Australian Student Visa: Application Requirements and Procedures

Foreigners who want to study in Australia for more than 3 months are required to obtain an Australian student visa, regardless of their nationality, but a tourist visa is sufficient for study programs lasting up to 3 months.

An Australian student visa is a type of visa that is granted to the holder for a maximum of 5 years and allows the applicant to live and study in Australia during its validity.

What Types of Education Can I Get a Student Visa for in Australia?

The types of education that can be obtained with a student visa in Australia are listed below.

• Undergraduate education in Australia
• Postgraduate education in Australia
• Language education in Australia
• Australian vocational training

What are the Types of Australian Study Visa?

Until 2016, Australian education visa types were given as sub-types such as language school visa and vocational training visa, but as of June 1, 2016, a single student visa was put into effect for all education types and the visa class code was determined as Subclass 500.

What are the Australian Student Visa Requirements?

Australian student visa requirements are listed below.

• Applicants must be at least 6 years old and meet the age range criteria for various types of education, such as secondary and high school.
• It is necessary to have received acceptance from an educational institution in Australia.
• For those under 18, a social support agreement is required.
• English language proficiency is required.
• The applicant and their accompanying family must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved Australian health insurance provider.
• To study in Australia, it is necessary to have sufficient financial resources.
• You must intend to return to your country of citizenship after completing your studies in Australia.
• Applicants over the age of 16 and their accompanying family members must have a clean criminal record.
• Applicants aged over 18 are required to read the Living in Australia booklet and then sign the Australian Values ​​Statement confirming that they will respect the Australian way of life and abide by Australian law.
• The applicant must not have a previously cancelled visa or rejected visa application.

What is the Age Limit for an Australian Study Visa?

The age limit for an Australian study visa is 6.

The age limit for those starting high school is; 17 years old for the 9th grade, 18 years old for the 10th grade, 19 years old for the 11th grade and 20 years old for the 12th grade.

What is the Social Support Requirement for Under 18 Australian Student Visa?

The social support requirement for an Australian student visa under the age of 18 is a condition that must be met by students under the age of 18 to prove that they have accommodation and sufficient financial resources to study in Australia.

The social support requirement for an Australian student visa can be met by appointing a guardian to accompany the applicant to Australia or by obtaining Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare Approval (CAAW).

The guardians who may accompany the applicant in Australia may be a parent, legal guardian or a relative over the age of 21. Students who will study in Australia without a guardian must obtain Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare Approval (CAAW) from the institution where they will study.

What is the English Proficiency Requirement for an Australian Student Visa?

The English proficiency requirement for an Australian student visa requires the submission of a test result document to prove that you have sufficient English to study in Australia.

Even if the English proficiency requirement for an Australian student visa is proven by submitting documents such as certificates or diplomas, the applicant may be subject to an interview in English at every stage of the visa application.

The tests that can be submitted as English proficiency certificate for an Australian student visa are tabulated below.

For an Australian student visa, the proficiency test score must be obtained within 2 years before applying for the visa.

People who are studying English at an Australian-recognised school course, those who are taking an Australian ELICOS course, those who will study in a language other than English and those who will study for a postgraduate degree in a language other than English are exempt from the proficiency test for an Australian student visa.

How to Get an Australian Student Visa?

As of 1 July 2016, all Australian visa applications must be made via the ImmiAccount application portal.

To apply for an Australian student visa through the ImmiAccount application portal; you must create an account on the website, log in to your account, select the visa application option, select Subclass 500 Australian student visa as the visa type, fill out the application form, upload the visa documents to the system online and complete the online phase of the application by paying the visa application fee.

After applying for an Australian student visa through the ImmiAccount application portal, the Australian Embassy Home Affairs Department sends an e-mail to the applicant stating that he/she must provide biometrics registration.

After receiving the e-mail from the Australian Embassy, ​​an appointment must be made at the intermediary institution VFS Global visa application center and when the appointment date arrives, the visa application must be completed by going to the application center to perform biometric procedures.

When to Apply for an Australian Student Visa?

An Australian student visa application must be made at least 6-8 weeks before the start of the program of study.

What are the Required Documents for an Australian Student Visa?

The documents required for an Australian student visa are listed below.

• Passport: A passport of the applicant, issued within the last 10 years, must be submitted along with a photocopy of the page containing personal information and photocopies of all processed pages. If travel has been made to other countries before, a photocopy of the pages containing the visa and entry and exit stamps must be submitted along with the passport.
• Identity documents: At least one of the documents proving identity, such as a photocopy of the Turkish identity card, a photocopy of the Turkish residence permit for foreign nationals, a copy of the full civil registration certificate or a photocopy of the driver’s license, must be submitted.
• Australian student visa application form: The application form must be submitted online via the ImmiAccount system, filled in completely and accurately.
• Australian Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is required for studies to be undertaken in Australia.
• English language proficiency certificate: For visaYou must have achieved the minimum score or higher in one of the English tests accepted by the Australian government within 2 years prior to applying.
• Educational documents: The applicant must submit documents such as transcripts, diplomas, certificates, or a reference letter written by the last institution where he/she received education.
• Proof of financial situation: Bank statements, scholarship documents or sponsorship letters showing that the applicant can support the minimum of 12 months of study and living expenses in Australia, and if the applicant has a sponsor, financial documents from the sponsor must be submitted.
• Consent Form: If one or both parents of applicants under the age of 18 are not applying for an Australian visa as the applicant’s guardian, both parents must complete and sign Form 1229. If one parent has sole custody of the applicant through divorce, it is sufficient to complete Form 1229 alone, provided that a court order is submitted.
• Social support documentation: For applicants aged 18 and over; if travelling to Australia with a parent, a 157N student guardian form; if travelling to Australia with a parent is not travelling with a parent, a Suitable Accommodation and Welfare letter from the educational institution or a letter of support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Australian Department of Defence stating that arrangements have been made for the welfare of the student must be submitted.
• Australian student health insurance: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) must be taken out from an Australian health insurance provider and must cover the entire student period.
• Criminal record: Applicants over the age of 16 must submit a criminal record proving that they have not committed a crime before.

All documents to be submitted for an Australian student visa must be translated into English and notarized.

All of the documents provided above are standard documents for all student visa applications, however, additional documents may be required depending on the applicant’s special circumstances and whether the application is being made for his/her family.

How to Get an Australian Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for a Study Visa?

The Australian Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for a study visa is an electronic document issued to international students who wish to enrol and study at an educational institution in Australia.

To obtain an Australian Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE); the steps specified in the acceptance letter sent to the applicant must be followed, the tuition fee of the institution to be studied must be paid, and Overseas Student Health Insurance (OSHC) must be obtained. If you apply for more than one study program in Australia, a separate CoE document must be obtained for each.

A CoE document is sent to the university e-mail address of students who complete the steps in the letter sent by the educational institution, and the validity period of the document is stated on the CoE.

How Much Money Should Be in the Account for an Australian Student Visa?

There is no clear figure announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs Immigration and Citizenship Office regarding the money required in the bank account for an Australian student visa. Each application is evaluated individually in line with the purpose and plan of travel and it is examined whether the applicant has sufficient financial resources.

The financial proof documents that can be submitted to obtain an Australian student visa are listed below.

• Financial documentation showing an annual income of at least AUD 60,000 for single students and AUD 70,000 for students coming to Australia with family members, in addition to evidence that the applicant’s spouse or parents are willing to support the applicant.
• Sufficient funds to cover the travel expenses of the applicant and accompanying family members, 12 months of living expenses, tuition fees, and school expenses of any school-age dependents.
• Acceptance letter for secondary school exchange students
• A letter of support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Ministry of Defense

What kind of health insurance should I get for a student visa in Australia?

For a student visa, Australian health insurance must be Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) taken out by a health insurance provider in Australia.

Overseas Student Health Insurance (OSHC) in Australia must cover the applicant and all accompanying family members, must be obtained at least 1 week before the start of the study program and must cover the entire duration of the study.

If the applicant or their advisory agency is arranging Australian Overseas Student Health Cover, the name of the health insurance provider, the start and end dates of the policy and the policy number must be included in the application form.

If the institution where you will study in Australia issues Australian Overseas Student Health Insurance, it is sufficient to include the name of the health insurance provider and the start and end dates of the policy in the application form.

How Much Does an Australian Student Visa Cost?

The application fee for applicants under the age of 18 and parents coming to Australia is 160 Australian dollars per person, while for applicants over the age of 18 and parents coming to Australia is 485 Australian dollars per person.

In addition to the visa fee, the applicant must pay a service fee of 63 TL for biometrics procedures at the intermediary institution application center.

The cost of an Australian student visa for 2024 is approximately AUD 690, including visa fees, online form filling, reservations, travel health insurance, sworn translation, notary fees, online document uploading and consultancy fees.

How to Book a Fingerprint Appointment for an Australian Student Visa?

Fingerprint appointments for Australian student visas are made through VFS Global.

To make an Australian fingerprint appointment through VFS Global; visit https://visa.vfsglobal.com/tur/en/aus/register , create an account for the visa, log in to the created account, click on the “Start New Booking” section, select the type of visa you want to obtain, click on the “Your Details” section, enter the required ID, passport and contact information and select the appropriate date and time from the “Create an Appointment” section.

The applicant has 14 days to provide fingerprints after the Australian Embassy Home Affairs Department sends an e-mail to the applicant informing them that the application has been received and that they must provide biometric records.

How Many Days Does It Take to Get an Australian Student Visa?

According to the visa processing times announced by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the majority of student visa applications are finalized in an average of 4 months.

Student visa processing times are listed below.

• 25% of applications are concluded within 18 days.
• 50% of applications are concluded within 40 days.
• 75% of applications are concluded within 89 days.
• 90% of applications are concluded within 4 months.

If the applicant submits incorrect or incomplete documents or if the authorities request additional documents, the Australian student visa processing time may be extended.

How Many Years Can I Stay in Australia with a Student Visa?

With a student visa, you can stay in Australia for the duration of your education.

Australian student visas are granted for a maximum of 5 years. Primary school children aged 1 to 4 are usually granted a student visa for a maximum of 3 years.

Can a Student Visa Be Extended in Australia?

Student visas cannot be extended in Australia. Applicants whose Australian student visas have expired must apply for a new student visa.

Since there is no extension process for Australian student visas, students whose visas expire before the end of their education program must obtain a visitor visa with a letter from the school stating their graduation date.

In some circumstances determined by the Australian Government, an applicant may be able to apply for a temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) or, in the case of an engineering graduate, a qualified recognised graduate visa (subclass 476).

Is It Difficult to Get an Australian Student Visa?

Obtaining an Australian student visa is not difficult if you obtain an acceptance letter from the institution where you will study in Australia, have financial capacity, and submit all necessary documents such as passport, health insurance, and financial capacity documents during the application.

What are the Reasons for Australian Student Visa Rejection?

Reasons for Australian student visa rejection are listed below.

• Failure to meet the academic qualifications required by the institution where you will study in Australia
• Failure to meet the English proficiency level required by the institution where you will study in Australia
• Not having enough financial resources
• Not having Overseas Student Health Insurance (OSHC)
• Submitting incomplete or incorrect documents in the visa application
• Not having a valid passport
• Having a criminal record

Can an Australian Student Visa Rejection Be Appealed?

Yes, it is possible to appeal an Australian student visa refusal decision.

To appeal an Australian student visa refusal, an appeal letter and an appeal fee of AU$1,826 must be sent to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) within 28 days of receiving the refusal letter. Students who have been refused an Australian visa have the right to re-apply, but are advised to exercise their appeal rights first.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most frequently asked questions and answers to our experts on the Australian student visa, the rights granted to the visa holder and studying in Australia are shared below.

Can I Study in Australia with a Tourist Visa?

With an Australian tourist visa, you can participate in short-term courses, language training, vocational training, etc. programs that will last a maximum of 3 months.

Is the Australian Student Visa Multiple Entry?

Yes, the Australian student visa is issued as multiple entry.

An Australian student visa holder can enter and exit Australia as many times as he/she wishes during the duration of the visa.

Does an Australian Student Visa Provide a Work Permit?

Yes, an Australian student visa provides permission to work.

The Australian work visa allows students to work 40 hours a week during school hours and full time during vacations.

Can Spouses and Children Be Included in an Australian Student Visa Application?

Spouses and children can be included in the Australian student visa application.

Family members who may be included in an Australian student visa application are the applicant’s single child under the age of 18, single step-child under the age of 18 and spouse.

Applicants who wish to benefit from the Australian student visa spouse or child status must indicate their family members by submitting a birth certificate at the time of application. Family members who wish to join the applicant later can apply for a visa through ImmiAcount if they are indicated in the birth certificate.

Can a Student Visa Holder Stay in Australia After Graduation?

Student visa holders can stay in Australia after graduation.

Australia has different visa options for international graduate students, and the most commonly applied visa type is the new graduate visa.

Student visa holders can apply for a new graduate visa within 6 months of completing their studies and, if deemed suitable, can receive a 2 to 4 year Australian new graduate visa.

Which Visa Should Be Obtained for Language Education in Australia?

While an Australian tourist visa is sufficient for language education in Australia that will last less than 3 months, an Australian student visa (Subclass 500) is required for longer language education programs.

The student visa for Australian language education is also known as the Australian language school visa, and in order to obtain an Australian language school visa; conditions such as being accepted to a language school in Australia, presenting a valid passport, having sufficient financial resources and proving that the student will return to the country after completing the language education must be met.

What are the visa requirements for postgraduate studies in Australia?

Visa requirements for Australian postgraduate studies are listed below.

• Applying to an institution to study for a master’s degree in Australia and receiving an acceptance letter
• Have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and pay tuition fees while pursuing a master’s degree in Australia.
• Prove English language proficiency with a certificate or diploma
• Have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) through an approved Australian health insurance provider

The most preferred universities for master’s degrees in Australia are Monash University, University of Western Australia and University of Adelaide, while the most preferred departments for master’s degrees in Australia are business management, architecture and health departments.

What is the Average Cost of Living for Students in Australia?

According to the Australian Government, the average cost of living for students in Australia is 21,041 Australian dollars per year. Tuition fees for international students in Australia range from 20,000-45,000 Australian dollars per year for undergraduate studies and 22,000-50,000 Australian dollars per year for postgraduate studies.

Accommodation costs in Australia are AU$90-150 per week for students staying in hostels and guest houses, AU$95-215 per week for students in shared accommodation, AU$235-325 per week for students living with a host family, AU$185-440 per week for students renting a house, and AU$11,000-22,000 per year for students in boarding schools.

For international students, food costs are 140-280 Australian dollars per week, while phone bills cost 15-30 Australian dollars per week and public transport costs 30-60 Australian dollars per week. In addition to living expenses in Australia, bills such as gas and electricity for students living at home cost 10-20 Australian dollars per week.