An Overview Of The Subclass 500 Student Visa Application Process In Australia

If you dream of getting yourself enrolled in one of the leading Australian institutions and making your future bright, the first thing you will need is the Student Visa 500. It is the most common Australian student visa that allows an international student to stay in Australia for a maximum of 5 years to study a full-time course. This blog will give you a complete idea of what needs to be done to obtain your Subclass 500 Visa and turn your dreams into a reality.

What are the benefits of this visa?

• With the Visa 500, you can do the following things in Australia.
• You can get enrolled in an eligible study course.
• You can add your family members to your application.
• You can work for a maximum of 20 hours a week after your course commences.

But if you want to enjoy these rights, you have to first make a successful application for the Student Subclass 500 Visa. The upcoming sections will help you file a complete application.

Meet the eligibility criteria for the Student Visa 500

For a successful application, you should first check if you meet all the Student Visa 500 requirements. The requirements are as follows.

• Your age should be at least 6 years.
• You will need to provide evidence that the institute accepts you for the course you have applied for.
• The course should be CRICOS-registered.
• You must have the required skill of English because, in Australia, you have to communicate with your teachers, professors, friends, and colleagues in English.
• Both you and your family members (if included) should have the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) issued by an approved Australian provider of health insurance. This insurance should remain valid throughout your stay in Australia.
• If you have not crossed 18 yet, specific welfare arrangements will be necessary.
• You should have enough financial capacity to cover your costs during the stay.

How should you apply for this visa?

You can complete your application for the Student Visa Subclass 500 either online or through a local agent. The online process involves less complexity and physical efforts. Complete the following steps to lodge your application.

Step 1: Before you apply

Are you applying outside Australia? If so, you should start with the application procedure at least 6 weeks before the course begins. Even if you are inside Australia at the time of application, you should give yourself plenty of time before the current visa expires. The visa application process for Australia is a pretty complicated one. So, before you start, you can hire a registered migration agent from Perth for professional assistance.

Step 2: Gather your documents

To know the necessary documents, you should visit the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs and check out the most updated ‘Document Checklist Tool.’ According to the Student Visa 500 checklist, you have to gather the following documents.

1. Passport and a national id card as your identity documents
2. Previous academic transcripts and course documents, if applicable
3. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) issued by your university that confirms your admission
4. Genuine temporary entrant (GTE) statement that ensures your entry to Australia is only for study
5. Welfare arrangement documents for applicants under 18
6. Bank account statements as evidence of your financial strength
7. English language proficiency documents
8. Health and character documents

Step 3: Apply for the visa

For the application, you will be required to open an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. Once you gather all the documents, you should log in to this account, attach the documents, and complete your visa application payment.

Step 4: Upload additional documents

If you think your job is completed after the successful completion of the payment, you may be wrong. The Department may ask you for additional documents anytime during their assessment, and you have to upload them as soon as possible. The more time you will take to respond, the more delay your application process will face.

What is the current application fee for the Student Visa 500?

Currently, you will need to pay about AUD 620. This charge is for the main applicant. If you include other family members like your spouse or dependent children, you have to make separate payments for each member.

How much time does the Student Visa 500 take to get processed?

The processing time will depend on the education sector you are applying for and the number of applications filed at a given time.

• 75% of applications made in the Higher Education Sector get processed in 29 days. On the other hand, 90% of applications in the same sector take about 42 days to process.
• More time is taken by the applications made in the VET (Vocational Education and Training) Sector. The processing time for 75% of VET applications is 43 days, while for 90% of applications, it is 77 days.

Points to note about including family members in your Student Visa Subclass 500 application

One of the significant benefits of the Student Visa Subclass 500 is that you can include your immediate family members in the application. It enables them to come with you to Australia. We refer to the applicant’s spouse or partner and the dependent or stepchildren by immediate family members.

But what if they are not coming with you? If that is the case, then also you should make the declaration about them in your application. The reason is that if they need to join you in Australia at a later period, you will have to apply for a new Australian student visa, including them, and give clarification why you did not include them in the previous application. Develop your career in the field of networking in 2021

What English language requirements should you need?

If you’re not from the UK, the US, Ireland, Canada, or New Zealand, you will be required to prove your English language proficiency. You can provide the score of any internationally recognized English language skills test like TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Cambridge Advanced. Make sure that the test results are less than 2 years old.

What welfare arrangements should you organise?

If you’re still a minor, you have to arrange the following welfare arrangements.

Nominate a student guardian

According to Australian law, a student guardian can be a legal custodian, parent, or relative over 21. The guardian should also have a valid Australian visa.

Organise a CAAW

To organise a CAAW or the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare, you may seek help from your institute.

Get your AASES

The full form of AASES is ‘Advice of Secondary Exchange Student’ and is applicable for an applicant as a secondary exchange student.

Arrange welfare arrangements’ approval from the relevant Ministry

This condition applies to a Defence or Foreign Affairs student.

Final words

An Immigration Agent Perth can be the best person to help you with all application-related requirements. Before you hire someone, we recommend checking their profile and consulting with previously benefited clients. The leading agents will make sure you get the greatest support in such matters, and can successfully complete your visa 500 application process.