Australia remains a top destination for international students because of its high-quality education and lifestyle. However, in recent years, applying for a student visa has become more difficult. The Australian Government now applies greater scrutiny to student visa applications, meaning that even small mistakes or gaps can lead to refusals. To give yourself the best chance of success, it is essential to understand what the Department of Home Affairs looks for in a genuine student and prepare your application carefully.
One of the first and most important steps in applying for a student visa is to prove that you are enrolled in a recognised full-time course in Australia. You must provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your education provider, which shows that you have been accepted into a registered course. If you are a postgraduate student who has finished your research but needs to stay in Australia while your thesis is being marked, you must provide a letter from your university. Students funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs or Defence must include a letter of support from the relevant department.
You cannot rely on short courses like hobby classes, first aid, or alcohol service courses as your main reason for staying in Australia. These are considered supplementary and do not meet the requirements for a student visa. Enrolment in these courses alone will not be accepted and could lead to your visa being refused.
Many students apply for more than one course at the same time, such as English language preparation followed by a diploma or university degree. This is known as course packaging. When doing this, your application must show a logical path of progression. For example, studying English before enrolling in a university course makes sense. However, switching between unrelated fields or taking courses with no clear link may raise doubts about your intentions to study.
Each course in your study plan must have a valid CoE, and the time between courses should be reasonable. Generally, breaks of up to two months between courses during the academic year are acceptable, and up to four months during the summer break. If your gaps are longer, you will need to explain the reason clearly.
A major part of the application process is proving that you are a genuine student. This means you must show that your main purpose for coming to Australia is to study, and that your chosen course is meaningful and relevant to your future plans. You should be able to explain why you chose to study in Australia instead of your home country, how the course will help your career or personal development, and why you selected a particular education provider.
The Government will also assess your background and current circumstances. If you have a history of changing courses frequently, failing subjects, switching education providers, or staying in Australia on multiple short-term visas, these could raise red flags. Similarly, if you have previously applied for protection or another type of visa, your intentions may be questioned.
It is important to show that you have researched your course and know what to expect in terms of study requirements, living arrangements, and costs. You must also demonstrate that your study plans make sense based on your past education or work experience. Taking a course that is below your current education level or unrelated to your background without a clear reason may lead the Department to believe you are not a genuine student.
English language ability is also an important requirement. Unless you are exempt, you will need to show that you meet the minimum English standards. In most cases, this means achieving an overall IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent in another recognised test. If your score is lower, you may still qualify if you are enrolled in an English course of at least 10 to 20 weeks before your main course begins. Lower scores may also be accepted if you are joining an approved foundation or pathway program.
The English test must be taken within the last two years before you apply or before your application is decided. You must provide a complete set of test results from one test sitting. Combining results from multiple tests is not accepted.
You also need to show that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members travelling with you during your stay in Australia. This includes the cost of tuition, living expenses, travel, and school fees for children. You may be asked to provide evidence such as bank statements, proof of income, or education loans. If someone else is helping to support you, such as a parent or employer, you must clearly show your relationship with that person and provide reliable documentation.
The Government will check whether the funds are genuinely available and whether you will have access to them while studying in Australia. Large one-off deposits or support from multiple unrelated sources may be questioned. If you are receiving a scholarship or sponsorship, make sure the funding is officially confirmed and meets the eligibility requirements.
You must also have health insurance for the duration of your stay. Most students are required to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which provides basic medical coverage while studying in Australia. Your health cover must start before you arrive and continue until the end of your visa period. Some students from Belgium, Norway or Sweden may have access to alternative arrangements under reciprocal health care agreements, but documentation is still required.
For students applying to study in an Australian school, age limits apply depending on the year level. For example, students must be under 17 for Year 9 and under 20 for Year 12. If you started your studies before reaching the maximum age and now need a new visa to finish, you may still be eligible for a further visa.
Each application is assessed individually, and all documents must be clear, complete, and accurate. Providing misleading or incomplete information can result in a refusal or even a ban from applying again. The Department expects students to be prepared, well-informed, and serious about their education.
Given the increased difficulty of securing a student visa and the complexity of the requirements, seeking professional advice can make a significant difference. At Heenan & Browne Visa and Migration Services, our experienced migration agents are ready to help you prepare a strong application that meets all current criteria.
To receive expert guidance tailored to your situation, we invite you to book a consultation with one of our registered migration agents. Let us help you take the right steps towards your study goals in Australia.
