Documents Needed to Start Your Student Visa Application for Australia

So you are all set for Australia. Getting into the college of choice is only the first step. What lies beyond the extensive application process is the equally important – the visa application for Australia. So, once you have selected which type of student visa applies to your intended study in Australia, there are a few basic documents you must have before you start the Visa Application Process. Since the process is online for Indian Students, it is important to have all the documents ready. Here’s what all:

1. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

Confirmation of Enrolment is a certificate issued by the University/ Institute you would have applied to. The certificate essentially marks out that you are a registered student for the course. It is also the certificate that validates that the course you are applying for is approved and is registered under the Commonwealth Register of Institutions of Courses (CRICOS). This is mandatory for getting a Visa. Also, in case you are intending to take up an English Language Course or a bridging course or any foundation course as a precursor to your main degree program, you need to provide an independent CoE for each of the courses you are intending to take.

2. Valid Passport

At the time of application, you must have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity at the time. For example, say you are applying for a Visa on July 1, 2015. At the moment of your application, you must have a visa that is valid till at least about January 1, 2016. Also, you would need a valid passport during the time of your stay. In that instance, you can apply for a new passport after making your application for Visa and intimate the embassy when you receive new passport as well as update your account with the new passport number and details.

3. English Language Proficiency

Australian Visa mandatorily requires English Language Proficiency Certificates by Indian Students. Irrespective of the requirement of the course you are applying for, you would need to provide proof of English language proficiency at the time of filling the Visa Application Form.
The Australian Immigration Department accepts 5 English Language Proficiency Tests, namely

• International English Language Testing System with a band of 6 in each of its sections as well as an overall score of minimum 6
  • Occupational English Test (OET) with a score of at least B in each of its sections
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) with the minimum score of 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking
      • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic with a score of minimum 50 in each of its sections
        • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test with a minimum test score of 169 in each of the four sub sections

          Note: Irrespective of which of the first four examination score you provide, you must not have written these exams earlier than 3 years at the time of the visa application. In case of CAE, the exam undertaken after 1 January 2015 and prior to visa application is accepted.

          4. Health Checkup and Insurance

          In order to receive a student visa for Australia, you need to provide proof that you are in good health. You can do so by providing a certificate of good health. The health checkup and certificate can only be provided by the empanelled doctors. You can make an appointment with the one closest to you for the same. Here’s a link for the Empanelled Doctors for India. You would be provided with a HAP id which you would need to provide at the time of filling the form.

          At times, you can also apply for a health checkup after starting the visa application. However, this would be a required for processing your visa. Getting it beforehand would ensure quicker processing.

          Apart from a health checkup, you would also need a Health Insurance or an OSHC (Overseas Students Health Cover). At the time of visa application, you should have an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your visa. Depending on the duration of your health cover, your visa tenure would be settled so make sure that it covers the duration of your course. The average cost of OSHC is AUS$437 for 12 months for a single student.

          5. Proof of Funds

          Like many other counties, you would be needed to show proof that you have enough funds to cater to your education and living expenses while you are in Australia. You would be required to provide documents that declare that you have sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay in Australia. Essentially, the funds should cover:

          • Travel costs to and from Australia
          • Living costs
          • Tuition costs
          
          

          6. Penal Clearance

          Penal Clearance or police clearance is also required by students planning to go and study in Australia. In order to validate your character and that you do not have any criminal record, you would need to provide a document, duly signed and attested by the regional passport office. For more information and address you can refer to this link.

          7. Certified Copies of Academic Transcripts and Passport

          You would also need true copies of all your academic documents and transcripts.

          8. 4 Passport Size Photographs

          You would be required to submit 4 passport sized photographs. When submitting the same, you should ensure that

          • These photographs are of the head and shoulders only against a plain background.
          • Your name is printed at the back of each photograph.
          
          

          9. Credit/ Debit Card

          Last but not the least, you would need access to a debit or a credit card to make an online visa fee payment. At present the visa fee for Student Visa (573) is AUD 535. This, however is subject to change and students are advised to check the official website before they start the application process.