The Australian Government has recently announced significant updates regarding student visa (subclass 500). Some of the key changes including:
- New genuine student requirement
- New English requirement
- Increase to financial capacity
These updates are designed to ensure that international students meet specific criteria, enhancing integrity and quality of international education.
New Genuine Student Requirement
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement will replace the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for Australian Student visas. This amendment aims to clarify the assessment of a student’s intention to study genuinely in Australia and removes the necessity for students to prove they only intend to stay temporarily.
A set of new questions has been included in the student visa application form, as shown below:
- Details of your current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances.
- Explain the reason you wish to study this course in Australia with this particular education provider and your understanding of the requirements of the intended course and studying and living in Australia.
- Explain how completing the course will be of benefit to you.
- Details of any other relevant information you would like to include.
Unlike the GTE, the GS requirement allows students to express interest in permanent residence after their studies, aligning with Australia’s goal to fill skill shortages with qualified graduates. It focuses on assessing a student’s genuine intention to study by considering factors such as their circumstances, course progression, immigration history, and visa compliance. The GTE requirement will still apply to student guardian visa (subclass 590) applicants.
New English Requirement
These changes aim to support international students in having a positive educational experience, ensuring that students progress successfully to their main course and preparing them for the skilled workforce,
Key revisions to English language requirements include:
- For student visa, the minimum IELTS score has increased from 5.5 to 6.0 (or its equivalent).
- For a packaged ELICOS, the minimum IELTS score has increased from 4.5 to 5.0 (or its equivalent).
- For university foundation or pathway programs, the IELTS score has been increase to 5.5 (or its equivalent).
There is no change for students studying English only through ELICOS.
Increase to Financial Capacity
The financial capacity for student visa and student guardian visa applicants have been increased starting from 10 May 2024. This adjustment is meant to reflect what is needed to live reasonably while studying in Australia. It takes into account that students are out of course session for 25% of the year, during which they may return home or work without restrictions.
Below is the table outlining the funds needed to meet the minimum financial capacity requirement:
| New Financial Capacity Requirement | |
| Primary applicant | AUD29,710 |
| Spouse or de facto partner of the Student primary applicant (not applicable to Student Guardian applicant) | AUD10,394 |
| Dependent child | AUD4,449 |
| Annual school costs | AUD13,502 |
| Personal annual income if there is no member of the family | AUD87,856 |
| Personal annual income where there is a member of the family unit | AUD102,500 |
We understand that these changes may raise uncertainties, but rest assured, Ausdirect Migration is here to assist you every step of the way. If you’d like to learn more about the recent changes to the student visa, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our registered migration agents at Ausdirect Migration.
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