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Student Visa Information

Important information for Australian student visa applicants 

Congratulations on your decision to study in Australia. To help your visa application go smoothly, here’s what you need to know before you apply. 

Genuine Student (GS) Requirement 

As part of your visa application, you must satisfy the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. The Department of Home Affairs assesses your personal circumstances, immigration history, and education goals to determine whether your intention to study in Australia is genuine. 

Read the full GS requirement — Department of Home Affairs 

Student Visa Subclass 

You will need to apply for the Subclass 500 student visa to study full-time with SAHE. 

Read more on the Department of Home Affairs website 

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) 

Before you apply for a student visa, you need a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your Australian education provider. Your CoE confirms you have a place in a full-time course in Australia. 

Evidence of Financial Capacity 

You must provide evidence that you have enough funds to cover: 

  • Travel costs 
  • 12 months of living expenses 
  • Tuition fees for you and any accompanying family members 
  • School costs for any school-aged dependants 

Alternatively, you can provide evidence that your spouse or parents are willing to support you and meet a minimum annual income threshold. 

Fund and income thresholds are set by the Department of Home Affairs and change over time — check current figures rather than relying on a fixed amount. 

Current financial capacity requirements — Department of Home Affairs 

English Language Proficiency 

Depending on your course, you may need to provide evidence of English language proficiency. For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs accepts scores from the following tests, undertaken at a secure test centre: 

  • Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) 
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) 
  • International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic), including One Skill Retake (OSR) 
  • International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS General Training), including One Skill Retake (OSR) 
  • LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic) 
  • Michigan English Test (MET), including Single Section Retake (SSR) 
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) 
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) — you must select ‘Taking TOEFL for Australia’ when registering. Results not registered under this pathway may not be accepted for Australian visa purposes. 

Minimum score requirements vary by course — check the specific requirements for your course and visa subclass. 

English language requirements — Department of Home Affairs 

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) 

All international students must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the length of their stay in Australia. OSHC helps cover the cost of medical treatment, hospital visits, and some prescription medicines. 

Health and Character Requirements 

You must meet health and character requirements to be granted a student visa. This can include a medical examination and a police clearance certificate from your home country. 

Can I go to Australia? — Department of Home Affairs 

Lodging Your Visa Application 

You can apply for your student visa online through the Department of Home Affairs, or in person at an Australian visa application centre in your home country. Have all required documents ready before you start your application. 

Visa Processing Times 

Processing times vary by nationality, time of year, and other factors. Apply well ahead of your course start date to allow enough time. 

Check current global visa processing times 

Visa Conditions 

Once your student visa is granted, you must meet all visa conditions, including: 

  • Maintaining full-time enrolment in your course 
  • Notifying SAHE of any change of address 
  • Keeping your work hours within 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session 

See your visa conditions — Department of Home Affairs 

Grounds for Deferral, Suspension, or Cancellation 

You should understand the grounds on which SAHE may defer, suspend, or cancel your enrolment. These can include academic performance, attendance, visa-related non-compliance, or breaches of SAHE’s code of conduct. 

Read SAHE’s policies 

Need Help? 

For the most accurate and current information on student visa requirements and conditions, visit the Department of Home Affairs website. If you have questions, contact SAHE’s international student support team. 

Department of Home Affairs 

FAQs

Yes. You need a valid CoE from SAHE before you can lodge your Subclass 500 student visa application. 

You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during official course breaks, in line with current Department of Home Affairs rules. 

The GS requirement is how the Department of Home Affairs assesses whether your intention to study in Australia is genuine, based on your personal circumstances, immigration history, and education goals. 

Yes. All international students must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full length of their stay in Australia. 

Processing times vary by nationality and time of year. Check the Department of Home Affairs’ current global visa processing times and apply well ahead of your course start date. 

Important Information for Australia Student Visa Applicants

Congratulations on your decision to study in Australia! To ensure a smooth and successful visa application process, it’s essential to be aware of the following important information:

As part of the visa application process, you must demonstrate that your intention to study in Australia is genuine and temporary. The Department of Home Affairs will assess your personal circumstances, immigration history, and education goals to determine whether you meet the GTE requirement.

The most common student visa subclass for international students is the Subclass 500. This visa allows you to study full-time at a recognized educational institution in Australia. Ensure that you apply for the correct visa subclass based on your intended course of study.

For more information, visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500

Before applying for a student visa, you must have a valid Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from an Australian educational institution. The CoE is evidence that you have been accepted to study a full-time course in Australia.

You need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and any accompanying family members’ costs (if applicable). The Department of Home Affairs has specific financial requirements that you must meet to be eligible for a student visa.

Depending on your chosen course, you may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. Accepted English language tests include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, and others. Check the specific requirements for your course and visa subclass. 

All international students are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their stay in Australia. OSHC helps cover medical expenses, hospital visits, and certain prescription medications.

You must meet specific health and character requirements to be granted a student visa. This may include a medical examination and obtaining a police clearance certificate from your home country. 

You can apply for your student visa online through the Department of Home Affairs website or at an Australian visa application centre in your home country. Ensure you have all the required documents and information ready before lodging your application. 

Visa processing times may vary based on your nationality, the time of the year, and other factors. It’s advisable to apply for your student visa well in advance to allow sufficient processing time. 

Once granted a student visa, you must comply with all visa conditions, including maintaining full-time enrolment, notifying your educational institution of any address changes, and adhering to work limitations (40 hours per fortnight during study periods). 

Australian educational institutions have policies and procedures in place to ensure that information and advice given to international students, both those holding or applying for an Australian student visa, and decisions taken in relation to such students, meet statutory requirements. These policies and processes are designed to safeguard the rights and welfare of international students and provide a fair and transparent framework for dealing with any visa-related matters. Visit policies page.

International students should familiarise themselves with the grounds on which their enrolment may be deferred, suspended, or cancelled by their educational institution. Grounds may include academic performance, attendance, visa-related non-compliance, or breaches of the institution’s code of conduct. 
For the most accurate and up-to-date information about the student visa application process, requirements, and conditions, please visit the official website of the Department of Home Affairs (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/). 

We wish you the best of luck with your student visa application and look forward to welcoming you to Australia for an enriching educational experience! If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the nearest Australian embassy, consulate, or your educational institution’s international student support team.