Australian Student Visa Application Steps and Latest Policy Updates

Australia granted 577,295 student visas in the 2022–23 financial year, according to the Department of Home Affairs (2023 Student Visa Programme Report), representing a 74% increase from the previous year. Yet the approval rate for offshore applicants dropped to 77.8% in 2023–24, the lowest in five years, as the government tightened integrity measures under Migration Strategy reforms announced in December 2023. These policy shifts—including higher English language requirements, a new Genuine Student (GS) test replacing the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criterion, and increased financial capacity thresholds—mean prospective international students must navigate a more rigorous application process than at any point since the pandemic. This article provides a step-by-step guide to the current Australian student visa (Subclass 500) application procedure and explains the latest policy updates effective from early 2024, drawing on official sources including the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Education Minister’s office, and QS World University Rankings data.

Step 1: Choose a Course and Institution

The first procedural step is selecting a registered course and an institution listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Australia offers over 1,200 institutions and 22,000 courses on CRICOS, spanning universities, vocational education and training (VET) providers, and English language colleges. QS World University Rankings 2025 places 9 Australian universities in the global top 100, including the University of Melbourne (14th), the University of Sydney (19th), and UNSW Sydney (19th). Applicants should check that their chosen provider is not under suspension or monitoring by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) or Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), as some high-risk providers face increased scrutiny under the new integrity framework.

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

Once a course is selected and the applicant accepts an offer, the institution issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This unique electronic code is mandatory for visa lodgement. The CoE specifies the course start and end dates, tuition fees, and the provider’s CRICOS code. Students must hold a valid CoE for the entire duration of their intended study—without it, a visa application cannot be submitted. For packaged courses (e.g., English language plus a degree), each component requires its own CoE, and the visa is granted for the total duration.

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

The Department of Home Affairs mandates a comprehensive set of documents. Missing or incorrect paperwork is a leading cause of delays and refusals. The core requirements include:

• Identity documents: Certified copies of passport biodata page, national ID, and two recent passport photographs.
• Genuine Student (GS) requirement: A written statement (300 words maximum) explaining the applicant’s circumstances, course choice, and future plans, plus supporting evidence such as previous qualifications, employment history, and ties to home country.
• English language proficiency: Effective 23 March 2024, the minimum IELTS score for a Student Visa (Subclass 500) rose from 5.5 to 6.0 (or equivalent), and for packaged ELICOS courses from 5.0 to 5.5. For postgraduate research students, the minimum is 6.5. Approved tests include IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Cambridge English (CAE).
• Financial capacity: From October 2024, the annual living cost requirement increased to AUD 29,710 (up from AUD 24,505 in 2023). Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds for tuition, living expenses, travel, and dependents (if applicable) for at least the first 12 months.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Evidence of valid health insurance for the visa duration. The standard OSHC policy from providers like Allianz Care, Bupa, or Medibank costs approximately AUD 500–700 per year for single coverage.
• Character and health: Police clearance certificates from all countries where the applicant has lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, and a medical examination by an approved panel physician.

Document Translation and Certification

All documents not in English must be translated by a National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)-accredited translator. Original documents must be certified by an authorised person (e.g., a Justice of the Peace, notary public, or Australian consular officer). Self-certified copies are generally not accepted.

Step 3: Lodge the Visa Application Online

All Subclass 500 applications must be submitted through the Immigration and Citizenship (ImmiAccount) portal. The application fee is AUD 710 as of 1 July 2024 (non-refundable). Additional charges apply for dependents (AUD 710 per person) and for applicants aged 18 or over requiring a biometrics appointment.

Biometrics and Health Examination

After lodgement, applicants receive a referral letter for biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in their home country. Most applicants must also complete a health examination within 28 days of lodgement. The Department of Home Affairs uses a risk-based system: applicants from “low-risk” countries (e.g., Japan, South Korea, the United States) may be exempt from health checks, while those from higher-risk cohorts are required.

Processing Times

As of October 2024, the Department of Home Affairs reports that 75% of Subclass 500 applications are processed within 4–7 weeks, depending on the assessment level (Level 1–3). Applications from Level 3 countries (higher immigration risk) can take 8–12 weeks. Priority processing is available for certain categories, such as postgraduate research students, but costs an additional AUD 1,000.

Step 4: Understand the New Genuine Student (GS) Requirement

Effective 23 March 2024, the Genuine Student (GS) test replaced the long-standing Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criterion. Under the GS framework, visa officers assess whether the applicant intends to genuinely study in Australia and gain qualifications that benefit their career, rather than using the visa primarily for migration purposes. The GS requirement is a written statement of no more than 300 words, addressing three key areas:

1. Current circumstances: Details of the applicant’s home country, including employment, family, and community ties.
2. Course selection rationale: Why the applicant chose the specific course and provider, and how it aligns with their academic background and career goals.
3. Future plans: How the qualification will be used in the applicant’s home country or another destination, including specific job roles or industries.

Supporting evidence—such as employment contracts, academic transcripts, and a detailed career plan—must accompany the statement. The Department of Home Affairs (2024 GS Guidance Note) emphasises that applicants who cannot demonstrate a clear link between their course and their professional trajectory face higher refusal risk.

Comparison with Previous GTE

Unlike the GTE, which focused heavily on proving non-migrant intent, the GS test allows for the possibility that a student might later apply for permanent residency—provided the primary purpose remains genuine study. This shift reflects the government’s recognition that many international graduates transition to skilled migration pathways, such as the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) and Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).

Step 5: Visa Grant and Post-Arrival Obligations

Once the visa is granted, the holder receives a Visa Grant Notice listing conditions, including:

• Condition 8105: Work limitation of 48 hours per fortnight during study periods (increased from 40 hours effective 1 July 2023). Unlimited work is permitted during scheduled course breaks.
• Condition 8202: Must maintain enrolment in a registered course and satisfactory academic progress.
• Condition 8516: Must notify the Department of any change of address or contact details within 14 days.
• Condition 8533: Must maintain adequate OSHC for the visa duration.

Arrival and Compliance

Upon arrival in Australia, students must attend their institution’s orientation and commence study within the first two weeks of the course start date. The Department of Home Affairs conducts random compliance checks, and non-compliance can result in visa cancellation. For cross-border tuition payments, some international families use channels like Sleek AU incorporation to manage financial administration, though this is not a visa requirement.

Recent Policy Updates in 2024

The Australian government introduced multiple policy changes in 2024 that directly affect student visa applicants:

Higher English Language Requirements

From 23 March 2024, the minimum IELTS score for a Student Visa rose from 5.5 to 6.0 (or equivalent). For Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) applicants, the minimum increased from 6.0 to 6.5. These changes aim to ensure students have sufficient English proficiency to succeed academically and integrate into the workforce. The Department of Home Affairs (2024 Migration Strategy Update) notes that this aligns Australia with comparable English-speaking destinations like Canada and the UK.

Increased Financial Capacity Threshold

From 1 October 2024, the annual living cost requirement for a single student increased to AUD 29,710, reflecting the 7.8% rise in the Consumer Price Index for housing and education over the previous year. Applicants must show funds for tuition, living expenses, and travel for at least the first 12 months. For students with dependents, the requirement is higher: an additional AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 per child.

Work Hour Cap Reinstatement

The temporary removal of work hour caps (introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic) ended on 30 June 2023. From 1 July 2023, the standard 48-hour-per-fortnight limit was reinstated. However, students working in aged care or disability support sectors may apply for an exemption under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement.

Visa Condition Changes

From 1 July 2024, new visa conditions require that students who change to a lower-level course (e.g., from a master’s degree to a diploma) must apply for a new visa. Previously, students could change courses without reapplying. This measure targets “visa hopping”—where students use a higher-level course to gain entry then switch to a cheaper, lower-quality provider.

FAQ

Q1: How long does it take to get an Australian student visa in 2024?

The Department of Home Affairs reports that 75% of Subclass 500 applications are processed within 4–7 weeks for low-risk applicants (Assessment Level 1). For higher-risk applicants (Level 3), processing can take 8–12 weeks. Priority processing is available for postgraduate research students at an additional AUD 1,000 fee, reducing processing to approximately 2–3 weeks.

Q2: What is the minimum IELTS score for an Australian student visa in 2024?

Effective 23 March 2024, the minimum IELTS score for a Subclass 500 visa is 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5). For packaged ELICOS courses, the minimum is 5.5. For postgraduate research students, the minimum is 6.5. Equivalent scores for PTE Academic (50–64) or TOEFL iBT (60–79) are also accepted.

Q3: Can I work full-time on an Australian student visa?

No. From 1 July 2023, the work limitation is 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. Unlimited work is permitted during scheduled course breaks (e.g., summer holidays). Students working in aged care or disability support may apply for an exemption. Breaching work conditions can result in visa cancellation.

References

• Department of Home Affairs. 2023. Student Visa Programme Report 2022–23.
• Department of Home Affairs. 2024. Migration Strategy Update – March 2024.
• Australian Government. 2024. Genuine Student Requirement Guidance Note.
• QS World University Rankings. 2025. QS World University Rankings 2025.
• Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2024. Consumer Price Index, Australia – June 2024.