What are the Student Visa Requirements for Australia?

What are the student visa requirements for Australia?
by Constantine Paxinos, PAX Migration Australia

Looking for accommodation in Australia?

Since the Australian Government released its Migration Strategy in December 2023, a series of changes have been introduced for international Student visa applicants who are seeking to study in Australia.

Some of the changes, such as the introduction of the Genuine Student visa requirement, improve flexibility and make it easier to qualify for a Subclass 500 Student visa. Other changes, including higher English language proficiency and financial capacity requirements, as well as restrictions on the lodgement of Student visa applications onshore for certain visa holders, introduce higher requirements or impose limitations for Student visa applicants.

Read on to learn about the changes to Australia’s student visa requirements over the past 12 months. We’ll also look at recent changes to the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa, which international students apply for after they have completed their studies, to help plan your visa pathway in Australia.

New Genuine Student requirement

• Previously, students needed to meet a ‘Genuine Temporary Entrant’ requirement which meant they had to show that they intended to stay in Australia temporarily. Under the Genuine Student (GS) visa requirement introduced on 23 March 2024, student visa applicants must demonstrate that they intend to genuinely enter and stay in Australia as a student. It recognises that a student may legitimately seek to stay in Australia following their studies to pursue their career and obtain permanent residency in Australia.
• This means that a student visa applicant can now have an intention to settle permanently in Australia following their studies at the time when they apply for a student visa.
• Student visa applicants must now answer a list of targeted questions about their circumstances and reasons for wanting to study in Australia. Their study plans need to show a clear course progression to demonstrate that they are a genuine student.

More information about the new GS requirements is available on the PAX Migration website.

New English language requirements 

• New English language requirements apply to all Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024.
• There are several English tests that are accepted, including the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• The minimum test score for a student visa has increased from IELTS score 5.5 to 6.0 (or equivalent).
• The minimum test score for students undertaking an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) course before their main course of study has increased from IELTS score 4.5 to 5.0 (or equivalent).
• The minimum test score required for students undertaking university foundation or pathway programs that deliver reputable English language training is IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent).

TOEFL iBT English language test may be used to qualify for a Student visa

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) can now be used to meet the English language requirement to qualify for a student visa, provided the test was taken before 26 July 2023 or after 4 May 2024 (because during that period, the TOEFL iBT test ​being offered was not an approved test).

Increased financial capacity requirement 

• To qualify for a student visa, you need to declare that you will have genuine access to sufficient funds to cover costs and expenses for you and for any accompanying family members for the duration of your intended stay in Australia. You may also need to provide evidence to demonstrate that you satisfy this requirement.
• For student visa applications lodged on or after 10 May 2024, the minimum amount of money that you need to have to be eligible has increased to $29,710 (for the primary applicant).

Learn more about Australian student visa financial requirements here.

Onshore Student visa applications restricted

• As of 1 July 2024, holders of certain visas (including Visitor visas) can no longer apply for a student visa while in Australia. If this applies to you, you must depart Australia to apply for a Student visa from offshore, or apply for another visa subclass onshore in Australia (for example, a Skilled visa), provided you are eligible

The largest impact to international students in Australia is the restriction on applying onshore and the elevation of financial criteria as discussed above. In addition the Australian Government has announced plans to cap enrolments of international students for each institution. This has caused great controversy as education institutions would be forced to turn away students if their quotas are full.

There have also been a number of changes to the Temporary Graduate visa since 1 July 2024. This is important to be aware of for Student visa applicants who will need a Temporary Graduate visa as part of a longer-term visa pathway in Australia. The changes include a new age limit of 35 years and a reduced visa period for certain Temporary Graduate visa applicants.

For up-to-date advice on applying for a Student visa to Australia, book your confidential consultation with PAX Migration Australia, a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide: .

—

For up-to-date advice on applying for a Student visa to Australia, book your confidential consultation with PAX Migration Australia.

Constantine Paxinos is a director of Pax Migration Australia, a leading immigration agency based in Adelaide, South Australia. He has worked closely with international students for the last five years and has assisted hundreds of students with graduate and permanent visa pathways.

PAX Migration Australia is in no way affiliated with the Australian Homestay Network. The information provided in this article is of a general nature and written by PAX Migration Australia. Readers should seek professional advice for their individual situation and needs.