Australia Study Visa for Indian Students

Australia Study Visa

Australia is amongst the top destinations for students seeking overseas education. The nation offers a world-class learning ambiance and has 8 Universities in the top 100 global Universities. Australia Study Visa offers an extensive choice of study programs to overseas students.

Indian students are among the top applicants for the Australia Study Visa. They are enticed by the education quality, extensive choice of courses, and Post-study job opportunities. Universities in Australia have a strong research focus and excel in fields like Sciences, Education, Humanities, and Arts.

• A favored destination for Indian students

• Educational credentials enjoy global accreditation

• Overseas student's rights are safeguarded

• Blend of multiple languages

• Financial support from the Government

• Progressively expanding economy offers superior job prospects

• Incredible climate and outdoor adventures

A few of the globally top-ranked Universities are present in Australia. Universities in Australia offer a comprehensive choice of courses in diverse subjects. Moreover, the tuition fees are affordable here in comparison with the US and the UK. Students who graduate from Universities in Australia can avail themselves of a Post-study Work Visa with a maximum of 4 years of validity. It serves as a pathway to Australia PR Visa.

Australian Universities are renowned for their teaching techniques and high standards. Degrees awarded by them are globally recognized. The comparatively lower cost of living in Australia is another advantage to overseas students.

Students are now permitted to work for up to 40 hours weekly during academic sessions which can assist them in partially covering the tuition fees. Additionally, scholarships can also be availed by overseas students further lowering the study costs. Thousands of students opt for studying in Australia as its fast-growing economy assures lucrative job prospects upon graduation.

Overseas students who intend to study in Australia are required to fulfill specific criteria to obtain a Student Visa. They can apply for the Subclass 500 Visa after enrolling in a study course full-time.

The Subclass 500 Student Visa authorizes its holder to

• Register in a course to participate in an eligible study program

• Be accompanied by family members to Australia

• Exit from and arrive in Australia

• Apply for an extension after the completion of 5 years of Visa validity

  
  

Subclass 500 Visa application Steps

Step 1

You must collate all the essential documents before filing an application for the Visa.

Step 2

The documents required include identity proof and character proof that demonstrate that you have complied with the Visa criteria.

Step 3 

You have to file the Visa application online.

Step 4 

The Australia Visa authorities will share notification with you once they receive your Visa application.

Step 5

You will receive a notification regarding the status of your Australia Student Visa application.

Modes of application

The Department of Home Affairs in Australia offers multiple choices for seeking admission to an Australian University. You can file the application:

• Directly yourself through the website of the University

• Through a Study Overseas Consultant/Counselor

You can make the choice of the mode through which you wish to file the application.

English Language Exam Results

You will have to obtain the test results of an English language exam if your native language is not English. You must appear for the IELTS and obtain the minimum specified scores. The test results must be available before filing the Australia Study Visa application.

Obtain your COE from the Universities

You will receive the offer letter from the University/College after you are selected for a course. A written confirmation of acceptance has to be shared with them and payment of tuition fees has to be made. You will be offered the Confirmation of Enrollment after this. COE is needed for processing your Australia Study Visa application.

Apply for Australia Subclass 500 Student Visa

You can apply for the Australia Subclass 500 Student Visa once you obtain the essential documents for the application. These include:

• Digital copy of COE - E Confirmation of Enrolment certificate

• GTE - Genuine Temporary Entrant statement

• Proof of financial ability for funding your education in Australia (includes return flight ticket, tuition fees, and AUD 18, 610 annually)

• Evidence of proficiency in the English language – IELTS score

• Approved health insurance cover by the Australian provider

• Character certificate from Police proving the absence of criminal record

Cost of Studying in Australia in 2024

Courses in Humanities, Education, and Arts are affordable in Australia in comparison with courses in Medicine and Engineering. Post-Graduate level programs have higher tuition fees.

Intakes In Australia

Universities in Australia have different application deadlines. Nevertheless, two common application timelines are applicable broadly:

Intake I: Semester 1 – the intake starts in February and is the chief intake for students

Intake II: Semester 2 – the intake starts in July

Work approval for students

Student Applicants must be more than 18 years of age. Overseas students having a valid Australia Study Visa are now allowed to work for up to 40 hours weekly. One exception is the role of Academic Assistant. There is no cap on the number of weekly work hours for Academic Assistants. Overseas students cannot work as Freelancers or be self-employed.

Overseas students can apply for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa after completion of graduation. The Visa application will be approved based on the stream through which the student applied to study in Australia and the coursework.

Australia Study Visa Requirements in 2023

• You will qualify for the Subclass 500 Student Visa only if you wish to take a registered course or part of it on a full-time basis

• Your chosen course has to be registered with CRICOS - Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students

• Confirmation of enrollment in a University in Australia through ECOE - electronic Confirmation of Enrolment

• Evidence that the purpose of your arrival in Australia is only for education and not to settle: GTE - Genuine Temporary Entrant statement

• 4 Latest photographs of passport size

• Notarized or certified copies of transcript/ academic results documents

• OSHC - Overseas Student Health Cover approved by the Government of Australia. It covers basic hospital and medical cover. This can be purchased through the University in Australia.

• Test results of English language exams such as PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS for non-native English speakers

• Proof of financial means for catering to all costs during studies in Australia including living costs, travel, and course fees

• Proof of civil status if applicable

• Certificate from police to demonstrate the absence of any criminal record

• Evidence of having made payment of the Visa fees

The University in Australia that has offered you admission will inform you if there are any extra requirements.

After Graduation

Temporary Graduate Visa

You can qualify for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa under the Post-Study Work stream if you complete a Doctoral, master's, or bachelor's degree in Australia. This is after the completion of the study program. The Visa authorizes the holder to work in Australia for 2 to 4 years to gain valuable employment experience.

Graduate Work Stream

Overseas students can obtain Australia Work Visa under the Graduate Work Stream. They must possess an eligible qualification and have graduated with qualifications and skills about an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. The validity of the Visa offered under this stream is 18 months.

Top Universities In Australia

Australia Study Visa Processing Time

Normally, the Australia Study Visa application is processed within 30 days while it can also take up to 90 days.

The application for the Australia Study Visa can be filed 124 days before the commencement of your course. You can arrive in Australia 90 days before the commencement of your course.

You can also include dependents if any in the same Subclass 500 Student Visa. You have to declare the dependents in the application even if they are not accompanying you to Australia. If not, they cannot be included in the Dependent Visa application at a later stage.

Simplified Student Visa Framework

SSVF - Simplified Student Visa Framework streamlines the visa processing time. Processing Time for Australia Student Visa is as follows: 

Processing of Australia Study Visa applications has been streamlined by SSVF. Thus, the average time taken is around 4 to 6 weeks. The timeline is also influenced by the educational institution. Extra documents can also be asked for if needed or so wished by the Visa authorities.

One of the essential documents for the Student Visa Program process is the ECOE - Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment provided by the education provider in Australia. Only those applications that have ECOE are shared with the DHA - Department of Home Affairs.