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Student Visa Checklist

Am I eligible for a Student visa?

Student visa checklist: key facts for 2026

  • The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement on 23 March 2024. You now answer targeted questions in the application form.
  • Living costs to show for 12 months: $29,710 for the student, plus course fees and travel. Or show parental or partner income of at least $87,856 ($102,500 if family members are included).
  • Minimum English: IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (lower scores with ELICOS or a pathway program).
  • From 2 October 2026, most temporary visa holders must apply from outside Australia and most new applicants can no longer include a partner or children. See Student visa changes from 2 October 2026.
  • Government charge from 1 July 2026: $2,500 for most courses. See Student visa fees.

Documentary Evidence List

Open each section below to see the documents to prepare. The exact documents depend on your passport, your education provider and your circumstances, so use this as a starting point.


  • Evidence of your identity. Attach a copy of your passport. Also include a certified copy of your birth certificate, national identity card or driver licence where you have these.
  • a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for all intended courses. If you apply in Australia you must also include a CoE with your application.
  • Evidence of adequate health insurance. Health insurance must be Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your intended stay.
  • English test results, unless you are exempt. Tests must have been taken in the 2 years before you apply, and at home or online tests are not accepted.

You must show that you genuinely intend to study and that study is the main reason you want to come to or stay in Australia. Since 23 March 2024 the Genuine Student requirement has replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement for Student visas. Instead of a long statement, you answer questions in the application form about your circumstances, why you chose this course, provider and Australia, how the course will benefit you, and your study and visa history. Your answers should be your own and specific to you. Read more in our Genuine Student (GS) guide.

You can include evidence such as:

  • Proof of employment: your current or most recent employment, including payslips or a contract. An up to date link to your LinkedIn profile should include employment and educational history.
  • Qualifications: a certified copy of your academic transcripts, educational certificate (degree, diploma etc.) or letter or statement from your overseas education institution.
  • Australian qualifications: a certified copy of your academic transcripts, educational certificate or letter or statement from your Australian education institution.
  • Evidence of your ties to your home country (family, community, employment and economic circumstances), and how the course will help your career.

The Department will consider your circumstances, your immigration history, if you are a minor and the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse, and any other relevant matter. Note: Student Guardian (subclass 590) visas still use the GTE requirement.

Evidence of your relationship with your spouse or de facto partner. This could include a certified copy of your marriage certificate, Family Book, Household Booklet or other evidence of family composition.

Important: for applications lodged on or after 2 October 2026, most new Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or children, and family members can no longer be added later. Exemptions include PhD students, DFAT or Defence sponsored students, foreign government scholarship holders and eligible students from Pacific or ASEAN countries.

Evidence of current or most recent employment, which might include payslips or a contract.

Your up to date link to your LinkedIn profile should include full employment and educational history, including dates and positions held for at least the last five years.

If you are undertaking research in Australia, attach a copy of your research (thesis or project) topic.

You must show genuine access to enough money for your first 12 months in Australia. You can do this in one of these ways:

  • Evidence of funds to cover travel, 12 months of course fees and 12 months of living costs for you and any accompanying family members.
  • Evidence that your parents or partner (if they are not travelling with you) earned at least $87,856 in the 12 months before you apply, or $102,500 if family members are included. This must be shown with official government documents such as tax assessments. (This replaces the old $60,000 and $70,000 figures.)
12 month living costs (current in 2026) Amount
Student $29,710
Partner $10,394
Each child $4,449
School costs, each school age child $13,502 a year

Use our student visa funds calculator to work out your total.

As well as showing you are sufficiently covered, you need to provide documents about where the money comes from, such as:

  • A loan certificate or a letter stating the loan is granted for a specified amount and duration from a financial institution.
  • Evidence of cash deposits in your name for a specified period just before the date of your visa application, such as a cash deposit receipt, a bank passbook or a bank statement.

Large recent deposits without an explanation are a common cause of refusal, so explain and document the source of any significant amounts.

Am I eligible for a Student visa?

How to apply: step by step

  1. Choose a course and education provider and accept your offer.
  2. Pay the deposit and obtain your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and OSHC.
  3. Check where you can apply from. From 2 October 2026 most temporary visa holders in Australia must apply from outside Australia.
  4. Gather the documents in the checklist above, including your English test, financial and Genuine Student evidence.
  5. Lodge your application online and pay the visa application charge ($2,500 for most courses from 1 July 2026).
  6. Complete health examinations and provide biometrics if requested.
  7. Wait for a decision. See current student visa processing times.

Student visa checklist FAQs

No. For Student visas lodged on or after 23 March 2024, the GTE statement was replaced by the Genuine Student requirement. You answer questions in the application form instead. Student Guardian (590) visas still use the GTE requirement.

For 12 months you need $29,710 in living costs for the student, plus your first year of course fees (less any amount already paid) and travel costs, plus amounts for any family members who are eligible to be included. Alternatively, you can meet the annual income option of $87,856 ($102,500 with family).

For applications lodged on or after 2 October 2026, most new applicants can no longer include family members, and family cannot be added later. Limited exemptions apply, for example for PhD students and some scholarship holders.

Visitor and 485 visa holders cannot apply onshore, and from 2 October 2026 most other temporary visa holders cannot either. Current students can only apply onshore for another Student visa if an exemption applies, such as progressing to a higher AQF level course.

The minimum is IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. It is 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.

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