Student Visa Requirements Australia

The Student visa is for people who intend to undertake an eligible course of study in Australia. Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time CRICOS-registered course and provide the required evidence, including a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), unless a specific exception applies.

Depending on your circumstances, your application may require evidence of identity, enrolment, Genuine Student (GS) responses and supporting evidence, financial capacity, English language ability where required, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), health and character documents, and welfare arrangements for eligible students under 18.

The GS requirement applies to Student visa applications lodged from 23 March 2024. Applicants answer questions in the online application about their current circumstances, reasons for choosing the course and provider, the benefit of the course and other relevant information. Each response has a 150-word limit and should be supported by evidence where relevant.

You may need to demonstrate funds for travel, 12 months of tuition, 12 months of living costs for yourself and accompanying family members, and school costs for accompanying school-aged children. Use our Funds Calculator as a planning tool, then check the Department’s current Document Checklist Tool before lodging.

English evidence is required where the Department’s checklist says it applies, subject to applicable exemptions. Approved tests and requirements can change, so applicants should check the current Home Affairs requirements rather than relying on an old test-score table.

You must have adequate Overseas Student Health Cover for the proposed visa period unless an exemption applies. Make sure coverage does not have gaps where your study involves multiple providers.

Check your passport details, CoE, financial evidence, GS responses, English evidence if required, OSHC and any health, character or welfare documents. Re-check the Department’s Document Checklist Tool immediately before submission because the checklist is updated periodically.