Australia is not just a study destination, it's an experience. With a population of nearly 10 lakh international students, Australia offers a world-class education, recognized qualifications, a strong focus on student rights, global exposure, diverse culture, and vibrant student life. This 'Lands Down Under' country offers a great mix of everything, making it a top choice for students worldwide.
The journey to Australia begins with the student visa, a gateway to a world-class education. While the process may seem daunting, it's quite straightforward. In this blog, we will guide you through the complete process, simplifying the complex and helping you navigate the student visa application with ease. But let us first understand the two types of Australian Student Visas.
With the Subclass 500 (Student Visa), you can apply to primary and secondary schools, training (VET) and vocational education, higher education, and postgraduate research degrees. It is valid for up to five years and is for those enrolled in an accredited full-time program in Australia.
Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate Visa) is for those wanting to extend their stay in Australia after graduating from an Australian institution. This type of student visa has a Graduate Work Stream and a Post-Study Work Stream.
The Australia Subclass 500 Student Visa is applicable for the international students applying for higher studies in Australia. If you belong to this category, you will be required to pay the Australian Student Visa Fees while filing the visa application. Specifically, for Indian students, the visa fee is AUD 710 (Subclass 500 Visa). So, now moving ahead, let us dive into the 9-Step Application Process for the Australian Student VISA.
The first step is to enrol in a full-time course registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). To move further in the visa process, it is crucial to get an acceptance letter from the university. So, you are advised to have the enrolment letter before applying for a student visa to study abroad.
A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is a document issued by the university that verifies a student's enrolment in a specific program. It is sent to the student after the student accepts the university offer letter and pays the deposit amount.
Funding is an integral part of the Australian Student Visa Process. So, you will be required to pay the first semester tuition fee, or the deposit amount mentioned on the offer letter to receive the final Confirmation of enrolment letter. Thus, it is advisable to plan and arrange for funding beforehand. You can also apply for student loans for studying abroad based on the offer received from the university or use the self-funding option.
Australian education courses are taught in English; thus, you are required to submit a certificate of results from an approved English Language Test. The certificate will work as proof of meeting the Australian Government's English Proficiency Levels.
The online student VISA application form consists of a list of questions related to the student's family ties, background, academic record, employment circumstances, reasons for choosing a particular program, and many more. You must answer these questions as it will allow the VISA officers to understand one's reasons for wanting to study in Australia.
International students must prove that they have enough savings to cover the costs of education and other expenses like meals, travel costs, health insurance, course fees, and rent. As per the recent updates, students are required to provide financials of at least AUD 29,710 towards their living expenses.
International students in Australia must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their stay. The insurance needs to be purchased from the approved Health Providers by the AHC.
The Australian Government has made it compulsory for all international students to undergo a health examination to meet the Student Visa Health Requirements. They must also meet certain character requirements and provide a clean police background check.
The final step is to apply online using ImmiAccount and lodge a Student Visa Application. The Student Visa Process for Australia is initiated online by opening an account on the Australian Immigration website.
While some students achieve their dream of studying in Australia, few others are forced to drop it due to financial constraints. In such circumstances, Overseas Education Loans come in handy. It is the best way to fund an international degree as it also holds some benefits in Income Tax as well. Students can choose to apply for a Secured Education Loan or an Unsecured Education Loan to fund their higher studies in Australia. At Elan Loans, we offer end-to-end assistance for education loan, right from helping them shortlist and compare the financial lenders to getting their education loan sanctioned.
In case students need assistance in exploring their funding options for an Australian Degree or want to know about the detailed process of ‘How to get an education loan for abroad studies’, they can connect with our Loan Experts at Elan Loans.