Australia is one of the best countries in the world to study, the country is just behind the United Kingdom on the list of best countries to study in according to education.com.
Their reputation as a top destination for international students is well-deserved, thanks to its world-class education system.
Many universities and colleges in the country consistently rank among the best globally, which means as a student here, you will be learning from the best in the best environment possible.
You will have access to quality education and research opportunities. That’s not all, Australia offers postgraduate work opportunities to international students, you can stay back and establish yourself (in the country) after your studies. That’s amazing.
If you admire the idea of studying in Australia, you need not just admission to study in the country by a college or university, but also a student visa.
Your Australian student visa is your ticket to live as a student in the country, without getting your student visa, you will not be allowed into the country to study. If you are ready for your academic journey in Australia, below is how to apply for an Australian student visa.
How to apply for an Australian student visa
Just like you have a tourist visa, which allows you to enter a country for tourism, a student visa is designed to facilitate your entry into Australia to pursue your education at a registered educational institution.
The institution must be registered else, you won’t be allowed to enter the county. To get your student visa, you have to apply and get a positive decision on your application – visa approval.
The student visa application process involves the following steps.
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Choose a course and institution
You should start by choosing a course and a registered institution in Australia to attend. This is very important, the institution must be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) – they are approved to accept applications from international students.
Check if the institution offers your desired course of study, if they do, then proceed to apply for admission.
One of the requirements to apply for an Australian student visa is a “confirmation of Enrollment letter” so you need to get admission at a registered institution before you can apply for a student visa.
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Receive an offer of enrollment
Apply and receive an Offer of Enrollment (Confirmation of Enrollment – CoE) from your chosen institution. Confirmation of Enrollment – CoE is necessary for your visa application. You will be submitting it with other identifying documents in the next few steps of your visa application.
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Gather required documents
Aside from your Australian student visa application form, you will be required to submit many other documents together with a filled application form.
These documents help the immigration offers to identify you, and they also prove that you are a genuine applicant.
What are the requirements for applying for a student visa in Australia?
The documents required to apply for an Australian student visa include:
- Your international passport
- Passport-sized photographs
- CoE – Confirmation of Enrollment, remember that? From your institution
- You have to get your academic and English language proficiency transcripts
- In addition, you need proof of financial capacity (you can provide your bank statements, scholarship information – if you are studying on scholarship, etc.)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy
These documents must be up to date and complete before you can submit them.
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Prove proof of your English Language proficiency
If you are not from an English-speaking country and your previous education was not done in the English language, then you need to provide proof of your English language proficiency.
This is important because, you will be taught in English language, and you need to understand the language to participate in classes.
You can take any recognized tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent. Check the specific requirements of your chosen institution.
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Create an ImmiAccount
Go to the official website of the Department of Home Affairs and create an ImmiAccount. You will use this account in submitting your visa application. During the account creation process, make sure you provide accurate information about yourself. Keep your account details safe – your password and username.
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Download and fill out the application form
Once you are done creating your ImmiAccount account, download and fill out the online Australian Student Visa (subclass 500) application form on your ImmiAccount.
Again, make sure that you provide accurate information while filling out the form. Your information must match what is on your CoE. Enter your personal data, course information, and other relevant information correctly.
If you fill out incomplete or inaccurate information, it will lead to delays in processing your application.
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Upload all the documents you gathered
Upload all required documents to your ImmiAccount account. You need to make sure that all the documents meet the specified format and size. Clearly label each document to correspond with the checklist as instructed by the Department of Home Affairs. Make sure all documents are translated into English before submitting them.
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Pay the visa application fee
After submitting your documents, pay the visa application fee. You can make payments online with your debit or credit card. The online payment is done through the ImmiAccount portal. Once your payment is confirmed, keep a record of it, and submit the payment receipt as evidence of payment.
Note that the fee is non-refundable, even if your visa application is unsuccessful you won’t get your money back.
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Go for bio-metrics collection
In some cases, it depends on your country of origin, you need to go for biometric capturing. Don’t worry, you will receive instructions on how and where to go for the capturing once you submit your application through the ImmiAccount portal.
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Wait for visa Decision
After submitting your application, You have to wait for your visa application to be processed, you can monitor the progress on your ImmiAccount.
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The processing time usually takes longer because the immigration officers have to do a thorough background check, examine all the information you provide, and make sure that they are accurate.
If there is any missing document, you will be notified through your email to provide such document, do that promptly to shorten the processing time.
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Visa decision – Approval
If everything goes well, your visa will be approved. Once your visa is approved, you will receive a notification. Your visa approval letter will come with instructions on what to do next, when to arrive in Australia, and how to start your registration as a student in the country.
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Plan your arrival
Now that your visa has been approved, you need to plan your arrival in Australia, you need to make arrangements for accommodation and make sure you arrive well before the start of your program.
Also read: USA Visa Application – How to Apply for a US Visa
You need to familiarize yourself with the local area, public transportation options available in and out of school, and any pre-arrival requirements set by your educational institution.
Conclusion
If you want to be successful with your Australian student visa application, then you have to pay attention to details during the application stage and follow the instructions provided by the immigration authorities.
Ensure that your application is error-free and provide every detail required at every stage in the application process. The application process can get complex so take your time and do it properly.
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