Student Visa Guide for Australia

A Step-by-Step Guide to Apply and Obtain Australian Student Visa

Student Visa is a must for all those who wish to study in Australia. The process is long and entails a lot of formalities. But, the good news is that Australian Student Visa policies are changed now and a SSVF or Simplified Student Visa Framework has been started from 1^st July, 2016 on. So, if you wish to study in Australia either for a short-term course or want to pursue higher studies for a longer period, you can apply for the Student Visa. Here is an insight:

Important to Note:

If it is just a short-term course like developing English proficiency that lasts for 3 months you can use a tourist visa. Even if the course extends to 4 months, you can use Working holiday visa. But, for those who want to pursue degree programs, student visa is a must.

Here is step-by-step guide to obtain Australian Student Visa.

Step One:

Applying to a College/University and Getting Confirmation of Enrollment:

This is a pre-requisite. If you have applied and secured an admission to an institute, pay your tuition fee and obtain a COE or Confirmation of Enrolment from there. You will require this document to initiate the process of Visa application.

Step Two:

Create an Account With the Australian Immigration Authorities:

Prior to beginning your visa application process, you need to create an account where you have to submit your name, your phone number, your e-mail address and create a password to accept terms and conditions.

Step Three:

If you are applying online you should have digital copies of the following documents

• Your Confirmation of Enrollment.
• An OSHC health insurance. (Overseas Student Health Cover is a mandatory health insurance which is needed by the International students studying in Australia.)
• Passport which is valid for the entire period of your stay in Australia because it takes a lot of pain to exchange passport when you are studying in Australia on a Student Visa.
• Proof of temporary stay in Australia. For the same you can attach a copy of your Institution letter along with the requisite documents.
• Additional ID documents like birth certificates and a proof that you can finance your studies and lodging etc.
• Proof that you have sufficient knowledge and English proficiency (not necessary for the students who use English as their first language). For proving English proficiency, you can attach IELT-test results.

If you are applying online for the Visa, digital copies of these documents should be attached. If the documents are not in English, all the documents should be translated by a certified professional.

Step 4:

Complete the process online:

It is simple and you can do it with ease. Apply for Student Visa Subclass 500. The earliest you do it, the better it would be because it takes a lot of processing time. You can apply at least four months before your course begins.

You will be asked to fill all the personal details, family details, nationality, COE codes, work experience and more. Once you are through with filling all the information, review it and click submit.

Step 5:

Pay Fee Online and Get Transaction Reference Number:

It is better to pay the fee online and get Transaction Reference Number. Once you are done with it, you need to keep this transaction number to check the status of application when required.

Step 6:

Health Check up and Visa Interview Would Follow:

If this is applicable to you, you would be notified for the same after completing the application. Make sure that you do not go in for health-check before applying because you may need a TRN number for this step. Follow the instructions given and do the needful.

How Long the processing of Australian Visa Takes?

It depends on where you are applying for and what type of facilities you have availed. But, normally your Visa gets processed in a couple of weeks. You can check the status of your application online by using your TRN number. Once it is done, you would be notified by the authorities via e-mail.

How to Use Australian Student Visa?

Once you have received your visa you can visit Australia at least 2-3 months prior to the starting of your course. The start date is printed on COE. If you do not have any place to stay in Australia, this should be informed to the authorities in a week of yours arriving in the country.

You can stay in the county for about a month once your course is through or for 60 days if the course lasts for more than 10 months. These date limits are mentioned on the visa, you just need to follow the instructions.

You Will Need GTE:

GTE is Genuine Temporary Entrant that a student should be able to provide. This is mandatory to produce before the authorities to show them you will just have a temporary stay in Australia and would return back to your homeland once the course is through. Your Visa is assessed by the authorities in terms of your economic circumstances and value of your chosen course.

Can You Work While Studying in Australia?

When you are on Australian Student Visa, you can work up to as many as 40 hours per fortnight. It is good to keep in mind that you are not allowed to work till your course starts. But, employment in Australia cannot be relied on for supporting you and your family here.

If you are pursuing a Master’ or a PHD course, you do not have any kind of work restrictions. When you have obtained the Student Visa, there would be certain obligations to be fulfilled like you should maintain OSHC health insurance, should attend class regularly and make a satisfactory progress. Complete the entire process very carefully and submit all the documents if you want your application to be accepted. If you breach any Visa condition, authorities may cancel your visa. 

Get Short Period Work in Australia While Studying:

Most of the students want to know whether they can work in Australia while studying. Yes, they can for 20 hours in a week while they are pursuing their course. If you have this Visa, you can work legally there in Australia and can take your parents or family along if they are dependents.

How Do You Plan to Apply?

You can apply for the Student Visa online. But, if you have chosen Department of Home Affairs online, you would need the details of Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment to lodge your application. If you are lodging a paper Student Visa application, you must provide COE prior to grant of Visa. You need to make sure that all the requirements are filled correctly by you.

Student Visa (Subclass 500):

Here is a quick look at the basic requirements:

• Independent ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students).
• Schools credentials (primary and secondary)
• Vocation training (VET)
• Higher education
• Post graduate research
• Non-award courses

Temporary Graduate belonging to Subclass 485

• This type of Visa is for the foreign students who have completed Australian education to stay in Australia and want to gain work experience.
• They can work up to 18 months to 4 years depending on the type of qualification they have.
• This Visa enables them to do any type of work they want for any number of hours.
• Candidates applying for this in Australia must hold an eligible student Visa within the past 6 months.
• They need to meet all the requirements of the stream they are applying for.

Most Important to Note:

These are just the guidelines to apply for the Student Visa in Australia. Visa options and the requirements are subjected to change. If you want to stay updated about the latest information, you need to visit Department of Home Affairs, Australia website. It will help you get all the comprehensive information about the types of Visas available and the different level of studies there.

Be very careful while applying for Australian Student Visa and be prepared to furnish all the mandatory documents. You need to maintain a good character and a good health in the country otherwise authorities may cancel your Visa anytime. The institute that you have chosen can be reached out to for help or you can also contact an education agent to get helped with your visa application.

Hope this helps!!