The government of Australia introduced some noteworthy changes for Australian student visa holders. In today’s blog, we will be taking you through these changes that are implemented on student visa applications made on or after October 1, 2023.
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What Are The Current Australian Student Visa Rules?
Let us first get familiar with the current rules that are placed on Australian student visas.
- Applicants must first be enrolled in a course in Australia
- Applicants must be of a minimum age of 6 years or more
- Their bank accounts should hold sufficient funds for their stay in Australia
- Applicants are required to have proper health insurance
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New Australian Student Visa Rules
On November 25, 2023, new rules were introduced for student visas. Here are the changes:
Higher Scores in the English Proficiency Test:
Overseas applicants must provide higher scores in the English proficiency test. Students who are reapplying will be subjected to scrutiny, considering the possibility of a prolonged stay. International students are required to secure a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or 6.0 for postgraduate courses. Students following an undergraduate course must have a score of 6.0 as well.
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Working Hours Changes:
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia was quite laid-back when it came to the working hours of international students. However, this has changed, and now students are given a working hour cap of 20 hours per week during academic sessions.
Approved Degrees:
Here’s great news for Indian students. According to the new requirements, educational degrees gained in Australia will be accepted in India, while degrees achieved in India will also be accepted in Australia.
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New Visa Introduced:
The Australian government will be introducing a new ‘Skills in Demand Visa’ replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa.
Temporary Graduate Visa:
Graduates will now be permitted to stay in Australia the following duration through the Temporary Graduate Visa:
- Bachelor’s Degree – 2 years ( no change)
- Masters by Coursework – 2 years (reduced from 3 years)
- Masters by Research – 3 years (no change)
- PhD – 3 years (reduced from 4 years)
Financial Capacity Requirement Updated
The amount required for the financial capacity of students and dependents was updated on October 1, 2023. If you are planning to apply for an Australian student visa, you will have to prove your financial capacity. Living costs vary in different locations in the country and could be higher than the visa cost itself. You will be required to have a minimum of $24,505 in your bank account.
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