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Student Visa Australia 2024: Navigating Recent Changes

Explore the changes coming your way as an international student in Australia. We’re here to share insights about the notable adjustments tied to the Subclass 500 (Student Visa Australia).

Important Update: Australian Student visa fee increase

As of the 1st of July 2024, the Australian government has increased the price of a Student visa application to $1,600 AUD. This new fee structure affects not only first-time applicants but also those seeking to renew their visa onshore. For students renewing their visa for the second time or more, an additional $700 Subsequent Temporary Application Charge will be applied.

Furthermore, if you are applying with a partner, the Department of Home Affairs will now charge an extra $1,190 AUD plus a credit card fee to include them in your application. This fee for including a partner has risen significantly from the previous $530 as of the same date. These changes highlight the need for prospective and current students to plan their finances accordingly when considering their study options in Australia. If this Student visa fee increase impacts your plans, consider choosing one of our affordable Student visa courses in 2024. Additionally, make sure to save on your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) with this simple tool.

Student visa Australia: New migration strategy

The Australian education landscape is evolving, and it’s crucial to stay informed. The updated Migration Strategy brings in transparent post-study pathways, allowing temporary stay and work in Australia. For some, this could open doors to permanent residency in Australia, aligning your academic journey with your career aspirations.

The exact start date ~~for these changes remains unclear~~, introducing an element of uncertainty to their implementation timeline. Keep an eye on this page, as we’ll swiftly update it with more details as soon as they become clear.

March 2024 update: The following changes have now been in effect since March 23, 2024.

Genuine student requirement for an Australian Student visa

Say goodbye to the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement and say hello to the new Genuine Student test for your Student visa (Subclass 500) application. This shift should simplify the process.

The Genuine Temporary Entrant Statement (GTE Statement for a Student visa in Australia) is a document or a few sentences in which you, as a Student visa applicant, outline your reasons for studying in Australia and detail your plans after graduation.

If you enrol in your course with Study Anywhere, you can rely on free assistance with your GTE or Genuine Student test from our registered migration agent. This is to make sure your visa application will have the best chance to succeed.

March 2024 update: Find out more about the new Genuine Student requirement in our FAQs.

Higher English language requirements

In 2024, the Australian Government will raise English language requirements for both the Student visa and the Temporary Graduate visas. Be prepared for these adjustments:

Student visa: Instead of an IELTS score of 5.5 you will need 6.0.
Temporary Graduate visa: IELTS score increases from 6.0 to 6.5.
Students enroling in the English language courses (ELICOS): The IELTS requirement moves from 4.5 to 5.0.
Foundation or pathway programs: The IELTS requirement stands at 5.5.

IELTS is the most popular form of English testing but not the only option when applying for an Australian Student visa. Most of our students prefer to take a free placement test offered by our partner schools before enrolment. In many cases, you may also be completely exempted from English testing for your Student visa application – e.g. if English is your first language or if you studied in Australia before. Contact our team to get a recommendation for your particular case.

Changes to Temporary Graduate visas (Subclass 485)

Post-study work rights for Master’s by coursework students will be reduced from three to two years, and for PhD students, it will be shortened from four to three years. However, there will be no change for Bachelor’s graduates (two years).

While the application process is expected to be simplified, it’s important to note that the maximum age will be lowered to 35 years. Additionally, transferring back to a Student visa while onshore won’t be allowed.

Stay updated

Stay tuned with Study Anywhere as we help you navigate through these changes, making sure you easily understand Australia’s evolving Student visa landscape. If you’d like to enrol and apply for your Student visa before these changes kick in, you may want to check our most affordable courses right now.

How to Successfully Apply for a Student Visa in Australia

So, you’ve decided to study in Australia – congratulations! As an international student, you’ll need to apply for a Student Visa (Subclass 500) to be able to study in Australia. The process can seem overwhelming at first, but with proper planning, you can do it. Applying with Study Anywhere will make this process stress-free. You can focus on this big step in your life and let us handle the paperwork.

Short on time? Jump straight into the section you need the most:

Important student visa update (February 2023): Starting from the 1st of July 2023, unrestricted work rights for international students in Australia will come to an end. To learn more about this change and others, check out our blog article.

Step 1: Enrol in a Course eligible for a student visa

Choose your student visa course

Your first step in applying for a student visa in Australia is to enrol in a course at an Australian educational institution. This can be a college, university, or other accredited institution that is registered with the Australian government to offer courses to international students. The most affordable ones are usually courses at smaller private colleges. The cheapest Diploma courses in Australia start at approximately $1,250 / every three months.

TiP: Read our blog article about the cheapest courses for a Student visa in Australia in 2024.

When researching schools, always look for CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students). Don’t worry because all courses listed on Study Anywhere are part of CRICOS.

Have you found a course that meets your academic and career goals? Great, now you’ll need to complete the enrolment process. Here you can find information on what this usually looks like and what documents you’ll need: How to enrol in a course eligible for a student visa in Australia.

Step 2: Get your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Get your OSHC

As an international student in Australia, you need to have health insurance for the duration of your stay. This insurance is called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). It’s important that you purchase OSHC before you apply for your student visa, as you’ll need to provide proof of your coverage when you apply.

There are six companies that offer OSHC, and the cost of coverage will depend on the length of your stay and the level of coverage you choose. Try OSHC Australia to compare and get the cheapest Overseas Student Health Cover. Remember, even the cheapest OSHC is eligible for a student visa in Australia.

TIP: Australian Department of Home Affairs usually grants student visas for a little longer than the actual course duration. Make sure that even if you get the cheapest OSHC for your student visa, it won’t end on the date of your course completion. Don’t make a mistake and get the correct OSHC duration as described in our FAQs.

Step 3: Prepare your student visa application

Student visa documents

Once you’ve enrolled in a course and obtained OSHC, you’ll be ready to start preparing your student visa application. There are a few things you’ll need to do to make sure your application is complete and accurate. Your Study Anywhere agent will guide you through this process step-by-step.

Gather the required documents for your student visa application

This is a general overview of the documents you’ll need to apply for a student visa in Australia. These may vary based on your nationality, the school you’re enroling in, and also your previous education and career history. Send us a message and get a free personalised list of everything that you’ll need to submit with your student visa application. When you enrol in your course with Study Anywhere, our registered migration agent will help you to prepare and lodge your student visa application. This assistance is free for all our students to make sure your student visa application is prepared in the best possible way and increases your chances of a successful visa grant.

What documents do you need to apply for the Australian student visa?

Check the Student Visa Document Checklist Tool from the Department of Home Affairs and let’s go through the main documents together. Some are the same as you’ve provided for your enrolment: your passport, previous education certificate, and proof of your English language proficiency (if required).

You will also need these:

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Proof of your OSHC coverage – a PDF document is fine and you can get it here almost instantly.
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Statement – reasons why you’ve decided to study in Australia and what are your plans after graduation
Your employment, education, and travel history
Student visa application form – our team will give you access to an online portal where you’ll fill out your personal details and information about your health and financial situation.

TIP: Find out whether you need to submit your bank statements and how much money you need to have in your bank account. Learn the truth about the so-called “show money” in our FAQs.

Step 4: Lodge your student visa application and wait for a visa grant

Lodge, wait, and fly to Australia

Once you’ve gathered all the required documents and completed the visa application form, you’ll be ready to submit your application. Our migration agent will do this for you as soon as you approve it. We will also receive any communication from the Department of Home Affairs regarding your application. This means less stress for you. Especially in case the Department requests some additional information regarding your student visa application. E.g. a request to arrange a health examination.

Before we submit your application, make sure you’ve double-checked all the information and documents to ensure everything is correct according to the instructions of our migration agent.

Once we are about to lodge your visa application, we will ask you to pay the student visa application fee. This is the fee you need to pay to the Department of Home Affairs. It’s currently $650 AUD + credit card fee. The Department will charge you more if you are renewing your visa in Australia for the second or more time. Expect a higher fee also when you’re applying for your student visa with a partner. You can find more details about these student visa fees here.

After we’ve submitted your application, you’ll need to wait for a decision from the Australian government. This process can take several weeks, so be patient. If your application is approved, you’ll receive your student visa grant letter and can come to Australia.

How to start your career as a creative

The Academy of Information Technology is organising a series of free creative workshops in February 2020 and they are too good not to be shared.

These workshops are a fantastic way to get a taste for what it’s like to study their passion at AIT before you commit to a full degree. At the same time, it will provide an invaluable opportunity to discover some of the amazing career opportunities in the creative & digital media industries.

FILM & ANIMATION
11 FEB, 9AM – 4PM
Gain practical experience with basic camera skills, compositing and editing in Adobe Premiere Pro to create your own short film! You’ll then get hands-on practice with Toon Boom to design and animate your own 2D character!

GAME DEVELOPMENT
12 FEB, 9AM – 4PM
Get hands-on experience with the industry’s most popular game engine – Unity! Learn game design principles, create your own 3D game environments and program some simple gameplay mechanics. At the end of this workshop, you’ll leave with a playable game that you’ve built from scratch, to share with your friends and family.

DIGITAL DESIGN
13 FEB, 9AM – 12PM
In this half-day workshop, you’ll use industry software, Adobe Illustrator to create a pop-art style poster that you can share on Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat! You’ll learn to navigate Illustrator whilst gaining an understanding of how to use colour and text – as well as how to trace over a photo.

Free workshops are available for all international students in Australia. To register, please, send us a message with your workshop preferences.

Is your visa expiring in December? Here’s what you need to know.

Is your visa going to expire any time from now until the end of this year?

As we are heading towards the end of the year and the holiday season is just around the corner, it’s good to plan ahead and be organised.

If your visa is going to expire any time soon, don’t leave it to the last minute. Many schools will close for the Christmas holiday and come back at the beginning of January. If this is your case, start the visa process as soon as possible in order to avoid the stress of getting everything done on time.

We still have some special offers for different courses, that you can find interesting. Among them some Black Friday promotions and we’re also still accepting enrolments for our most affordable course for international students in Sydney.

Just contact us and we will be in touch with all the details and we can also check if you are eligible. If you are not sure or have any questions, feel free to have a chat with us on Facebook Messenger.

If you decide to go ahead, our registered migration agent will help you for free with your Student Visa application and you can join students from 43 countries who are already studying with Study Anywhere.

Change in the Student Visa Fee in Australia

Australian Department of Home Affairs is changing the Student Visa application fee from the 1st of July 2019.

The cost of a Student Visa in Australia (Subclass 500) is now $620 (an increase from $575). If you will be applying in Australia and your current visa was granted while you were in Australia, be prepared that the Department of Home Affairs will charge you another $700 (Subsequent Temporary Application Charge) on top of the $620. This is often the case when someone is moving from the second year of Working Holiday Visa and this fee has not changed since 1. 7. 2019.

If you are planning to include your partner in your Student Visa application, you will be charged another $430 (Additional Applicant Charge 18+) by the Department of Home Affairs.

Do you want to save as much money on your Student Visa in Australia as possible? Why not take advantage of our current special offer? You can choose the cheapest course in Sydney and study for as little as $4,000 / year ($1,000 every three months). Contact us now for a free quote and all the details.

Students enrolling with Study Anywhere will get free assistance with their Student Visa applications by our registered migration agent.

All prices are in Australian Dollars (AUD). Please, check the website of the Department of Home Affairs for all the details about a Student Visa in Australia and FAQs on our website.

Our biggest promotion ever. Study in Sydney for $4,000 per year!

We have some great winter news to share with you as we’ve just launched our biggest ever promotion in Sydney. You can now enrol in Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication and start your course either in July or in August 2019 for only $1,000 / every three months.

Yep, that’s $4,000 for a one year course + $200 enrolment fee. Prices are in Australian Dollars. This is our cheapest course in Sydney for international students.

Longer course packages are also available (2 or 3 years). If you don’t want to miss out, just contact us and we will be in touch with all the details and we can also check if you are eligible. If you are not sure or have any questions, feel free to have a chat with us on Facebook Messenger.

This is a great opportunity especially for those of you, who’s current visa is expiring anywhere between June and October 2019.

If you decide to go ahead, our registered migration agent will help you for free with your Student Visa application and you can join students from 43 countries who are already studying with Study Anywhere.

Find out more about our most affordable course for international students in Sydney for late 2019 / early 2020 in this article.

November 2020 update: See 4 of the cheapest courses for international students in Australia.

Making Friends in Australia

The article is written by Jane Churchill

If you’re thinking about coming to Australia, or are already here, you might be searching for some advice on making friends!

Much like in other countries, the key to making friends when you’re in a new place is making the first move! As daunting as it might be, the more you do it, the easier it will become.

Many international students spend their entire time socialising with other international students from their home country (which is totally okay if that is what you’re comfortable with!). But I would recommend trying to branch out further if you truly want to immerse yourself in Australian culture!

> Join Clubs!

This is SERIOUSLY one of the best ways to get involved on campus, socialise, and have fun obviously! Many clubs host regular parties, gatherings and events, and since you join clubs based on personal interests, you will already have something in common with other members. Don’t be afraid to sign up alone, or attend an event alone. Most people in clubs are searching for the same thing as you – so inclusivity is at its highest!

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> Get a Part-Time Job

One thing international students may not be aware of before coming here is that the majority of Australian students have part-time jobs. Hence, it is common for people to be unavailable to hang out on the weekend. Working a part-time job is a great way to get to know some locals and ultimately befriend some new people.

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> Talk to Others in Class

In Australia, it is very common for people to still retain their friendship groups from high school. This means many Aussie’s actually don’t have that many friends in university! So say hello to the person next to you in class, or offer to study for the exam together, chances are, you will be met with a positive response!

Good Luck!

Where to get fashion on a budget on trendy Melbourne

The article and pics by Paola Bianchi

It’s becoming a strong trend to choose a minimalist, sustainable and ethical approach when consuming, dressing and choosing a look. The idea behind this is to buy less, recycle more, less waste. Be more conscious about what we consume and wear. Avoid buying compulsively from fast brands and getting garments from sustainable brands.

Definitely, Australia is on top of this sustainable wave.

Although some ethical brands have higher prices, due to focusing on quality and fair-trade commerce, you do not need to spend lots of bucks to achieve this approach. Recycling is part of the scene and the Op shops and vintage markets are key.

Op shops are ‘opportunity shops’ that sells repaired and in good-condition used clothes. Fortunately, Australia has lots of shops and markets where to get this!

Some of the favourites in Melbourne are:

The Conscious Closet

Located in the CBD, this shop is serious about fashion and helping others. You will not only find cool vintage and designer clothes for women but a chance to support other women. The Conscious Closet describes itself as a charity recycled women’s fashion store, that supports Fitted For Work. This is an organisation that assist women experiencing disadvantage into work.

1 consious closet

Fitzroy Market

Every 3^rd Saturday of every month in Fitzroy, this outdoor market opens at Fitzroy Primary School, on the corner of Napier St and Chapel St. Popular within students and young families looking to reduce heartless consumption. You will find second hand, vintage, pre-loved and items. Check it out here.

2 fitzroy market

The Brotherhood of St Laurence Op Shops

This organisation, that works to prevent and alleviate poverty across Australia, has 18 Op shops around the city. Probably the most popular store is located in the CBD. Hidden in the ground floor of the Royal Arcade, the Brotherhood City Basement is just opposite to Meyers and H&M on Bourke Street.

3 Brotherhood

A Plus Market

In the neighbourhood of Coburg, there is an indoor market that offers plus size fashion, featuring pre-loved and unique designs. A unique market that not always is included in global brand’s sizes. Not many dates available, but the reviews are excellent. Check it out here.

4 Plus Size

Where in Melbourne should I live?

The article is written by Paola Bianchi Cover pic by @rhindaxu

You decided to stay in Melbourne for a while. Diversity, culture, music, food, opportunities. Great decision. Now, you have to decide where to live.

A quick explanation before choosing the location. In Australia, neighbourhoods are called suburbs and they represent urban areas close to the main city centre. This differs from other countries where suburbs mean the opposite. Victorian suburbs are under the management of a Municipality (Council). They are called ‘City of x’. To give an example; t the City of Melbourne municipality has 15 suburbs. There are at least 30 Councils and more than 300 suburbs. Check the full list.

How to choose where to live in? Which suburb would suit you better? Actually, the correct question is; in which neighbourhood would you fit better? Each of Melbourne’s suburbs has its own personality, mood and charisma.

I do not intend to make an exhaustive list here. Let’s just talk about some of the most popular ones near the CBD.

RICHMOND

Close to CBD, with difficult parking but excellent public connections to… everywhere. Residents are varied, from cool tattoo appearance to professional looking. Everyone is welcome. Plenty of cool bars and cafes, and the Vietnamese food rule. This friendly and hip suburb is hard to beat.

2 Richmond Pic by Josh Calabrese

CARLTON

Pasta and gelato. This suburb holds the Italian precinct, the Melbourne Museum, the University of Melbourne, beautifully restored Victorian buildings, green gardens, and one of the best tram networks.

3 Carlton Pic by @thethinblackframe

FITZROY

Bohemian, hipster and funky. A suburb that offers what is Melbourne known of. Bookshops, art galleries and boutique stores. Beards, barber shops, and where greatest baristas want to work. Pubs, remarkable cafés and trendy restaurants. Vintage biking is the way to move.
4 Fitzroy Pic by @louissamal

Note that Collingwood and Abbotsford are adjacent neighbourhoods with similar vibes. They have cheaper accommodation but not many good public transport connections.

BRUNSWICK & NORTHCOTE

Even though they are much far away from the business district centre, these suburbs are becoming the next cool place to live in. Alike Fitzroy, but less crowded and with a peaceful residential looking. Think of houses with garden, trees in the streets and organic stores. Unpretentious. Relax vibes and far cheaper accommodation options.

5 Northcote

Pic by Tom Rumble

DOCKLANDS

A suburb that has high expectations for its future. On the west side of the city, right on Victoria harbour, features an enormous development with shops, restaurants, a mall and the famous wheel of fortune. One of the newest suburbs in Melbourne. Its name comes from being a swamp that served as a dock in the previous century. Think of tall modern buildings and clean spaces. Certainly not cheap as it pretends to attract high-income professionals.

6 Docklands

Pic by Oskars Sylwan

SOUTH MELBOURNE

Historic buildings, Victorian houses, old-fashioned pubs and top-notch cafes scattered over the narrow streets. Hip and cool. This suburb has history and has an excellent public transport network. The South Melbourne market is one of the most well-known markets of the city, with gourmet options.

Note that closer suburbs like Port Melbourne and Southbank are also in high demand. Port Melbourne is a renovated suburb, a similar and smaller version of South Melbourne but with ocean views. Southbank, on the other hand, lacks the Victorian charm and character of others suburbs because of its tallest contemporary buildings. But this might be the urban style that you are looking for. Great location, though. Close to the Botanical Gardens, museums and the river.

7 South Melb Pic by Manki Kim

SOUTH YARRA & PRAHRAN

Posh and chic. High-end fashion labels, upscale restaurants, cocktail lounges and nightclubs. It can get crowded but never boring. The large Prahran Market is a popular option for local groceries.

ST KILDA

Beach vibes, spectacular sunsets and penguins in the pier. Busy in summer, chilled in winter. Gardens, festivals, the long Esplanade, markets and diverse eateries. Supposedly, named after a vessel with the insignia ‘Lady of St Kilda’, this bayside suburb embrace diversity to its fullest. Once known as the red district, now is slowly being gentrified. Great public transport options.

Close by, Elwood suburb enjoys same green spaces and beach views without the tourist and noise that St Kilda has during the high season. Bad tram network though. Peaceful and gorgeous neighbourhood.

8 St kilda Pic by HealthyMond

Which one do you like better? Do your research and pick the best.

Peninsula Livin’

The article is written by Rebecca Todesco

For those of you studying in Melbourne, there’s plenty in the city to keep you occupied. But if you’re looking to leave the skyscrapers behind and escape to the coast for the weekend then here’s a couple of places you should consider.

Sorrento

The limestone buildings that line the main street are a hat tip to Sorrento’s history. Sorrento beach offers white sand and shallow water, perfect for the littlies to get their feet wet and have a paddle.

Sorrento’s main road is lined with enough boutiques, restaurants and cafes to keep you entertained for the day. Be sure to make a stop at Just Fine Food and sample their famous vanilla slice. If vanilla isn’t really your taste, then there are plenty of other scrumptious desserts for you to try.

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Rye
Rye really comes alive during the summer holiday seasons. Rye beach offers a large stretch of fine, white sand and shallow water. The Rye pier is a popular nighttime fishing location. Even if you’re not much of a fisherman (or woman), hanging around the pier and watching other peoples’ fishing success is a lovely way to pass the time.

The main strip of Rye, running parallel to the beach, is home to shops, restaurants and ice cream and gelato stores. Speaking of gelato: an after-dinner trip to Vulcano Gelato is an absolute must! You can find it by following the line of people waiting their turn to be served. Don’t be put off by the line though: it is well worth the wait!

The annual summer Rye carnival happens in the beach car park and is usually around in the months of December and January. There is no better way to spend an evening than walking along the pier – gelato in hand – watching the carnival lights reflect off the water.

Arthurs Seat

The Arthurs Seat State Park rises above the Mornington Peninsula and provides fantastic views of the surrounding area. There are plenty of hiking and walking tracks through the park for the more adventurous to lose themselves on.

A popular spot is the Arthurs Seat Summit, where visitors can stop and enjoy a picnic or barbeque while being treated to spectacular views.

The Arthurs Seat Eagle is the perfect opportunity for braver souls to get their adrenaline pumping. This attraction is a state of the art gondola ride that flies you over the forest to the highest point of the peninsula. The ride takes about 14 minutes (one way).

Carnival

Mornington

There is plenty to see in Mornington. You can visit Victoria’s oldest courthouse and adjacent lockup or even take the steam train ride on the Mornington Railway.

The main street of Mornington boasts a large number of boutiques and shops to peruse and find the perfect beachy souvenir to take home. If, after a long morning of shopping, you want to give your weary feet a rest, there are plenty of fantastic places to satisfy your hunger pangs.

The Mornington Main Street Market is on every Wednesday. Stalls line the street, selling an array of items from handcrafted soaps to locally grown produce, homemade cakes to handmade jewellery and everything in between. The market has been up and running for over thirty years, making it the state’s longest running street market.

Hot Spring

Peninsula Hot Springs
The Peninsula Hot Springs is a hidden sanctuary tucked away on the peninsula. You can almost feel your stress and worries disappear as soon as you don the fluffy white robe and begin your bathing experience. I would recommend setting aside an entire day at the springs because once you’re there, the hours seem to fly.

The Peninsula Springs water carries a range of minerals including calcium, magnesium and potassium. The temperature of the pools ranges between 37 and 43 degrees Celsius and the water runs untouched from the source directly to the pools.

The springs have two facilities: the Bath House and the Spa Dreaming Centre.

The Bath House offers more than 20 bathing experiences, including a Turkish steam room, plunge pool, reflexology walk and a sauna. Be sure to make the journey to the very highest pool and you’ll be treated to 360-degree views of the surrounding area.

If you’ve got a bit of extra money to splurge, then head to the Spa Dreaming Centre for massages and beauty treatments.

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