Australian Student Visa, Application Process

Applying for an Australian student visa is not easy.  There are many types of students’ visas offered by Australia. Each has different requirements and different benefits.

You will also have to look at medical papers, travel insurance and get documents that will prove you have enough money to study in Australia or reside there. Out of all the types of visas available, you have to choose which suits you and will benefit you, in the long run, staying in Australia.

We have this detailed blog on everything you need to know about the Australian visa, application process, and requirements for your help.

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Do I need an Australian student visa?

In case you are looking for a short term stay like, up to only three months in Australia, you should apply for a Visitor Visa, and if you are interested in studying there for a term up to 4 months, you could choose to get a Working Holiday Visa.

However, to study in Australia for more than four months, you will need the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500). This visa will allow you to learn one of the following courses in Australia-

1. Independent ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students)
2. Vocational education and training (VET)
3. Higher education
4. Postgraduate research
5. International students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs or Defence

Using this visa, you can travel in and out of the country, work part-time for up to 40 hours every two weeks, and stay for a maximum of 5 years in Australia.

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What are the different Australian student visa types?

Overall, there are three different Australian student visa types, each covering various aspects of studying in Australia, like taking up a full-time course, doing some practical training, or accompanying a student to Australia. Let us look at them one by one.

1. Student Visa (Subclass 500) – This visa will allow you to take up a full-time course in Australia and live there for up to 5 years 
2. Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) – If you wish to support a student who is under 18, you will need to apply for this visa
3. Training Visa (Subclass 407) – Allowing you to do workplace-based training, this visa will allow you to participate in a classroom-based professional development training program and stay in Australia for up to 2 years.

However, if you are looking to do a course that will only last for three or four months, go ahead and apply for a Visitor Visa or a Working Holiday Visa.

Australian student visa application process

The Australian student visa application process is pretty straightforward and will not take much time to finish. Still, when applying for the visa, make sure you start the process at least six months before your course’s start date. 

Here’s what you need to-

1. First of all, head to the Department of Home Affairs website, enter a few details and get a list of all the papers you need to submit. Gather all these documents and keep their copies ready.
2. Create an ImmiAccount on the website, login, fill the application form, and attach necessary documents.
3. Double-check all the details you have entered and submit your application.
4. Pay the Australian student visa cost, which is about AUD 620.
5. After this, you may be asked to submit a few other essentials, like biometrics, police certificates, and health exam results (which will add to your Australian student visa cost)
6. Check your application progress using your ImmiAccount and wait for the visa outcome.

I have mentioned that you should apply for the visa at least six months in advance. But the processing time for an Australian student visa will depend on your course type. For example, postgraduate permits take 5-8 months to process, while higher education visas can be issued anytime between 78 days and four months.

Once you get your visa decision, take a copy of it. Keep this with you when you fly to Australia, and you will be allowed to stay back and study for up to 5 years.

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Document requirements for an Australian student Visa

The list of document requirements for an Australian student visa depends on several factors. These include your country of passport, education provider, and the type of program you’re planning to study. You can enter these details on the Department of Home Affairs website.

But to give you a rough idea, we have compiled a list of all possible documents you might need while applying for an Australian student visa-

1. A copy of your passport, along with a copy of your birth certificate, national identity card, or driver’s license

2. A Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) for all intended courses

3. Evidence of adequate health insurance

4. As evidence of financial capacity, you will have to provide one of these two proofs-

    A. Funds that cover your travel, living, and tuition expenses for 12 months

    B. Evidence that your parents have an annual income of at least AUD 62,222

5. Proof of proficiency in English

6. A statement that you intend to stay in Australia only temporarily, including-

    A. Your academic transcripts

    B. Degree certificate, and

    C. A letter of statement from the university that has admitted you

The list of documents required might expand in exceptional cases (if you have special needs, want to bring family, or are below 18 years of age while applying for the visa).

This was our complete guide on everything you need to know about an Australian student visa and its details.

FAQs

We have answered some questions for your ease.

Q1. How long does it take to get an Australian student visa?

Ans. An applicant who wishes to enter school in Australia takes between 6 to 11 weeks for their visa to be processed. An applicant for the non-award educational sector tends to have their visa processed a little earlier, between 6 and 22 days. A postgraduate student’s visa could take between 7 and 11 weeks.

Q2. What is the age limit to study in Australia?

Ans. There are no age limits when applying for Australian Visas, and you can use them many times. Student Visas are also a helpful way to experience Australia whilst studying for a short duration. As students are allowed to work as part of their Visa, requesting a Working Holiday Visa would be unnecessary.

Q3. Can you work on a student visa in Australia?

Ans. You cannot work until you have commenced your course in Australia. A student visa allows you to work up to 40 hours per fortnight once your program has started and is in session and open hours when your schedule is not in session.

We truly hope we were able to resolve any queries you might have had.

Good luck!