Australia Student Visa Requirements for Filipinos

Everything you need to know about Australian student visas

Studying in Australia begins with securing the right student visa. Figuring out how to apply for your Australian student visa may seem intricate and complex – but IDP Education Counselors are here to help you navigate through this bureaucratic maze. From understanding the different visa types to the necessary fees and costs, IDP provides invaluable advice and assistance at every step of the way.

Which Australian student visa do you need?

The type of Australian student visa you will need largely depends on your study program and its duration. The most common types are:

Student Visa (Subclass 500), for individuals enrolling in a recognized full-time course and staying in Australia for the duration of the course.
Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590), for individuals wanting to support their child holding a Subclass 500 visa.
Training Visa (Subclass 407), a sponsored visa for individuals taking part in work-related or workplace-based occupational training and other professional programs.

Detailed information on each visa type is available on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website.

Online visa application process

Applying for an Australian student visa is done online via the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) portal, on the Department of Home Affairs website. The process involves the following steps:

Create and sign into your ImmiAccount.
Upload all necessary documents stipulated by the visa application requirements.
Pay the Australian student visa application fee and other related costs, where applicable.

Make use of the DIBP’s Document Checklist Tool to ensure no vital document is overlooked, and that your visa application is accurate, comprehensive, and complete.

Student visa requirements for Australia

To secure your Australian student visa, you’ll need several documents including:

Completed visa form 956a and visa form 54
Certificate or proof of enrolment from a recognized Australian university or institution.
Health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover) policy details.
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement.
Evidence of English proficiency skills. (Your counsellor can help you sign up for IELTS preparation courses to sit for the IELTS test)
Statement of purpose.
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

Documents may need to be notarized by a notary-public or solicitor, where applicable. All documents should also be in English, and non-English documents will need to be translated.

Applicants must also undertake health examinations at clinics approved by Australian Immigration, and provide biometrics at local partners of Australian Immigration.

Individuals under 18 years of age may need to provide additional documents affirming parental consent to study in Australia.

All student visa applications should be submitted no later than six weeks before the start of your course/program, and no earlier than 12 weeks.

An IDP counsellor can help you better understand the requirements of this visa application checklist, and ensure that your documents are submitted correctly and accurately.

How to make sure your Australian student visa remains valid

Once you obtain your Australian student visa, maintaining its validity is essential. This involves staying enrolled, keeping up with course requirements, providing your up-to-date Australian address to your institution as and when necessary, financially supporting yourself, and strictly adhering to work conditions stipulated on your visa.

If you wish or need to change your qualification level, you may need to apply for a new visa. Your IDP counsellor can guide you through maintaining proper visa status as well as preparing the necessary documents for subsequent visa submissions and interviews.

Application fees for student visas in Australia

For the principal applicant, the Australian student visa fee is 710 AUD (PHP 26,707). Additional costs may include health checks, biometrics, and police certificates, making it vital to budget for these expenses as part of the student visa application process.

Embark on your Australian educational adventure with confidence, knowing IDP Philippines is here to guide you through each step of the way.