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Student Visa Requirements for Study in Australia [Checklist]
Inroduction
In order to study in Australia, International students are required to obtain a valid student visa.
The student visa (subclass 500) is the most common student visa for international students to study in Australia regardless of their filed of studies.
To apply for a Student Visa, applicants will need to meet the following requirements:
Key Requirements
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement
All student visa applicants must able to prove that they are a Genuine Temporary Entrant. This means the applicants need to show that they are coming to Australia temporarily for studies and would return to their home country after they completed their programs.
International students can write a personal statement to address the GTE requirement. The student visa decision-makers will generally consider the following five factors:
- The applicant’s circumstances in their home country
- The applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia
- The applicant’s immigration history
- Value of the course to the applicant’s future
- The applicant’s immigration history
The Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
To study in Australia, the international student must be enrolled in a full-time course from an Australian education provider. The Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) usually will be issued after your tuition received by your institution.
Meet English language requirements
Most international students are required to provide proof of their proficiency in the English language. Students must take the English language test within 2 years before they apply for the student visa. The acceptable English language proficiency test and its requirements are as below:
| Name of English Language Proficiency Test | Minimum Score | Minimum score for 10 weeks ELICOS* | Minimum score for 20 weeks ELICOS* | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 | |||
| TOEFL internet-based test | 46 | 35 | 32 | |||
| Cambridge English: Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English) | 162 | 154 | 147 | |||
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | 42 | 36 | 30 | |||
| *ELICOS is the short form of English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students | ||||||
Although the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs sets the English proficiency minimum requirements for international students, their education providers might have higher requirements depending on the course they have chosen.
To get admission to an Australia university, a student generally needs an equivalent IELTS overall 6.5 with no component below 6 for the undergraduate and postgraduate programs. For courses such as law, medicine might have even higher requirements. Some students might be exempt from this English language requirement. You can find the full conditions here.
Evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (OHSC)
International students are required to have health insurance to cover the full duration of their stay in Australia.
Students have the options to purchase the OHSC through their university or direct from the approved Australian health insurance provider.
Prove of Financial Capacity
International students are required to show they have sufficient funds to support them while they study in Australia. The amount of money to prove for the financial capacity for a student usually is:
12-month of Tuition Tee + 12-month of Living Expenses AUD$21,041* + Travel Fees
*The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs sets the guideline of the 12-month living expenses for one single student is AUD$21,041. (Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500#HowTo)
Other Requirements
Australia Health Requirements
Student visa applicants are required to meet Australia health requirements. This means the international student must have health examinations to prove they meet the health requirement.
You can find more details here.
Australia Character Requirements
Australia Government required all visitors to meet the character requirements if they want to visit or live in Australia.
For the student visa applicant, you might need to provide a police certificate (Certificate of Clearance) for every country you lived in for 12 months or more, over the past 10 years (since the time you turned 16 up to the police certificate issue date).
Detailed explanation is here.
Checklist
Australia Student Visa Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Can visitor visa holder study in Australia?
Australia visitor visa (Subclasses 600, 601, 651) holders can study in Australia for a maximum of 3 months.
Can a dependent visa holder study in Australia?
Dependants of student visa holders enrolled in a Master or Doctorate degree can work Unlimited hours when the course in session*.
Dependents of all other student visa holders can work 40 hours every 2 weeks when the course in session.
All dependents of all other student visa holders can’t work when the course isn’t in session.
*Course in session means during Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3; and if students enrol in Summer Term, or have completed their studies while the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is still valid.
What is the Australia Student Visa Processing time?
Higher Education Programs: 57 days to 5 months
Postgraduate Research Programs: 7 to 9 months
Vocational Education and Training Programs: 4 to 6 months
Other programs processing time can be found here.
How much is Australia Student Visa Fee?
The visa cost for Australia student visa is AUD$620, which is equivalent to below amount for these currencies
Chinese Yuan – RMB3,016
Indian Rupee – ₹32,782
Indonesian Rupiah – Rp6,573,221
Malaysian Ringgit – RM1,854
How many PTE score required for Australia student visa?
The minimum PTE score required for Australia student visa is 42.
Although the Australian Government the English proficiency minimum requirements for international students, their education providers might have higher requirements depending on the course they have chosen.
Can you work on the student visa?
A valid Australia student visa allows international students work part-time during the term, and work full-time during their school holidays.
How many hours Australia student holders can work?
Australia student visa holder can work up to 40 hours per two weeks during school term, and unlimited time during school holiday and break.
The working hours will be unrestricted if:
*A student is studying the masters by research or a doctorate degree program
*This work is registered as a part of their programs
