The Most Comprehensive Visa Guide for International Students in Australia in 2022-2023

Are you looking forward to flying away to another country and studying abroad? If you are, then you must be prepared with everything, especially your student visa. A student visa is a document that permits you to study in a foreign country. It is one of the most important things that you need to secure before anything else.

Every country has its requirements when it comes to student visas. That is why you must research it first before anything else. In this article, we will be discussing everything that you need to know about Australia’s student visa, the world’s most popular study destination, according to the International Student Survey 2021-2022.

How to get an Australian student visa for the 2022-2023 session?

Australia is a preferred study destination because of its high-quality education and relaxed lifestyle. International students from around the world come to Australia to study at its various universities.

There are many types of student visas that allow you to study in Australia. The type of visa that you need to apply for depends on the course and duration of your studies. The most common type of student visa for Australia is the subclass 500 visa. This is a temporary visa that allows you to stay and study in Australia for the duration of your course.

Eligibility Conditions for Visa Subclass 500

To be eligible for a subclass 500 visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have been accepted to study at an Australian educational institution.
• You must have sufficient finances to support your stay in Australia.
• You must meet the English language requirements.
• You must be of good character and meet the health requirements.
• You must possess a GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant).

Finances You Need

You will need to show that you and your family have enough money to support your studies and stay in Australia. This will include the university fees, costs of transportation, and daily expenses. You will have to prove that you have at least AU$59,000 in your bank account if you are a single applicant enrolled for a university course. For a vocational course, a single applicant must have at least AU$40,000 in the bank account.

If you plan to go to Australia with your dependents (such as spouse or children), you will have to show that you have enough money to cover their living costs and educational expenses too.

English Proficiency Requirement

Non-native English speakers and those who haven’t lived in an English-speaking country for at least five years need to show that they are proficient in English before they are granted an Australian study permit. Australian authorities accept the scores of:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System),
• TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet-based Test),
• PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic, and
• CAE (Cambridge Advanced English) tests.

The score you need depends on the study program you are applying for. It varies for international students opting for preliminary English Language courses, training programs, and full degree programs. It is referred to as the ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) score.

Health Checkups and Insurance

International students have to prove that they are in excellent health and get the mandatory medical and/or radiographic examination done by a doctor licensed by the Australian Immigration Department.

All international students going to Australia for the first time (except those from Belgium and Norway) will need Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC) to be granted a visa. The six healthcare providers that are authorized to offer OSHC are:

• ahm OSHC,
• Allianz Care Australia (People care),
• BUPA Australia,
• CBHS International Health,
• Medibank Private, and
• NIB OSHC.

The cost of OSHC will depend on the provider you choose and the length of the coverage. Also, students covered through Kammarkollegiet need not obtain OSHC.

Security Clearance

While granting a study visa, students need to undergo a criminal background check. You must not have any criminal cases registered against you. You will also need to present a police clearance or security clearance and may be asked to submit a Character Statutory Declaration Form while applying for the study visa.

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What’s a GTE?

The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) condition requires visa applicants that students, their dependents and/or their caretakers intend to stay in Australia only for education. The Department of Home Affairs, Australia grants you a GTE based on:

• Your immigration background,
• Your chosen academic and career path,
• Situations in your homeland, and
• Opportunities in Australia that may be available for you.

If you are granted the GTE, you will have to attend a visa interview at the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Some candidates may only need a visa application form to get a study visa to Australia.

Documents You’ll Need to Apply for the Australian Study Visa

The Ministry of Home Affairs website provides you with a detailed list of documents required for an Australian student visa. Apart from the standard requirements such as COE, LOA, and passport, you will also need to submit:

• Student visa application form (157A)
• Your recent passport-sized photographs
• Proof of your proficiency in English (IELTS, TOEFL or another test)
• Academic transcripts
• Character Statutory Declaration
• Police certificates
• Evidence of funds to support your stay in Australia
• Visa application fee
• An admission letter from an Australian university or a confirmation of enrollment.
• OSHC (if applicable)

and other documents, depending on your specific case.

Since July 2021, the visa subclass 500 application fee for the primary applicant is AU$630.

Once you have all the necessary documents ready to upload, you need to create a profile on the digital ImmiAccount application system and submit it.

Usually, it takes about four weeks for the Australian student visa application form to process.

What to keep in mind while applying for an Australian student visa?

One can apply for the Educational Visa Students (Subclass 500) electronically. Before you apply, you will need a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to prove that you are enrolled in a program that is on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions of Courses (CRICOS) list.

You will have to mention the COE’s digital number on the online Australia visa application form and also provide proof that you have paid the university fees.

What you can do or can’t do on an Australian study visa?

The Visa Subclass 500, also known as the Study Permit, allows you to:

• enter Australia and explore it up to 3 months before your program begins,
• work up to 40 hours per week during semesters and full-time during vacations (once your program begins),
• take two or more programs in a logical sequence, and
• switch courses later to get an equivalent or a higher degree.

But if you want to transfer to a program that’s at the lower level of the AQF (Australian Qualification Framework) or lies outside the AQF category, you will have to apply for the visa again. An exception for this condition is granted to doctorate students who wish to switch to a Master’s course.

Master’s or doctoral degree students can work without restrictions. Also, volunteering for a non-profit organization or working as part of your program does not count towards the 40-hour restriction.

The study visa of international students enrolled in courses that are more than 10 months long (ending between January and October) remains valid for two months after its completion. If a student decides to terminate their education after studying in Australia for more than 10 months, their study permit remains valid until March 15 of the following year. Students may also apply for a new visa at the end of their current term if they want to study further.

What may lead to the revocation of the Australian study visa?

Your visa may be cancelled if you:

• cease to meet the subclass 500 visa criteria,
• provide false or misleading information,
• fail to tell the Department about changes in your circumstances, or
• breach your visa conditions, such as working more hours than you are allowed to, not attending classes, or engaging in any illegal activity.

If your visa is cancelled, you will have to leave Australia. You can lodge an appeal against the decision within 28 days of receiving the notice of cancellation, but you will need to leave Australia before the appeal is decided.

Studying in Australia is a dream for many international students. With its high-quality education and friendly people, Australia has become one of the most popular study destinations in the world. The process of applying for a student visa can be complex, but if you follow the steps outlined in this guide, you will be on your way to studying Down Under in no time!

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