So picture this: You just finished high school, and you’re considering your college options. You’re more interested in pursuing your dream major abroad, where you can have the best education while immersing yourself in a new culture and embarking on a new adventure. This article is for you if Australia is on your list of potential destinations.

Australia has an outstanding higher education system and some of the best universities in the world. Seven of the 100 best universities in the world today are Australian. You may be intimidated as an international student by the numerous documents and applications required to obtain an Australia student visa. However, you don’t have to worry; we have gathered all the information you need here. So, shall we?

So, What’s an Australia Student Visa, Anyway?

Students can go to Australia and pursue their education for a predetermined period of time with the aid of an Australian visa. In contrast to the majority of other countries, Australia does not label or stamp student passports with visa stamps. The rights associated with each visa are electronically documented in an online database. When students arrive in Australia, the immigration officer checks the database to determine if they have visas. Following the announcement, the Australian Student Visa Guidelines were made public, and in July 2016, the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) went into effect.

Types of Student Visas in Australia

Upon applying for an Australian student visa, you will automatically fall under one of the following eight subclasses: 

• Independent ELICOS Visa (Subclass 570). 

• Schools Sector Visa (Subclass 571).

• Vocational Education and Training Sector Visa (subclass 572).

• Higher Education Sector Visa (Subclass 573).

• Postgraduate Research Sector Visa (Subclass 574).

• Non-Award Sector Visa (Subclass 575).

• Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector Visa (Subclass 576).

• Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 580).

What fits you and why will be explained after your application is accepted. Still, if you wish to know about these types, Workpermit has a good guide explaining them. 

Australia Student Visa Requirements and Eligibility Criteria

To apply for an Australian visa, you need to consider the following:

• You must be 6 years or older.

• You should provide a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement. This means you must prove you only intend to travel to Australia for studies and would return to your home country at the end of the course or after a few years of experience.

• Prepare a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at a full-time course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

• Show evidence of your English language skills, such as certified grade reports and IELTS-test results.

• You and your family members must be covered by Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved Australian health insurance provider for the length of your stay in Australia.

• If you’re under 18 years of age, you must have adequate welfare arrangements in place while in Australia.

• Meet health and character requirements.

• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition, travel and living costs. From February 2018, the amount you need to prove you have for living costs (separate from tuition and travel) is set at AU$ 62,222 for a year.

Australia Student Visa Application Process

Now that you know the visa requirements and types that allow you to study in Australia, you need to know when and how you can apply for this visa and its fees.

How to Apply

If you wish to apply for an Australian student visa, you must be enrolled at an Australian university. You can apply to a university using the university’s website or with the help of an education agent. Upon acceptance, you will receive an offer letter from the school. If you accept the offer in writing and pay the tuition deposit, the school will send you a Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE). Use this document to begin your visa application.

Create an account, apply through the online ImmiAccount application system, and then pay the application fees. After the application and payment are made, you will receive a TRN (Transaction Reference Number). Save this number so you can check the status of your application. You may be asked to do a health checkup and/or a visa interview, depending on where you will study and where you live. 

Normally, the Australian authorities will notify you by email once the decision is ready. Your visa is electronic, so if you want physical proof, you can print the grant letter you receive online once your visa is approved.

When to Apply

You can apply for your student visa a maximum of 124 days before the course start date, as stated on your CoE. Also, you can travel to Australia a maximum of 90 days before the start of your course. 

Duration of Stay

The maximum length of stay for an Australian student visa will generally not exceed 5 years, usually the duration of a study programme. 

Update on Australia Student Visa Application

The Department of Home Affairs will update the procedure on the accounts of the students as it evaluates the application. Students who submit applications online can use their Australian immigration account to view the progress of such applications. The following adjustments to the procedure on the student accounts will be made by the Department of Home Affairs:

• Incomplete: If the visa application has not yet been completed.

• Ready to Submit: If the visa application is prepared to be filed but hasn't been done so yet.

• Submitted: Once the visa application has been submitted.

• Received: When the Department of Home Affairs receives the application for the visa.

• Initial Assessment: When the Department of Home Affairs first evaluates a student visa application.

• Further Evaluation: If the Department of Home Affairs wants additional information.

• Finalised: The student will be informed via email or letter after the Department of Home Affairs has made a decision.

Australia Student Visa Fees

The Student Visa (subclass 500) application fee is AU$ 620. Students over 18 are required to pay an additional AU$ 470, while students under 18 are required to pay an additional AU$ 155. Credit or debit cards are accepted to pay the student visa application fee. Students who apply will be told by an embassy or consulate how to pay their fees.

Australia Student Visa Interview

A case officer is assigned to each student on an Australian student visa. The case officer does a GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) assessment. The outcome of this evaluation determines whether an international student visa for Australia is granted or denied. Following are some crucial tips and tricks for an interview:

• The majority of interview questions will centre on the applicants' drive and resolve to achieve in Australian education, as well as the prerequisites and supporting documentation.

• Students must be truthful and offer evidence-based responses.

• For the Australian Student Visa interview, applicants must have all necessary documentation with them.

Work Restrictions

You might wonder if your student visa permits you to work while studying in Australia. As a matter of fact, it does. However, you’re not allowed to start working before your course of study begins. You can only work up to 40 hours every 14 days, including paid and volunteer work.

The student's 40-hour work restriction will not apply if a work experience unit is a mandatory component of their course and is included in their Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) registration for that course.

That’s all, folks!

That was everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, you need to know about getting an Australia student visa. So, what’s your next step? Looking for a student accommodation in Australia? If that’s the case, just get in touch with us and help us secure a nice, comfy room!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most common reason behind rejecting student visa applications in Australia?

The most frequent reasons for rejecting an application are the student's inability to demonstrate financial resources, the use of faulty or misleading documentation, and their failure to pass the interview.

2. Is it hard to get an Australia Student Visa?

Obtaining a student visa in Australia is simpler than in other countries. The process is straightforward, clear, and online.

3. What is an Australia Student Visa's stay-back period after course completion?

The typical stay-back period for an Australia student visa is three months after the course ends. Furthermore, it varies from course to course.

4. What is the approval rate for applications for an Australian Student Visa?

Every year, the approval rate varies. It is currently 96% and has increased over time.

5. What is BVA in Australia?

A student who has sought a new visa to extend their current Australian visa will be awarded a Bridging Visa A, often known as a BVA, which is a temporary visa.

6. What if I make a mistake in my student visa application?

The following elements must be considered when completing your student visa application online: Verify that the application is free of errors. Upon discovering a mistake after submitting it, you will need to resubmit it, necessitating a second visa fee. Before submitting your application, you can review it once, and if any mistakes are found, you can fix them. Don't enter passport information incorrectly. It might result in issues at the border.

7. Can I appeal a Visa Refusal?

Within 7 to 28 days of receiving your rejection notice, you may file an appeal with the Australian Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to have the decision reviewed.