NEW: GENUINE STUDENT (GS) SYSTEM

Australia Student Visa

Mastering the Subclass 500 and the 2026 Migration Strategy.

The Australian Entry Protocol

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Confirmation of Enrolment (COE)

Unlike an offer letter, the COE is a legal document issued by the Australian government on behalf of your provider. It confirms your tuition deposit and specific course duration.

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OSHC Health Mandate

You must maintain **Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)** for the entire duration of your visa. You must pay this premium in full before lodging your application.

The Genuine Student (GS) Test

As of March 23, 2024, the GTE has been replaced by the **GS requirement**. This is a high-stakes assessment where you must provide targeted evidence of:

  • Knowledge of your provider and chosen course compared to others.
  • The specific economic value of the course in your home country.
  • Total transparency regarding your academic and immigration history.

Temporary Graduate Visa: Subclass 485

Masters (Coursework)
2 yrs
Masters (Research)
3 yrs
Doctoral (PhD)
3 yrs

Australian Migration & Compliance Intel

The Department of Home Affairs recently increased the financial requirement. You must now show a minimum of **$24,505 AUD** for 12 months of living expenses, plus your first-year tuition fees and $2,000 for return travel.

Australia assigns 'Risk Levels' to universities. If you choose a **Level 1 University**, your visa processing is faster and you may not need to provide English or financial evidence. Level 3 providers require the highest level of scrutiny.

Standard work rights are capped at **48 hours per fortnight** while your course is in session. However, during official university breaks, there are no limits on the number of hours you can work.
Australia Fee Schedule
Visa Application: $710 AUD
OSHC (Avg 2yr): $1,200 AUD
Initial Cost: $1,910 AUD
Popular OSHC Providers
🔹 Bupa Australia
🔹 Allianz Care Australia
🔹 Medibank Private