Want to study in Australia? Here's what's changing for student visa applicants from 23 March

Beginning this week, a new visa requirement will mandate that international students undergo questioning specifically on their choice of course and reasons for choosing Australia as a study destination. New applicants will also be asked to furnish details of their study history, in addition to explaining their motives for seeking a student visa.

Applicants for Australian student visas will face a new series of inquiries. Credit: Sean Anthony Eddy/Getty Images

Key Points

• The Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement for student visa applicants will be replaced by the New Genuine Student test as of 23 March.
• The 300-word statement in the Student visa application form will be replaced with targeted questions.
• According to a migration agent, the new amendment will enable applicants to explicitly articulate their intention to study in order to obtain permanent residency, a possibility that was previously unavailable.

Last year, the federal government announced modifications to the student visa (Subclass 500) process and assessment criteria through the Migration Strategy.

One significant change is the replacement of the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with the Genuine Student (GS) test requirement.

The Migration Strategy paper said: "The Genuine Student test will clearly incentivise applications from genuine students and discourage non-genuine students, whose primary intention is to work rather than study, from accessing Australia’s international education system."

Minister for Immigration Andrew Giles and Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil announce the government’s migration strategy at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on 11 December, 2023. Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE

"This test will replace the existing Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement to acknowledge that post-study temporary migration (and beyond) pathways are available for those who may be eligible," it added.

The strategy further stated that through the implementation of the new GS test, the government will subject international students seeking another student visa to further scrutiny.

What is the change?

In a note for education providers recently, the Department of Home Affairs said: "The Australian Government is replacing the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for grant of a Student visa with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement."

"The GS requirement is planned to commence for Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024," the department note said.

Australia will introduce a new Genuine Student test for all student visa applicants. Source: SBS

The previous GTE requirement was designed to verify that applicants genuinely intended to stay in the country 'temporarily' for educational purposes which will now shift to the new requirement.

In a response to SBS Hindi, the department said: "The core elements underpinning assessment of the Genuine Student requirement, includes removing confusion about whether applicants can express a desire to migrate to Australia, requiring evidence of course progression, and helping the Department of Home Affairs identify non-genuine students."

The new GS test will include targeted inquiries concerning the choice of course, reasons for selecting Australia as a study destination and benefits the course offers to the applicant.

The proposed inquiries will address applicants who have studied in Australia, including specifics of their academic background. Additionally, questions will explore the motivations of applicants who currently hold a visa other than a Student visa for applying for one.

The declaration for a Student visa will also be changed to confirm that applicants understand what it means to be a genuine student for the purposes of studying in Australia, acknowledging visa conditions, and committing to immediate notification of any changes in circumstances to the Department of Home Affairs.

The replacement of GTE with a new Genuine Student requirement was flagged in the Australian Migration strategy released last year. Source: iStockphoto

It will also ascertain that applicants are aware that avenues for permanent migration are 'available' but are 'restricted'.

These adjustments will take effect for applications submitted on or after 23 March.

"The Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement will be retained for Student Guardian visa applicants (Subclass 590) and student visa applications lodged before 23 March 2024," the Department said.

Expert viewpoints

Neha Singh, a registered migration agent, emphasised that student visa applicants will now need to articulate the advantages they expect from their chosen course of study.

"The extensive 300-word statement previously required in student visa application forms will be replaced with more targeted questions.

"New applicants shouldn't be concerned ... The new change will allow applicants to clearly express their desire to study here with the intention of gaining permanent residency, which wasn't possible before," she said.

Ravi Lochan Singh, the former president of the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India, has also welcomed the change but also raised concerns regarding whether visa applicants indicating a desire to stay permanently would be granted visas.

Ravi Lochan Singh, a Sydney-based education expert. Source: Supplied / Supplied by Ravi Lochan Singh

"It seems that we are seeing for the first time study-work-settle messaging for such students. In reality, whether the Department will grant visas to those who say this in their visa application, I have my doubts," he said.

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