Australia student visa
Australia tightened its student visa rules sharply in 2024. We'll walk you through Subclass 500 honestly, including the parts most agents avoid mentioning.
About these numbers: Indian student visa approval rates dropped from ~80% to ~60% after the Department of Home Affairs reclassified Indian applicants to Evidence Level 3 in 2024. We publish honest numbers, be wary of any consultant still claiming 95%+ approval for AU.
From CoE to visa grant
From the day you accept your offer to the day you receive your visa grant, usually 10–14 weeks under current processing times.
- 1
Get your university CoE
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), issued only after you accept the offer AND pay the required deposit (typically full first semester).
- 2
Take out OSHC
Overseas Student Health Cover is mandatory for the full visa duration. Most students use Bupa, Medibank, Allianz, or NIB.
- 3
Prepare a Genuine Student (GS) statement
Replaced the old GTE in March 2024. You explain your study intent, ties to home country, and post-study plans, in your own words.
- 4
Demonstrate financial capacity
AUD 29,710 living costs + tuition + airfare. Bank balance, loan sanction, or income evidence. Strict documentary standards apply post-2024.
- 5
Complete medicals + biometrics + PCC
Bupa-panel medical exam, biometric appointment at VFS, and Police Clearance Certificate from PSK.
- 6
Submit Subclass 500 via ImmiAccount
Official Department of Home Affairs portal. Once submitted, processing typically takes 4–8 weeks. Avoid travelling until you have the grant.
Your document checklist
Post-2024 reforms mean the Department of Home Affairs reads every document line-by-line. Even minor inconsistencies trigger refusals. Our team reviews everything before submission.
Get the full checklist on WhatsApp- Valid passport (12+ months validity)
- CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment)
- OSHC policy certificate
- Genuine Student (GS) statement: replaces old GTE
- Financial evidence: AUD 29,710 + tuition + airfare
- Income / source-of-funds documentation
- Medical examination (Bupa-panel only)
- Biometrics appointment confirmation (VFS)
- English proof: IELTS 6.0+ (6.5+ for most Masters)
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
- Academic transcripts and certificates
Some Indian states are screened more strictly. Here's the truth.
Department of Home Affairs case-officer guidance applies extra scrutiny to applicants from these four states because historical data showed elevated non-genuine intent rates:
What this does NOT mean: Automatic rejection. Plenty of students from these states get visas every month.
What it DOES mean: Your file must be unusually clean, clear academics, no unexplained gaps, strong English score, transparent source of funds, and a Statement of Purpose that holds up to skeptical reading.
We do not accept weak files because rejection harms both you and our success rate. If your profile is borderline, we'll tell you upfront rather than collect a fee.
Post-Study Work Visa
Australia's 485 visa lets you work full-time for any employer after graduating. Duration depends on qualification level and whether you studied in a regional area.
Common reasons AU student visas get rejected
About 40% of Indian student visa applications are now declined. Almost all land in one of these six buckets, each is avoidable with a properly prepared file.
- Failing the Genuine Student test: vague or inconsistent statement
- Weak financial evidence or unexplained source of funds
- Heightened scrutiny states without supporting documentation strength
- Sudden course / level / country switches without justification
- Education gaps without credible explanation
- English score below the visa-grant threshold
No reputable consultant can guarantee a visa. Anyone who promises one is misleading you. We do guarantee rigorous file preparation, an honest pre-assessment, and a refund of our service fee if the visa is refused.
Spouse and children rights
Family rights tightened in 2024, Masters by Coursework students can no longer always bring dependants. Here's what currently applies.
Spouse / partner
Spouses of Masters by Research and PhD students get unlimited work rights. Masters-by-Coursework dependants face tighter restrictions post-2024, confirm course level before budgeting for family.
Children
Dependent children can attend Australian public schools, but international fees apply in most states (AUD 10–15K/year). ACT and SA are more dependant-friendly on fees.
Get an honest AU visa probability check
Share your education, finances, and home state. We'll come back with a realistic visa probability, before you spend on application fees.
Free AU visa eligibility check
Honest assessment, no sales pitch. We pre-screen rigorously.
Continue exploring Australia
Three more guides. Keep going while you have momentum.