Your study destination · AU
Study inAustralia.
Give your future a new perspective. Admission requirements, visa eligibility, funding and answers to your study questions.
Choose the course, not just the country.
Choose a destination for its course, qualification and learning experience. These are useful starting points for your comparison.
Different learning routes
Choose between university, vocational education, English-language study and pathway programmes.
Pathways into university
Foundation and bridging options can help applicants meet the academic or language preparation needed for a degree.
City and regional choices
Compare institutions in major cities and regional centres alongside accommodation, transport and lifestyle.
A course that builds on you
Explore credit or recognition of prior learning where your previous study or experience is relevant.
Official guidance: Study Australia — reasons to choose Australia ↗ [2] [8]
Minimum entry requirements.
The starting qualification is only part of the decision. Your institution confirms recognised qualifications, subject prerequisites and grades for the exact programme.
| Study level | Starting qualification | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| VET or diploma | Meet the provider’s course requirements; some vocational programmes require particular subjects or work experience. | Confirm prior study, experience, practical components and English requirements. |
| Bachelor’s | Australian Year 12 or an accepted equivalent secondary qualification. | Check subject prerequisites, grade equivalency and whether a foundation route is needed. |
| Postgraduate | At least an undergraduate degree for postgraduate higher education. | Research ability, work experience, prior subject and grades may also be considered. |
Language requirements
The standard Student visa IELTS benchmark is 6.0 or equivalent where test evidence is required. Eligible foundation or pathway packages and ELICOS combinations have different thresholds, and exemptions may apply.
Admission requirements are set separately by the provider and are often higher than the visa benchmark. Confirm the exact test, test date, score and packaged-course rules before booking. The approved list was expanded from 7 August 2025 — previously approved tests remain acceptable, and the date governs when the test was taken rather than when you lodge.
Share your qualification, awarding institution or board, subjects, results and intended course. We can help you identify the institution’s published entry criteria and any foundation or pathway options.
Official guidance: Study Australia — academic entry and application steps ↗ [1] [5] [6]
What you need before applying.
An admission offer and permission to study are separate decisions made by different authorities. This overview is for international higher-education applicants; nationality, age and where you apply from can change the route.
- A valid CoEEnrol in an eligible course and obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment. An offer letter on its own is not the same document.
- Genuine Student evidenceExplain your circumstances, course choice and the expected benefit, supported by genuine records.
- Funds and health coverMeet the financial requirements and arrange Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of your stay in Australia, unless exempt.
- Health, character and welfareMeet health and character checks. Students under 18 need approved welfare arrangements.
Official guidance: Home Affairs — Student visa rule changes from 2 October 2026 ↗ [3] [4] [7]
Build a realistic study budget.
Include course fees, rent, a housing deposit, Overseas Student Health Cover, travel, visa costs and study materials. Compare the entire course and location rather than relying on the immigration benchmark alone.
Financial eligibility
AUD 29,710Financial capacity requirement · primary student
This is the visa financial capacity figure, set at this level for applications lodged on or after 10 May 2024 and not indexed since. It is not a current-year cost-of-living estimate: Study Australia states that actual living costs vary across Australia and may be much higher than the amount needed for the visa. Add the required tuition and travel amounts and any applicable family costs; what you must evidence depends on your circumstances and the official checklist.
Check refund terms, funding deadlines and the documents your sponsor or lender will need. Confirm what the provider requires before enrolment and what is refundable if a visa is refused.
Official guidance: Study Australia — visa application checklist ↗ [3]
Your application document checklist.
Start with these records, then follow your institution’s and the relevant authority’s personalised checklist. Additional evidence may be requested at any point.
Identity and enrolment
Passport and a valid Confirmation of Enrolment.
Academic and language
Academic records and accepted English evidence for your course and visa.
Genuine Student
Your answers and the records that support them.
Funding evidence
Funds, sponsor or scholarship documentation.
Health cover
OSHC evidence and any requested health or character records.
Under 18
Welfare and parental documents where the student is a minor.
This is a preparation list. The official checklist generated for your application controls what must be submitted. Keep a complete copy of everything you file.
Studying in Australia: frequently asked.
Can I apply after HSC?
You need a qualification accepted as equivalent to Australian Year 12 for undergraduate entry, plus the course grades and prerequisites. A foundation course may be an alternative where direct entry is not available.
Does IELTS 6.0 guarantee admission?
No. It is the standard visa benchmark where test evidence is required, not the admission standard for every degree. A course can require a higher overall score or higher individual bands.
What does Genuine Student mean?
You must explain why the course and Australia fit your circumstances and how the qualification will benefit you. Support your answers with evidence of your background and plans.
How much can I work?
Generally up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. There is no hourly limit once a master’s by research or doctoral course has started. You cannot work before your course begins unless another visa permits it. Check your visa grant and VEVO.
Can my family join me?
Current guidance limits including family members to defined exemptions and says they cannot be added after grant. The rules changed on 2 October 2026, so check the official family decision tree for your circumstances.
Can I apply for another Student visa while in Australia?
Generally no. Since 2 October 2026 Student visa holders are excluded from lodging another Student visa application inside Australia, and only listed exemptions rescue that — for example needing up to 12 more months with the same provider to finish, progressing to a higher AQF level, applying for a PhD, school studies, or provider default. An application lodged onshore without an exemption is invalid.
Who gives me the immigration advice?
Education counselling and admission support come from Swodeshi Overseas Education Services. Australian visa requirements are summarised here from official sources; for Canadian immigration advice, Swodeshi Immigration Services acts through a licensed RCIC.
Read the original guidance.
Reviewed 26 October 2026. Requirements and thresholds change; recheck the linked guidance before you apply.
- Study Australia — academic entry and application steps ↗
- Study Australia — reasons to choose Australia ↗
- Study Australia — visa application checklist ↗
- Study Australia — Student visa, work and family conditions ↗
- Study Australia — English-language minimums ↗
- Study Australia — approved English tests from August 2025 ↗
- Home Affairs — Student visa rule changes from 2 October 2026 ↗
- Study Australia — pathways to university ↗
Turn information into a study plan.
Make a considered plan for studying in Australia. We help you explore institutions and courses, organise application materials and prepare for the journey ahead.
Compare your options
Discuss your academic background, goals and budget, then identify the course requirements to check.
Prepare your application
Organise academic documents, language evidence and your statement of purpose.
Plan the next steps
Review the institution’s offer conditions and the official checklist relevant to your circumstances.
Ready to study in Australia?
Let us build a study plan around your subject, your budget and your timeline.