Student Visa in Australia
Australia has gained immense popularity as one of the best study destinations in the world. The steady rise in the number of international students since 2013 is evident that Australia is indeed a hotspot for international education. This surge of international students in Australia is not surprising given the quality of education, secure lifestyle, career opportunities, and a welcoming multicultural environment that the country provides. Here we provide you with other essential facts you must know about student visas in Australia.
Student VISA subclass 500
On 1 July 2016, Australia introduced a simplified student visa framework (SSVF) assigning all student visas under subclass 500 as opposed to the previous framework where student visas had multiple subclasses depending on the sector of course undertaken. An international student in Australia can study in any education sectors such as English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS), School Education Programs,Vocational Education and Training Program (VET), Higher Education, Postgraduate Research, non-award sector or any full time course sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs or Defence.
Nevertheless, regardless of the sector of intended study, all students must apply for Student Visa subclass 500.
What you can do with a Student Visa in Australia?
- Stay up to 5 years participating in an eligible course of study
- Bring family members to Australia to accompany you
- Work for 40 hours per fortnight
- Travel in and out of the country
Eligibility to apply for a Student Visa to Australia
- Must be 6 years or older
- Hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for an eligible course of study
- Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to cover you for the intended stay in Australia unless you are eligible for exemption
- Prove that you have a welfare arrangement if you are under 18: One can get welfare arrangement in Australia or have a guardian accompany them on a student guardian visa subclass 590.
- Meet English language requirements: English language requirements must be met for course enrolment as well as visa application by taking a recognised English language test. These requirements vary according to the course and education provider.
- Have evidence of financial support for your proposed study and stay: Generally, the student is required to provide evidence of financial capacity to cover themselves for the intended stay in Australia.
- Meet health & character requirements: All visa applicants must pass health examinations prior to visa grant.
- Be a genuine temporary entrant(GTE): GTE requirement is an integrity measure to ensure that the student visa programme is used for the intended purpose and not used as a way for international students to maintain ongoing residency in Australia. All student visa applicants must submit a personal statement showing they are coming to Australia temporarily to gain a quality education.
Visa application Cost: AUD 620 for the main applicant, unless they are exempt.There is additional charge for each family member who applies for the visa, and you will also need to consider other costs such as police certificates, health examination, biometrics, etc.
Processing Time: Visa processing times vary according to the type of study undertaken. Filling an application incorrectly or not including all the required documents can delay processing time.
No Visa Label: Australian Visas are digitally linked to corresponding passports. Hence, no physical visa label is required on your passport. Your type of course and its duration determines the length of validity of your visa.
After the Student Visa
You must leave the country when your student visa expires, unless you apply for a new visa before the expiry date. Completing of some courses may lead you to a pathway for Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 which could extend your stay for another 2 to 4 years. It is important to be aware of your visa expiry and research options beforehand, if you intend to stay longer in Australia.
The motive of this blogpost is to provide a basic overview of the Student Visa (subclass 500). Please visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for the latest information on student visa and seek professional advice from a registered migration agent.
We are a team of Qualified Education Agent Counsellors(QEAC) and Migration Specialists ready to guide you towards your dream of studying and migrating to Australia. Please feel free to contact us if you need any further details regarding any Australian visas or need assistance with studying in Australia.
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