The Australian Government has made the following reforms to the Student visa and Temporary Graduate Visa programs:
Summary of changes
1. Student Visa Application Fees increased
On 1 July, the fee rose from $710 to $1,600. The rise in fees makes applying for a student visa for Australia far more expensive than in competing countries like the United States and Canada, where they cost about $185 and $110 respectively.
2. Onshore Student visa applications will be restricted
From July Ist, 2024, holders of certain visas, including Visitor and Temporary Graduate visas, can no longer apply for Student visas while in Australia. The government said it was also closing loopholes in visa rules that allowed foreign students to continuously extend their stay in Australia, after the number of students on a second or subsequent student visa spiked by over 30 per cent to more than 150,000 in 2022–23.
3. New age limit for Temporary Graduate visa
From 1 July, the maximum eligible age for Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) applicants has been reduced to 35 years of age or under. Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) graduates will continue be eligible for a TGV if they are under 50 years of age.
4. Temporary Graduate visa length reduced
From July 1st, the length of post-study work visas has changed. However, Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa will still give you time to gain valuable work experience and demonstrate your skills to Australian employers.
If you gain work in a skilled job during your post-study work period, you may be eligible to apply for the new 4-year Skills in Demand visa. This visa provides a clearer pathway to permanent residency.
Initial stay periods for Indian nationals has not changed, as agreed in the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. See the Migration Strategy for further details.
Temporary Graduate Visa holders who graduated from an education institution based in a regional area, and who have lived in a regional area for at least 2 years before applying, may be eligible for a second Temporary Graduate visa in the post-higher education work stream. For more information on smaller cities and regional areas, visit our blog.
5. New financial capacity requirement
From 10 May 2024, the financial requirement that applies to Student and Student Guardian visas will be set at $29,710 for an individual student. The new financial requirement apply to any visas lodged on or after 10 May 2024. For more information visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
6. TOEFL iBT has been reinstated for visa purposes
TOEFL iBT is again a valid test for student visa purposes and is accepted by all Australian universities. Please note that tests taken between 26 July 2023, and 4 May 2024, are not valid. Tests taken before July 26, 2023, remain valid for two years.
7. New Genuine Student (GS) requirement
From March 23rd, 2024, the new Genuine Student (GS) requirement has replace the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with a list of targeted questions.
8. New English language requirements
From 23 March 2024, new English language requirements apply to all Student Visa and Temporary Graduate Visa applications.
