How to apply for an Australian Student Visa

360 Education is here to assist you in every step of your journey to achieve an Australian Qualification. The Australian Department of Home Affairs, since March 2024, has implemented a fresh set of new rules - replacing Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) with Genuine Student Requirement (GS), a crucial requirement under Australian Laws to allow entry into Australia. The blog is a step-by-step informative guide aimed for Nepali students applying to Australia.

Before you lodge your Student Visa for Australia

The prerequisite to applying for your student visa to Australia consists the following important steps:

• Research: Research the course of your choice from the list of Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) approved educational institutions.

• Gather: Collect all the documents required like Academic certificates, English Test results (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL), Proof of Finances (financial documents), Passport, and Passport Size Photos.

• Apply: Apply to the institution (often Universities) of your choice with the requirement set forth under their institutional policies (Academic Qualification or score requirements, training or work experience requirements, GPA, English Test requirements, Statement of Purpose).

• Letter of Offer: Your chosen education provider facilitates the process of providing you a Letter of Offer upon successfully meeting their criteria. You are expected to read through the agreement - which includes course details, enrollment criterion, fees, and refund criteria - before you accept the offer and move to the next stage of the application process.
• Receive: Receive Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) after payment of initial tuition fees to accept the offer of University.

Steps to apply for Student Visa in Australia

After successful acceptance and receival of CoE, a student becomes eligible to lodge Student Visa for Australia and take the following course of actions:

• Proof of Language Proficiency: Australian Government recognises English as the official language of communication and a foreign national intending to arrive in Australia is expected to be proficient in its use. A student may be required to supply a certificate of English Proficiency Test as a proof of eligibility.

• Creating an ImmiAccount: Lodging your Australian Student Visa officially begins after creation of ImmiAccount, a prospective student is expected to create an account with the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs to start and submit a VISA. 

• Genuine Student Requirement (GS): Department of Home Affairs via. previously mentioned ImmiAccount, asks a set of questions in online Visa Application form  to determine a foreign national’s capability and reasons to enter Australia. It is crucial to answer these questions properly as Visa Officers determine an entrant’s eligibility on the basis of answers listed on these questions.

• Financial Capability: The Government of Australia requires a proof of ability from students to finance their education during their period of stay inside Australian borders. International Students applying to Australia under current requirements are expected to submit financial documents in the online visa application to prove their capacity to fund tuition fee, and minimum of AUD 29,710 for living expenses.

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): International Students are expected to have OSHC insurance for the period of stay in Australian lands. The proof of OSHC insurance is expected to be submitted with the application.

• Character Requirement: Students are expected to answer a set of basic questionnaires in their application form to declare their character and past. The applicants are also required to provide a police background check. 

• Pay Visa Fee: A student visa application fee of AUD 2000 is charged for every aspirant student to apply for Australia 

• Health Requirement and biometrics: Foreign nationals under Australian rules are mandated to possess a level of health. Nepali Students applying to Australia are expected to get a health check up from a clinic or health establishment listed in Nepal. Additionally, students are required to take a biometric test to apply for a Visa in an Australian Government Approved Centre.

• Attend Visa Interview: Students may be expected to attend a visa interview on call/online to declare their purpose of stay, intent to return back home, academic coherence (correspondence of currently chosen course to previous academic courses) and financial capability. In addition, students are also expected to know the rules, regulations, details of course and university during the interview. Hence, it is essential to prepare for an Interview, find a detailed guide on acing your interview here.
• Await Visa Grant Letter: The Australian Immigration authorities often take 4-6 weeks to determine and approve a student’s Visa. Once approved a student is provisioned a VISA Grant Letter.

Quick Recap on Australian Student Visa Application

• Research and Choose a University.
• Gather relevant academic documents, english language proficiency documents, and financial documents to apply. 
• Apply and meet University eligibility requirements.
• Receive a Letter of Offer - review and accept to gain a COE. 
• Create an ImmiAccount with a registered education consultant to lodge your visa.
• Submit an online Student Visa Application via. ImmiAccount meeting the GS and other criteria set forth in the application form.
• Pay Visa fee.
• Attend a Health check and Biometric Test.
• Be ready for a phone/online interview with the Australian High Commission. 
• Wait for VISA approval.

Document Checklist for Application and Interview

• A Passport with over 6 months of validity Period.
• Academic Certificates including Transcripts.
• Financial Documents. 
• IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL scores. 
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) for University, if required by the University.
• OSHC and Health reports.
• Police Report.

Conclusion

Hence, “How to apply for an Australian Student Visa?”is not as difficult as it sounds because of a streamlined process. The smooth and streamlined visa application process is one of the primary reasons that makes Australia a top destination for international education. Nepalese students applying to Australia can get a chance to experience and graduate with a world class degree. Informed and calculated decision making process from our expert guidance counselors at 360 Education can ensure a successful application for an Australian student visa.