Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) replaced with Genuine Student (GS) for student visas (sc 500)
Since 23 March 2024 the GTE requirement for the student visa (subclass 500) has been replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. The GTE requirement still applies to Student Guardian (subclass 590) visa applications.
Related: Genuine Temporary Entrant letter sample | How to choose the best course to study in Australia?
What the GS requirement means
Under the GS requirement, the decision maker must be satisfied that you are a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student, considering your circumstances, immigration history, compliance with visa conditions and any other relevant matter. Unlike the old GTE test, GS acknowledges that post-study pathways to permanent residence exist for some graduates, but you must show that studying is your main reason for coming to Australia.
Instead of a long personal statement, you answer targeted questions in the application form (each with a limit of about 150 words) about:
- your current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances
- why you chose this course and education provider, and why you chose Australia
- how the course will benefit you
- your study history in Australia, if you have studied here before
- if you hold a visa other than a Student visa, why you are now applying for a Student visa
- any other relevant information
The student visa declaration also asks you to confirm that you understand what it means to be a genuine student, will comply with your visa conditions, and understand that only a limited number of graduates will be eligible for permanent residence.
GS and the 2 October 2026 changes
From 2 October 2026 most temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a Student visa in Australia, and current students can only apply onshore if an exemption applies (for example moving up to a higher AQF level course). Your course choice still needs to make sense under the GS requirement. A move sideways or down, such as from a bachelor degree to a diploma, is generally not possible onshore and is likely to raise GS concerns. See Student visa changes from 2 October 2026.
Student visa English requirements
Since 23 March 2024 the minimum English score for a Student visa is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent), IELTS 5.5 with at least 10 weeks of ELICOS or an eligible foundation or pathway program, and IELTS 5.0 with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS. Standalone ELICOS students do not need a test score. New test scores apply to tests taken from 7 August 2025. See our student visa (subclass 500) page for the full table.
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What evidence and information to include
We encourage applicants to provide evidence or information about:
Previous study
This includes:
- Academic transcripts showing qualifications achieved
- Name of the education provider(s)
- Length of study
- Certificates of attainment
Previous study in Australia
This includes:
- A complete history of study record(s) in Australia
- Reasons for change of course and/or education providers
- Details of information on course progress
- Study gaps of more than 2 months during an academic year
- Any other information the applicant considers relevant to their study record in Australia
Current employment
This includes:
- Details of their current employer and company address
- Period of employment
- Details of position held
- The name and contact details of someone who can confirm the circumstances of the declared employment
Circumstances in their home country or country of residence
This includes:
- The nature of the applicant’s personal ties eg. example family, community and employment. They will need to provide reasons for not studying in their home country if a similar course is available.
Economic circumstances in home country or country of residence
This includes:
- Documents showing employment or business activities for 12 months before lodging an application
- Potential employment offers including salary and other benefits, after course completion
- Income tax return or bank statements
If there is political and civil unrest and military service commitments in the applicant’s home country that would present as a significant incentive for them to leave their home country, they must provide their reasons and supporting evidence.
How Home Affairs assesses GS
The GS criterion focuses on the assessment of the student’s intention to genuinely study in Australia. It considers factors including the applicant’s:
- circumstances
- immigration history
- compliance with visa conditions and any other relevant matter.
This criterion acknowledges that post-study pathways are available for those who may be eligible.
Situations in their home country (or country of residence)
Home Affairs consider:
- reason for not studying in their home country or region if a similar course is available there
- the nature of the applicant’s personal ties to their home country
- economic circumstances
- military service commitments political and civil unrest in their home country.
Potential situation in Australia
Home Affairs consider:
- level of knowledge of the proposed course and education provider
- previous study and qualifications
- planned living arrangements
- financial stability.
Value of the course to their future
Home Affairs consider:
- if the course is consistent with their current level of education and if the course will assist them to obtain employment or improve employment prospect in their home country or another country.
- if the course is relevant to past or proposed future employment in their home country or another country
- expected salary and other benefits in their home country or another country obtained with the applicant’s qualifications from the proposed course of study.
Immigration history
Home Affairs consider:
- visa and travel history for Australia and other countries
- previous visa applications for Australia or other countries
- visa refusals or cancellations.
If the applicant is a minor, Home Affairs consider the intentions of the parent, legal guardian or spouse.
Student visa guides
Direction No. 108
Note: Direction No. 108 applies to the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) criterion, which now only applies to Student Guardian (subclass 590) visas and to student visa applications lodged before 23 March 2024.
Ministerial Direction No 108 – Assessing the genuine temporary entrant criterion for Student and Student Guardian visa applications sets out the factors that must be taken into account when assessing the genuine temporary entrant criterion for Student visa applications. This Ministerial Direction is made in accordance with section 499 of the Migration Act.
In summary, these factors include:
- the applicant’s circumstances in their home country, including the applicant’s economic situation, political and civil unrest in the applicant’s home country, the extent of the applicant’s personal ties to their home country, whether the applicant has sound reasons for not studying in their home country if a similar course is available, and military service commitments that would present as a significant incentive for the applicant not to return to their home country
- the applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia, including the extent of the applicant’s ties with Australia that present as a strong incentive to remain in Australia, evidence that the student visa program may be used to circumvent the intention of the migration program, whether the Student visa or the Student Guardian is being used to maintain ongoing residence, the applicant’s knowledge of living in Australia,
and whether the primary and secondary applicants have entered into a relationship of concern - the value of the course to the applicant’s future, including the course’s consistency with the applicant’s current education level, whether the course will assist the applicant to gain employment in their home country, relevance of the course to the applicant’s past or future employment in their home country or a third country, and remuneration and career prospects in the applicant’s home country or a third country to be gained from the
course - the applicant’s immigration history, including visa and travel history for Australia and other countries, previous visa applications for Australia or other countries, and previous travels to Australia or other countries
- if the applicant is a minor, the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant.
- Any other matter relevant to the applicant’s intention to stay in Australia temporarily must also be considered. These factors have been weighed up to make an overall decision. In considering whether the applicant met the genuine temporary entry criterion Home Affairs take into account these factors, consistent with clause 500.212 and Ministerial Direction No 108. The factors were used to weigh up the applicant’s circumstances as a whole, in reaching a finding about whether they satisfy the genuine temporary entrant criterion.
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