The student visa (subclass 500) allows you to study full-time at a registered Australian educational institution. It covers ELICOS (English language courses), VET (vocational education and training), undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and non-award foundation and pathway programs.
Is this your situation?
You have an offer from an Australian institution but you are not sure whether your application will pass the Genuine Student test. Or you have applied before and been refused. Or you are already in Australia on another visa and want to switch to a student visa, but you are worried about conditions on your current visa that might stop you.
These are the situations we deal with regularly. The student visa looks simple on paper, but the Genuine Student requirement catches a lot of people.
Who can apply
To apply for a student visa you need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered education provider. You also need to meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, which replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test in 2024.
The Department assesses whether you are a genuine student based on your circumstances, your course choice, your immigration history and your potential situation after the visa expires. They look at gaps in your study or employment history, whether the course is relevant to your previous qualifications, and whether your stated reasons for studying in Australia make sense given your overall situation.
The Genuine Student requirement - what actually gets you refused
The GS test is where most student visa refusals happen. The Department refuses applications when:
The course does not logically follow from your previous qualifications or employment. A qualified engineer enrolling in a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery raises questions.
There are long unexplained gaps in your study or work history. The Department wants to know what you were doing during those years.
Your stated reasons for studying in Australia do not hold up. Saying you want to study IT in Australia when the same course is available for a fraction of the price in your home country, and you have no ties to Australia, is a problem.
Your immigration history includes previous visa refusals, overstays, or cancelled visas. Past non-compliance makes the Department sceptical about your intentions.
You cannot adequately explain why you are changing fields. A 40-year-old accountant enrolling in a diploma of beauty therapy is going to get questions.
Financial requirements
You must demonstrate that you can cover your tuition fees, living costs and travel. The Department of Home Affairs publishes minimum financial thresholds each year. The evidence can include bank statements, loan approval letters, scholarship offers, or evidence of a sponsor's financial capacity.
The financial evidence needs to be genuine. The Department does checks. Borrowed funds that were deposited recently and will be withdrawn immediately after the visa is granted are not going to pass.
English requirements
English language requirements depend on the course and the education provider. Most providers require an IELTS score of 5.5 to 6.5, or an equivalent from PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge. Some providers offer packaged English courses with your main course, which can reduce the standalone English requirement.
Work rights on a student visa
Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. These limits changed in 2023. Breaching your work condition can lead to visa cancellation.
Choosing the right course for your migration goals
If you are studying with the eventual goal of permanent residence, the course you choose now directly affects your options later. Your course determines which occupation you can claim for a graduate visa (485) and for skilled migration (189, 190, 491).
We work with a range of education providers across Brisbane and Queensland and can advise on courses that align with both your study goals and your migration goals. See our education services page for more on this.
Already in Australia and want to change to a student visa?
If you are in Australia on another visa type, switching to a student visa involves checking whether your current visa has condition 8503 (no further stay), whether Schedule 3 applies, and whether the timing of your application creates any problems. Get advice before you lodge. A poorly timed application can make things worse.
Student visa refused? You may have options.
If your student visa has been refused and you are in Australia, you may be able to apply for a review at the Administrative Review Tribunal. The deadline is usually 21 days from the date on the refusal notice. If you are outside Australia, the review rights are more limited.
Do not assume the refusal is final. But do not wait either. Contact us on 0425 825 500 the same day you receive a refusal.
Processing times
Student visa processing times vary significantly depending on your nationality, your education provider's risk rating and whether additional checks are required. Current processing times are published on the Department of Home Affairs website. Applications lodged well before the course start date generally have better outcomes.
How Robbie Toor (MARN 1170356) helps with student visas
Robbie assists with course selection, education provider options, Genuine Student statement preparation, financial evidence, OSHC and the visa application itself. He has been handling student visa applications since 2011 and can assess whether your application has any red flags before you lodge.
If you have been refused before, he can review the refusal reasons and advise on whether a fresh application or an ART review is the better option.