Australia student visa requirements for Malaysians

As a prerequisite to study in Australia, you will need to apply for a student visa. Fret, not if you feel unsure about how to go about doing it. 

Our friendly counsellors can help explain the entire visa process to you and provide visa application assistance, making it easier to understand. They have been through the process many times before with other like-minded students, so rest assured that you’ll be in good hands when it comes to applying for an Australian student visa. 

If you're a student in Malaysia aspiring to pursue your university education in Australia, navigating the intricacies of the student visa application process is crucial. The type of student visa you need for Australia will depend on the type of study you want to pursue, and how long you want to stay in the country. In addition, the criteria for the different types of visas are based on the study programme and duration of your study. 

The Australian student visa, particularly the Subclass 500 Student Visa, is the most common type sought by international students. However, there are diverse visa options available, including the Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) and the Training Visa (Subclass 407). You can find out more about each type of visa on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website. 

You will need to create an account using DHA’s online application system — ImmiAccount — before signing in to upload the necessary documents. Pay the Australian student visa application fee to complete and submit your student visa application for Australia. You can also track the status of your visa through ImmiAccount once you have submitted it. 

The information you need to fulfil student visa requirements will depend on your nationality and which course you’re studying. 

You will generally need:  

• Proof of enrolment (your Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment) 

• Your health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover) policy details 

• Your Genuine Student (GS) Requirement  

• Evidence of your English skills (your counsellor can book your place in the IELTS test) 

• Evidence of financial ability (tuition fees, living expenses, expenses for dependents, return airfare) 

• A valid passport for at least six months when entering Australia 

• Your visa application fee 

• Academic and work experience documents 

• Medical Check-ups and Biometric screening 

All documents need to be certified by a Notary Public or solicitor. All non-English documents must be officially translated and certified.  

Students must undertake health examinations at the Australian Immigration-approved panel clinics. Students must provide biometrics screening at VFS Global.  

If you are under 18 years of age, you will also need to provide additional documents, such as parental consent.  

* For a detailed visa application checklist, please speak with your counsellor.  

You should submit your application at least 8 weeks before your course starts.  

Your application will be allocated a unique Transaction Reference Number (TRN) by the Australian Government. You can find out about the status of your application online.   

Make sure your student visa remains valid  

Once you get your student visa for Australia, there are a few ways to ensure it remains valid:  

• Remain enrolled and maintain satisfactory course progress and attendance 

• Provide your Australian address to your university or college so they can contact you (do not forget to let them know if you move) 

• Continue to be able to financially support yourself while in Australia 

• Do not breach the working conditions that apply to your visa 

If you want to change your qualification level, you will need to apply for a new student visa. Your counsellor can walk you through the student visa application process as well as go through the relevant information on the Australian government’s website. They can also help you prepare the necessary documents for your submission and your student visa interview. 

Regardless of your foreign nationality, the fee for the principal applicant is AUD 1600.00 (RM4666.59). However, you will most likely have to pay for other expenses, such as health checks, biometrics, and police certificates.