Guide to Australia Student Visa for Indian Students: Application Process, Requirements,fees.

Study Visa for Australia

Welcome to our easy-to-follow guide for Indian students applying for student visas to Australia! In case you are an Indian and wish to study in Australia, securing the right student visa is very essential. This guide will make it clear to you all the information related to your visa application process. We’ll describe the application process, qualification requirements, the cost, timeline and more. Australia provides a good quality education and job opportunities to the students. By the end of this guide, you’ll be fully prepared to apply for your Australian student visa. Let’s start your journey to studying in Australia!

On July 1, 2016, Australia’s government introduced the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) to modernize a previous student visa system. It involves a Subclass 500 visa, which all international students who desire to study in Australia will be required. This change was introduced to make the application process simpler and easier to use.

Before this date, student visa applications belonged to different subclasses between 571 and 576. The introduction of the SSVF made this process easier by combining these subclasses into a single subclass 500. This action was designed to simplify the process and make it more effective for student recipients of any educational industry in Australia.

Recent Australian Visa Policy Updates:

• Australia announced visa reforms on December 12, 2023, including eliminating low-skilled employment and promoting skilled professionals. These reforms include a strengthened English language standards requirement for international students and shortening the period of post-study work rights. However, a new professional visa category has been introduced that claims speedy processing.
• As of July 1, 2023, eligible students on educational visas in Australia have been permitted to work for a maximum of forty-eight hours per fortnight during their academic term. Even more flexible working hours can apply within university holidays. Special provisions have been put in place for those in aged care, and work hour limits will be lifted to December 31, 2023, if they continue performing well academically.
• On July 21, 2023, the Ministers of Australia and India talked about speeding up visa processing and strengthening educational skill cooperation to improve the educational ties between the two countries.

Australian Student Visa Categories

It is very important for the Indian students intending to pursue higher studies in Australia, to be aware of the various types of student visa categories. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

• Independent ELICOS Sector Visa (Subclass 500): This visa is specifically designed for Indian students who intend to study ELICOS in Australia. It allows the students to enroll in English courses as long as 50 weeks allowing them to improve their level of proficiency and preparation for further studies.

• Schools Sector Visa (Subclass 500): This visa category is applicable to Indian students at the primary or secondary level of education in Australia, and it facilitate them to attend Australian schools. This is an excellent chance for the younger learners to receive a good education and blend into the Australian lifestyle.

• Higher Education Sector Visa (Subclass 500): This visa is directed to the Indian students wanting to study undergraduate, post-graduate, or doctoral degrees at universities in Australia. It offers an opportunity to study different academic subjects from some of the leading universities offering quality education available.

• Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590): It is an important visa for the Indian students below the age of 18 who study in Australia. It allows a parent or legal guardian to remain in Australia while the student is studying there, providing support, and ensuring his/her welfare.

Key Highlights of the Updated Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) for Australian Student Visas

The Standardized Student Visa Framework (SSVF) in Australia has revolutionized how student visas are processed. The visa applications were initially classified under the Assessment Level Framework depending on the country of origin and immigration risk. This has been replaced with an integrated system that evaluates country and immigration risk factors under the new SSVF. This more contemporary approach streamlines the process, replacing old-fashioned application methods. Under the updated framework, students are assessed on a consolidated standard based on SSVF.

1. Nationality

A country of origin is a vital factor in the new SSVF for Australian student visas. A passport-issuing country defines a student’s risk assessment category. For instance, an Indian student who applies for a visa from the United States will be assessed under India’s risk categories by DIBP, irrespective of their current location. This method ensures that risk assessment based on nationality remains consistent.

2. Risk Profile for Educational Provider

It is the procedure for a student’s visa under streamlined/regular practices established by the DIBP framework.

SSVF Visa Processing Categorization

Education Provider Tier

• Tier 1: The visa process is simplified for all students regardless of the country’s risk level.
• Tier 2: Students are granted a simplified procedure if they come from countries with immigration risk levels 1 and 2, while those who belong to the level of well-being have ordinary processing.
• Tier 3: The students coming from countries with immigration risk level 1 get a simplified procedure of entrance; the others that come to Russia via Level 2 and L3 immigrants are regularly processed.

Country Immigration Risk

• Level 1: Usually linked to reduced risk and hence frequently entitled to simplified processing.
• Level 2: Moderate risk, which could be processed in a streamlined or regular way based on the tier level of an education provider.
• Level 3: More risk, more likely to need ongoing processing, especially if combined with the lower grade education provider.

This system automatically updates the list of mandatory documentation. DIBP may ask for any or all of the documents that students will prepare beforehand. This makes all required information available for visa processing.

Student Visa Expenses in Australia

Visa Category	Primary Applicant Fee (AUD	Adult Applicant Fee (AUD)	Minor Applicant Fee (AUD)	Additional Temporary Application Fee (AUD)
Main Student Visa	710	530	175	700
Student Visa Post Graduate Research Sector Student Visa	710	–	–	–
Student Guardian Visa	710	–	–	700
Student Visa Defense and Foreign Affairs	0	–	–	–
Student Visa Secondary Exchange (Schools Sector)	0	–	–	–

In Australia, the payment for online applications and services is made in Australian dollars. Major credit cards entitled to Indian students applying for Australian educational visas include VISA, MasterCard and American Express. It is worth noting that when using a credit card for purchases in Australian dollars, there may be extra charges on conversion and bank fees depending on exchange rates.

Eligibility for the Subclass 500 Student Visa in Various Fields and Programs

The Subclass 500 visa consolidates several sectors and categories, allowing students to apply for this visa if they are enrolled in any of the following programs:

Independent ELICOS Sector

Under this sector, students can pursue short-term English language courses in Australia. These courses, called English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS), qualify for Certificates I to IV. The duration of such courses may differ.

Vocational Education and Training Sector

This visa type specifically targets students involved in VETs from TAFE institutions or private colleges. It covers a range of courses, excluding ELICOS, such as:

• Certificates I, II, III and IV
• Vocational Graduate Diploma
• Advanced Vocational Diploma
• Vocational Graduate Certificate

Department of Higher Education

Higher education represents students enrolled in full-time accredited higher courses at universities, colleges or similar institutions. Several programs qualify for this visa category, including:

• Undergraduate university programs resulting in bachelor’s or associate degrees.
• Graduate programs in universities, for example, MBA, Master of Science and other master’s degree studies.
• This includes postgraduate programs offering advanced higher education diplomas such as PGDBM.

These programs usually take over a year, but some are shorter.

Department of Postgraduate Research

Students in this category are those engaged in postgraduate research programs in Australia, such as:

• Research-oriented master’s degree programs.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualifications.

Students are also sponsored by the Department of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade.

Duration of Australian Student Visa

A standard Australian student visa would usually last for five years. But as of July 1, 2016, new rules have been implemented to increase the stay on visa according to the length of course that a student has landed.

Relationship between Visa Validity and Course Duration

The visa remains effective through March 15 after courses lasting more than ten months and terminating in November or December. For instance, if the course results in December 2021, their visa will be valid until March 15th of next year.

For courses lasting longer than ten months but ending between January and October, the visa is issued for two months after completion. For example, if the course concludes in February 2021, the visa will stay relevant until April 2021.

For courses that span ten months or less, visa validity extends an additional month beyond the course duration.

Australian Study Visa Requirements

When applying for an Australian study visa, students must fulfill certain conditions and pay attention to some important aspects of the application process, like other visas. The primary criteria include:

Full-Time Study Commitment

Those applying for the Subclass 500 Student Visa should take full-time courses to qualify. Distance or part-time programs cannot be included.

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement

Applicants should show that they are real temporary entrants. This involves persuading the government that education is the main reason for visiting Australia and an intention to return after studying or shortly afterwards. The evaluation of visa applications under this criterion includes several factors:

• The applicant’s financial situation from their country of origin.
• Potential situations or chances in Australia.
• The applicant’s plans are associated with the relevancy of choosing a particular course.
• The applicant’s immigration history.
• All other factors are applicable to determining the applicant’s intentions to visit Australia to receive education temporarily.

Health Insurance and Medical Examination Policies

For the Australian Student Visa, applicants must submit evidence of good health. This includes going in for a medical test from the panel’s approved doctor. In India, the waiting time for applicants is significantly reduced by using Medical services where their records are updated on an ad hoc basis, usually within seconds. As part of the health check, applicants get a Health Assessment Portal (HAP) ID to apply for a visa. The chest- X-ray is also mandatory for Indian students because of the tuberculosis problem in India.

The medical examination can be carried out before or after the beginning of the visa application process, although performing it in advance makes for quicker approval. Additionally, applicants are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC):

• When applying for your visa, you must purchase OSHC for the entire duration.
• Since health insurance affects how long a visa holder receives, it should cover all of the course duration.
• The average cost of OSHC for a student per 12 months comes to about one thousand five hundred fifteen Australian Dollars.
• Processing time for the Australian student visa is based on the availability of medical records.
• It takes one to three weeks to deliver medical files of Australia’s Department of Home Affairs.

Good Character Requirement

Moreover, the candidates have to prove good character. This usually translates to the revelation that they should have no pending criminal charges or prior deportations from Australia. Many times, this need is satisfied by a mere character statement.

Australia Student Visa Requirements

The DIBP website has a tool to help applicants know which documents are needed for an Australian student visa. It should be noted that this list of Regular Evidentiary Documents does not imply completeness and may differ under SSVF (Simplified Student Visa Framework). However, before embarking on the online application procedure, ensure you have digital copies of all necessary documents. The key documents typically include the following:

• Valid Passport: The validity of your passport should be at least six months following your stay in Australia.
• Receipt of payment for Visa Application Fee.
• Confirmation of Enrolment (COE): To obtain a student visa, one must be enrolled full-time in an Australian institution with COE. This is usually an official document issued by the Australian institution in which you will study, following payment of tuition fees.
• Letter of Offer and Proposed Study Plan by your host university.
• Evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Recent Digital Photographs.
• Academic Documents: Certificates, diplomas, degrees and transcripts from schools you have attended.
• English Language Proficiency Test Results.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP).

Application Process for an Australian Student Visa

The wait time for a Student Visa to Australia can reach up to 124 days. You can travel to Australia only up to 90 days before the start of your course. Indian applicants can follow the application under SSVF completely online. Here are the steps to follow:

• Create an ImmiAccount and log in to start the online application.
• Fill out the visa application form for one of the eligible categories. Authorized Indian educational institutions and Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) in India can use the Student Online Lodgement Option to lodge student visa applications.
• Return to your ImmiAccount to observe your application’s progress. The account allows you to verify the statuses, upload documents, correct passport information and amend contact details.
• All online applications are given a Transaction Reference Number (TRN), which is vital for managing and tracking your application, contacting the visa centre, and then the verifying stage.

Dependents and Australian Student Visa

Hence, dependents of international students applying for Australian student visas must also apply under Subclass 500 and incur all the related costs. Although family members will not travel with the student to Australia, they need to be part of our visa application at the time of filing. If they are not listed, it may cause the loss of dependent visas, enabling them to travel and join the student in Australia. For masters program applicants, the spouse or partner of a student is eligible for a Dependent Visa and work authorization, which lasts as long as the primary visa holder.

Minimum IELTS Band Requirement for Australian Student Visa

Many ask how many IELTS band points are needed for an Australian study visa. It should be stated that IELTS scores are one of the requirements issued by universities, but they do not influence eligibility for an Australian student visa in any manner. The minimum IELTS band score for undergraduate admission in Australia is usually 6.0 overall, and no bands are below 5. Postgraduate courses require a band score of 6.5–7.0.

Overall, applicants to Australian universities usually require a score of 6.5 for post-graduate programs and 6.0 for undergrad courses, in addition to no band lower than six or less. However, some such programs as law, medicine, and nursing may have even stricter IELTS requirements. Notably, these IELTS score levels are approximate and actual requirements may differ according to the chosen university. It is also significant that the IELTS score does not influence an Australian student visa.

Part-Time Job Offers as per the Subclass 500 Student Visa

The rules apply to part-time employment for Australian students with a Subclass 500 Student Visa. Key points to remember include:

• Work Limitations: When the course is on, students can work up to 40 hours per fortnight. There are no limits during official breaks due to the hours they can work. Nevertheless, they are allowed to work only after their course starts.
• Employment Before Course Commencement: Students cannot begin their work before the start of their course. For example, if a person comes to Australia in December 2023 and the program they are studying starts in January 2019, they can not start working until their course session commences.
• Course-Related Work: Thus, the 40-hour per fortnight restriction does not apply if this work is required as part of the course. This is typically the case with courses involving integrated placements or mandatory internships.
• Postgraduate Research Students: In the Postgraduate Research Sector, students can work unrestricted hours as soon as their research project or thesis task has begun. Before this, they were subject to the same 40 hours per fortnight rule even though enrolled in preparatory courses.
• Post-Study Work Visa: Upon completing their studies and fulfilling all Australian study requirements, students under the Graduate Stream can apply for a Post-study Work Visa. Nevertheless, only students enrolled in an ELICOS course are not eligible for the Australian post-study work visa.

Processing Timeline for Australian Student Visas in 2024

The same change caused a delay in the timeline for Australian visa approvals to 2024. These visas now take between 7 business days to a maximum of 85 calendar days, owing to each case’s changed processing schedules and peculiarity. This irregularity in processing time is further affected by the increase in student applications, especially those returning after the pandemic. The table below specifies the processing lead times recommended for every visa category incorporating these new deadlines.

Visa Category and Sector	Quartile 1 (25% of cases processed within)	Quartile 2 (50% of cases processed within)	Quartile 3 (75% of cases processed within)	Quartile 4 (90% of cases processed within)
Subclass 500 – Student Visa: Foreign Affairs/Defense Sector	Within 7 days	Within 14 days	Within 48 days	Within 85 days
Subclass 500 – Student Visa: Postgraduate Research Sector	Within 18 days	Within 63 days	Within 85 days	Up to 8 months
Subclass 500 – Student Visa: Independent ELICOS Sector	Within 20 days	Within 29 days	Within 44 days	Up to 78 days
Subclass 500 – Student Visa: School Education Sector	Within 14 days	Within 29 days	Within 70 days	Up to 4 months
Subclass 500 – Student Visa: Vocational Education & Training Sector	Within 33 days	Within 54 days	Up to 7 months	Up to 12 months
Subclass 500 – Student Visa: Higher Education Sector	Within 16 days	Within 29 days	Within 57 days	Up to 7 months
Subclass 500 – Student Visa: Non-Award Sector	Within 9 days	Within 17 days	Within 23 days	Within 42 days

A 56% reduction in visa approvals for Indian students who desired to study in Australia was observed in2021. This left around 96,00 Indian students enrolled in Australian universities by July 2025 after the rejection of nearly half of student visa applications. This reduction in the approvals has also led to fewer applications for visas for study purposes.

Scholarships for Studying in Australia

For individuals who wish to pursue higher education in Australia, several scholarships can help with expenses such as tuition fees. Nonetheless, each scholarship has its own requirements that must be critically analyzed before applying. Such financial aids are intended to alleviate these costs for international students. Below is a compilation of some of the popular scholarships available for study in Australia:

• Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
• Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award
• Scholarships for Global Study
• CCSE Graduate Scholarship