Student Visa News

Mandatory Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for Onshore Student Visa Applicants from 1 January 2025

Adjustments to the student visa application process for those applying from within Australia are in effect from 1 January 2025. Onshore applicants are now required to provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time they lodge their visa application. This requirement aligns the process for onshore applicants and those overseas. It aims to ensure that all applicants have a confirmed place in a genuine course of study before a visa is considered. Applications submitted onshore without a valid CoE are now deemed invalid.

Alongside the mandatory CoE, there is increased scrutiny of student visa applications, with a stricter application of the Genuine Student (GS) criteria. This has reportedly contributed to a noticeable shift in visa refusal rates as the government endeavors to ensure that all student visa holders are genuinely intending to study.

The government is actively addressing the practice commonly referred to as visa hopping. New measures have been introduced that place restrictions on holders of certain visa types from applying for a student visa while they are in Australia.

Adjustments to Student Visa Fees and Enrolments

Recent government policy has brought adjustments to student visa application fees and the overall management of international student enrolment levels. The standard student visa application fee, which had previously seen a significant increase to AUD $1,600 in July 2024 (from AUD $710), has been subject to further review.

The government is actively implementing measures to manage the intake of international students more sustainably, including proposals for direct legislative caps on student number. The adopted strategy focuses on a combination of visa processing prioritisation and setting targets for new international student commencements.

The Labor party has signalled an objective to limit international student commencements to 270,000 in 2025, whereas the opposition has advocated for a more restrictive cap of 240,000, with such measures often linked to alleviating pressures on national housing and infrastructure.

Modifications to English Language Pathway

Adjustments have been implemented concerning the English language pathway programmes for student visa applicants. The number of recognised pathway programmes, which may permit students to satisfy English language prerequisites with potentially lower standardised test scores, has increased from 155 to 166. Furthermore, some course entries have been revised to reflect the amalgamation of the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide into the newly formed Adelaide University.
For improved clarity, the term "Provider" within the pathway programme information has been officially changed to "Destination University". These modifications apply to all Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications lodged on or after 23 May 2025, aiming to streamline the application process and reflect institutional changes.

Genuine Student (GS) Requirement Being Implemented on 23 March 2024

The Australian Government is set to enhance its student visa framework by replacing the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with a new Genuine Student (GS) criterion for applications submitted from 23 March 2024.

This move, aimed at refining the selection process, focuses on identifying applicants genuinely seeking quality education in Australia, without the implications of their future migration intentions.

The application process will see a shift from a 300 word statement to targeted questions about the applicant's background, study motivations, and compliance intentions. These changes underscore the government's dedication to upholding the integrity of the education sector, ensuring that the pathways to study in Australia align with the genuine intent of gaining academic advancement.

Temporary Graduate Visa changes from 1 July 2024.

The Government has announced details on the increase to post-study working rights for eligible international higher education graduates to address Australia’s critical skills shortages.

Eligible international graduates with select qualifications will now have an additional two years extended on their Temporary Graduate visa.

Extensions will increase from:

• two years to four years for select Bachelor degrees
• three years to five years for select Masters degrees
• four years to six years for all PhDs

The extension applies to key industries such as the teaching, health, engineering and agricultural sectors and is on top of the extra two years currently available to eligible graduates who study and work in regional areas. Further information including the full list of eligible qualifications is available in the Post-study work rights report.

Changes to Student Visa Work Rights

From 1 July 2023, work rights for international students will be capped again, but at a higher level of 48 hours per fortnight. Pre-pandemic, work rights for international students were capped at 40 hours per fortnight, although this restriction was relaxed during the pandemic to help meet workforce shortages. More information about the 485 Visa Changes.

Student Visa unrestricted work rights ended on 30 June 2023

Relaxation of student visa work hours restrictions ended on 30 June 2023.

From 30 June 2023, the number of hours a student visa holder will be allowed to work will again be capped. The number of hours a student visa holder works, ensures that students focus on obtaining a quality Australian education and qualification.

Students must make sure they are aware of any changes to visa conditions, including work rights.

Student Visa Application Charges

For an Australian student visa application, applicants must pay mandatory Government Visa Application Charges (VAC), with the amount dependent on the particular student visa type and the total number of individuals applying.