Step-by-Step Guide on Applying For an Australia Student Visa

You’ve secured your Australian university enrolment and gotten your health insurance. What’s next? Well, it’s time to apply for your student visa!

To study in Australia as an international student, you need a valid Subclass 500 student visa. This visa lets you stay in Australia up to five years to complete your course of study, and travel in and out of the country freely. The thought of filling in neverending forms and the endless amount of steps can seem daunting. Are you doing it right? What do you need for a successful application? Don’t worry, Y Suites has your back. Here’s our simple 4-step process to applying for an Australian student visa!

Step 1: Organise Your Health Exams

Yep, you read that right. Australia has pretty strict laws on health requirements, so visa applicants have to meet their health standards to be granted a visa. Even though you’re just applying for a temporary visa, if your country is considered “high risk” for tuberculosis, you’ll need to go for a medical exam and a chest x-ray.

If your country is listed here as “low risk”, you won’t need a health examination. But heads up — countries such as Singapore, China, Malaysia and India aren’t on the list, so if you’re from these countries, book your appointments early and get your health examinations sorted ahead of time.

Step 2: Prepare The Necessary Documents

Compile all the documents and files you’ll need beforehand in one folder on your computer. This way, you can avoid the headache of searching for documents mid-way through filling out your Australian student visa application. Some of the key information that must be submitted include:

• Your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
• A copy of your passport
• Evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurance
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Evidence that you meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirements (usually a certified copy of your academic transcripts)

You can use this handy document checklist tool to find out exactly what to prepare.

Step 3: Apply For Your Visa Online

Now, you should be all set to begin applying for your student visa online. This stage alone has a couple of steps, so let’s go through things one by one.

Create an ImmiAccount

Set up an individual account on the office Australian Department of Home Affairs portal.

Start a new application

Begin a new application for a Subclass 500 student visa. You can save and continue filling up your application at another time, so no rush to complete everything at one go. Follow the form and attach all necessary documents.

Pay for your online application

You might need your parents’ help to complete this step. The online visa application fee is around AUD630, which can be paid by credit card, PayPal, UnionPay or BPAY.

Once you’re done, press ‘submit’ and you’re good to go!

Step 4: Check Back On Your Application & Wait

And so the waiting game begins. Log back into your ImmiAccount every so often to check on your status. If you noticed a mistake, don’t worry — you can still update your details even after submitting your application.

Processing can take a long time, so be patient. After all, officials have hundreds and thousands of applications to sift through. According to the Department of Home Affairs website, most applications (75%) are processed in 44 days. It might take even longer if you happen to fill it in incorrectly or have any missing information, so make sure to fill in the application carefully.

It’s best to get your visa settled early so you can move on other important matters — like selecting your student apartment! Discover the things to consider when choosing university accommodation and check out our useful guide to living in Australia.