The Student visa is an important document for international students who desire to study in Australia. It enables them to stay in the country and participate in full-time education and training. This visa allows international students to gain valuable experience, qualifications, and skills while living in Australia. With this visa, students can also pursue professional development courses or internships in their desired field of study.
The immigration process can be a complex and overwhelming process for those looking to move to another country. To help make the process easier, it is important to understand what each visa requires and how to obtain one. The requirements for each visa vary depending on the Immigration Risk assigned to your application, which is a combined assessment of factors evaluated by the risk rating method.
Student visas and Coronavirus
Many students have faced unprecedented disruption to their studies world that has been drastically changed due to the ongoing pandemic. With travel bans in place, international students have found themselves unable to return to Australia and have been forced to take on online study instead. As these students continue their academic pursuits from afar, one of the questions on their minds is whether or not they will be eligible for concessions and adjustments are given their circumstances.
The Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) is an essential government body that provides vital services to international students. It is a key enabler for those seeking to study in Australia, providing the necessary framework for visas and immigration processes. However, contrary to popular belief, DoHA does not play any role in authorizing international students’ study modes. Instead, it is guided by education sector regulators such as the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
TEQSA sets standards and regulations that govern all universities and institutions offering higher education in Australia. This allows DoHA to focus on ensuring that all applicants meet the necessary visa requirements before they can be granted entry into the country. In addition, DoHA also provides support services such as guidance on financial matters and advice on student safety while studying in Australia.
The visa application will require the following:
- To enroll full-time with a recognized education provider in Australia, you must have a document confirming that enrolment. (In most cases, online courses are not eligible for confirmation by an accredited provider.)
- They want to learn the relevant period of study in Australia.
- Unless exempted, the minimum level of English proficiency is required for entry.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is accessible during your intended stay in Australia.
- You will have sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of your return air travel tickets, tuition costs, and the cost of living in Australia, as well as any expenses that may require the attention of the dependents in your application.
- The number of scholarship funds a student needs is set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is specified by your program of study, educational provider, and other personal specifications. Please call us for more information.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The application procedure for a student visa in Australia is quite straightforward. First, you must enroll in a full-time course at an Australian education provider and accept written confirmation of your enrolment (CoE). Once you have secured the CoE, we will schedule and lodge your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA). The exact nature of the requirements that need to be met depends on the passport nationality and specific requirements from each education provider. Furthermore, applicants are expected to meet health and character criteria by DOHA.
Once DOHA has approved the visa, you can legally enter or remain in Australia with permission for the study. It should be noted that students are only authorized to work up to 40 hours per fortnight when their course is in session. This period begins after their course has officially commenced.
Are you considering applying for a visa to Australia? If so, it is important to know that processing your application can take some time. The Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) estimates that several weeks may be needed to prepare and lodge your application. This time frame can differ depending on how quickly you (and any potential sponsors) provide the necessary paperwork and documents.
The processing period for your visa application will also depend on DOHA’s current service standards and other factors, such as the complexity of your case, perceived risk factors, and processing priorities. Please get in touch with us to stay up-to-date with the likely timeline for this type of application. We will be more than happy to help you by providing accurate information regarding the estimated processing times for your specific case.
English language test score
The English language test score is a key requirement for any student visa application to Australia. The immigration authorities require applicants to take an approved English language test, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or its equivalent, no more than two years before applying for the visa. This test must be taken at one of the authorized centers. It is designed to assess the applicant’s written and spoken English skills to measure how well they will cope with studying in an Australian institution.
It is also important that applicants have enough funds available to cover their course fees, travel costs, and living expenses while in Australia. To ensure this, students are advised to use our student visa funds calculator, which can help them determine how much money they need to show on their student visa application.
Demonstrating financial capacity is important in obtaining a student visa in Australia. To legally study in Australia, each international student must provide evidence that they can financially support themselves and their accompanying family members while studying there. There are several ways a student can demonstrate they have the financial capacity to sustain their stay in Australia.
The first and most common way is to provide evidence of funds that cover travel costs, 12 months of living costs, and tuition fees for the student and any accompanying family member. This will ensure that all necessary costs associated with studying abroad are covered during your stay. Another way to prove financial capacity is by providing documents demonstrating that you meet the yearly income requirement for students wishing to study in Australia.
Packaged Courses
Course packaging is a great way to make the most of your student visa (sub 500). It allows you to merge two or more courses into one package, with a clear progression from one course to another. When you apply for the visa, you have to provide evidence of your intention to study by confirming enrolment (CoE) or proof that it isn’t required for each course included in the package. The final course in the package is your primary course of study and will be used to determine evidence requirements such as financial and English language ability.
In addition to being able to make the most of studying multiple courses on your student visa, packaged courses are also a great way for students who have completed their secondary qualification abroad but need further qualifications to gain entry into tertiary studies in Australia.
GTE requirement
Due to an application by your school, the department will determine whether or not you believe you should go temporarily to Australia (Genuine Temporary Entrant).
To be certain of this, we need proof such as the following:
- statement of purpose
- Evidence of your personal and family economic circumstances in your own country (this is very important, you can show your loved ones’ economic situation in your home country by accounts, whether they have a business, home, etc.).
- Evidence of economic and personal ties to your home country, such as evidence of assets in your home country consistent with your family background, family or social ties that would provide a sufficient inducement for them to return to your home country at the end of your studies). Please list the names of your family and other social ties.
- evidence of past study
- Please provide employment confirmation for at least the previous year, including a future employment contract upon your return from overseas, tax returns, or financial statements.
- Explanation from your employer or statement from the applicant attesting to a need by the applicant for improved skills for employment or career prospects.
- Evidence from multiple sources supports a new career direction.
COVID-19 and Student visas
Travel restrictions
All visa holders need to be aware of the travel restrictions that are currently in effect.
Extending student visas
Under Australian law, you cannot extend a student visa for more than 12 months.
Moreover, you’ll need to reapply for a new visa if:
- You cannot return to your home country, and your visa expires.
- You need to spend more additional time in Australia to complete your course.
When it comes to student visas, timing is everything. If you’re studying in Australia and need to extend your visa, it’s important to plan and apply six weeks before your existing Student visa expires. The Australian Government has suspended requirements for applicants of certain types of visas, including Student visas, to provide evidence of impacts associated with COVID-19 when applying. Suppose you are applying for a new Student visa or extending your existing one. In that case, you do not need to provide evidence of any economic or medical hardship caused by the pandemic.
Once your studies have ended, you must apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) before your current Student visa expires. Otherwise, you may only be able to enter Australia again after obtaining a Bridging visa from the Department of Home Affairs.
Working in Australia
The course is ‘out of session.
You can work endless hours if your course has been deemed out of session. As long as you complete your course during the provided breaks, the course is considered out of session.
Studying for masters by research or a doctorate course
If you are enrolling in a master’s or doctoral degree program, you may work as many long hours as you desire.
Studying online
If you are taking classes during sessions, you cannot work over 40 hours a week, regardless of where the lessons are being taken. Classes to be considered in session must be kept active throughout the advertised semesters and semester breaks (even when exams are being held) as long as the student participates online.
Approved deferral of your course
If your course has been deferred, you can work up to 40 hours per week.
Exemptions for some international students
There are new opportunities for students who hold student visas if they’re:
- Already enrolled in a nursing program.
- Employed by select supermarkets.
Australian study requirements
Students are strongly encouraged to contact their education provider directly to determine the study mode that most suit them. The National Code provides flexibility to allow all tertiary students who have been affected by travel restrictions or any other related issue to undertake online studies if appropriate and provided it meets quality assurance standards. It also extends duration due to circumstances beyond a student’s control.
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