The Department of Home Affairs recently announced a significant change that will impact student visa applicants. Effective from 23 March 2024, the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for student visas (subclass 500) will be replaced with the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. This update is part of the Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023 and marks a shift in the assessment criteria for student visa applications.
Key Points of the Genuine Student (GS) Requirement:
The new GS requirement will feature specific questions designed to give decision-makers a comprehensive understanding of the applicant’s background and motivations for studying in Australia.
Applicants will be required to provide details about their current circumstances, including their ties to family, community, employment, and economic situation. They must also explain their choice of course and why they have selected Australia as their study destination, highlighting the benefits they expect to gain from their chosen course.
Applicants with a previous study history in Australia or those holding a visa other than a Student visa will need to articulate their reasons for applying for a student visa and state any relevant study experience they have had.
The GS requirement will apply to student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024. Applications submitted before this date will be assessed under the existing GTE arrangements.
It’s important to note that the GTE requirement will still apply to Student Guardian (subclass 590) visa applications.
Student Visa Declaration Amendments:
As part of these changes, the student visa declaration will be updated to include the following commitments from applicants:
Understanding the concept of being a genuine student for studying in Australia.
Committing to comply with all student visa conditions and promptly notifying the Department of Home Affairs of any changes in their circumstances.
Acknowledging the availability of post-study pathways to permanent migration, with a reminder that eligibility is limited, and those unable to stay lawfully in Australia must leave the country.
To align with these adjustments, Ministerial Direction 69 will be replaced by two new ministerial directions. These changes are aimed at ensuring a smooth transition to the GS requirement and clarifying the application of GTE assessments for applications lodged before 23 March 2024.
For more information and guidance on these changes, book a consultation with Heenan & Browne Visa and Migration Services. Our experienced migration agents in Cairns, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and across Australia are ready to address your concerns and help you navigate the evolving Student visa migration legislation.
