Student Visa

A valid Australian visa is required for studying in Australia. Student visas are short-term visas that allow persons to study in Australia for a set amount of time. If you are interested in studying in Australia and require our advice and support in obtaining a student visa, we will provide you with our finest services and experience in order to maximize your chances of obtaining a good outcome.
Depending on the student’s country of nationality and the visa subclass sought, applications are evaluated against a complicated grid of requirements that was greatly modified in July 2016.

Student Visa Program - Summary of Changes from 01 July 2016

The Migration Legislation Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Regulation 2016 (F2016L00523) entered into force on July 1, 2016. The student visa framework was simplified, with the Subclass 500 (Student) and Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visas replacing the previous eight subclasses. From July 1, 2016, the former subclasses 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, and 580 were repealed.
To study in Australia or accompany someone who is studying in Australia, candidates will only be eligible to apply for the Subclass 500 (Student) or Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visas starting July 1, 2016. Regardless of which educational sector they are engaged in, international students who intend to study in Australia can apply for the Subclass 500 (Student) visa.
Visas issued before July 1, 2016, are valid until the expiration date mentioned on the visa.
There are four key changes as follows:
repeal of Student visa subclasses 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576 and 580
creation of a new Student visa subclasses 500 and 590
financial capacity requirements and
English language proficiency requirements.

All students are expected to submit (lodge) their applications via the internet.

Factors that put a country at risk :

The level of financial and English language evidence that a student must supply with their visa application is guided by the combined immigration risk outcomes of the student’s education provider and country of citizenship.
Students with lower (that is, lower) immigration risk outcomes are more likely to be able to achieve financial capacity and English language competency requirements by satisfying their education provider – referred to as streamlined evidentiary requirements.
Regular evidential requirements demand students with higher (that is, greater) immigration risk outcomes to submit more documentary evidence of their financial and English language capacity with their visa application. Beginning in March 2017, country and provider immigration risk ratings will be updated generally every six months, with updates planned for the end of March and September each year.

Enrolment :

Students must enroll in a course of study that is listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students, with a few exceptions (CRICOS). They must submit a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each desired course of study with their visa application if they are applying from outside of Australia. They will not be admitted if they have a letter of acceptance from their educational institution. They can apply with a letter of offer or a Certificate of Eligibility if they are already in Australia, but they must get a Certificate of Eligibility in order to be granted a visa.

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) :

For many students, the GTE criteria can be the most difficult to achieve because the ultimate interpretation of the criterion is left to the discretion of visa case officers or tribunal members.

When determining whether a student visa application is a real student, the decision maker will take into account all of the applicant's circumstances, including but not limited to :

You must be nominated by a person or an organization. Your nominator must be one of the following in order to be allowed to suggest you: have a national reputation in Australia in the same field as the individual seeking for this visa; and be one of the following:
  • Past immigration history to Australia and other countries of the applicant or a family of the applicant
  • Political upheavals, natural calamities, general visa compliance, and visa fraud from other visa applications may all be included in the nation of origin of the student’s home country.
  • Previous immigration history of the applicant or a family of the applicant to Australia and other countries
    1. including visa compliance and non-compliances in the past
    2. has the applicant applied for temporary or permanent visas before?
    3. whether these visas were approved, denied, or revoked
    4. the length of time spent on these visas and the chance of extending a student’s stay with a student visa
    5. whether the student took a succession of short, low-cost courses or stayed on a student visa for an extended period of time without completing a qualification
  • The applicant’s personal situation in their native nation and the applicant’s probable situation in Australia
    1. Relationships with family and community in the student’s native country and in Australia
    2. Australia’s and my native country’s economic and employment prospects
    3. Service obligations in the military
  • The course(s) that the student would want to take Whether the student and his or her dependent spouse have entered into a visa-related relationship (contrived relationship)
    1. whether it is appropriate for their present educational level
    2. whether they will help the student find or improve job opportunities in their native nation
    3. Any modifications to a person’s professional or educational path should be justified.
    4. If a similar course is offered in the student’s own nation or region, whether the student has reasonable reasons for not pursuing the study there.
    5. the course’s connection to the student’s previous or projected future job in their home country or in a third nation
    6. in comparison to Australia, the pay a student would expect to get after completing the planned degree in their home or third country
  • Whether the student and his or her dependent spouse have formed a connection for the purpose of obtaining a visa (contrived relationship)
  • The student’s familiarity with Australia, their intended course of study, and the educational provider. It could be based on the student’s previous studies and qualifications, as well as a reasonable expectation of the student’s research level into their course of study, living arrangements, and other factors.
  • The ability of the applicant and financial sponsor to completely finance the student’s costs in Australia, as well as whether or not the student has real access to the funds.
Because this criterion is highly dependent on individual student circumstances and is highly discretionary on the decision maker, student visa applicants are encouraged to provide a detailed statement addressing any concerns that a decision maker may have, as well as necessary supporting documentation.

Our Lawyers/Migration Agents will go through the requirements with you in detail based on your individual circumstances if you choose to employ our services. Throughout the application process, we will be there to assist you.

Requirements to provide evidence of English language proficiency :

If a student visa is necessary, applicants must show proof of English skills, such as IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English, Pearson Test of English, or occupational English test results with a particular score.

Financial Capacity :

Applicants for student visas must have genuine access to adequate finances to cover charges and expenses for themselves and any accompanying family members for the period of their intended stay in Australia. If necessary, the applicant must give additional proof of their financial capability. Students must demonstrate that they have actual access to cash in order to pay for their course fees, as well as travel and living expenses for themselves and their accompanying family members while in Australia.

Health Insurance :

Applicants for student visas must show proof of suitable health insurance arrangements in Australia for the duration of their anticipated stay.

Health and Character requirements :

Students under the age of 18 must have a plan in place for their wellbeing while in Australia.

Student under 18 years of age :

Students must demonstrate that they are in good health and have a good character.

Family Members :

A student’s family members can apply for a student visa with him or her. They must, however, be financially self-sufficient while in Australia.

ELICOS (English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students) :

ELICOS (English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students): ELICOS (English Language ELICOS in Australia is accepting student visa applications. If they plan to study solo ELICOS for more than a year, they should provide a lot of material in their application to demonstrate how they meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria. ELICOS can be extended if necessary. On an individual basis, this will be decided.

School Students :

Students from any country can apply for a student visa to study in an Australian primary or secondary school, regardless of citizenship. In the school sector, a student visa can last up to five years, with the exception of primary school students, who can stay for up to two years.

Subclass 590 (Student Guardian Visa):

The Applicants must :

be a parent or person who has custody of the student, or a relative who is 21 years or older and has been nominated in writing by a parent or someone who has custody of the student.
not bring family members younger than 6 years of age, except under certain circumstances.
be able to provide accommodation, general welfare and other support to the student unless you are applying for this visa with the support of the government your home country.