Australian Government

Department of Home Affairs

Agent Digest – Student Visa Program

Welcome to the fifth edition of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s Agent Digest (January 2018) -
continuing to provide migration and education agents a short overview of current issues affecting the student visa
program.
The Department is currently concentrating on managing the peak lodgement period. Between now and April 2018, we
expect a record number of student visa applications to be lodged. Given the growth in the program, it is important you
continue to submit complete applications at least six weeks before course commencement.
Alice Maclean, Director – Student and Graduate Visas

Attach documents upfront

The Department can make a decision on a student visa application with the information provided, there is no requirement
to request more information. Student visa applicants subject to regular evidentiary requirements must attach evidence of
financial capacity, including evidence of genuine access to those funds. Evidence of English proficiency or being exempt
must also be attached. Failure to provide these documents may lead to a visa refusal.
Agents should ensure ‘Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statements’ provide sufficient information and supporting
documentation is attached to the application. The applicant should explain any gaps in study or employment and, where
relevant, address the reasons the student is studying in a field unrelated to their previous study or employment. The
applicant must explain how completing the study will help them fulfil their future plans. The statement must reflect the
student’s circumstances, generic statements will not be weighed heavily in the GTE assessment.

Finding out more

All agents can access LEGEND.com by subscription. This resource includes
migration legislation as well as the procedural guidelines applied by our
officers when they assess cases.
The Departmental website also provides information about the program
including statistics, visa requirements, global processing times and even an explanation of all the conditions applicable to
a student visa holder.
The Department does not provide status updates on applications. Some visa applications are processed quickly and
some take more time. We will contact you if we need more information or if a decision has been made on a visa
application.

TIPS:
Cost of annual living amounts to increase
1. If you receive a ‘Request for
From 1 February 2018, the cost of annual living amounts will increase in Information’ from the Department, you
line with Australia’s consumer price index. From this date, every must upload the documents to the
application where evidence of funds is required should include the application in ImmiAccount. The
updated cost of living amounts in their calculation of funds: documents will attach to the application.
Student or guardian: AUD$20,290 Do not email the documents to the
Partner or spouse: AUD$7,100 Department or contact us to advise they
Child: AUD$3,040 have been uploaded. Emailing us in these
circumstances is unnecessary and can
delay visa processing.
2. Ensure applicants declare any previous visa refusals or cancellations from any country for themselves and family
members, even if the family members are not intending to travel to Australia. Remember that a visa refusal may be
called something different in other countries, like a rejection, denial or a visa declined. If information provided in
response to this question is incorrect, it may lead to refusal under PIC 4020.
USEFUL LINKS:
The Migration Blog Facebook Study in Australia