The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) will commence operation on Monday, 14 October 2024 and it will replace the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). To assist with the transition the Administrative Review taskforce have developed a factsheet which provides information about the new Tribunal and what it means for people who are seeking review of decisions, or have current matters in the AAT. Members are encouraged to distribute the factsheet to their clients and colleagues. Download the factsheet.
On 27 September 2024, the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) made an announcement regarding legislative updates. These updates included important information about State nomination updates.as following:
ACT Skilled migration nomination invitation round
ACT held a skilled migration nomination invitation round on 19 September 2024.
During this round, a total of 68 nominations were issued for the Subclass 190 visa, and 62 nominations were issued for the Subclass 491 visa. Below is a detailed breakdown of the invitations provided:
Canberra residents Matrix nominating Small Business Owners Matrix submissions for Small Business Owners were not considered in this invitation round. Matrix nominating 457 / 482 visa holders 190 nominations: 12 invitations 491 nominations: 1 invitation
An update from The Tasmanian skilled migration webpage on 26 September 2024 included important details about the requirements and processes for Sc 190 and Sc 491 skilled migration nominations, applications, and Registrations of Interest (ROI) as follow:
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: Nominations – 360 of 2100 places used Nomination applications lodged but not decided – 211 Invitations to apply for nomination issued but not yet accepted – 100 Registrations of interest on hand – 402
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa: Nominations – 104 of 760 places used Nomination applications lodged but not decided – 81 Invitations to apply for nomination issued but not yet accepted – 45 Registrations of interest on hand – 386
Australia Unveils New International Student Profiles for 2025
Australian higher education providers have released updated international student profiles for 2025, outlining key attributes and academic backgrounds of prospective students. These profiles aim to help institutions attract a diverse global student body and strengthen Australia’s position as a top education destination.
For further details, a full proposal is available as a downloadable PDF.
Invitation rounds will be run periodically during the program year for:
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored.
In each round, invitation numbers may vary depending on the number of onhand applications.
State or territory government nominations for skilled visas will not be affected by the departmental invitation rounds.
For results of previous SkillSelect invitation rounds, see Previous rounds.
Occupation ceilings
Occupation ceilings do not apply to these visa subclasses:
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – State and Territory Nominated
Invitation process
The highest ranked EOI, by points score, will be invited to apply for their visa before an EOI with a lower points score.
For EOIs who have equal points scores, we will determine the time and date at which the EOI reached its score for that subclass. We call this a ‘tie break’ or the ‘date of effect’. The EOI with an earlier date of effect will be invited before EOIs with a later date of effect.
Current round
Invitations issued on 13 June 2024
The table below shows the number of EOIs invited, and the tie break month and year, for the SkillSelect invitation round on 13 June 2024.
Invitations issued by occupation and minimum score invited
Occupation*
Subclass 189* Minimum scored
Accountant (General)
100
Actuary
95
Aeronautical Engineer
95
Agricultural Consultant
95
Agricultural Engineer
95
Agricultural Scientist
95
Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
65
Analyst Programmer
95
Architect
85
Audiologist
85
Biomedical Engineer
95
Biotechnologist
95
Bricklayer
65
Cabinetmaker
65
Carpenter
65
Carpenter and Joiner
65
Chef
95
Chemical Engineer
95
Chemist
95
Child Care Centre Manager
85
Chiropractor
85
Civil Engineer
90
Civil Engineering Draftsperson
85
Civil Engineering Technician
85
Clinical Psychologist
85
Computer Network and Systems Engineer
100
Construction Project Manager
85
Dancer or Choreographer
95
Developer Programmer
100
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
85
Drainer
65
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher
85
Economist
95
Electrical Engineer
90
Electrician (General)
65
Electrician (Special Class)
70
Electronics Engineer
95
Emergency Medicine Specialist
85
Endocrinologist
95
Engineering Manager
95
Engineering Professionals nec)
95
Engineering Technologist
95
Environmental Consultant
95
Environmental Engineer
95
Environmental Research Scientist
95
External Auditor
95
Fibrous Plasterer
65
Food Technologist
95
Forester
95
Gasfitter
65
General Practitioner
85
Geophysicist
95
Geotechnical Engineer
85
Glazier
65
ICT Business Analyst
100
ICT Security Specialist
100
Industrial Engineer
95
Internal Auditor
95
Joiner
65
Land Economist
95
Landscape Architect
85
Life Scientist (General)
95
Life Scientists nec
95
Lift Mechanic
65
Management Accountant
100
Management Consultant
95
Marine Biologist
95
Materials Engineer
95
Mechanical Engineer
90
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
85
Medical Laboratory Scientist
85
Medical Practitioners nec
85
Metal Fabricator
85
Metallurgist
95
Microbiologist
95
Midwife
85
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
95
Motor Mechanic (General)
95
Multimedia Specialist
95
Naval Architect
100
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
85
Occupational Therapist
85
Other Spatial Scientist
95
Paediatrician
85
Painting Trades Worker
65
Pathologist
85
Petroleum Engineer
95
Physicist
95
Physiotherapist
85
Plumber (General)
65
Production or Plant Engineer
90
Psychiatrist
85
Psychologists nec
85
Quantity Surveyor
85
Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
85
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
85
Registered Nurse (Community Health)
90
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
85
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
85
Registered Nurse (Medical)
85
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
85
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)
85
Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
85
Registered Nurse (Surgical)
85
Registered Nurses nec
85
Roof Plumber
65
Secondary School Teacher
85
Sheetmetal Trades Worker
85
Shipwright
105
Social Worker
85
Software and Applications Programmers nec
95
Software Engineer
100
Solicitor
95
Solid Plasterer
65
Special Needs Teacher
85
Specialist Physician (General Medicine)
85
Speech Pathologist
85
Statistician
95
Stonemason
65
Structural Engineer
85
Surveyor
95
Systems Analyst
100
Taxation Accountant
95
Telecommunications Engineer
95
Telecommunications Field Engineer
100
Telecommunications Network Engineer
95
Telecommunications Network Planner
90
Transport Engineer
85
University Lecturer
95
Valuer
95
Veterinarian
95
Wall and Floor Tiler
65
Welder (First Class)
85
Zoologist
95
* Results could indicate that no EOIs were available to be invited, or EOIs were available but did not meet parameters to receive an invitation. Note – ‘nec’ means ‘not elsewhere classified’.
Total invitations issued during 2023-24 program year
The above figures do not include invitations issued for state and territory government-nominated visa subclasses. State and territory governments nominate throughout the month for specific visas.
State and Territory nominations
2024-25 program year
The number of EOIs that have received nominations from state and territory governments from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.
In 15 August 2024, South Australia announced the state nominated skilled migration program for 2024-2025.
There are 464 occupations are available for the onshore streams and 427 occupations are open for the offshore stream. With onshore stream, there are 3 sub-streams for the applicants who meet requirements can submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) through one of the following streams:
Skilled Employment in South Australia stream – for applicants who have shown commitment to South Australia and have South Australian work experience in their skilled occupation.
South Australian Graduates stream – for applicant have graduated and work in SA in their skilled occupation.
Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream – for skilled migrants who are currently living and working in an outer regional area of South Australia in their nominated occupation may be eligible for state nomination through the Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream.
The general eligible under those streams are:
Have an active EOI on Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect system
Currently live and work in South Australia
The applicant’s nominated occupation is eligible under the eligible stream on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
Be under 45 years of age at time of state nomination is approved
Have a valid and positive skills assessment
Have at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
Score at least 65 points in the Department of Home Affairs’ points test (including state nomination points)
Apart from those general requirement, each streams has it own requirement as following:
Skilled Employment in South Australia stream: The applicant have been residing and working in South Australia for at least the last 12 months, in a full-time (at least 30 hours per week) job.
Australian Graduates stream:
The applicant have completed their qualification at a South Australian education provider
Have resided in South Australia for at least one year during their studies
Have been residing and working in South Australia for at least the last 6 months in a full-time job (at least 30 hours per week).
Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream: The applicant ave been living and working in Outer Regional SA for the last 9 months, and be currently employed, in a full-time job (at least 30 hours per week).
For the prospective skill migrants currently residing offshore and would like to apply for the Offshore stream, South Australia will be assessing candidates on merit by the following factors:
English language ability
Skilled employment years (at least 3 to 5 years) and field of skilled employment
EOI points
Quota for visa 190/491 for South Australia are 3.800 slots
Victoria’s 2024-25 skilled visa nomination program (subclass 190 and subclass 491) is opened from 14 August 2024.
The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs has allocated 5,000 skilled visa nomination places to Victoria for the 2024-25 program.
Victoria’s allocation consists of:
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – 3,000 places
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – 2,000 places
There are some changes in the 2024-25 FY:
Submitting a Registration of Interest (ROI):
To be invited to apply for Victorian skilled visa nomination, applicant must firstly make or update an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the Australian Government’s SkillSelect and then submit ROI.
All Registrations of Interest submitted in previous years have expired. The applicant must submit a new ROI
Employment requirement
For visa 190, there is no minimum work experience and hours of work requirement. If the applicant is living in Victoria and not working, working in non-skilled employment, or working for an employer not physically located in Victoria, they are still eligible to apply for nomination, but they are not eligible to claim earnings in their ROI. If they are living overseas, they are not required to claim earnings in their ROI.
For visa 491, if the applicant is living in Victoria, they must provide an estimate of their annual earnings in their ROI. If they are not working, working in non-skilled employment, or working for an employer who is not physically located in regional Victoria, they are not eligible to apply for nomination. If they are living overseas, they are not required to claim earnings in their ROI.
UK universities experienced record international enrolments in the 2022-2023 academic year, reaching a new high of 758,855 students — a 12% increase from the previous year. The UK hosted a total of 758,855 international students during the last academic year – with India, China and Nigeria sending the most students, new data released by HESA today revealed. It marked a record high for students coming to the UK, beating the previous record set in the 2021/22 academic year, when there were 675,200 international students. India sent more students to the UK than any other overseas nation in 2022/23, with students from this country representing just over a quarter (26%) of non-EU students. It was the first time since 2018/19 that another country took China’s top spot as the country sending the most overseas students to the UK. Some 173,190 students from India chose the UK for study opportunities in 2022/23 – a 39% increase compared to the previous year and 145,650 more students than in 2018/19, the data showed. Meanwhile, China sent 154,260 students (a 2% increase on the previous year), Nigeria 72,355 (a 66% increase) and Pakistan 34,960 in the same year. Of countries in the EU, France was the biggest sending country, with 10,305 students travelling to the UK. This was followed by Ireland, sending 9,410 students, Italy, sending 9,220, and Spain, sending 8,730.
While the number of non-EU international students in the UK rose between 2021/22 and 2022/23 – going from 555,060 to 663,355 – the number of international students from the EU fell. Some 95,505 EU students came to the UK in 2022/23, compared to 120,145 the previous year. It was the second year in a row that EU student numbers declined year on year after this cohort reached a peak in 2020/21, with 152, 910 students.
University College London logged the highest number of international students of all UK HE institutions in 2022/23, with 28,120 overseas students. It was followed by BPP University, with 19,205 international students, The University of Manchester, with 18,515, and the University of Hertfordshire, with 17,095.
HESA’s data for the 2022/323 academic year has been published three months later than anticipated, with the organisation blaming the delay on the challenges of bringing in a new data model.
The 2024-25 Skilled Migration State Nomination Program is now open for Registrations of Interest. Updated eligibility requirements, policy guidance and service fees apply.
Features of the 2024-25 Skilled Migration State Nomination Program
The 2024-25 program includes:
Changes to priority attributes, including a reduction in green attributes and a new “orange-plus” attribute category.
All occupations listed on the Australian Government’s subclass 190 and 491 list remain eligible for nomination in at least one program pathway.
18 new occupation groups, comprising 78 individual occupations, have been added to the Tasmanian Onshore Skilled Occupation List for the subclass 190 Tasmanian Skilled Employment pathway. Candidates with a skills assessment and directly related employment qualify for permanent visa nomination after six months of work.
Changes to income thresholds in minimum eligibility requirement and priority attributes based on updates to Australian median and average earnings and the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold.
An updated critical roles list (for gold priority in the Tasmania Skilled Employment, Skilled Graduate and Established Resident pathways).
More detailed policy guidance in the Additional Information, Exclusions and Definitions section of the Migration Tasmania website.
An increased service fee to apply for nomination to $360 (plus $36 GST). There is no charge to submit a Registration of Interest.
Change to priority attributes
Green priority attributes have been reduced for the Tasmanian Skilled Employment, Skilled Graduate Established Resident and Business Owner pathways. Some previously green attributes have been moved to a new “orange-plus” category. This will provide greater certainty, allowing all green pass holders to receive an invitation to apply for nomination within eight weeks of submitting a registration of interest.
Candidates with at least one orange-plus attribute will be issued an Orange Pass. However they will be noted internally by Migration Tasmania as a high priority and are highly likely to receive an invitation to apply for nomination within six months. The higher the number of orange-plus attributes a candidate attains, the sooner an invitation will be issued.
All subclass 190 candidates with at least one orange-plus attribute will be invited to apply for nomination this program year.
Employment must be skilled to claim orange-plus attributes.
Additions to the Tasmanian Onshore Skilled Occuaption List (TOSOL)
The TOSOL is used to determine eligibility for subclass 190 nomination in the Tasmanian Skilled Employment – TOSOL option nomination Pathway. It lists skilled occupation groups for which employers are currently experiencing significant recruitment difficulty. It also aims to attract new skilled migrants by providing a fast and simple pathway to permanent residency.
Candidates may have a migration skills assessment and an employment role within the same four-digit group to be considered for subclass 190 nomination in the Tasmanian Skilled Employment Pathway. Where an occupation is not on the Home Affairs skilled occupation lists, and a skills assessment is not available for that role, candidates may have a skills assessment for any one of the occupations listed in that group.
For example, an applicant who holds a skills assessment for “232212 Surveyor” could be working in any of the roles listed in the “2322 Surveyors and Spatial Scientists” group to meet the subclass 190 nomination requirement.
The following 19 occupation groups have been added to the TOSOL.
1311 Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers
1322 Finance Managers
1342 Health and Welfare Services Managers
1351 ICT Managers
2223 Financial Investment Advisers and Managers
2231 Human Resource Professionals
2242 Archivists, Curators and Records Managers
2321 Architects and Landscape Architects
2325 Interior Designers
2326 Urban and Regional Planners
2343 Environmental Scientists
2713 Solicitors
3112 Medical Technicians
3114 Science Technicians
3129 Other Building and Engineering Technicians
3611 Animal Attendants and Trainers
3991 Boat Builders and Shipwrights
4111 Ambulance Officers and Paramedics
Critical Roles list
The critical roles list is used to prioritise invitations to apply for nomination based on employment in highly skilled roles.
Thirty-seven occupations have been added to the critical roles list and 30 have been removed. The impact of removal is minor, as all candidates working in their skills assessment area are of high priority for nomination.
All the occupations slated for removal remain high priority and are included in the updated TOSOL.
Added
Removed
135111 Chief Information Officer 135112 ICT Project Manager 135199 ICT Managers nec 224211 Archivist 224212 Gallery or Museum Curator 224213 Health Information Manager 224214 Records Manager 233311 Electrical Engineer 233411 Electronics Engineer 233911 Aeronautical Engineer 233912 Agricultural Engineer 233913 Biomedical Engineer 233914 Engineering Technologist 233915 Environmental Engineer 233916 Naval Architect / Marine Designer 233999 Engineering Professionals nec 234211 Chemist 234212 Food Technologist 234213 Wine Maker 261111 ICT Business Analyst 261112 Systems Analyst 261113 User Experience Designer (ICT) 261211 Multimedia Specialist 261212 Web Developer 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer 263112 Network Administrator 263113 Network Analyst 263211 ICT Quality Assurance Engineer 263212 ICT Support Engineer 263213 ICT Systems Test Engineer 263299 ICT Support and Test Engineers nec 411211 Dental Hygienist 411212 Dental Prosthetist 411213 Dental Technician 411214 Dental Therapist 411311 Diversional Therapist 411411 Enrolled Nurse
133111 Construction Project Manager 133112 Project Builder 133211 Engineering Manager 232212 Surveyor 232213 Cartographer 232214 Other Spatial Scientist 232411 Graphic Designer 232412 Illustrator 232413 Multimedia Designer 232414 Web Designer 233211 Civil Engineer 233212 Geotechnical Engineer 233213 Quantity Surveyor 233214 Structural Engineer 233215 Transport Engineer 234111 Agricultural Consultant 234113 Forester / Forest Scientist 234711 Veterinarian 252111 Chiropractor 252112 Osteopath 311112 Agricultural and Agritech Technician 312111 Architectural Draftsperson 312113 Building Inspector 312114 Construction Estimator 312116 Surveying or Spatial Science Technician 312199 Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians nec 312211 Civil Engineering Draftsperson 312212 Civil Engineering Technician 312511 Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson 312512 Mechanical Engineering Technician
Policy Guidance (Additional Information, Exclusions and Definitions)
Income thresholds updated to reflect latest Australian average and median earnings and the new Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold.
Excluded business operations – clarification about including parcel delivery contracting services (eg, Australia Post, Aramex). These are accepted as employment where the applicant has a related skills assessment or at least two years’ prior experience.
Claiming skilled employment related to gold or green attributes – Additional guidance about indicators of skilled employment including:
Roles that match ANZSCO Skill Levels 1,2 or 3
Pay rate above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold
Pay rate at or around National Minimum Salary isan indicator that employment is not skilled.
Excluded employment – employment with a related skills assessment as Chef, Cook, or Café or Restaurant manager in a fast casual restaurant or café business is now accepted. It is not accepted in relation to limited-service restaurants:
Fast casual restaurants combine elements of fast food and casual dining, blending the speed and convenience of fast food chains and the quality and atmosphere of a casual restaurant. These establishments typically offer freshly prepared dishes, and a more appealing dining environment without the full table service of traditional sit-down restaurants. Fast casual restaurants and cafes are usually characterised by:
Off-premise and on-premise dining, but with an emphasis on dining in
Lower average meal price than fine dining
No drive-through.
ANZSCO 4 or 5 roles – Qualifications or experience consistent with ANZSCO – Claiming employment in lieu of qualification specified in ANZSCO for a role – clarification added that for the purposes of Tasmanian nomination only qualification will be accepted:
If using employment in a role equivalent to ANZSCO Skill Level 4 or 5 to meet minimum requirements or priority attributes, you must have the relevant qualifications or experience as defined in ANZSCO (note that for the purposes of this program qualifications must be a minimum Certificate III, or at least 12 months experience).
For example, if working as a Retail Supervisor (ANZSCO 621511 – ANZSCO Skill Level 4), you must have an AQF Certificate III or at least one year of relevant experience.
For some occupations ANZSCO indicates that an amount of time in employment may substitute for the specified qualification. However, for the purposes of Tasmanian nomination you cannot use that work experience concession for ANZSCO 4 or 5 work: you will need the relevant qualification to claim this priority attribute.
Where ANZSCO does not list a qualification or experience for an occupation Migration Tasmania requires you to have a related AQF Certificate III qualification or one year of relevant Australian experience.
Where a priority attribute or Gateway question / response specifically refers to a qualification, experience cannot be used as a substitute.
Employment related to skills assessment or study – additional guidance about how a relationship between employment and Tasmanian study can be shown:
If you are claiming employment in a skilled role directly related to your Tasmanian study, one way this can be shown is by supplying a role description or relevant job advertisement demonstrating that the role requires the qualification you gained.
For example, if you have completed a Bachelor of Social Work or have a skills assessment as a Social Worker, your job advertisement or job description may state:
“A Bachelor of Social Work or a Diploma of Community Welfare Work or other tertiary qualifications at Diploma or above level which includes units of case management/casework practice and supervised practical work placements in relevant fields.”
Migration Tasmania would accept this employment as being directly related to your study.
Job interviews related to skills assessment or Tasmanian study – New guidance clarifying that this can only be claimed if the applicant is not currently in skilled employment.
Genuine employment / business operation – indicators of concern – New item listing indicators of concern regarding employment claims that could prompt an officer to consider deeper checks from an applicant or employing business. All available information will be assessed and a determination made on the balance of information. This may lead to a decision to decline nomination.
Applications lodged or invited and before 12:00pm
Applications for nomination that have been lodged but not decided or have been invited before 1 August 2024 will continue to be processed against the requirements that were in place at the time of invitation.
Registrations of Interest submitted in the 2023-24 program year
Registrations of Interest (ROIs) submitted during before 1 July 2024 will remain valid for the 2024-25 program year up until the six-month expiry date or until an invitation to apply for nomination is issued.
If invited to apply for nomination, the requirements and settings in place at the time of ROI submission will apply.
New priority attributes apply to ROIs submitted from 12pm 1 August 2024. In cases where new requirements are likely to be beneficial, candidates may wish to withdraw their current ROI and submit a new one.
Questions?
If you have any questions about The Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program you can email us at contact@emkglobal.com.au
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The Australian Government has introduced new amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994, impacting onshore student visa applications. The latest amendment, Migration (Specification of Categories of Visas that Preclude a Person from Lodging a Student Visa Application in Australia) Amendment Instrument (LIN 24/051) 2024, specifies additional categories of substantive temporary visas that prevent individuals from applying for a Student (Subclass 500) visa or a Student Guardian (Subclass 590) visa while in Australia. These changes take effect from July 1, 2024.
Overview of the Amendment
Under Item 1222(5)(c) of Schedule 1, LIN 24/051 amends the earlier IMMI 16/016 by adding six new visa subclasses to the list of those ineligible to apply for onshore student visas. This amendment aims to regulate the visa hopping phenomenon and ensure that the integrity of Australia’s visa system is maintained.
Impacted Visa Subclasses
The following six substantive temporary visa subclasses have been added to the list of those ineligible for onshore student visa applications:
Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485)
Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601)
Medical Treatment (Subclass 602)
eVisitor (Subclass 651)
Maritime Crew (Subclass 988)
Visitor (Subclass 600) – This includes the entire subclass, expanding the restriction from the previously specified Sponsored Family and Approved Destination Status streams.
Key Changes and Implications
Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa Holders: Individuals on a Temporary Graduate visa will no longer be able to transition directly to a student visa while in Australia. They must now leave the country to apply for a new student visa.
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) Holders: Previously, only the Sponsored Family and Approved Destination Status streams were restricted. Now, the entire subclass is included, meaning no visitor visa holders can apply for a student visa while in Australia.
Rationale Behind the Amendment
The amendments aim to curb the practice of visa hopping, where individuals exploit temporary visas to remain in Australia for extended periods by sequentially applying for different visas. This move is intended to strengthen the integrity of the Australian visa system and ensure that it serves its intended purpose.
Conclusion
The LIN 24/051 amendment introduces significant changes for those planning to apply for student visas while onshore in Australia. By including additional temporary visa subclasses in the list of those precluded from onshore applications, the Australian Government seeks to enhance the regulation of its visa system. Prospective students and guardians must now be more strategic in their visa planning and may need to make applications from outside Australia.
Key Dates
Commencement Date: July 1, 2024
For further information, individuals are encouraged to consult the full text of the LIN 24/051 amendment and seek professional advice if needed.
This new amendment highlights the importance of understanding and adhering to visa regulations when planning to study in Australia. Ensuring compliance will help maintain the integrity of the Australian immigration system and provide a fair process for all applicants.
If you intend to pursue your education in Australia, preparing for the student visa interview is crucial. The Australian Government has a rigorous selection process, and being ready for challenging questions can significantly increase your chances of success. In this guide, we outline frequently asked questions and provide advice on how to answer them effectively.
Purpose of Your Trip
What is the purpose of your trip to Australia?
Your answer should be concise and clear, outlining your intention to pursue a specific degree or study program in Australia.
Why did you choose Australia for education?
Explain your motivation for selecting Australia over other countries, highlighting factors such as world-class universities, a variety of courses, and promising career prospects after graduation.
Previous Visits and University Details
Have you been to Australia before?
Answer truthfully. If you have, mention the reason for your visit and the duration of your stay.
Which college or university are you going to in Australia?
Provide the name of the institution where you have been accepted. Make sure you pronounce the name correctly.
Where is your college or university located?
Demonstrate your awareness of your institution’s exact location and its surrounding area’s specialties.
Why did you choose college over university?
If you chose a college, explain why it was a better fit for your goals, such as offering a specific course you wanted.
Course and Career Plans
Can you briefly describe the university you’ve selected?
Highlight key features of the university and what attracted you to it.
Did you apply to any other colleges or universities?
Be honest about any other applications you made and the responses you received.
Why have you chosen this course?
Explain how the course aligns with your career goals and why it is essential for your future.
Do you intend to stay in Australia once your degree is over?
Justify your decision to return home after completing your course, demonstrating your commitment to your home country.
Tell me about your course.
Provide an overview of the course and its structure to show your interest and understanding.
What is the duration of your course?
State the correct duration, such as one or two years, depending on your course.
When does your course start and finish?
Be aware of the commencement and end dates of your course and answer honestly.
How much does the chosen course cost?
State the cost in Australian dollars (AUD) as shown on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
How are you going to pay for the course?
Answer carefully, emphasizing that your financial support comes from reliable sources and not part-time work.
Is this course available in your home country?
Explain why studying in Australia is a better option than in your home country.
Do you plan to continue studying in Australia after your course ends?
Be honest about your future plans, whether you intend to continue studying or return home.
Do you have any plans to get PR in Australia after completing your course?
State that your intention is to return home after your studies, as the student visa does not provide a direct path to permanent residency.
Personal and Family Details
How many colleges did you receive acceptance to?
Answer truthfully about the number of acceptances you received.
What do you plan to do during your semester break?
Share your plans openly, such as spending time with family in your home country.
Do you have any plans to work in Australia?
Indicate that your primary focus is your studies and that you do not plan to work in Australia.
Where did you graduate from before applying for a student visa in Australia?
Provide the name of your previous institution and your academic credentials.
Why did you change your course of study?
If applicable, explain the reasons for changing your field of study sincerely and clearly.
How many siblings do you have?
Provide details about your siblings, their residence, and occupation.
What do you know about the work limitations of an Australian student visa?
Demonstrate your awareness of the work restrictions, such as the 40 hours per fortnight limit during the semester.
Who is funding your studies and accommodation in Australia?
Give a verifiable response, mentioning the person or entity funding your education and stay.
Tell me about your sponsor’s annual income and occupation.
Provide accurate details about your sponsor’s income and occupation, aligning with your supporting documents.
How many individuals depend on your sponsor for financial support?
Show that your sponsor can support you financially without any issues.
Language Proficiency and Personal Commitments
Why is your IELTS or TOEFL score so low?
Answer honestly, providing your original exam transcript and explaining any efforts to improve.
Why should a student visa be granted to you?
State the benefits of studying in Australia and how your enrollment will contribute to the university.
What if your visa application is rejected?
Express your determination to reapply, highlighting the importance of studying in Australia for your future.
Do you own any property in your home country?
List your possessions, such as vehicles, houses, or businesses, to demonstrate your ties to your home country.
Is your partner coming with you or not?
Answer honestly about whether your partner will accompany you to Australia.
How would you handle financial difficulties during your stay in Australia?
Assure the case officer that your sponsor can cover any financial difficulties.
Do you pay any income tax?
Confirm that you are a responsible tax-paying citizen if applicable.
What is your most recent qualification?
State your latest educational qualification, whether it’s a high school diploma or a degree.
Have there been any gaps in your studies?
Explain any gaps in your education honestly, providing valid reasons.
What are your plans after returning back to your country?
Highlight how the course will help you achieve your career goals upon returning home.
By thoroughly preparing for these questions, you can approach your Australian student visa interview with confidence and clarity.
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