You鈥檝e been accepted into the Australian course of your dreams and are about to start the exciting adventure of studying abroad. Now what? It鈥檚 time to apply for your Australian student visa! International students need a to study in Australia. You can submit your visa application once you鈥檝e enrolled in your course and paid the required enrolment deposit. Here鈥檚 what you need to know to get started.
Note: This post is provided as information only, and the details listed below are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, check the Government of Australia’s website, or consult a licensed immigration attorney for guidance.
Australia has a lot to offer international students, from world-class learning opportunities to a wide range of vibrant cultures. Learn more about why you should study in Australia!
Supporting Documents for Your Australian Student Visa
As part of your visa application, you’ll need to share a selection of supporting documents. To determine which documents you need, use the Department of Home Affairs鈥� . It will give you a list, based on your education provider, level of study, and your country of citizenship.
Most incoming international students will need to provide:
- Proof of identity (usually a passport; if you’ve changed your name, you’ll also need to provide proof of your name change)
- Proof of previous study (transcripts, degrees) and an explanation of any study gaps
- Confirmation of enrolment, usually a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) document
- Genuine Student documents (answers to a series of questions explaining your intention to study in Australia and how the course aligns with your academic and career goals.)
- Evidence of financial capacity to support yourself and any dependents joining you
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Some students may also need to provide:
- Proof of adequate English language proficiency
- Partner and/or dependant documents
- A polio vaccination certificate
- Proof that you’ve appointed someone to on your behalf
You can apply for your Australian student visa once you’ve received your CoE and have purchased Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Let’s take a closer look at these, and some of the other documents you’ll need for your student visa application below.
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
The Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is an official letter issued by your university, school, or Vocational Education and Training (VET) institution. It confirms that you’ve accepted their offer of admission and paid your enrolment deposit. The letter includes details such as your course of study, study duration, and unique CoE number.
You cannot apply for a study visa until you have received your CoE.
Evidence of Financial Capacity
You must demonstrate that you have access to sufficient funds to cover your travel to Australia and your living and study expenses. Proving financial capacity includes showing that you have access to funds that can pay for:
- The
- 12 months of course fees
- 12 months of living expenses
- Any other school fees
As of March 2026, students must show they have for living expenses, in addition to being able to pay for 12 months of course fees (tuition):
- Student: A$29,710
- Dependent partner: A$10,394
- Dependent child (per child): A$4,449
If you have any school-aged children joining you, you must add schooling costs of at least A$13,502 per year (as of March 2026) to your evidence of financial capacity. Some incoming students, like PhD students whose children are enrolled in an Australian government school, are exempt from this requirement.
Generally, students prove their financial capacity with copies of bank statements, student loans, and information about any scholarships they鈥檝e been awarded. Lastly, if you’re taking a course that’s under 12 months long, these costs are prorated.
Learn more about the cost of studying abroad in Australia.
Overseas Student Health Cover
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory . It provides you with access to Australia’s health care system, including:
- Family doctor visits
- Basic hospital stays
- Emergency ambulance access
- Some prescription medicine
To keep your visa valid, you must have OSHC coverage starting on the day you arrive in Australia, and maintain coverage through your entire stay.
You may purchase OSHC through an official OSHC insurer, your education provider, or a migration/education agent who represents your OSHC insurer. In all cases, you must buy OSHC coverage before you apply for your student visa. Most institutions will give you a list of eligible OSHC providers to choose from.
Any family members joining you in Australia must also have OSHC coverage to apply for a visa, and must keep it valid throughout their stay. The OSHC policy must be issued in the name of the student and their family member(s), and the name(s) on the policy must match the name(s) on their passport(s).
Learn more about how OSHC works on our blog.
Proof of English Proficiency
Because classes are taught in English, international students must meet or exceed a set level of English proficiency. There are different proficiency minimums for students who are directly entering into an academic course than there are for students who take a pathway, foundation, or ELICOS program before their academic course.听
Important Note: The English language requirements for a student visa can be different than those needed for admission into your desired course.听
Acceptable language test scores change over time. on the government’s Student visa webpage.
Dependent Visa Documents
You must provide documentation like birth certificate(s) and a marriage certificate, for any dependents and partners travelling with you as part of their dependent visa application.
Even if your family members don’t plan to join you right away, it’s a good idea to declare them in your initial Student visa application. If you don’t declare a family member, and they wish to join you in Australia later on, you’ll need to apply for a new student visa which includes them, and explain why they weren’t included on your initial application.
Other Visa Requirements
Most student visa decisions are based on the information you provide with your visa application. In some cases, prospective students may need to share additional information. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common additional requirements.
Health Examination
Some applicants may need to take a medical and/or a radiological exam to show they鈥檙e in good health. If you鈥檙e asked to complete a health exam, you must see a doctor who has been approved by the Australian immigration department.听
Biometrics
Most applicants will be advised immediately after submitting an Australian student visa application if they need to , like a photo or fingerprints. These applicants will receive a letter with this information and how to proceed, and will also be able to see this request in their ImmiAccount.听
Students will have 14 days to provide biometrics, so arrange an appointment quickly by following the instructions in the request letter.
Interview
While the information you submit is usually sufficient, an interview might be required in some cases.
Welfare Arrangement
If you鈥檙e under 18, you must have a student guardian who is either travelling to Australia with you or is already living in Australia. The legal guardian must be:
- A parent
- A legal custodian
or - A relative over the age of 21 who meets the Department鈥檚 eligibility requirements
The guardian must have enough money to support you as well as themselves. They must also be able to provide accommodation, welfare, and other support. If the guardian is travelling with you to Australia, they can apply for a along with your visa application.
Visa Processing Time
The processing time for Australian student visa applications vary by study level. Currently, VET-level visa applications are taking considerably longer than other study levels to process.听
As of March 2026, processing times ranged from 21 days to half a year:
- Primary and secondary school sector applications: 24 to 70 days
- VET applications: five to six months
- Higher education applications: 21 days to 4 months
- Postgraduate research applications: 26 to 82 days
Throughout the year, average visa application processing times can vary due to volume and policy changes.听
For current processing estimates, use the Government of Australia鈥檚 .
Visa Decisions
You’ll be notified about the visa decision in writing once your application is processed. If your application is rejected, the notification will include why, and whether you may have the decision reviewed.
If your visa is approved, the communication will include:
- The visa grant number
- The date the visa expires
- The visa conditions, which you must uphold throughout your stay in Australia
Since this visa isn’t physically stamped in your passport, keep the visa decision letter with you while travelling to and from Australia, and throughout your stay.
With your visa application approved, you’re now one step closer to pursuing your dream of studying Down Under. Best of luck on your study abroad journey!
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