of the study course.
• Academic and Work experience documents
• Genuine Temporary Entrant(GTE) statement
• English Proficiency test scores
• Health Insurance policy
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Marriage Certificate if your spouse is accompanying

Step 3) How to Apply for a Student Visa for Australia Online?

• Create your account on -online.immi.gov.au
• Attach all your documents
• Pay student visa application fee

Step 4) After you Complete Student Visa Application

• Keep checking your ImmiAccount for the status update regarding student visa for Australia.
• If you forgot to attach any essential documents, submit them asap.
• Submit your biometrics within 14 days after you receive a message from visa processing authorities.
• Declare all family members in your application even if they are not accompanying you on a student visa for Australia. If you do not declare them, they will not be eligible for a student visa to join you in Australia and you may need to apply for a new student visa to include them.
• Check and correct any mistakes in the application.
• If there is any change in your Student Visa for Australia application form or new updates from your end like a change of address/phone details, relationship status, the birth of a child, or any default by your Education Provider, then inform the visa authorities asap.

Step 5) Student Visa Outcome

Whether your application for a student visa for Australia is accepted or rejected you will be informed in writing.

If your student visa for Australia application is accepted, the letter will include your visa grant number, expiry date of visa and visa conditions. Always keep a photocopy of this document while you stay in Australia.

If your application is rejected there will be no refund on applicable charges.

Also read Benefits of Studying in Australia.

Student Visa for Australia- Cost

The cost to apply for a student visa for Australia is AUD630 for the main applicant. The following chart shows complete fee details for different Visa subclasses.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

It is a temporary visa allowing international students to live, study and work in Australia. To apply for a temporary graduate visa, you must have an eligible student visa in the last 6 months, have a recent qualification from CRICOS registered course, must be under 50 years of age, and can apply in only one stream out of the three streams offered under this visa.

Due to COVID 19 travel restrictions, the immigration department has made some changes and new rules for Australia student visa 2022. Students who have been affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions, but undertook online study outside Australia can apply for a temporary graduate visa outside Australia, provided they carried or carry a valid student visa. Also, they must apply for a temporary graduate visa within six months of completing their Australian qualification.

Australia Temporary Visa is given under three streams

Graduate Work Stream- It is for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications important to in-demand occupations in Australia. To apply under this stream, you must hold or have held a valid student visa. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, graduates can apply for it from outside Australia. With this visa, you can work, study and bring your family to Australia. It allows a stay of up to 18 months, but it has been temporarily increased to 24 months for visas granted from 1 December 2021. It costs AUD 1,680 and processing time takes 10-12 months.

Post-Study Work Stream- It is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian Institutions and must hold or have held a valid student visa. Graduates can now apply from outside Australia, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. With this visa, you can work, study and bring your family to Australia. It allows a stay between 2 to 4 years depending upon the qualification. It costs AUD 1,680 and processing time takes up to 11 months.

Second Post Study Work Stream- The visa is for holders of a first temporary graduate visa in the post-study work stream, who graduated with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area. With this visa, you can work, study and bring your family to Australia. It allows a stay of up to 1 to 2 years depending upon the regional location of the educational institution from where you received your first temporary graduate visa post-study workstream. It costs AUD660 and processing time is not available.

New Rules for Australia Student Visa 2022

The pandemic has affected the processing time of visa applications. The Australian Immigration Department has introduced some changes and fee waivers in Australia Student Visa applications

The immigration department has waived the visa application fee for those wanting to submit a further student visa application if they held the student visa on or after 1 February 2020 and couldn’t finish their course within original visa validity due to COVID 19 reasons. The reasons can be following: -

• Your course got delayed as you couldn’t enter Australia due to COVID 19 travel restrictions.
• You were forced to reduce a part-time study load.
• You were unable to complete your course-related training or placements.

Meanwhile, students who failed a course or unit or delayed their studies due to personal reasons are not eligible for a further student visa or a fee waiver.

Form 1545 COVID 19 for Student Visa Fee Waiver

To apply for a further Student Visa with a fee waiver you must attach Form 1545 given by your Education Provider along with your student visa application. The fee waiver is for the application charges only.

The educational provider must give a complete and signed form to the students whose studies got impacted by COVID-19 travel restrictions. Students must attach the following forms along with Form 1545.

Form 157 – if the student is applying for a Student Visa (subclass 500).

Form 1409- If the student is applying for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).

The immigration department will also provide extra time to submit English language test results, biometrics, and health checks if the delay is caused by a disruption in services due to COVID-19.