From 1 January 2025, onshore applicants applying for international student visas in Australia will face some changes to the application process.
Under the new rules, students must provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of lodging their visa application.
This replaces the previously accepted Letter of Offer and brings the requirements in line with those for offshore student visa applications. Without a CoE, applications will be considered invalid and cannot be assessed by visa decision-makers.
What is a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)?
A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is an electronic document that confirms a student’s enrolment in a course with a registered education provider. It verifies that the student has paid tuition fees, obtained Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and met all other enrolment requirements. Unlike a Letter of Offer, which only indicates an intention to study, the CoE provides concrete evidence that the student is enrolled in a course here in Australia.
Why is this change being introduced?
The Department of Home Affairs explained that the new policy is designed to provide greater certainty and security for Australia’s international education sector. A spokesperson from the Department of Home Affairs spoke to SBS recently about the changes, noting that “requiring a CoE at the time of visa application demonstrates a stronger commitment by the student to study at that institution. The change aligns (with) the requirements to provide evidence of intended course of study for both onshore and offshore student visa applications.”
What this means for international students
If you are currently studying in Australia and need to reapply for a student visa, it’s crucial that you confirm your enrolment with your education provider well before your current visa expires. Ensure that you have met the tuition fee payment, OSHC and any other requirements to receive your CoE.
Students whose visas are expiring and cannot obtain a CoE in time must either leave Australia or explore alternative visa options, as a bridging visa cannot be granted where the original visa application is not valid.
If you have applied for your visa before 1 January 2025 using a letter of offer, your application will not be affected.
If you are yet to apply or are in the process of applying for your student visa, make sure to include your CoE to avoid your application becoming invalid.
