Australia Student Visa from India

As of July 2023, the cost of an Australian student visa (subclass 500) for students from other countries is AUD 710. The most recent fees can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website, which is the official source. Keep in mind that rates can fluctuate.

International students need to account for other expenses in addition to the visa application price, like:

• Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC) for the length of their visit typically costs approximately AUD $500 annually.
• Enough money to pay for their first year of course tuition
• Evidence of finances for living expenses of at least $29710 (AU $4,312 per month for a single person or AU $7,786 per month for a family of four).

The following are the main prerequisites for Indian students wishing to apply for a subclass 500 Australia student visa:

Eligibility Criteria

• Admissions offer from an Australian education provider with registration
• Full-time study in an approved programme
• Enough for housing, schooling, and return flights
• For the term of the visa, Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC)
• Fulfil the requirements of a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)

English Proficiency

• One of the following tests must be taken by Indian students to demonstrate their command of the English language:
• IELTS: The minimum overall band score on the IELTS is 6.0 (or higher, based on course requirements).
• TOEFL iBT: 60 is the minimum score (or more, depending on the requirements of the course).
• PTE Academic: 50 is the minimum score (or higher, depending on the requirements of the course).
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): The minimum score is 169, but it may go higher based on the requirements of the course.

Financial Requirements

• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover:
• The first year's tuition costs for the course
• At least AUD 29,710 in annual living expenses (plus AUD 10394 for each child and AUD 4449 for a dependent)
• Airfare back from Australia

Other Requirements

• Requirements for Genuine Temporary Entrants (GTE): Candidates must indicate that they intend to temporarily stay and study in Australia.
• Character and health requirements: Candidates must fulfil particular standards regarding their health and morality, which may involve a physical test and a police clearance.

The following is a comprehensive list of the paperwork needed for an Australia student visa:

Mandatory Documents

• Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from the educational institution in Australia
• A passport that is valid for at least six months after the course ends
• Proof of English language ability (scores from the Cambridge English, TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS tests)
• Genuine Statement (GS) outlining your plan to temporarily study in Australia
• Evidence of having enough money to pay for the first year's tuition, at least AUD 29710 in living expenses, and the return flight
• For the term of the visa, Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC)
• Four current, passport-sized photos with your name on the reverse

Additional Documents

• Certifications and academic credentials that attest to your educational background
• Resume or curriculum vitae that lists all of your previous jobs, if applicable
• In Australia, under-18 students can designate a student guardian by completing Form 157N.
• Verification of housing and welfare plans for those under eighteen
• Form 1229, signed by both parents, if you have a kid under the age of 18 who is not asking for a visa
• If you have an authorised migration agent, please use Form 956 or 956A.

An outline of the steps involved in applying for a student visa to Australia is provided below:

Step 1: Apply to Get Admitted to an Australian School.

• Apply to and be accepted by a registered Australian education provider.
• Obtain from the organisation a Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE).

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

• Evidence of English language proficiency (scores from the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Cambridge English tests)
• Proof of having enough money for living expenses, tuition, and return flight
• For the term of the visa, Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC)
• A passport that will remain valid for at least six months after the course ends
• More supporting documents based on your situation

Step 3: Create an ImmiAccount

• Create an ImmiAccount online through the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 4: Subclass 500 Student Visa Application

• Complete the visa application online.
• The application fee for a visa is AUD 1600.
• Include all necessary documentation.

Step 5: Attend Biometrics Appointment (if required)

• Make an appointment to submit your biometric information (picture and fingerprints).

Step 6: Undergo Medical Examination

• Schedule a medical examination with a panel physician.

Step 7: Wait for Visa Processing

• Processing dates can vary, but they typically take 7-85 days.
• Your ImmiAccount lets you track your application.

Step 8: Receive Visa Outcome

• You can print your visa grant letter and receive an email notification once your application is granted.
• If you are rejected, you will be notified and given the reasons for the decision.

The following is a summary of Australia student visa (subclass 500) processing times and the variables that can affect the processing time:

Average Processing Times

• Within 44–85 days, 75% of student visa applications are processed.
• Ninety per cent of applications for student visas are completed in 78–547 days.

These processing times may vary depending on several factors.

Factors Affecting Processing Times

• Time of year: Longer wait times may result from high application numbers, which is common on popular intake periods and days preceding the start of the academic year.
• Country of origin: Because of extra security checks, applications from some nations may take longer to complete.
• Application completeness: Missing documents or incomplete applications might cause a major delay in the process.
• Visa category: Processing periods for student visas under the vocational, higher education and other categories may vary slightly.

With the Australian government's efforts, visa processing times have improved, and as of 2023, the average processing time for a student visa application was as short as 16 days. To ensure enough time for processing, overseas students should still apply well in advance, ideally three to six months before their planned start date.

Recent years have witnessed a reasonably high success rate for the Australian student visa (subclass 500), with 85–90% of applications being approved. Still, there are several things about visa rejection that foreign students should be aware of. The following are some typical explanations for the denial of an Australian student visa:

Inadequate academic qualifications: Failure to fulfil the required minimum marks for the selected programme may result in the denial of a visa.

• Concerns for GS Genuine Student: The applicant must persuade immigration officials that they truly want to study in Australia and will return home once their studies are over.
• Inadequate English language proficiency: A visa application may be denied if the necessary English test scores (TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS) are not met.
• Insufficient financial capability: Rejection may result from an inability to provide proof of sufficient funds for living expenses, tuition, and return airfare.
• Inaccurate or lacking documentation: Application related documents that are incomplete or submitted incorrectly might cause delay or even outright rejection.

Every year, more than 500,000 international students choose to study in Australia, thanks to the highly sought-after Australian student visa (subclass 500). Through a thorough understanding of the prerequisites, application procedure, and possible obstacles, overseas students can more effectively navigate the Australian student visa system and fulfil their study abroad objectives.

Want to study in Australia but don’t know where to start? Contact AECC for personalised guidance regarding application procedure, visa requirements and more. Take the first step towards studying in Australia with AECC today!