Australia Student Visa: Requirements, Cost, Application process

Australia is among the most favourable countries when it comes to providing quality education to international students at an affordable fee. The country is not only home to some of the top universities in the world but offers easy PR pathways to international students after completing their graduation. Therefore, it has led to a massive demand in obtaining a student visa for Australia among Indian students.

Latest: Australia Country Guide

Recommended: Top Universities in Australia

This Story also Contains

1. Why study in Australia?
2. Australia Study Visa Requirements
3. Documents Required for Australia Student Visa
4. Financial Requirements for Australia Student Visa
5. English Language Requirements for Australia Student Visa
6. Australia Student Visa Fees
7. How to apply for an Australian Student Visa?
8. Types of Australian Visa
9. Post-Arrival Obligations for Australia Student Visa Holders

The most popular and common Australia study visa is Subclass 500 as this allows you to stay in Australia for a period of 5 years to pursue your higher education on a full-time study basis. This student visa for Australia also ensures that you can travel around and out of Australia for the duration of your stay and also work up to 48 hours for a period of 2 weeks.

Furthermore, other visas for Australia contain the Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) and Training Visa (Subclass 407) for purposes of accompanying a minor who is also an Australian student visa holder and to pursue a training programme that is more of a professional based course, respectively. The validity for both varies depending upon different factors and one can check the specifications for the same on the official website of the Australian government.

The usual processing time for an Australian student visa is anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks. Therefore, one should plan the arrival to the country and student visa application processing time in advance and ensure it matches with the semester beginning of their prospective degree in an Australian university accordingly. The cost for an Australian student visa is AUD 1,600 (Rs. 88,740).

Moreover, the basic student visa for Australia age limit is 18 years or above. Therefore, a candidate applying to top universities in Australia should fall under this eligibility category to kick start the application process while adhering to some other prerequisites as well. Read the article to learn more about the student visa for australia from india

student visa for Australia from India, its application process, eligibility criteria, requirements, fees, and much more.

Read more: Study in Australia for Indian Students

Why study in Australia?

For international students planning to pursue their higher education in Australia, it is essential that they understand the pros of studying and living in the country. Therefore, below we have given the advantages of studying in Australia as an international student.

• Australia is home to nearly 38 universities in the QS World University Rankings for the year 2025.

• Indternationa students have easy access to various scholarships and financial aids worth AUD 20,000.

• The country also offers a relatively affordable tuition fees as compared to other study-abroad destinations such as the UK, USA, or Canada.

• Another major benefit of pursuing your education in Australia is that they offer quick visa processing facility for students to ensure they reach the country prior to the beginning of their semesters.

• Australia provides a post-study work permit for 2-3 years to international students who have completed their graduation in the country.

Australia Study Visa Requirements

There are various requirements that an Indian student needs to fulfill if planning to pursue their higher education in Australia. Now, these prerequisites are not only limited to adhering to the eligibility criteria given by the university of your choice but are also associated with the student visa for Australia application process. Hence, it is important to note and understand the various requirements listed by the official country website for different purposes.

Documents Required for Australia Student Visa

There are some significant documents that one needs to attach to their Australia study visa application. Therefore, we have enlisted some of the most important documents that are an integral part of the Australia student visa application process.

• Acceptance Letter from an Australian educational institution

• Valid Passport and its copy

• Academic transcripts and Certificates

• Bonafide Certificate (in case of semester exchange programme)

• English Language Proficiency Test Copies (IELTS/TOEFL)

• CV or Resume

• Confirmation of Enrollment Form

• SOP (Statement of Purpose)

• LOR (Letter of recommendation)

• Duly filled and signed long-stay student visa

• Visa-size photographs/Passport-size photographs

• Proof of funds for Australian Student Visa

• Birth or marriage certificates (if required)

• Proof of medical insurance

• A copy of the round-trip ticket

• Proof of residency

Financial Requirements for Australia Student Visa

As per the latest updates for Australia study visa, international students need to show

at least AUD 29,710 (about USD 19,576) in savings. Before applying to top institutions in Australia, international students need to ensure that they not only gather the necessary documents for students visa for Australia process but also pool funds to showcase to the authorities. The minimum proof of funds that an international student needs to display in order to obtain an education visa for Australia.

This amount is shown as proof to the visa officers that you will be able to bear the expenses of your tuition fees as well as cost of living in Australia as an international student. This is an important requirement during the student visa for Australia process as it is considered to be your means of landing at a university of your choice in Australia. Some of the acceptable proof of funds can be sponsorship letters, income drafts, property papers, bank statements, education loans, scholarship letters, etc.

English Language Requirements for Australia Student Visa

Another important aspect for getting a student visa for Australia from India is to score a minimum required band in English language proficiency examinations such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. As per the latest regulations, the English language requirements has increased from 5.5 to 6.0 to obtain a student visa for Australia. However, if someone is applying for the Temporary Graduate Visas (TGV) they will have to score a minimum of 6.0 or 6.5 band in their IELTS examination to surpass the criteria set for getting a student visa for Australia as an Indian student. Although the requirements for the same vary depending on different universities and courses. Therefore, an international student should check that on the university’s official website before applying or starting with the application process.

Also Read: Study in Australia without IELTS 2024

Australia Student Visa Fees

The Australia student visa cost for Indians is AUD 1,600 (approx. Rs. 88,740). International students need to pay the visa processing fees while submitting the application form for an Australia education visa. The details for the same should be verified by the Australian Embassy for more accurate insight as the student visa fees once paid will not be refunded.

Visa Fee for applicants residing within or outside Australia

How to apply for an Australian Student Visa?

After ensuring that you have fulfilled all the requirements for obtaining a student visa for Australia one needs to start with the application process. Therefore, we have given a step-by-step process for applying for an Australian study visa.

Step 1: Obtaining the Acceptance Letter from an Australian University

An international student after receiving the offer letter from an accredited university in Australia should begin with submitting the 1st year tuition fees and submitting the duly signed copy of the same.

Step 2: Confirmation of Enrollment

They’ll in return receive a document known as COE by the university validating their admission into the degree programme of their choice. It is essential to add a copy of COE while applying for a student visa in Australia.

Step 3: Submitting Proof of Language Proficiency

It becomes essential to submit a copy of acceptable English language examinations that is considered to be proof of validation for your fluency in English. Although the minimum band requirement for the same might differ from university to university one should be thoroughly aware of this requirement beforehand.

Step 4: Submitting the Genuine Student Requirement

GS stands as the essential decision maker for your purpose of studying in the country and whether you can support your living in Australia or not. The Genuine student requirement document should contain your academic and employment records, course and university you have applied to, and other relevant information.

Step 5: Proof of Funds for Student Visa for Australia

One needs to be sure that they have the means to support their education and living expenses in Australia as they’ll have to provide proof of funds for the duration of their stay in the country. An international student must possess funds worth AUD 29,710 in their account that they’ll have to showcase during their student visa application for Australia.

Step 6: Overseas Student Health Cover

The OSHC proof is mandatory for international students to work, study, and live in Australia. The Overseas Student Health Cover will ensure that one is capable of paying their medical bills, and cover any health care emergency that might occur while residing in Australia.

Step 7: Health Examination

International students will also have to undergo a health examination is a proof of their physical stability while applying for a student visa for Australia. The health declaration will then be submitted with the Australia student visa application.

Step 8: Opening an ImmiAccount

One can apply for a student visa for Australia only using the ImmiAccount as given by the department of home affairs. No personal agent or platform is needed to register for the Australian student visa hence, the registration process will be done through this forum only.

Step 9: Australia Student Visa Interview

After pooling and submitting all the necessary documents one needs to set an appointment for the student visa for Australia and need to submit the hard copies of all the essential documents. After the minimum application processing time (4-6 weeks) is over you’ll receive a definite answer.

Step 10: Travel Arrangements for Australia

Once the decision for your student visa for Australia arrives you should start planning your departure and travel arrangements in accordance to the start of your semester. This may include opening an account overseas, finding accommodation, and ticket bookings.

Check out: Benefits of studying in Australia for International Students

Types of Australian Visa

Apart from the most sought-after student visa for Australia i.e. Subclass 500, there are few other types of visas that international students need to be aware of and hence, we have provided a brief overview of the same below.

• Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590): It is classified as a temporary visa and is basically opted by Guardians or Parents of the student visa holder for Australia. It facilitates their stay in the country on the grounds of supporting or taking care of their wards in case they are minor or due to some other conditions.

• Training Visa (Subclass 407): Another important visa type for Australia includes a Training visa specifically made for the purpose of pursuing professional short-term courses in the country for international students.

Read more: Work after study in Australia

Post-Arrival Obligations for Australia Student Visa Holders

After attaining the Australia study visa from India, one needs to be aware of the various terms and conditions that they need to adhere to while staying in the country for study purposes. Hence, we have enlisted some important points after arriving in the country as holders of student visa for Australia.

• International students need to pursue their studies in a full-time mode in any course or degree of their preference. It is necessary to maintain a 12-point credit as a full-time student in Australia to not lead to a possibility of visa cancellation.

• It is necessary to maintain atleast an average academic record during your time being enrolled into an Australian university. One can also seek support in terms of their curriculum understanding through various means but need to comply with educational standards.

• It is also mandatory to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) that is made mainly to support the medical expenses of an international student while living in a foreign country.

• One also needs to comply with working hours fixed for international students by the authorities in Australia which is for 40 hours for a fortnight (2 weeks). However, in case of semester break and holidays, one can work overtime at their workplaces.

• After arriving into the country, international students need to make sure that they constantly update their address, contacts, change in university, or any other personal information to the department of home affairs.

• Always keep an eye on your Australian student visa status as your course comes to end as it is essential for international students to renew or extend their visa status in case they plan to live a little longer in the country.

Also check: PR in Australia after Studies for International Students