The genuine temporary entrant requirement (GTE) is an integrity measure to ensure that the Student visa Programme is used as intended and not used by international students as a way of maintaining de facto permanent residency in Australia.

The GTE requirement has improved integrity in the student visa program and ensures that only genuine applicants are granted a student visa. To be granted any student visa, applicants must satisfy Department of Immigration and Border Protection that they have a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily.

• The applicant's circumstances

• The applicant's immigration history

• If the applicant is a minor – the intention of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant

• Any other relevant matter

You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for streamlined student visa processing:

• At the time of handing in your student visa application, you must have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) with a university or non-university higher education provider participating in the streamlined visa processing arrangements for a:

  • Bachelor degree

  • Masters degree

  • Doctoral degree

  • Non-award university student exchange program

  • Non-award study abroad program

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• If you enrol in a package of courses, all your preliminary courses must be at an education provider participating in the streamlined visa processing arrangements or a nominated educational business partner of that provider. ​

The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is a temporary visa for young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year. It is a temporary visa that encourages cultural exchange and closer ties between Australia and eligible countries.

• Stay in Australia for up to 12 months

• Work in Australia, generally for up to six months with each employer

• Study for up to four months

• Leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid

• Have not previously entered Australia on a Work and Holiday (Temporary) visa (subclass 462)

• Hold a valid passport from a country involved in the Working Holiday Program with Australia

• Have turned 18 years of age but have not yet turned 31

• Are a genuine visitor who wants to have a holiday in Australia

• Have enough money to support yourself on a working holiday (about AUD 5000)

• Have enough money to buy a return or onward travel ticket at the end of your stay

• Will not be accompanied by dependent children at any time during your stay

You must be outside Australia when you apply for your first Working Holiday visa and when the visa is decided. If you apply in Australia, you must be in Australia when the visa is granted. If you apply outside Australia, you must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.

You can generally only work six months with one employer.

• A student visa holder who is under 18 years of age or

• A student visa holder who is 18 years of age or older and needs care and support due to exceptional circumstances.

• Stay in Australia as the guardian of an international student younger than 18 years of age studying in Australia on a student visa.

• Study an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) for less than 20 hours per week

• Study another course for up to three months.

Generally, there can be only one Student Guardian visa holder per student visa holder. Visa holder can care for more than one student. 

Visa holders can stay in Australia for the same length of time as the student visa holder or until the student turns 18 years of age.

The visa does not generally allow you to work. You can apply for this visa from in or outside Australia.

• Be a parent or person who has custody of the student, or a relative who is 21 years or older and has been nominated in writing by a parent or someone who has custody of the student

• Not bring family members younger than 6 years of age, except under certain circumstances

• Be able to provide accommodation, general welfare and other support to the student unless you are applying for this visa with the support of the government your home country.

• Meet health and character requirements

• Have enough money to support yourself, any dependants accompanying you and the student. 

• Have adequate health insurance for you and any dependants coming with you

• Not owe any money to the Australian government or have arranged to repay any money owed

• Only stay in Australia temporarily

• Provide biometric information if asked

The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is a temporary visa for people who want to travel Australia as tourists, for business or to visit family. Visitor visas can allow single or multiple entry – and permit a three, six or twelve month stay in Australia on each occasion. Visitor visa (Subclass 600) holders cannot work while they are in Australia. 

This visa has four streams:

If you apply for this visa in Australia, you must be in Australia when the visa is decided. If you apply for this visa outside Australia, you must be outside Australia when the visa is decided.
 

• Parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents: multiple entry visas with a maximum stay of 12 months will be considered on a case- by-case basis with validity periods of 18 months, three years or five years. These arrangements are not intended for non-citizen parents of minors who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

• Study Tours: Tourist stream can be used for Study Tours of less than 3 months.

 This includes going to a conference, negotiation or meeting. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided.

You must have a sponsor who might be requested to provide a bond. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided. You cannot apply for another visa while you are in Australia.

You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided.

The Electronic Travel Authority and eVisitor let you visit Australia for tourism or business purposes if you hold a passport from a certain country. Chinese passport holders are not eligible to apply for them.

You cannot work for or provide services to a business or organisation in Australia or sell goods or services to the public.

International students who have recently graduated from an Australian education institute might be eligible to apply for this visa. There are two streams.

• Nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List

• Skills Assessment

• Meet the two-year Australian study requirement in the past six months

• Each degree, diploma or trade qualification used to meet the Australian study requirement is closely related to nominated skilled occupation

• At least 6 for each of the four test components

• Meet the character and health requirements

This visa is valid for 18 months and low English requirements.

In order to apply for skills assessment, accounting graduates could consider applying for the Visa 485 first, then completing a professional year to finally obtain a full skills assessment to migrates to Australia.

IT graduates could also consider applying for this visa then completing a professional year or accumulate one year work experience to finally obtain a full skills assessment.

• Recent graduates who attained their first student visa after 5 November 2011

• Meet the two-year Australian study requirement and complete a Bachelor Degree or higher in the past six months

• At least 6 for each of the four test components

• Meet the character and health requirements

Skills assessment is not required.

This visa is valid for at least two years, with a two-year visa for Bachelor Degree and Master (coursework) graduates, a three-year for Master (research) graduates and a four-year visa for Doctorate graduates.