Australia Student Visa Requirements for Filipino Students

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 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. 

 There are also other options such as the Temporary Australian Graduate Visa, which require holders to have an existing Australian student visa and to have studied with an Australian education provider. Detailed information on each visa type is available on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website.  

Online Visa Application  

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:  

1. Create and sign into your ImmiAccount. 

2. Upload all necessary documents stipulated by the visa application requirements. 

3. 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 counselor 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 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 counselor can help you better understand the requirements of this visa application checklist, including what type of English proficiency test to take for immigration, 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 to maintain your legal rights as an international student in Australia. 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 Australian student visa. 

If you wish or need to change your qualification level, you may need to apply for a new visa. Your IDP counselor 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 AUD 710 (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 – from overcoming the Aussie language barrier to Australian cultural no-nos and taboos every newcomer needs to know to dealing with culture shock. 

What You Need To Know About MD 111

Ministerial Direction No. 111, effective December 2024, is Australia's latest policy guiding the processing of offshore student visa applications. This directive replaces the previous MD 107, aiming to create a more balanced and equitable approach to international student visa processing across various education providers.

Under MD 111, offshore student visa applications are prioritized for higher education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers that have not yet reached 80% of their indicative 2025 new overseas student commencements (NOSC) allocation. Once this threshold is met, applications are processed under standard priority.

High Priority vs. Standard Priority

The Priority 1 - High status will be given to visa applications for higher education and VET providers that have not yet reached 80% of their NOSC allocation for 2025. If your application has already gone past the 80% threshold, it will be given the Priority 2 - Standard status.

This means it's best for Australia-bound international students to quickly submit their visa applications. IDP counselors can help with that.