Australia Student Visa (2027): Requirements, Proof of Funds, Fee, Processing Time

What you need

• A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered course; the visa application is invalid without one
• Evidence of financial capacity: at least AUD 29,710 for a single applicant to cover 12 months of living costs, plus tuition fees already paid and return travel; higher amounts apply if a partner or children are included
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement: the applicant answers questions about their current circumstances (ties to family, community, employment and economic situation) and explains why they chose their course and Australia, so a decision maker can assess their intention to study and depart or transition lawfully afterward
• English language proficiency evidence, at the level required for the applicant's main course of study
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full intended stay
• Meeting standard health and character requirements, which can include a police check or health examination

How to apply

1. Receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the education provider after accepting a course offer.
2. Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover for the length of the intended stay.
3. Gather evidence of financial capacity (at least AUD 29,710 for a single applicant, plus tuition and return travel), academic documents and English test results.
4. Prepare Genuine Student responses addressing personal circumstances and study intentions.
5. Lodge the application online through ImmiAccount and pay the visa application charge (from AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026, unless exempt).
6. Respond to any request for more information or a health examination.
7. Receive the visa decision; conditions include the 48-hours-a-fortnight work limit during study and the OSHC requirement for the whole stay.

Why applications are refused

Australia's own study portal highlights several avoidable causes of refusal or delay: an incomplete application, since the Department does not chase missing documents; not providing a Confirmation of Enrolment, which makes an application invalid; not providing evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover; incorrect or missing supporting documents generally; and shortcomings in the Genuine Student assessment, where the decision maker is not satisfied the applicant genuinely intends to study and will comply with visa conditions. General character and health requirements, which can include a police check or medical examination in some cases, also apply to every applicant.