Australian universities are globally recognized for their excellent academic standards, innovative teaching methods, and research opportunities across various fields. If you want to get a high-quality education in a country with diverse programs and many work opportunities, Australia is the best place for you. However, to enter Australia as a student, you will require a visa. This blog is a Visa Guide for Australia that provides all information about the Australian visa.
What is the Australian Student Visa Subclass 500?
It is a type of student study visa. With Australian student visa subclass 500, you can:
- Participate in an eligible course of study in Australia.
- Travel in and out of Australia.
- You can work up to 48 hours a fortnight when your course of study or training is in session (students studying for a master’s research or doctoral degree and their families have no work limit).
Visa Guide for Australia Requirements
Here are some requirements for a study visa:
- Valid Passport.
- Age Requirements
- Biometric Data and Identity Photograph.
- Student Visa Application Form.
- Civil Documents.
- Health Insurance.
- Proof of Financial Means.
- Proof of English Language Skills.
- Evidence of Genuine Temporary Entrants (GTE)
- Good Conduct Requirement Documents.
- Australian Values Statement.
- Confirmation of enrollment ( CoE)
- Parental Consent (if applicable).
- Resume.
- Form 157N.
- Not had the visa cancelled or an application refused
Valid Passport
When applying for an Australian visa, you need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to stay in Australia.
As part of the visa application process, you should provide scanned, coloured copies of the pages of your current passport. If you’ve had previous passports, include scanned copies when applying for the visa.
Age Requirements
Students applying for study visa subclass 500 (except those participating in the secondary school student exchange program) must be 6 or older.
You must also be:
- Less than 17 years old when you begin Year 9
- Less than 18 years old when you begin Year 10
- Less than 19 years old when you begin Year 11
- Less than 20 years old when you begin Year 12
Biometric Data and Identity Photograph
Certain guidelines for Australian visa photos differ slightly depending on whether you apply online for your visa or in person. Mention below some of the requirements for the photo.
- Photos should not be older than six months.
- The photo size has to be 35mm to 40 mm wide and 45mm to 50 mm high.
- The photo background should be plain, preferably white background.
- The photo should be high-quality
- Center and fully display the subject’s face.
- Do not wear any head or face accessories.
Student Visa Application Form
The application form for a student visa must be completed, signed, and submitted. The rest of the required application forms are available on their official website.
Confirmation of Enrollment ( CoE)
When you apply for a student visa in Australia, you must submit a Confirmation Letter of Enrollment (CoE) for all the courses you plan to take during your study program. The Australian university in which you are enrolled sends this letter. Your CoE must be submitted before your visa is granted.
Note
When your CoE expires, you must ensure a valid CoE during your stay; otherwise, your student visa may be cancelled.
- If you take more than one study course, you must submit all the CoEs about those courses. If you don’t, your visa will only be valid for that study course. You can take two or more courses as long as the classes have a gap of at least two months between them and one course leads to the second one instead of a CoE.
Note
You need to submit a letter of support if you belong to one of these categories:
- A student sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- A student sponsored by the Department of Defence.
- If you are a secondary exchange student, you must submit an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student Form.
- Postgraduate research students who must remain in Australia for their thesis must provide a letter from their education provider.
Form 157N
Form 157N is a document required for Australian student visa applications. It is intended for applicants under 18 who are applying for a student visa and will not be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or relative while studying in Australia.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/157N.pdf
However, Australian visa regulations and forms can change over time, so it’s advisable to check the most recent and accurate information on the official website of the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs or consult with a qualified migration agent for the most up-to-date and accurate details regarding visa application requirements.
Genuine Temporary Entrant
A genuine temporary entrant (GTE) is usually a written statement by the visa applicant stating that they intend to stay in Australia temporarily. GTEs are a form of assessment the Department of Foreign Affairs uses to evaluate whether a visa applicant is likely to overstay in Australia after their visa expires.
Civil Documents
Applicants must submit various documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce papers, and evidence demonstrating their relationship with a partner.
Note
if there has been a name change, Applicants must present a certificate validating the change in name
Health Insurance
It is also called overseas Student health cover (OSHC). It is a condition for overseas students on a temporary student visa. Students have to maintain adequate health insurance for their stay in Australia. Students must purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and keep their policy current while holding a student visa in Australia.
OSHC assists international students with the costs of medical and hospital care they may need while in Australia. It also includes ambulance cover and limited pharmaceuticals.
Note
If you have been granted a visa and want to travel to Australia before your course begins, the OSHC start date must be the same as when you arrive, not when your course starts. Generally, this is at least 1 week to 1 month before your course starts.
Proof of Financial Means
You have to provide proof that
- You have enough financial funds to support your travel cost, the cost of 1 year living in Australia.
- You have enough funds to cover your tuition fees.
- If any family member supports you, you must provide proof of their annual income on the Secondary Exchange Student Form for exchange students.
- A letter of support from either the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defence.
Proof of English Language Skills
- Students must take the English language test 2 years before they apply for a student visa.
- To acquire English language skills, students must take a foreign language exam and obtain a certain score on the English language test approved by the department.
| English Language Test | Minimum Scores Required |
| IELTS International English language testing system | 5.5 |
| TOFEL Internet-based only ( Only acceptable if the test is taken on or before 25 July 2023) | 46 |
| PTE Academic Pearson Test of English Academic | 42 |
| OET Occupational English test | B for each test component |
Good Conduct Requirement Documents
Students must meet the character requirements set out by the Australian authorities. You can find detailed information about these requirements on their website. Here’s the link for your reference
.https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/character
Parental Consent
If you bring a child under 18 to Australia without one parent accompanying them, the visa application should include a parental consent form.
Australian Values Statement
Students who plan to study in Australia must sign an Australian value statement confirming their respect for the Australian way of life and obedience to Australian laws.
No Visa Cancellations or Application Refusals.
Australian authorities will consider your immigration history when we decide on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
You Can Also See
Visa Guide for Australia Step-by-step Procedure
Steps to obtain the visa for Australia are given below:
Step: 1 Get Evidence of English Language Proficiency
Australia accepts IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, and OET as proof of English language proficiency. The links above provide more information about these tests.
Step 2: Apply to an Education Provider in Australia and Get a CoE
To apply for visa subclass 500, you must first get accepted into an Australian study program. When a university accepts you, it will give you an offer letter. Once you accept this offer and pay the tuition fees, the university will send you a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) paper. This CoE is important because you’ll need it when you apply for your visa. It proves you’re enrolled in a program in Australia.
Step 3: Create your ImmiAccount
You can usually apply for an Australian visa online. This also lets you track your progress. An online visa application has to be completed through an ImmiAccount. If you don’t have one, create an account and start your application process. After you create an ImmiAccount, fill in the visa application form for your student visa. You must attach these documents with your visa application form to apply for the student visa.
- The CoE you received for the university
- Proof of Overseas student health cover (OSHC)
- Your Passport
- Proof of your temporary stay
Step 4: Complete your Visa Application
Provide all the necessary information and attach all the required documents mentioned when you submit your visa application.
Step 5: Pay the Visa Fee and Get a TRN Number
When your visa application is completed, you will pay the fee, which is currently $575. After submitting your application, you will receive a Transaction Reference Number ( TRN). Save this number to track your visa application process.
Note
The visa application fee is nonrefundable in case your visa gets rejected!
Step 6: Possible Health Check-up and Interview
During the embassy interview, you must show strong home ties with your country and make the Visa officer believe you will return to your home country once your study program is completed. Additionally, they might inquire about your financial situation, and it could be helpful to present your financial records, like bank statements, to demonstrate your ability to support yourself while studying in Australia.
Step 7: Your Visa Interview
During the interview, you will be asked various questions, including about the visit’s purpose, financial status, and intentions to return to your home country.
Step 8: Your Visa Decision
How long does it take to get your Student Visa (subclass 500) decision? If your application is complete, you usually get an outcome within a couple of weeks. However, the quality of your application can affect this. Also, it can depend on how busy the Australian immigration authorities are. A mistake on your application can cause a delay or result in rejection.
Note
You will receive an email notification when your Student Visa application has been processed. Since your visa is electronic, it might be a good idea to print the Visa Grant letter and keep it with your passport when travelling to Australia.
Step 9: Travel to Australia
- You can book a ticket anytime and travel to Australia when you get your visa.
- But before you leave must check your travel documents.
- When you reach Australia, you must complete the incoming passenger card, which you will receive on board.
FAQs
1. Where can I take a photo for an Australian visa?
MyBiometricPhotos offers a service designed to provide high-quality photographs that adhere to the requirements for an Australian visa. To get the correct photo, select “Australia Visa Photo” from the options provided on their website. Then, you upload your photo.
Once you upload the photo, MyBiometricPhotos processes it digitally to ensure it meets all the criteria. The Australian authorities set for visa photos. The entire process is completed online, so you don’t have to visit a store or studio physically. After the photo is processed and meets the requirements, you can download and print the photos yourself at a location of your choice. This convenient process saves time and effort in obtaining photos that comply with Australian visa standards.
Website link https://mybiometricphotos.com/?utm_campaign=visa-photo-requirements-australia
2. How early should I apply for a VISA?
Apply for your visa at least 8 weeks before your course starts.
3. What is the cost of a visa?
Unless exempt, the fee is around AUD710.00. There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.
4. With this VISA, how long can I work?
From July 2023, student visa holders can work no more than 48 hours a fortnight while studying.
5. How to get overseas student health coverage (OSHC)?
To get OSHC:
- Find an approved provider
- Pay for your policy