Australia remains one of the most preferred study destinations for international students thanks to its globally ranked universities, post-study work opportunities, and multicultural lifestyle. However, before packing your bags, understanding the Australia student visa requirements is critical. Even a small mistake in eligibility, documents, or compliance with Australian student visa new rules can lead to delays or refusals. This comprehensive guide explains Australia visa requirements for students in a clear, conversational way—covering eligibility, documents, age limits, financial proof, spouse rules, and recent policy updates. Whether you’re applying after 12th grade, after graduation this guide will help you check eligibility for an Australia study visa confidently.
An Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) allows international students to study full-time at a CRICOS-registered institution in Australia. The visa covers:
Primary course study
Work rights during study
Permission to bring eligible family members
Temporary stay after course completion (subject to conditions)
Understanding the requirements to study in Australia helps ensure your application meets immigration expectations from day one.
To successfully apply for an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500), international students must meet several mandatory criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). These Australia student visa requirements ensure that students are genuine, financially prepared, and capable of completing their studies in Australia.
Below is a step-by-step breakdown of each requirement, explained in detail.
The first and most essential requirement is securing admission to an Australian education provider registered under CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students).
Only CRICOS-registered courses are eligible for student visa sponsorship
Non-CRICOS courses automatically lead to visa refusal
DHA cross-verifies CoE details with CRICOS records
Choose a course aligned with your academic or career background
Receive an official Offer Letter
Pay the required tuition deposit
Obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement is one of the most critical components of Australia student visa requirements, introduced under Australian student visa new rules.
You must clearly explain:
Why you chose Australia as your study destination
Why you selected a specific course and institution
How the course relates to your previous education or work
Your future career plans after completing studies
Your intention to comply with visa conditions
Unrelated course selection
Weak or copied statements
No clear post-study plan
Overemphasis on work or PR
Demonstrating financial capability is a core pillar of Australia visa requirements for students.
First-year tuition fees
Living expenses (as per DHA benchmarks)
Travel costs to and from Australia
Bank statements (minimum 6 months)
Education loans from recognized banks
Sponsor income documents (parents/guardians)
Fixed deposits or term deposits
Important:
Funds must be genuine, traceable, and consistent. Sudden deposits without explanation are a major red flag.
This requirement applies equally to Australia student visa requirements for Indian citizens, who often face extra financial scrutiny.
To ensure students can cope academically, DHA requires proof of English proficiency as part of Australia study visa requirements.
IELTS Academic
PTE Academic
TOEFL iBT
Cambridge English (CAE)
Course level (Diploma, Bachelor, Master’s)
Education provider
Nationality exemptions (if applicable)
All international students must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of their stay.
Medical treatment
Hospital stays
Prescription medicines
Emergency services
Must start from visa grant date
Must cover the full course duration
Dependents must be included if applicable
Failure to maintain OSHC violates student visa conditions for Australia and may lead to visa cancellation.
To protect public safety, students must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.
Medical examination by DHA-approved clinics
Chest X-ray and health tests (if required)
Additional tests for high-risk countries
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) may be required
No serious criminal history
Full disclosure of past visa refusals
Important:
Even minor non-disclosures can result in refusal under public interest criteria.
Yes. All the above conditions apply globally, including Australia student visa requirements for Indian citizens.
However, Indian applicants often face:
Higher documentation scrutiny
Financial authenticity checks
Course relevance assessment
This is why expert guidance from AUM Global plays a crucial role in securing approvals.
Australia has introduced stricter compliance measures under Australia's new rules for international students to protect education integrity.
Replacement of GTE with Genuine Student (GS) requirement
Higher financial evidence thresholds
Stricter checks on course relevance
Increased scrutiny for course hopping
Tighter work condition monitoring
AUM Global helps students stay compliant with the latest Australian student visa new rules to avoid refusals.
Before starting your Australia student visa application, ensure you meet the core eligibility criteria.
You must receive a CoE from an Australian institution. Without it, your visa application cannot proceed.
You must prove:
Genuine intention to study
Course relevance to past education or career
Temporary stay intent
Clear post-study plans
You must show funds for:
Tuition fees
Living expenses
Travel costs
Accepted tests include:
IELTS
PTE Academic
TOEFL iBT
There is no strict student visa Australia age limit, but age plays a crucial role in visa assessment.
Students under 18 require guardianship arrangements
Mature-age applicants must justify study relevance
Long study gaps must be logically explained
Students planning to apply right after high school must meet specific Australia study visa requirements after 12th.
Diploma programs
Foundation courses
Bachelor’s degrees
Academic performance
English proficiency
Career alignment
Financial backing
A strong GS statement is critical for post-12th applications.
Graduates applying for higher studies must meet Australia study visa requirements after graduation.
Master’s degrees
Graduate diplomas
Research programs
Course progression relevance
Employment history (if any)
Clear career outcomes
Immigration officers closely evaluate whether the course adds value to your profile.
Australia student visa requirements for Indian citizens are similar to other nationalities but receive additional scrutiny due to high application volume.
Financial documentation authenticity
Strong ties to home country
Transparent academic history
Visa compliance history
With AUM Global’s guidance, Indian students significantly reduce refusal risks.
Submitting the correct documents is one of the most critical student visa conditions for Australia.
Valid passport
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
GS statement
Financial proof
English test results
OSHC policy
Academic transcripts
SOP / Statement of Purpose
Marriage certificate (if spouse included)
Police clearance (if required)
Incomplete documentation is one of the top reasons for refusals.
Financial proof remains a major pillar of Australia visa requirements for students.
Tuition fees (first year)
Living expenses (as per DHA guidelines)
Travel costs
Bank statements
Education loans
Sponsor income proof
Fixed deposits
AUM Global ensures your funds meet updated thresholds.
Students can include dependents under Australia study visa with spouse requirements.
Spouse or de facto partner
Dependent children
Limited hours for most courses
Full-time work rights for master’s and PhD dependents
Financial capacity must increase when adding family members.
Applying correctly is key to meeting Australia student visa requirements.
Ensure CRICOS registration and career relevance.
Pay initial fees and secure your CoE.
Ensure all documents required for Australia student visa are accurate.
Submit via ImmiAccount.
Attend appointments if requested.
Processing time varies based on risk profile.
Once granted, you must comply with all student visa conditions for Australia.
Maintain enrollment
Meet attendance requirements
Work hour limits
Maintain OSHC
Inform DHA of changes
Non-compliance may result in visa cancellation.
International students can work:
Up to 48 hours per fortnight during study
Unlimited hours during scheduled breaks
Dependents’ work rights vary based on the student’s course level.
Understanding refusal risks helps you better meet Australia student visa requirements.
Weak GS statement
Insufficient financial proof
Unclear study progression
Inconsistent documents
Previous visa breaches
Processing depends on:
Nationality
Course level
Completeness of application
Typical timeline:
4–8 weeks for low-risk profiles
8–12 weeks for complex cases
AUM Global is a trusted education and migration consultancy with proven success in student visas.
Expert GS statement drafting
Course & university alignment
Financial documentation review
End-to-end visa support
High approval success rate
Australia student visa requirements include a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-approved institution, a Genuine Student (GS) statement, proof of sufficient funds, English language test scores, valid OSHC, and complete supporting documents.
There is no fixed student visa Australia age limit. However, the applicant’s age must logically align with the chosen course, academic history, and future career plan to meet Genuine Student criteria.
Yes, Indian students can get an Australia study visa if they meet all Australia student visa requirements for Indian citizens, including genuine financial proof, relevant course selection, and a strong Genuine Student statement.
Yes, you can bring your spouse on an Australia student visa if you meet Australia study visa with spouse requirements, including higher financial capacity and valid relationship documents.
Australia student visa processing typically takes 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the applicant’s profile, course level, country of origin, and document completeness.
Understanding Australia student visa requirements is the foundation of a successful study abroad journey. With evolving policies, stricter checks, and detailed documentation needs, professional guidance makes a significant difference.
If you want a smooth, compliant, and high-success visa process, AUM Global is your trusted partner—helping you study in Australia with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
