A number of criteria is required to be met by the Department of immigration to provide a student Visa:
 
·         The student must be accepted into full-time study
·         Must be a genuine temporary entrant
·         Must meet health and health insurance requirements
·         Must  be of the appropriate age
·         Must have a “good” character and not have any debts to the Australian government
 
In addition, if higher risk criteria apply:
o   The student must provide specified evidence to meet financial requirements
o   The student must demonstrate appropriate English language skills (IELTS, Toffel..etc).
 
Furthermore, if the student is under 18 of age, they, must have acceptable arrangements for their accommodation and welfare.  
 
The information in these sections applies to persons whose primary intention in coming to Australia is to study, and intend to study for more than 12 weeks. Students who wish to study a short course may be able to do so, on other visa classes (e.g. a tourist visa allows study for up to three months). Applicants can use this Visa Finder.
 
Criteria applied to all student applications
Full Time Study
Only students who have enrolled in full-time study can apply for a student visa, with exception of Doctoral (PhD) students waiting for their thesis to be marked
 
Genuine Temporary entrant (GTE)
Granting a student Visa is relays on whether  the applicant is a genuine temporary entrant. That is students coming to Australia for genuine study purposes and have a realistic prospect of returning home oce their studies have finished.
 
For More information about GTE requirements Click here
 
Good Character
 The student must make a declaration on the visa application form that includes but is not limited to the following:
·         they have not been involved in criminal activity. Or
·         they have not been previously deported
 
Health Insurance
Adequate health insurance is a mandatory visa condition. DIBP requires evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to demonstrate that the student is adequately insured.
Often, the education provider will include the option to pay for health insurance in the enrolment fees and a CoE will indicate that the student has OSHC arranged.
 
Evidence of financial capacity
Regular applications require a student to present two extra pieces of evidence with their visa application: financial capacity and English language proficiency evidence
All funds that can be accepted as evidence must be clearly available to the student in order to pay for their studies and living costs.
 
The factors that may be considered include:
·         The relationship of the sponsor (e.g. a parent or guardian’s funds are appropriate, but “family friends” bank accounts are not normally acceptable)
·         Income, assets and employment history of sponsor/parent
 
The following are sources of evidence of financial capacity:
o   Money deposit with a financial institution (bank)
o   Loan with a financial institution (bank)
o   Government loans
o   Scholarship
 
English language proficiency requirements
Prescribe a minimum score of 4.5
 
Exemptions
There are exemptions for this requirement to present an English test score for the following students:
Students who have successfully completed, in the two years prior to student visa application, the requirements  for a senior Secondary Certificate of Education, in a course that was conducted in English.
 
Requirements for students under 18
Under Australian law, an individual under 18 is not yet an adult. So certain requirements apply to these students. The student must provide evidence of adequate welfare arrangements for the duration of their visa, or until they turn 18, to make a valid visa application.

CONFIRMATION OF APPROPRIATE ACCOMMODATION AND WELFARE (CAAW)
If a younger student is not living with a parent or suitable relative, the education provider must sign a letter called the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW): approving the student’s general welfare and accommodation arrangements before the student visa can be issued.
If a student’s welfare arrangements are approved by education provider students must not travel to Australia until the welfare arrangements are due to commence. Dates are nominated by the provider not the student.
 
SCHOOL SECTOR
Age Requirements
There are age limits set for international students intending to study in the School sector.
o   A primary school student must be at least 6 years of age.
o   Secondary students must:
o   be less than 17 years old when commencing the Academic year Grade 9.
o   be less than 18 years old when commencing the Academic year Grade 10
o   be less than 19 years old when commencing the Academic year Grade 11
o   be less than 20 years old when commencing the Academic year Grade 12
o   A primary school student will only be granted a visa for a maximum period of two years.
 
Meeting Student Visa Conditions
Attendance
A student must attend at least 80% of their scheduled lessons, unless they are enrolled in a higher education (i.e. University) course. If this does not happen, then: