The processing time for an Australian student visa is generally 2-4 weeks. However, the period leading up to the start of the academic year in February is a peak season for visa applications, which can lead to slower processing times. Therefore, it is essential to prepare all materials in advance and ensure they are complete upon submission to avoid delays caused by requests for additional information from visa officers.
Australian Student Visa Application Process
1. Log in to the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs
Visa application page on the official Australian Department of Home Affairs website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa/immi
2. Click the login button to start signing in or applying
In the second step, click the "Login to ImmiAccount" button in the image to start creating an account or logging in.
3. Enter your username and password to log in
If you are an existing user, you can log in directly using your previous username and password. If you are a new applicant, click the "Create account" button in the bottom left corner to begin the registration process.
4. Create a personal account
Provide basic information to create an account, including your name, phone number, and email address.
Since you are applying via the DIY route, you are likely applying as an individual. Select "Individual" and enter your personal details such as your name and email. On the second page, you will be prompted to create a password and set up security questions. We will not elaborate on this further, as these are standard account creation procedures.
5. Log in to your personal account page and create a new application
There is a "New application" option in the top left corner of your personal account page.
After logging in, click the "New application" button in the top left corner to start creating various visa applications, including the Student Visa (subclass 500).
6. Select the new visa category
Since you are applying for a student visa, select the "Student" category.
Under the student visa section, select "Student Visa (500)".
Following these steps, a new student visa application will be created. Next, you will need to fill in your personal information.
7. Start filling in personal information
(1) Agree to the terms and conditions to start the application
In the first step, after selecting the visa you wish to apply for, the application is created. From this point on, you will be filling in your personal details for the visa application.
(2) Enter your CoE information
The first field asks for the applicant's current location. The second field is for the CoE. After selecting "Yes," a small window will appear where you need to add your CoE number.
After selecting "Yes" and clicking "Add," a pop-up window will appear where you can enter your CoE number.
The CoE is the alphanumeric code located in the top right corner of your Overseas Student Confirmation-of-Enrolment (CoE) document.
The CoE is the alphanumeric code in the top right corner.
In the following section, students applying for undergraduate or master's degrees should generally select "No." Then, in the "Education Sector" field, select "Higher Education Sector."
Of course, there are other options under "Education Sector." If you are applying for a language course, you should select "Vocational Education and Training Sector." The specific institution type is clearly stated in your CoE.
(3) Enter personal passport information
This includes your surname, given name, gender, date of birth, passport number, country of passport, nationality of passport holder, date of issue, date of expiry, and place of issue.
Other personal information, including national ID details and place of birth, is also required.
Chinese National ID information
After selecting "Yes" for the "National Identity Card" option in the previous section, this field will appear. You will need to provide detailed information from your Chinese ID card, including: 1. Surname, 2. Given name, 3. ID number, 4. Country of issue, 5. Date of issue, 6. Date of expiry, and other required fields.
Other personal identity information
The first field here is generally "Yes." If the applicant does not hold dual citizenship, select "No" for the subsequent items. You do not need to worry about the "Chinese Commercial Code" field. Finally, the "Health examination" field is generally marked as "No." After the application is submitted, the Department of Home Affairs will issue a HAP ID, which the applicant can then use to undergo the required Australian visa medical examination at a designated hospital.
Confirm personal information
This page is primarily for confirming that the personal information provided on the previous page is accurate and true. If everything is correct, select "Yes."
Applicant's family information
This field is generally marked as "No," as most students coming to Australia from China are applying individually. If you select "Yes," it implies there are accompanying persons, and you will need to provide their details, such as a spouse or children.
Applicant's contact information
This section requires the applicant's current address, phone number, email, and other contact details. Please fill this out truthfully. If you are currently in Australia, you must provide your Australian address and contact information.
Assistance from an agent
This page asks whether the applicant is using an agent to apply for this visa. Since you are applying via the DIY route, you should select "No."
Non-accompanying family members
Yes, this page is generally marked as "Yes," as most people have family members.
Family member information
On this page, add all family members and specify the relationship between the applicant and them.
Even if there are no accompanying members, you still need to provide family member information. Click the "Add" button in the bottom left corner of this page to add all family members (parents, siblings, etc.).
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement
This step is slightly more challenging. You must clearly explain why the applicant is choosing this degree, their plans after graduation, etc. You should clearly state the following points:
1. Why you chose this degree.
2. Why you chose this school.
3. Why you chose to study this degree in Australia rather than in another country.
4. How you will manage your life during your studies, such as where you will live and how you will support yourself.
5. Your plans after graduation, whether you intend to stay in Australia, and which industry you plan to enter.
Therefore, when writing this statement, you need to carefully avoid potential pitfalls.
Applicant's proof of funds
This page is for providing proof of assets to support your studies and ensuring the applicant has sufficient funds to complete their education. Select "Yes" for the first field. Most students coming to Australia for studies are self-funded or supported by their families; therefore, most people should select "Financial Support From an Individual" in the second field. You will then need to provide detailed information, such as bank deposit certificates and bank details. Note that after submitting the application (i.e., after paying the application fee), you will still need to upload the bank deposit certificate to your personal visa application account.
Applicant's health insurance
Since everyone entering Australia is required to have insurance, please purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as soon as you receive your CoE. Confirm the insurance coverage period based on the dates provided in your CoE. There are many Australian insurance companies that provide OSHC, including Bupa and Allianz, with premiums generally around $50 AUD per month. Applicants can choose which insurance provider to use. After purchasing the insurance, the company will provide a certificate containing the "Insurance Policy Number" mentioned in the image above. Simply fill in the information exactly as it appears on the document provided by the insurance company.
Applicant's educational background
This page is for surveying the applicant's educational background. The first part requires the highest degree obtained, including the degree level (e.g., PhD, Master, Bachelor), degree title, the educational institution that awarded the degree, and the country where the institution is located.
The second part covers educational history, specifically whether the applicant has obtained other degrees in Australia or other countries.
Applicant's employment background
This page is for surveying the visa applicant's employment history. If applicable, click "Add" under "Employment History" and provide detailed information, including start and end dates, employer name, and job title.
The second field asks if the applicant has been offered employment after the degree they are applying for. The third field asks what kind of work the applicant hopes to pursue after completing their studies; you can answer this freely.
Applicant's language background and English proficiency
This covers the applicant's native language and English proficiency. If you have taken IELTS, TOEFL, or other official English proficiency tests within the past 24 months, select "Yes" under the "Language Ability" field and provide the details. Under "Main Language," be sure to select "Mandarin" or "Cantonese." There are two other potentially confusing options for Chinese dialects, but they are rarely used, so ensure you select "Mandarin."
The following questions ask whether the applicant has had any previous study experience in English-speaking countries; please answer truthfully.
Countries and regions where the applicant has resided
This page is for surveying the visa applicant's travel history to their home country, Australia, and third countries over the past ten years, including living, working, studying, vacationing, business travel, and military deployment. As shown in the image above, you only need to fill in the dates and the countries visited. This information should be recorded in your passport, so for those who travel frequently, this section may be more time-consuming as there will be a lot of information to enter.
Information on visas currently held by the applicant
This page is for surveying whether the applicant holds any visas for Australia or third countries, and whether the applicant has any history of illegal stay in Australia or other countries. If you hold a visa for Australia or a third country, select "Yes" and provide the details in the blank space, including the visa category, the country that issued the visa, and the expiry date.
Applicant's health status
This page is for surveying whether the applicant has any medical history, especially infectious diseases. However, since a medical examination is required for the application, as long as you pass the medical exam, this page should generally not be an issue.
Applicant's criminal record
This page asks whether the applicant has any criminal record in their home country, Australia, or a third country, or if they have ever been deported or denied entry by another country.
Validity of student visa
The questions on this page are primarily to remind the applicant of the legal validity and restrictions of an Australian student visa, essentially warning the applicant not to stay in Australia illegally after the visa expires.
Legal declaration
This declaration is intended to ensure the applicant understands that the visa is granted by the Australian government and that any violation of Australian law may lead to the cancellation of the visa. Therefore, the applicant must ensure that all materials and information submitted are true and valid. This visa only covers the applicant and any accompanying persons mentioned in the application. As a side note, the Australian government is quite strict regarding visa checks, and there have been cases where international students were deported due to fraudulent visa information.