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Learn everything you need to know about Australian Student Visa
and get end-to-end expert guidance from us.
Learn everything you need to know about Australia Student Visa and get end to end expert guidance from us.
Australia Student Visa from Sri Lanka
Australia is a great study destination for International Students. Thanks to its Universities upholding consistent Academic Excellence and their great positioning in International rankings. But studying abroad is not just about academics; it’s also about experiencing a new culture, meeting new people and growing as an individual. Australia doesn’t fail to impress in these factors, too. Located in the southern hemisphere, Australia is home to an incredible bounty of jaw-dropping natural wonders. From peculiar rock formations, bubble-gum pink lakes and idyllic waterfalls to crystal-clear ocean vistas, Australia offers a unique blend of natural beauty. Its top attractions include the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Lake Hillier and the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road.
Australia is a multicultural country with people from all over the world. This diversity brings a rich variety of food, festivals and traditions. As an international student, you can experience the four distinct seasons of Australia throughout the year that offer a refreshing change from the continuous tropical climate in Sri Lanka. The country is both a high-ranking education and a tourist destination offering adventure, scenic nature, a gastronomical extravaganza and much more. Australia consistently ranks high in quality of life with a safe, friendly environment and excellent healthcare policies.
On the education front, Australia is home to six universities that rank top in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and other elite rankings list. Australian universities are at the forefront of research and innovation, providing numerous opportunities for students to participate in groundbreaking research. The Australian Government provides international students with about 200 million dollars annually, offering many scholarship opportunities for all levels of education. The other major advantage is that international students have many options, with over 1,200 institutions and 22,000 courses.
Australia’s Higher Education System - An Overview
- The higher education system in Australia is well-structured and caters to international students effectively. Here's how it works:
- Types of Institutions: Australia has 43 universities, 40 of which are government-funded, two are international, and one is private. In addition to universities, there are vocational education and training (VET) institutions, schools, English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and non-award courses.
- Levels of Education: The education system is divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary education (higher education), with only primary and secondary being compulsory. Tertiary or higher education comprises bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
- Enrollment: There were 418,168 higher education enrollments in 2020. Enrollments include new and continuing students.
- Student Visa: To study a full-time course that's longer than three months, international students will need an Australian Student Visa.
- Work While Studying: The student visa allows international students to work while studying in Australia. This can help offset some of the costs of living and studying in Australia.
- Financial Impact: Higher education accounted for 68.1 per cent ($25.4 billion) of international education export income in 2019–20 and 47.4 per cent of all overseas student enrollments in 2020.
- Support for International Students: Australia provides numerous resources to support international students throughout their educational journey. These include English language practice tests, cost of living calculators, pre-departure checklists, career matches and more.
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This comprehensive system ensures international students have a smooth and enriching educational experience in Australia.
Latest Updates on Australia Student Visa for Sri Lankan Students
Here are the latest updates on the Australia Student Visa for Sri Lankan students:
- Student Visa (Subclass 500): This visa is open to students pursuing secondary school exchange programmes, bachelor's and master's degrees, postgraduate research in higher education, vocational education and training (VET), and ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students).
- Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485): This visa permits qualified international students to stay in Australia after finishing their studies and getting job experience. Students can work in Australia for 18 months to four years, depending on their degrees.
- Student Guardian (Subclass 590): This visa enables some individuals to reside with an Australian student if the student requires a guardian, such as if the student is under the age of 18.
- Work and Study Privileges: Students can work up to 40 hours each two-week period after the course begins. Some occupations may need greater hours.
- Visa Duration: The type of course and its duration will decide the length of the student visa. Students will be permitted to stay and study in Australia for longer periods if their visa is renewed.
Types of Australia Student Visa
- Securing an Australian Student visa is crucial for international students who wish to study in Australia. Here are some reasons why it's important,
- Access to Education: The student visa allows international students to enroll in long-term degree courses or short-term diplomas in Australia.
- Financial Security: Being financially sound ensures that students have enough money to cover their travel, course fees, and living costs during their stay, reducing the risk of financial difficulty while studying.
- Work Opportunities: The visa also allows students to work part-time while studying, which can help them gain practical experience and manage their living expenses.
- Visa Renewal: The cost of renewing a student visa has been increased, but the newly elected government plans to tackle delays in student visa processing times. This could result in more efficient processing and potentially faster issuance of student visas.
- Family Accompaniment: There are also updated amounts required for students planning to bring a spouse or family. This provides opportunities for students to benefit from a world-renowned education system, build networks, and foster their careers.
|
Type of Study Visas |
Description |
Duration to Stay |
|
Student Visa (Subclass 500) |
This visa is open to students pursuing secondary school exchange programmes, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, postgraduate research in higher education, vocational education and training (VET) and ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students). |
The type and duration of the course determine the duration of stay. |
|
Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) |
This visa permits qualified international students to stay in Australia after finishing their studies and getting job experience. Students can work in Australia for 18 months to four years, depending on their degrees. |
18 months to four years |
|
Student Guardian (Subclass 590), |
This visa enables some individuals to reside with an Australian student if the student requires a guardian, such as if the student is under the age of 18. They must fulfill all the conditions for a Genuine Temporary Entrant, Including having enough money to pay for flights living costs. |
The type and duration of the course determine the duration of stay. |
How much does an Australian Student Visa Cost from Sri Lanka?
The cost of an Australian student visa for international students can be found on the official website of the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs. The cost of visas changes from time to time and depends on the date the application is received.
The cost of an Australian student visa (subclass 500) is typically around AUD 620. If you are under 18, your total Australia student visa fees will be AUD 650 + AUD 160. Note that there may be additional costs for health checks, biometrics, police certificates, etc. Ensure you have the latest information from official resources.
|
Type of Visa |
Average Fee (in AUD) |
Average Fee (in LKR) |
|
Student Visa (Subclass 500) |
AUD 620 |
LKR 128,929 |
|
Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) |
AUD 630 |
LKR 130,998.5 |
|
Training Visa (Subclass 407) |
AUD 405 |
LKR 84,222.75 |
|
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) |
AUD 1,680 |
LKR 349,356 |
Australia Student Visa Requirements
Applying for an Australian student visa involves meeting several key requirements. Here’s a comprehensive list of the Australian Student Visa requirements:
- Age: There is no age limit for applying for a student visa to Australia. However, additional documents may be required for applicants under 18 years of age.
- Education: You must be enrolled in a course of study in Australia and provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of application.
- Documents: You need to provide certain documents such as proof of enrolment, valid passport, visa application fee receipt, etc.
- A valid passport
- Completed Australian student visa application form (157A)
- Proof of enrolment (your electronic confirmation of enrolment eCOE)
- Your Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
- Academic and work experience documents
- Evidence of English Language Proficiency Tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE etc.)
- Passport sized photograph
- Visa application fee receipt
- Nationality: Applicants from all nationalities are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa. However, the level of English proficiency required may vary depending on the country of the passport.
- Academic Scores: You must meet the academic requirements of the Australian educational institution where you intend to study.
- English Proficiency: Depending on the country of passport and educational provider.
- Financial Requirements: You must have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, travel costs and living costs for the duration of your stay and study in Australia.
- Health and Character Requirements: You must meet certain health and character requirements.
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement: The GTE requirement is an integrity measure to ensure that the student visa program is used as intended and not as a way for international students to maintain ongoing residency in Australia.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): The SOP is a mandatory document that outlines your academic and family background, reasons for choosing Australia as your study destination and your intentions of leaving Australia after completing your study program.
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR): The LOR is a document that provides the admissions officers with a comprehensive insight into your suitable candidature, for admission into the concerned university. The drafting of the LOR should be done carefully, as it is one of the crucial documents that can make or break your admission process.
English Proficiency Tests for Australia Student Visa
English proficiency is a crucial requirement for obtaining an Australian student visa. The Department of Home Affairs in Australia accepts scores from several English language tests undertaken at a secure test centre for Australian Student Visa requirements.
The tests and their respective skill levels for various levels of study are as follows:
|
English Proficiency Test |
English Skill Level |
Level of Study |
|
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) |
Overall score of 6.0 to 6.5 |
Bachelor’s, Diploma and Certificate courses |
|
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) |
Overall score of 6.5 |
Postgraduate/Masters programs |
|
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) |
Overall score of 60 to 90 |
Bachelor’s, Diploma and Certificate courses |
|
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) |
Overall score of 169 to 176 |
Bachelor’s, Diploma and Certificate courses |
|
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic |
Overall score of 50 to 64 |
Bachelor’s, Diploma and Certificate courses |
|
Occupational English Test (OET) |
A score of at least B for each test component |
Bachelor’s, Diploma and Certificate courses |
Which documents are required for an Australian Student Visa?
Here are the documents generally required for an Australian Student Visa for Sri Lankan students:
- A valid passport
- Completed Australian student visa application form (157A)
- Proof of enrolment (your electronic confirmation of enrolment eCOE)
- Your Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
- Academic and work experience documents
- Evidence of English Language Proficiency Tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE etc.)
- Passport sized photograph
- Visa application fee receipt
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
How to apply for Australian Student Visa online?
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an Australian student visa online for Sri Lankan students:
- Create an ImmiAccount: The first step is to create an account using the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) online application system – ImmiAccount. This is where you will complete and submit your Australian student visa application.
- Select the Type of Visa: After creating your account, select the type of visa you are applying for. For students, this would typically be the Student Visa (Subclass 500).
- Complete the Online Visa Application Form: Follow the prompts to complete the online Australian Student Visa application form. This form requires personal information, passport details and intended travel plans to Australia. Make sure to fill out the form accurately and completely.
- Attach Required Documents: You will need to attach certain documents such as,
- proof of enrolment (your electronic confirmation of enrolment eCOE),
- a valid passport,
- your visa application fee receipt,
- your Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement,
- academic and work experience documents,
- evidence of your English proficiency skills (such as IELTS test scores),
- evidence of financial ability (tuition fees, living expenses, expenses for dependents, return airfare),
- details of your health insurance policy (Overseas Student Health Cover) and
- passport-sized photographs.
- If you are under 18 years of age, you will also need to provide additional documents, such as parental consent.
- Submit Your Application: After completing the form and attaching all required documents, submit your application through ImmiAccount.
Track Your Application: You can track the status of your visa application through ImmiAccount once you have submitted it.
Processing Time for the Australia Student Visa
The below table precisely specifies the different types of Australian Student Visas processing time for International Students.
|
Stream |
50% Processing |
75% Processing |
90% Processing |
|
Student Visa (subclass 500) |
49 days |
28 days |
3 months |
|
Student Guardian Visa (subclass 590) |
23 days |
46 days |
5 months |
|
Training Visa (subclass 407) |
68 days |
Not Known |
4 months |
How to Write SOP for an Australian Student Visa?
Writing a Statement of Purpose (SOP) for an Australian Student Visa involves careful planning and clear articulation of your goals and motivations. Here are some steps to guide you:
- Introduction and Personal Background: Start with a brief introduction about yourself, your interests and your motivations for choosing to study in Australia.
- Academic Background and Accomplishments: Discuss your academic qualifications, achievements, and how they have prepared you for the course you intend to study.
- Choice of Course and University: Explain why you have chosen the specific course and university in Australia. Discuss the curriculum, faculty, or other unique program features that attracted you.
- Career Goals: Outline your career goals and explain how studying in Australia will help you achieve them.
- Financial Plan: Mention your financial situation and how you plan to manage your stay in Australia. Include details about family income, status of dependents, etc.
- Conclusion: Summarise your SOP by reiterating your intent to study in Australia and how it aligns with your future plans.
Remember, an SOP should be original, free of grammatical errors and written in simple language. It should not exceed three pages unless specified by the universities. The command over English in the SOP should match the English proficiency displayed in tests such as TOEFL or IELTS.
Lastly, always attach the necessary documents to validate the information provided in your SOP.
Australia Student Visa Rejection
The major reasons for rejecting Australian Student Visa applications for Sri Lankan students are
- Not Meeting the Genuine Temporary Entrant Requirement: The applicant fails to convince the visa officer that their primary purpose is to gain a quality education.
- Insufficient Funds: The applicant is unable to demonstrate they have genuine access to sufficient funds to cover tuition, travel, and living costs.
- Failure to Meet English Language Proficiency: The applicant does not meet the English language proficiency requirements.
- Adverse Immigration History: If the applicant has a history of visa cancellations or refusals.
- Incorrect or Incomplete Application: The application contains incorrect information or is missing necessary documents.
It’s crucial for applicants to understand these requirements and prepare their applications carefully to avoid these common pitfalls.
Renewal of Australia Student Visa
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to renew your Australian Student Visa:
- Check Your Eligibility: Ensure that you meet all the requirements for the student visa renewal.
- Prepare Your Documents: Gather all necessary documents, including your passport, academic transcripts, proof of financial capacity, and any other documents specified by the Australian Home Affairs Department.
- Apply Online: Log in to your ImmiAccount on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website and fill out the appropriate application form.
- Pay the Visa Application Charge: Pay the required Australian Student Visa fee for your visa application
- Wait for a Decision: After submitting your application, wait for a decision from the Department of Home Affairs. You can check the status of your application through your ImmiAccount.
- Receive Your Visa: If your application is approved, you will receive your visa grant number, start date, and conditions.
Please note that you should apply for a renewal before your current visa expires. Also, remember that the duration of your visa will depend on the type and length of your course.
How Can AECC Help in Australian Student Visa Application?
AECC offers comprehensive assistance for the Australian Student Visa application process. Here’s how we can help:
- Expert Guidance: AECC provides end-to-end expert guidance for the entire visa application process.
- Document Collection: We assist you in gathering all the necessary documents for your visa application.
- Health and Biometrics Checks: We guide you through the health checks and biometrics required for the visa application.
- ImmiAccount Creation: We further extend our service to help you create an ‘ImmiAccount’, which is necessary for applying online.
- Application Submission: Our expert counsellors assist you in filling out and submitting the online application.
- Updates on Visa Rules: Last but not the least, we provide the latest news and updates on Australian Student Visa rules.
Remember, applying for a student visa is a crucial step in your journey to studying abroad, and getting professional help from a consultancy like AECC can make the process smoother and more manageable.
In conclusion, Australia offers a robust education system, a high standard of living, and a diverse cultural experience, making it an ideal study-abroad destination for Sri Lankan students. The streamlined visa process and the opportunity for post-study work rights and potential pathways to permanent residency further enhance its appeal. So, if you're a Sri Lankan student planning to study abroad, Australia could be your perfect choice.
Ready to transform your future with an Australian education? Let AECC be your compass, guiding you towards your dreams. Reach out to AECC today and step into a world of opportunities!
Frequently Asked Questions
For an Australian Student Visa, you need to show evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition, travel, and living costs. The living costs for 12 months are AUD21,041 for students.
