Students wishing to enroll in Australian universities need to apply for an Australian Student Subclass 500 visa. It allows you to stay in the country for up to 5 years for the duration of your studies. On average, Australia issues more than a quarter of a million student visas per year. You should apply for a visa 8 weeks before you start your studies.
Online visa applications are made on the official website of the Australian Immigration Service at: Online.immi.gov.au.
You must register a new ImmiAccount if you are applying for a visa for the first time.
- Identification documents.
- Passport photo.
- Visa fee receipt.
- Documents of financial solvency.
- Letter of invitation from the educational institution.
- Essay.
- 157N Questionnaire (if necessary).
- Education documents, certificates.
- Health insurance.
The list may change depending on the university selected. You can check document availability at: Immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
This list includes:
- A citizenship ID;
- a valid passport;
- name change documents, marriage or divorce certificate (if available).
If you cannot prove your identity, the visa will not be granted for 10 years.
The university will provide you with a Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE). This tells you what course and program you have been admitted to.
To obtain a visa, you need to prove that you have enough money to live in Australia.
The minimum amount required to obtain a visa is the cost of living for a year. The actual cost of living may vary depending on the location of the institution or area.
Documents of financial solvency may include:
- designated grants, scholarships, and similar financial support;
- bank statements;
- government loans or credits.
As an alternative proof, you can provide a document that your parents' or guardians' income was at least 72,465 Australian dollars for 12 months (4,460,000 rubles at the current exchange rate).
With this option, you need to provide government documents, such as tax deductions, rather than bank or accounting statements.
The visa fee after October 1, 2023 is 710 Australian dollars (43,000 rubles at the current exchange rate). You can pay the fee in your personal account in ImmiAccount.
You must provide certificates or diplomas in English, as well as IELTS (minimum 5.5) or TOEFL (46) if applicable. This list may also include grants and scholarships awarded to you by your institution.
Australia requires international students to have OSHC paid health insurance. Depending on the choice, the insurance costs from 1160 to 1405 Australian dollars (71,000 — 86,400 rubles at the current exchange rate).
The insurance is paid for 12 months. You can choose and pay for the right program on the official website of international student insurance: Oshcaustralia.com.au.
If your institution has already taken out an OSHC for you, you must include the name of the health insurance provider and the start and end dates of the policy in your application.
This 300-word (2000 character) statement is proof that you are indeed an applicant/student. The application can be accompanied by information about your previous place of study, gaps in your studies, current employment, economic and immigration history, a description of your home country situation (why you chose Australia), and the value of your chosen course.
Ministerial Directive 69 outlines a number of factors that are taken into account when determining a student’s eligibility.
If the student is under 18 years of age, a parent, close relative or guardian completes Form 1229 for an Australian visa for the child. This confirms their consent for the child to visit Australia.
If the student turns 18 years of age before arrival in Australia, Form 157N is completed. The parent or guardian signs this form.
Depending on the situation, the immigration service may:
- request biometric data (a letter with details comes in the ImmiAccount personal cabinet);
- request HAP medical examination data (filled in in your personal account);
- invite for an interview at an embassy, consulate or other diplomatic mission.
It can take up to 6 weeks to review and process your student visa. Be aware of possible delays due to requests for additional information and documents.