Student Visa for Australia

Introduction

Australia is the most popular destination for international students, offering world-class education, a diverse cultural experience, and a welcoming environment. The Australian Student Visa is a gateway for students from around the globe to pursue their academic dreams. Obtaining this visa not only provides access to top-tier educational institutions but also allows students to work part-time, gain international exposure, and potentially build a career in Australia post-graduation.

Types of Australian Student Visa

Australia offers several types of student visas, each tailored to different needs. Here are the primary options:

Student Visa (subclass 500)

The Student Visa (subclass 500) is the most common visa for international students. It allows students to enroll in a full-time course at an Australian educational institution. This visa is suitable for most students as it covers a wide range of study options, from primary school to postgraduate research.

Student Subsequent (subclass 500)

The Student Visa (subclass 500) Subsequent Entrant visa allows the dependent family members of a student visa holder to join the student in Australia. The dependents who are eligible for this visa are Spouse and their children. Only Masters degree (Coursework & Research) applicants’ spouse can work full time.

Requirements for Australian Student Visa

To obtain an Australian Student Visa, applicants must meet several requirements and provide essential documents. Here’s a brief overview:

1. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from an Australian educational institution is mandatory. This document confirms your acceptance into a course and is a key part of your visa application. It is issued by an Education Provider through a system called PRISM. Where every CoE issued has its own unique code representing students details and courses enrolled at a particular education provider. Each degree is issued with 1 CoE.

2. Genuine Student Requirement

The GS requirement ensures that the visa applicant genuinely intends to stay in Australia temporarily for study purposes. Applicants at present still must provide a personal statement addressing their intentions and circumstances not limited to previous 300 words but should be limited to 1 page. Besides the statement, students are now required to provide organic answers (within 1000 characters)to 4 unique targeted questions to the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA). Q1. Give details of the applicant’s current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances. Q2. Explain why the applicant wishes to study this course in Australia with this particular education provider including their understanding of the requirements of the intended course and studying and living in Australia. Q3. Explain how completing the course will be of benefit to the applicant. Q4. Give details of any other relevant information the applicant would like to include.

3. Financial Requirements

Students must have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs through their sponsor’s annual income documentation and funds or savings history or sale of land.

1. Most of the education providers accept only immediate family members as sponsors which consist of : Parents, Grand Parents, Elder Siblings. While few education providers accept Uncle & Aunt.
2. Itemized bank statements of incomes of minimum 12 months with few liquid funds available as balance through savings from income.
3. Tax clearance certificate issued by the inland revenue department for the past 3 years. Only House Rent and Land Lease, tax paid receipt is provided by Ward or Municipality.
4. Types of Income: Employment, Business, Vehicle Lease, House Rent & Land Lease (should not exceed more than 40% of total annual income), Pension.
5. Incomes not accepted: Unregistered Farming, Share Market, Interest from Fixed Deposits.
6. Funds = Annual Living Expense + Annual Tuition fee + Return Air Ticket.
7.  
8. Annual Living Expense:
9. Student: A$ 29,710.00
10. Spouse: A$ 10,394.00
11. Child: A$ 4,449.00
12. Funds can be shown via: Education Loan with Land owned by immediate sponsor as collateral, Provident Fund, Sale of Land, Fixed Deposit (6 Months) with savings history, Savings history of 6 Months. Which should be fully disbursed i=or available in a sponsor’s bank account.

4. English Proficiency Requirements

Proof of English language proficiency is required, typically through standardized tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. The required scores vary depending on the course and institution. Standard Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree : IELTS 6/5.5 | PTE 50/50 | TOEFL iBT 67 Master’s Degree: IELTS 6.5 / 6.0 | PTE 58/50 | TOEFL iBT 79

5. Health and Character Requirements

Applicants must meet health and character requirements.

1. Visa Medical are completed pre visa lodgement, where the applicant is issued with a unique number under Health Assessment Program identification number (HAP ID). Under this HAP ID your Visa Medical Assessor will submit all the medicals to immigration. You will not be given any report. If some discrepancy is found in your medical, Immigration will contact you for the same via email.
2. If you are on your periods and Mehndi then you will need to reschedule your Visa Medical Appointment.
3. Authorized Visa Medical Centers in Nepal: Norvic, Medicity, TMMC, IOM Nepal.

Character Clearance : Police Clearance Certificate

1. You will not be eligible if you have any police record.
2. Over the age of 17, you may be asked to submit a Police Clearance Certificate.
3. If you have lived for more than 3 months outside your country of origin, then you will also need to provide a Police Clearance Certificate from that particular Country.
4. It is best advised to submit Police Clearance.

This may involve undergoing medical examinations and providing police clearance certificates. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) International Students are required to purchase Health Insurance while requesting CoE from the education provider. Start date of the insurance policy can start 1 month before class start date and 3 months after the course end date for courses ending January to August and to following years 15th March if course ending September to December. There are various OSHC Policy providers ( Allianz, Bupa, NIB). You will receive a link from the policy provider with your Passport and Course Details, which you can take to your closest Bank and make direct payment to the policy provider.

Additional Academic Insights

Academics, Gap, CV: With ever increasing demand within Students to pursue their higher education in Australia. With recent 2024 changed till June 2024.

1. Students with GPA 2.60 are eligible.
2. Completed Year 12 in the last 1 year, then eligible for Bachelors Degree. Mo more than 1 Year Gap.
3. Completed Bachelor’s Degree in the last 5 Years with 2.60 or 60.00% and you have verifiable evidence of your Training, Internships and Employment with IRD certificate then you are eligible.
4. Training and Internships cannot exceed more than 6 months duration.

Dependent:

1. Bachelor’s applicants cannot take Spouse / Dependent together.
2. Bachelors applicants are best advised to return back home country during holidays and get married. Where Spouses can later apply for Subsequent Visa.
3. Spouses of Masters applicants accompany them, given that marriage is of more than 12 months.
4. Spouses of Masters applicants if accompanying together then must have a minimum Bachelor’s Degree.
5. Spouse Parents and Grandparents can sponsor.
6. Financial documentation requirements remain the same.
7. Spouses must also submit OSHC, Visa Medical and rest of the similar documentations.
8. Must submit documentations, proofs and statement of Genuine and Continuing Marriage.

Australian Education System:

1. Australian Education Providers are either Public University, Private University, Government College (TAFE) and Private College.
2. Education Provider are also segregated on basis of the level of degree they provide:
   • Certificate I, II, III, IV, Diploma & Advanced Diploma known as Vocational Education Training (VET)
   • Diploma (Higher Education), Bachelors, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters Coursework, Masters Research known as Higher Education.
3. The Department of Home Affairs has also segregated education providers and Country of Origin as per Risk Assessment Level, which ranges from Level 1 being the lowest risk to Level 3 being highest risk. Nepal and India as Country in risk assessment level is on level 3.
4. One semester is of 6 months, One Trimester is of 4 months where students are required to study up to 4 subjects in each and up to 8 subjects in one year.
5. Only Victoria University delivers in the block chain method.
6. Mostly one subject will consist of Lecture followed by Tutorial.
7. Final Scoring will consist not only of Test but will also include marks from Attendance, Quizzes, Internal test, Assignments, Group Work / Project.

Scholarship:

1. Most of the education providers do provide scholarships either in specified amount or in percentage of either 1st year or full course duration.
2. Most of the education providers scholarship is based on meeting the set minimum entry requirement of Academic and English Test.
3. Continuing Scholarship will be withdrawn by the education provider if you fail to meet the set GPA or Fail in subject.

Process to Apply for Student Visa for Australia

Applying for an Australian Student Visa involves several steps:

1. Choose a course and institution: Ensure the institution is registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). In popular intakes like February, March, April, June, July, August, September, November.
2. Apply and receive CoE: Submit your application to the chosen institution and obtain a CoE.
3. Complete the online application: Fill out the student visa application form and upload the required documents.
4. Pay the visa fee: Submit the application fee, which varies based on the visa subclass.
5. Attend a visa interview: If required, Visa Case Officer will directly call you on your provided mobile number.
6. Receive visa decision: Wait for the visa decision.

Australia Student Visa Processing Time

The processing time for an Australian Student Visa typically takes about 28 days. However, this can vary depending on individual circumstances and the completeness of the application.

Conclusion

The Australian Student Visa is a valuable opportunity for international students to access high-quality education, diverse cultural experiences, and numerous career prospects. By understanding the requirements, types of visas available, and application process, students can navigate their way to studying in Australia with confidence. Whether it’s for academic growth or personal development, the benefits of obtaining an Australian Student Visa are immense and long-lasting. A One Global Consultants have assisted thousands of students and dependents achieve their higher education goal to study their career focused degree in various Universities and Colleges across Australia through Kathmandu, Butwal, Delhi and Brisbane Office.