New Student Visa System From 1 July 2016

Single Student Visa (Subclass 500)

From 1 July 2016, if you want to study in Australia, you will need to apply for a single student visa subclass 500 regardless of your field of study.

With the introduction of a simplified student visa framework (SSVF), the following student visa subclasses (570 to 576) will be replaced by one subclass 500.

• Subclass 570 – Independent ELICOS Sector Visa;
• Subclass 571- School Sector Visa;
• Subclass 572- Vocational Education and Training Sector Visa;
• Subclass 573- Higher Education Sector Visa;
• Subclass 574- Postgraduate Research Sector Visa;
• Subclass 575- Non Award Sector Visa;
• Subclass 576- Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector Visa;

Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)

From 1 July 2016, the new Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) will replace the current Student Guardian visa (Subclass 580)

Applying for a Student Visa

All student visa and student guardian visa applications should generally be lodged online through ImmiAccount.

Documentary Evidence

1. Evidence of Enrolment

International students must be enrolled in a registered course of study and provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when they lodge their student visa application.

2. Financial Requirements

A single immigration risk framework will apply to all international students from 1 July 2016. The level of documentary evidence of English language and financial capacity that the students need to provide will depend on the student’s education provider and country of citizenship.

The students with higher immigration risks will generally be required to provide one of the following pieces of evidence showing financial capacity:

• Funds for: travel to Australia, the first 12 months’ living cost, course fees, schooling costs for school-aged dependent students, and accompanying family members if they are included; OR
• Evidence of meeting the annual income requirement of at least AUD 60,000. For students accompanied by family members the amount is AUD 70,000 or more.

From 1 July 2016, the 12 month living cost will be:

• Student/Guardian – AUD 19,830
• Partner/Spouse – AUD 6,940
• Child – AUD 2,970

3. English Language Requirements (Note these are Immigration Department Minimum Requirements， Not Course Provider Requirements)

Where evidence of English language proficiency is required, the student will need to provide one of the following with their visa application:

• evidence of an acceptable English language test score (2 years valid); OR
• evidence that the student falls within an exempt category.