Allows international students to live and study full-time in Australia at approved educational institutions, with options for limited work rights.
*All Fields marked with asterisk are required
This visa allows you to:
Australia is well known for its high quality of education – and studying in Australia can be a great choice to pursue your studies within a well-organised education system. If you apply for a student visa, the level of documentation you need to provide will be determined by your choice of education provider and your country of citizenship. Here are examples of evidence you may need to provide.
Evidence of intended study
The applicant must provide evidence of their intended study. Generally, this will mean the student should provide:
Evidence of financial capacity
Depending on your choice of education provider and country of passport, you can also be requested to provide evidence of your financial capacity. This means that the applicant must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover travel costs and 12 months of living and tuition fees – for themselves and any accompanying family members (including school costs for any school-aged dependents). Currently, the Department calculates the annual living costs are:
Evidence of sufficient funds can be provided in the form of a money deposit with a financial institution, or a loan with a financial institution. Depending on the circumstances, the applicant may also be asked to provide evidence that their spouse or parents are willing to support them, and that they have an annual income of at least AUD$62,222 for single students or at least AUD$72,592 for students accompanied by family members.
Evidence of English language ability
Depending on the choice of education provider and country of passport, the applicant may be asked to provide evidence that he or she has obtained a satisfactory test score in an English language test (one which has been approved the Department) or evidence of certain eligible studies in English. The current English language test minimum scores that an applicant must achieve are:
Alternative test scores benchmarked as against the IELTS band scale
|
English |
Test component |
IELTS |
TOEFL iBT |
PTE Academic | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)* |
OET |
|
Functional |
Average/total/overall across test components only | 4.5 | 32 | 30 | 147 | n/a |
|
Vocational |
Listening | 5.0 | 4 | 36 | 154 | B |
| Reading | 5.0 | 4 | 36 | 154 | B | |
| Writing | 5.0 | 14 | 36 | 154 | B | |
| Spea​king | 5.0 | 14 | 36 | 154 | B | |
|
Competent |
Listening | 6.0 | 12 | 50 | 169 | B |
| Reading | 6.0 | 13 | 50 | 169 | B | |
| Writing | 6.0 | 21 | 50 | 169 | B | |
| Speaking | 6.0 | 18 | 50 | 169 | B | |
|
Proficient |
Listening | 7.0 | 24 | 65 | 185 | B |
| Reading | 7.0 | 24 | 65 | 185 | B | |
| Writing | 7.0 | 27 | 65 | 185 | B | |
| Speaking | 7.0 | 23 | 65 | 185 | B | |
|
Superior |
Listening | 8.0 | 28 | 79 | 200 | A |
| Reading | 8.0 | 29 | 79 | 200 | A | |
| Writing | 8.0 | 30 | 79 | 200 | A | |
| Speaking | 8.0 | 26 | 79 | 200 | A |
*From 1 January 2015 and only for a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test taken on or after 1 January 2015
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaces the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) for student visas from 23 March 2024. Applicants must show they are genuine in their intent to study in Australia, with studying as their primary purpose. The GS requirement also supports students who develop skills needed by Australia and apply for permanent residency afterward. Applicants must provide detailed responses in the online application form, addressing their circumstances, course choice, and benefits of studying, in addition to any other relevant information, with a word limit of 150 words per question.
We are a team of immigration specialists guiding individuals, families and corporates who aspire to migrate to Australia. Our migration consultancy has a successful track record in visa approval, with a fair fee structure.
Yes, you can, but we take the headache out of the process – We are specialised in this area, all our staff have extensive industry experience.
In addition, we provide counselling for your course selection and can help you with long-term visa strategies to help you help with Australian migration and permanent residency pathways.
Be cautious of agents who are inexperienced and offer discounts as they may give you wrong advice which could have massive implications for your visa pathways in the future.
No, generally not.
A bridging visa is granted automatically if an applicant has applied for a visa from a substantive visa and the visa which they have applied from expires but the new one they have applied for has not yet been granted. To keep someone lawfully in Australia while the new visa application is being assessed, that person automatically goes onto a Bridging visa A.
If they want to travel outside of Australia while their visa is being assessed, then they need to apply for a Bridging visa B. At all times, a visa holder must avoid being in Australia without a valid visa or a Bridging visa. People who are unlawfully in Australia are placed on a Bridging visa E which requires them to depart Australia immediately. This usually carries a three-year restriction on any temporary visa that allows re-entry into Australia.
Yes, you can work while you’re studying in Australia. International students are permitted to work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during study breaks. There are no work restrictions for students completing a masters by research or doctoral degree.
If you are studying a Masters or higher, your partner has unlimited work rights at all times. If you are studying a bachelor or lower, your partner can only work 40 hours per fortnight.
Yes, you can — although there are strict conditions and steps set by the Department of Home Affairs that you will need to meet and follow. We outline the steps to follow when changing your course or institution. By booking an appointment with us we will assist you to:
No, you cannot take ‘online-only’ courses.
To qualify for a student visa, you must attend face-to-face classes. You will attend an average of 2-3 days a week. However, by visa rules, 25% of your course content can be online. Please note, however, this requirement has been amended through the Covid-19 era, and each educational institution will have their own ways of conducting courses in accordance with government safe Covid – 19 practice.
No, you can pay your tuition in instalments – usually every 3 to 6 months depending on the institution.
The exception is for English courses, where you must pay the first 3 months upfront.
An international student cannot take out student loans in Australia, and Australian government funding is not available to student visa holders.
Should you wish to apply for a scholarship, you must contact institutions directly.
If the Department of Home Affairs finds that you provided a bogus document or false or misleading information with your visa application:
The test must have been taken no more than two years before you apply for your student visa.
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