Australia remains one of the most popular destinations for Kerala students, but the rules for getting there have changed a lot in the last two years. Visa fees have risen, financial requirements have gone up, and the old Genuine Temporary Entrant statement has been replaced. If you're just starting to plan, this guide covers the basic requirements in plain language, using the latest figures available as of October 2026. For details specific to your situation, our team at Cliftons Study Abroad is happy to help.
The Big Picture: What You Need to Study in Australia
In simple terms, studying in Australia involves four stages: getting admitted to a course, receiving your Confirmation of Enrolment, meeting the visa requirements, and arranging your finances and health cover. Almost every international student uses the Student visa (subclass 500), which allows full-time study at a registered Australian institution. Let's go through each requirement.
1. Admission to a Registered Course
You must first be accepted by an Australian institution, and the course must be CRICOS-registered. CRICOS is the official register of courses and providers approved to teach international students. Always confirm that your institution and course appear on it.
Academic requirements depend on the level of study:
- Bachelor's degrees: Usually a completed Class 12 with marks that meet the university's requirement for the course.
- Master's degrees: A recognised bachelor's degree, often in a relevant subject, with a minimum grade set by the university.
- Vocational and diploma courses: Entry requirements are generally more flexible, but vary by provider.
Competitive courses, such as engineering, health, and business at highly ranked universities, usually ask for stronger academic results. Some universities also offer pathway or foundation programmes if your results don't quite meet direct entry.
2. English Language Proficiency
You will normally need to prove your English through a test such as IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or another accepted test. There are two separate standards to keep in mind:
- The university's requirement for your specific course, which is often higher for competitive subjects and for healthcare and teaching programmes.
- The visa requirement, set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Published figures for the visa minimum vary between sources, and requirements have changed recently, so always check the current standard on the official Home Affairs website. A sensible approach is to aim for the higher of the two requirements, since universities frequently ask for more than the visa does.
3. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
After you accept your offer and meet any conditions, such as paying a deposit, the institution issues an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment. This document confirms your place on a specific course, and you cannot apply for the student visa without it. A letter of offer alone is not enough. Treat the CoE as the key that unlocks the visa stage.
4. The Genuine Student Requirement
This is one of the most important parts of the application. Since 2024, the Genuine Student (GS) requirement has replaced the older Genuine Temporary Entrant statement. Instead of writing a long essay, you answer a set of specific questions within the visa application. These generally explore:
- Your personal circumstances and ties to your home country
- Why you chose this course and this institution in Australia
- How the course fits your past studies and future career
- Your understanding of the costs and your study plans
Your answers should be specific, honest, and consistent with your documents. Vague or generic responses are one of the most common reasons applications are questioned, so this is worth preparing carefully.
5. Financial Capacity
You must show that you can afford your studies and living costs. The visa requirement is made up of several parts:
- Living costs: The benchmark currently used is AUD 29,710 per year for a single student. Extra amounts apply if family members are included, and the figure is reviewed from time to time.
- Tuition fees: Your first year of tuition, or the full course if it is shorter.
- Travel costs: The cost of travelling to and from Australia.
Funds can come from savings, parents or close relatives, an education loan, or a combination of these, but they must be documented properly and make sense in relation to your family's finances. A large amount deposited suddenly just before you apply is a common red flag. Funds should have a clear and consistent history. If you plan to use a loan, our guide to education loans for studying abroad explains the basics.
6. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Health insurance is mandatory for the full duration of your student visa. OSHC must be arranged before you apply, and it should start from the day you arrive in Australia, not the day classes begin. Costs depend on the provider, the length of your stay, and whether you are travelling alone or with family.
7. Health and Character Requirements
Most applicants must meet standard health and character checks. In practice, this can mean a medical examination with an approved doctor and police clearance certificates. These can take several weeks, so don't leave them until the last minute.
8. The Student Visa Application and Fee
Once your documents are ready, you apply online for the Student visa (subclass 500) through the Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal. You usually apply from outside Australia. The visa application charge has increased in recent years, and several recent sources report the fee for the main applicant as AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026, with additional charges for family members. Because fees change, always confirm the exact current amount on the official website before you pay.
You will also need to budget for other costs, such as your English test, medical examination, police certificates, and OSHC. Processing times vary by season and by application, so apply early and avoid booking non-refundable flights before your visa is granted.
Documents Checklist
Here is a simple checklist of what most applicants prepare:
- Valid passport
- Offer letter and Confirmation of Enrolment
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- English test result
- Genuine Student responses
- Evidence of funds, including bank statements, loan sanction letters, and income documents for sponsors
- OSHC policy details
- Health examination and police clearance, where required
- Passport-size photographs and any other documents requested
Requirements can differ by course and by applicant, so use the official checklist tool for your own case.
Work Rights While Studying
Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Some research students have different rules. Breaching work conditions can lead to serious consequences, including visa cancellation, so it is important to understand your visa conditions. Your studies should always come first.
Intakes and Timing
Australian universities commonly have main intakes in February or March and in July, with some providers offering additional intakes later in the year. Because document preparation, the CoE, health checks, and visa processing all take time, it is wise to begin your planning many months before your target intake.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating the offer letter as enough. You need a Confirmation of Enrolment for the visa.
- Weak or generic Genuine Student answers. Be specific and consistent.
- Unclear funds. Make sure you can document where your money comes from.
- Using outdated figures. Fees and financial requirements have changed, so don't rely on old blog posts or advice.
- Leaving it too late. Medicals, police certificates, and visa processing all take time.
- Ignoring the English requirement for your course. The university's score may be higher than the visa's.
Need More Than the Basics? Talk to Cliftons Study Abroad
This guide covers only the fundamentals. Real applications involve details that depend on your course, background, and finances: how to present your funds, how to structure strong Genuine Student answers, which course and university suit your profile, and how to time everything around your intake. Mistakes at this stage can lead to delays or refusals, which are costly.
At Cliftons Study Abroad in Kochi, we help students across Kerala plan their move to Australia, from shortlisting courses to preparing applications and visas. For postgraduate-specific details, see our guide to requirements for a master's in Australia. If you'd like personal guidance, our counsellors are ready to help.
Planning to study in Australia? [Contact Cliftons Study Abroad today for a free consultation.]
