How to Apply for a Study Visa in Australia

One of the most favorable destinations to study is Australia. The country has the best 5 student cities, the finest high-end facilities at their universities, and no doubt a world-class higher education. No wonder international students prefer to take their university degree or to pursue postgraduates there, for being the third top study destination in the ranking by such scholars worldwide. How about applying for a study visa in Australia?

Interested in embarking a study trip to Australia? You should learn more about what is needed to be done for the student visa application process in order to get the visa before your arrival.

Australian Study Visa (Subclass 500)

If you plan to study in Australia, you would need to apply for and get the Australian Student Visa (subclass 500). This visa type allows its holder to study and live in Australia for a maximum of 5 years, in agreement with your sought studies. In addition, it permits you to work a maximum of 20 hours a week (a part-time job during the semester) and boundless hours (full-time jobs) in study vacations, starting from the arrival date in the country, and regardless of the time of the course beginning.

Note to mention that the guidelines of the subclass 500 have changed to a more simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) since the 1st of July, 2016, onwards. Applications before the mentioned date were accepted under subclasses. Yet, per these new regulations issued by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Australian Government, all international scholars in Australia have to apply for Visa under Subclass 500 with effect from July 1, 2016.

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When Should I Apply for an Australian Study Visa?

It is recommended to check the Studying in Australia page on the Department of Home Affairs protection website to learn more about the suitable type of visa to apply for and how to apply, based on the type of study and the length of time you want to stay in the country.

You need to be aware of financials required during the program abroad, including:
Course fees, living expenses, health Insurance, Visa fees, and miscellaneous fees related to your studied course.

You should also apply for the Australian Student Visa when you get an acceptance from an educational institution in Australia. As the Australian Student Visa requires an acceptance letter from a university or the school you intend to attend.

In short, Join a course that suits you to apply to study at your desired college, university or a school on a full-time basis, then apply for the student visa. If you need assistance, seek help from an education agency to finalize the process.

What Documents are required to Apply for the Australian Student Visa?

According to the official online platform of Australia, here are the documents required for the Australian study visa, bearing in mind that they may vary according to the nationality of the applicant, however, these are for most nationalities:

Letter of Offer

You should receive a letter of offer after the success of your application from the selected education provider. Read it carefully before acceptance, as it will include all the details related to the course, the fees and the enrollment conditions to accept the offer.

Understand all your rights related to the refund arrangements in case you don’t start or finish your course, as the agreement will be used to determine refund policy. In addition, you should decline the offer if you are not okay with any of its terms and keep a copy of the Letter of Offer to be aware of your rights and to make a claim against the institution in the case of possible disagreement.

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

A copy of the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) document must be provided in your visa application to prove your registration in the declared course of the Australian government. This document will be issued by your education provider to verify your enrolment in a specific course. For example, it may indicate your admission for a bachelor degree to study Computer Science and IT. It will be sent to you after you have accepted the offer and paid a deposit.

Proof of English Proficiency

The Proof of English Proficiency demonstrates the minimum English language proficiency levels required to pass your given course. Only certain tests will be accepted by the Australian Government, yet they are easily accessible internationally. Moreover, the minimum requirements for each education level varies for different majors.

Accepted English language test:

TOEFL iBT
IELTS Academic
PTE Academic

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement

You must write a statement “Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)” stating your reasons to come to Australia, including your study plan and your temporary stay in the country, and not for any other reason. You should also mention your ties to home, family and acquaintances, your career plan) and how that will affect them after taking the course and fulfill your academic goals.

Proof of Sufficient Funds

There are two options for your sufficient funds proof during your stay in order to receive the Australian student visa:

A bank statements, evidence of grants or scholarships.
Supply proof of yourself in case you accompany your family (at least AUD$72,592) . Or one of your parent’s or partner’s annual income (at leastAUD$62,222).

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

You must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as an international student in Australia, for your stay duration. Otherwise your student visa application will be denied. With OSHC, you can pay for medical or hospital care while studying in Australia. Pay for most prescription medicines and provide you with ambulance cover in emergencies.

Health and Character Requirement

A health examination is needed to provide a medical certificate confirming that you meet the health requirements approved by the Australian government.

You will have to answer some basic questions about your past conduct and character. You may even need to provide a police background check in some cases.

Keep in mind that there are potential additional documents. Yet The Australian Government no longer requires to have a COVID-19 test before travel. Though, you have to make sure the requirements of your airline and any countries you transit through are met.

Check this Checklist out for the required Documents for the student visa in Australia:

1. Complete Application Form
2. Passport in original and copy
3. Letter of Offer
4. Proof of Sufficient Funds
5. Australian Accepted Health Insurance
6. Proof of English Proficiency
7. Criminal Record

How Much Time Will the Whole Visa Process Take?

The whole visa process time has increased a bit compared to the previous years and during covid19. It may take from 7 to 85 working days maximum, thus the new screening varies for each of the student visa applications .

Based on nationality, the visa application process can vary; it’s recommended to commence the application process once you receive a letter of offer from your desired Australian institution. Besides, the more complete documents you provide, the sooner you may get an assessment result of your study visa application.

How Much Time will I Need to wait to get a Visa Appointment?

The amount of time you need to wait varies based on a number of factors:

The country of origin

Where you applying from

The time of the year on applying

Required documents provided

The possible additional documents/info requested by Immigration

Some possible and extra additional health checks

Do I Need to Go in Person to the Embassy or Consulate?

No. You will not need to go in person to the embassy after the submission of your Subclass 500 application online. To apply for the student visa application, you need to open an account on ImmiAccount, powered by the Department of Home Affairs. Then, you may receive an interview call to conduct an interview (GTE assessment) with one of the Australian High Commission case officers.

What is the Visa Approval Rate?

In comparison to other countries, an Australian student visa is easier to get. Roughly 66,000 students applied to Subclass 500 in January and February 2022, and over 51,000 student visas were granted. Additionally, offshore students were approved at a rate of 93% in 2021/22, a new high since 2007/08. As for the total visa rejection rate, in 2020-2021 has declined 32% from 2019-2020. Key Insights at a Glance says.

Is There a Way to Speed Up the Process?

There is no specific way to speed up the process. However, you should provide all required application documents. Completing the visa application with honesty and clarity not only increases the chances of visa approval but also accelerates the processing time. As it was mentioned earlier, the decision is taken within 1or a couple of weeks after the application submission. Therefore, make sure you entirely fill your papers, lodge all the needed documents, and stick to telling the truth.

You will be notified by the Australian authorities and via an email once the visa decision is ready. Subclass 500 is electronic, but you can print the grant letter you received online for physical evidence after the student visa approval.

Heading to Australia as a study destination is a smart choice for sure. Maybe for its astounding nature, unique settings, or for being one of the highest school ranks by international students. State a reason .. your call. You can also learn about your preferred major and check out the best destinations to study in on UniApp. After deciding on Australia for, use this article as a simple guide to hold your Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) and break a leg in your study trip!

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