Australian study visa
Now it's the time to prepare your Australian study visa to get your journey started. Use this nifty guide to help you out. Source: David Gray / AFP

Are you an Indian student looking to study in the Land Down Under? While Australia’s borders are currently closed, there’s reason to be optimistic that they will reopen to international students soon. Indian students form the second largest group of international students in Australia, and if you’re excited to kickstart your journey, preparing for your Australian study visa would be your next order of business.

To boot, approved vaccines in Australia for international travel also include the Covishield AstraZeneca vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India. This could pave the way for some 17,000 Indian international students who are waiting to return or study in Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald previously reported.

Excited? Here’s a guide to help you out with your Australian study visa:

Which Australian visa should I get?

The Subclass-500 visa is meant for international students looking to study full-time in Australia. It allows them to stay in the country throughout the duration of their entire course. This visa allows students to:

  • Participate in an eligible course of study in Australia
  • Travel in and out of Australia
  • Work up to 40 hours every two-week period once their course starts
  • Work additional hours in certain sectors

What do I need for my Australian study visa?

Here are all the documents you’ll need for your Australian study visa:

  • Identity documents
  • Confirmation of enrolment, letters of support and acceptance forms
  • Evidence you have enough money for your stay
  • Evidence you are exempt from paying a visa application charge (VAC)
  • Overseas Student Health Cover
  • Genuine temporary entrant documents
  • English language requirements

Do note that all non-English documents are to be translated into English.

AUSTRALIAN STUDY VISA

Under New South Wales’ International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan, a small number of Indian students are expected to return in December. Source: William West/AFP

How do I apply for the Australian study visa?

To apply for your study visa, there are several steps that you would need take. To do an online application, you would need to:

  1. Create or log in to ImmiAccount
  2. Attach documents
  3. Pay the visa application charge

The Subclass-500 visa will cost 630 Australian dollars. Do note that this does not cover other possible expenses such as health checks, police certificates and biometrics.

What happens after my Australian study visa application?

After you’ve done everything you need, all that’s left is to wait. However, some applicants might be required to provide biometrics.

Most applicants will be advised immediately after submitting an application if they need to do so. You will receive a letter and will also be able to see this request in your ImmiAccount. You will be given 14 days to provide biometrics so it is important to arrange an appointment quickly using the instructions in the request letter.

If you did not have any health examinations before you applied, check ImmiAccount to find out if you need them.

After all that is done, you can just sit back and wait for your visa to be finished.

They will let you know in writing of their decision about your visa application. They will tell you:

  • Your visa grant number
  • The date your visa expires
  • Your visa conditions

For more detailed information about your visa application, you can check out this website.

We hope this guide on how to get an Australian study visa was helpful and that you have a wonderful time studying in Australia.