The Australian government welcomes all students who wish to continue their studies in Australia. However, a student visa is required and will be issued after verifying the applicant's age, course type and length of stay.

Student Visa (subclass 500)

A subclass 500 student visa allows students to stay in Australia for the duration of their study program (up to five years), depending on their date of entry or enrolment. All international students must have a student visa (subclass 500).

This Visa allows students to:

• Participate in their desired study program.
•  Stay in the company of family members.
•  Apply in or outside of Australia.

Documents required for an Australian Student Visa

The necessary documents required for applying for an Australian Student Visa are as follows:

• Proof of enrolment
• A valid passport
• Visa application fee
• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement 
• Curriculum Vitae and related documents
• IELTS test scores
• Evidence of financial capabilities 
• Evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover 
• Statement of purpose
• Passport-size photographs
• If under 18 years, students will need to present parental consent.

Visa fee

Students must pay a Visa fee that varies depending on the category that they fall into:

• Student Visa (Subclass 500)
• Student Visa (Subclass 500) (Subsequent Entrant)
• Student Visa (Subclass 500)- Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector
• Student Visa (Subclass 500)- Postgraduate Research Sector
• Student Guardian (Subclass 590)

English Language Requirements

Most educational institutions in the country accept IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency, so applicants wishing to study in Australia are usually required to take the IELTS exam. In most cases, the recommended score is a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four bands. Students will need 6.0 as the minimum overall score for undergraduate courses. A good score in IELTS is a vital part of getting a student visa for Australia.

Student Visa with dependants

Dependents can also accompany the student, providing they meet the following requirements. They must be:

• A spouse or de facto partner of the applicant
• At least 18 years of age
• Unmarried dependent child under 18 years

However, before bringing spouses or children to Australia, dependents must prove they can financially support them. The cost of raising a family in Australia is very high, so there may be many issues to consider and discuss with your family.