Student Visa Details
Home / Student Visa Details
Student visa
Why Study in Australia?
Eligibility
A student’s eligibility will be determined by the student’s chosen education provider and the country of citizenship held. This will then determine the level of English language and financial capacity requirements that the student must comply with at the time of their visa application.
- Be enrolled at an eligible education provider;
- Genuinely intend to study in Australia on a temporary basis (see next section);
- Meet the English language proficiency requirements unless exempt;
- Be covered by Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the period of the intended stay in Australia; and
- Have genuine access to sufficient funds to cover return airfares, full tuition fees and the cost of living in Australia. You must also be able to cover the costs associated with any dependent applicants included in the student visa application.
Breaking News
New English Language Requirements
The Australian Government has made changes to English Language Requirements for Student and Temporary Graduate visas.
This change was announced as part of the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023 and applies to all Student and Temporary Graduate visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024.
The Migration Strategy outlined how the English language reforms for student visas will support international students to have a positive educational experience in Australia, and prepare them for the skilled workforce should they wish to apply for a graduate visa post study.
Temporary Graduate visa (TGV)
- The minimum score required for a TGV from IELTS test score increases from 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent), with a minimum score of 5.5 for each component of the test (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
- The test validity window for a TGV decreases from 3 years to 1 year. TGV applicants now need to provide evidence that they have completed an English Language test within 1 year immediately before the date of the visa application.
Student visa
- The minimum score required for a Student visa from an IELTS test score increases from 5.5 to 6 (or its equivalent).
- The minimum score required to undertake a packaged ELICOS from IELTS increases from 4.5 to 5.0.
- For students studying English only through ELICOS, there will be no change.
- The test score required for students undertaking university foundation or pathway programs that deliver reputable English language training will be IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent).
English Test Comparison
| IELTS | PTE | Cambridge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa requirement | Overall 6.0 | 50 | 169 |
| Temporary Graduate visa requirement | Overall 6.5 | 57 | 176 |
| Listening 5.5 | 43 | 162 | |
| Reading 5.5 | 48 | 162 | |
| Writing 5.5 | 51 | 162 | |
| Speaking 5.5 | 42 | 162 |
For more information on changes to the English Language requirements for a student, see Meet English language requirements.
Genuine Student Requirement
As announced in the Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023, the Australian Government is replacing the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for grant of a Student visa with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
The GS requirement is planned to commence for Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024.
Student visa applications lodged before 23 March 2024 will be assessed according to existing arrangements.
The GTE requirement will be retained for Student Guardian visa applicants.
Through consultation and discussion with representatives of the education sector, the new GS requirement for international students will aim to identify students with circumstances that support a genuine intention to obtain a quality education in Australia, without reference or confusion to any future intention to migrate.
The 300 word statement in the Student visa application form will be replaced with targeted questions. These questions will provide visa decision makers with an overview of the applicant and their reasons for wanting to study in Australia, to contextualise the documentary evidence applicants must provide in support of their
application.
The intended questions will cover:
- Details of their current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances;
- An explanation for the choice of course and reasons for choosing Australia as a study destination;
- What benefits the course provides to the applicant;
- For applicants with a study history in Australia, details of their study history;
- for applicants holding a visa other than a Student visa, their reasons for applying for a Student visa; and any other relevant information the applicant wishes to provide.
- Understand what it means to be a genuine student for the purposes of studying in Australia;
- Have read, understand and commit to comply with student visa conditions and to notify the Department of Home Affairs of any changes to their circumstances; and
- Understand that while post-study pathways to permanent migration are available, only a limited number of graduates will be eligible and those who are unable to remain lawfully in Australia must depart Australia.
English Language Requirements
As per the Migration Strategy, changes are also flagged to English level requirements for Student and Temporary Graduate visa applicants. There will be more news on these changes as the Department finalises consultation with stakeholders.
Cost of Education in Australia
| Types of Expenses | Annual Expenses in AUD |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees for one-year (Indicative) | AUD 20,000 to 36,000 |
| Living and Accommodation | AUD 29,710 |
| Overseas Student Health Cover(OSHC) (Indicative) | AUD 650 to 700 PA |
| Airfare to Australia ( Depending on country of origin ) | AUD 2000 TO 3000 |
| Visa Fees ( Subject to change every year ) AUD 710 | AUD 710 |
From 10 May 2024, the amount of money that Student and Student Guardian visa applicants need to have to be eligible for the visa is increasing.
The financial capacity requirement has been updated to align with a proportion (75 per cent) of the national minimum wage. This will better indicate the amount of money considered reasonable to provide a minimum standard of living while studying in Australia. This proportion considers that students are out of course session for 25 per cent of the year. During this time they may return home or have access to unrestricted work.
International students who can show they meet this new financial capacity requirement are better able to make informed decisions about their future.
Students are less likely to:
- Be in financial distress once in Australia
- Breach their visa conditions by working more hours than their visa conditions allow
- Be vulnerable to worker exploitation.
New Minimum required funds to meet financial capacity
(Subject to pass of legislation)
| Financial capacity requirement before 10 May 2024 | Financial capacity requirement after 10 May 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary applicant | AUD24,505 | AUD29,710 |
| Spouse or de facto partner of the Student primary applicant (not applicable to Student Guardian applicant) | AUD8,574 | AUD10,394 |
| Dependent child | AUD3,670 | AUD4,449 |
| Annual school costs | AUD9,661 | AUD13,502 |
| Personal annual income if there is no member of the family | AUD72,465 | AUD87,856 |
| Personal annual income where there is a member of the family unit | AUD84,543 | AUD102,500 |
We will assess applications lodged before 10 May 2024 under the financial capacity requirements in effect at the time of application.
Explore your Australian study pathways with our team of experienced and highly qualified consultants. We can speak other languages apart from English such as Gujarati and Hindi in order to assist you in the best way possible. Our goal is to deliver you with personalized guidance in order to help you reach your goals of studying in Australia.
Speak to our experienced consultants via Booking appointment.
How we can help
East West Migration and Education Expert will make the application process a lot smoother and easier from the very start. Our experts will work closely with you to complete and fast track both the enrolment with the education provider of your choice, as well as the Student Visa application. Studying in Australia is a life-changing experience, and we will guide you through the visa application process from start to finish. Remember that the exact English and Financial requirements of the visa application will depend on your chosen education provider, the nationality of your passport and other personal factors.