Indian students who want to study in Australia need to be accepted into an Australian educational institution like a university or college. Read about the steps to applying to study in Australia.
After the institution sends your confirmation of enrolment, you can apply for a student visa. On this page, you’ll find the process for applying for a visa and links to the Australian Government website for more details.
At Manipal Overseas Careers, we can help you with every step of the visa application process. Contact us to get help applying for your student visa.
Types of visas
Student visa (subclass 500)
This visa allows you to study full time in a recognised Australian education institution. To apply for this visa, you must first be enrolled in a registered, full-time course at an Australian educational institution. Read more about student visas.
Student guardian visa (subclass 590)
If you are under 18 years of age and applying to study in Australia, you can have a guardian with you. This person will need to apply for a student guardian visa. Read more about student guardian visas.
Other visas you may need include a:
- Training visa (subclass 407)
- Temporary graduate visa (subclass 485)
- Working visa.
Requirements for a student visa
To get a student visa, you must meet several requirements. Check that you meet all these before you apply.
English language requirements
To be accepted into an Australian university and get a student visa, you need to meet certain English language requirements. You have to take a test to show your English skills. Read more about English language requirements for Indian students.
Academic requirements
To be accepted into an Australian university and get a student visa, you need to demonstrate high academic performance.
Check the Australian Government website for the most up-to-date advice on academic requirements, and get your transcripts or certificates for your previous studies.
Financial requirements
To get a student visa, you must have access to enough money to pay for your course fees, travel and living expenses while you’re in Australia. This applies to you and any family members who are with you.
You will need to show evidence that you have money for travel to Australia and 12 months of living and school expenses, or evidence that you meet the income requirement. You may need to show bank statements, loan letters and other documents.
Acceptable funds include fixed deposits, savings account balances, education loans and personal loans. Funds like shares, bonds, business capital and others are not acceptable.
If you’re under 18, you need to provide financial information about the person who will support you financially (your supporter).
Here is some evidence you may need to provide:
- Letter from your financial supporter’s employer confirming their employment
- Your supporter’s personal bank statements and tax returns for the last three years
- Any loan disbursement letters
- Your supporter’s accountant statements
- A company sponsor’s balance sheet and bond signed with the company
- Evidence of income sourced from agriculture such as evidence of land Ownership and valuation, income statement and receipt of sales
- Evidence of rental income and property ownership
- Evidence of retirement income and current pension statement.
Genuine temporary entrant requirements
To get a student visa, you need to prove that you are a ‘genuine temporary entrant’. This means you want to stay in Australia temporarily to study, and not for other reasons. The assessors will consider your statement of purpose/GTE statement and other evidence, like any visa or immigration history and your personal circumstances.
Confirmation of enrolment requirements
You must be enrolled in a course that is registered on the CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students). You will need to show your confirmation of enrolment (CoE) from your institution (not just a letter of offer) to apply for a student visa.
Health requirements
You need a health exam to provide evidence that you are in good health. This could take several weeks, so you should organise the health examination before you apply for your student visa.
You will also need adequate health insurance while you study in Australia. Assessors will need to see your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which is provided by many health insurance providers. We can help you select a suitable provider and arrange the insurance for you if necessary.
Character requirements
You need to be of good character to enter Australia. There are several character-related questions on the student visa application to determine that you meet this requirement.
Other requirements
You need to provide certified copies of your documents, and get any non-English documents translated into English.
Applying for a student visa
This is a summary of the process for applying for a student visa. For more details, see the Australian Government website.
Step 1: Get ready to apply
You should apply for your student visa at least 6 to 12 weeks before your course starts. Give yourself plenty of time.
Before you apply, organise any health exams you need and make sure your passport is valid. If you need help with your application form, organise someone to assist you. We can also help you with the application process.
Step 2: Collect your required documents
Make sure you have all the necessary documentation. To find out what documents you need to provide in your application, use the Australian Government’s Document Checklist Tool.
Step 3: Apply for your student visa
You need to apply for your visa online, though some people can apply in paper format. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply. Read details about applying for a student visa.
Step 4: After you apply
After you submit your application, you must wait for a decision before you can come to Australia. The processing times can vary and are longer at busy times of the year. So make sure you apply as soon as you get your confirmation of enrolment from the institution.
The application assessors might contact you for more information if they need it. Contact them if you need to change anything on your application.
Step 5: The decision on your student visa
The government will send you their decision about your visa application in writing. If they approve your visa, they will also give you the visa expiry date and any conditions. Keep this with you when you travel in Australia.
Now you’re ready to come to Australia!
Note: If they don’t approve your student visa application, they will tell you why and whether you can request a review of this decision.
Fees for a student visa
All these fees are in Australian dollars.
| Visa subclass | Note | Base application charge | Additional applicant charge 18 and over | Additional applicant charge under 18 | Subsequent temporary application charge |
| Student visa (Subclass 500) | 6a 6b 6d | $630 | $470 | $155 | $700 |
| Student visa (subsequent entrant) | 6e | $620 | $470 | $155 | $700 |
Do you need help applying for a student visa?
At Manipal Overseas Careers, we help students through the complex process of applying for a student visa. Contact us today to find out how we can help.
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