This article has been written in collaboration with Nicole Kirkwood, Director of Australian Visa and Immigration Experts (AVIE) and Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 0962323).
The Australian Government introduced the Genuine Student (GS) requirement in March 2024, replacing the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test.
The GS requirement ensures that student visa applicants are genuinely focused on studying in Australia, while also acknowledging that many graduates may go on to use their skills in the workforce or consider long-term migration options.
What Is the Genuine Student Requirement?
The GS requirement ensures student visa applicants can show they are coming to Australia for genuine study purposes. While many students may go on to stay longer in Australia after graduation, the focus of the GS test is commitment to the chosen course.
Applicants must answer a series of targeted questions in the visa application. These questions give decision-makers insight into:
- Current circumstances (family, work, community, or financial ties)
- Why they chose their course and provider
- How the course will benefit their future career
- Study history (for those who have studied in Australia before)
- Reasons for applying for a student visa if previously holding another type of visa
Applicants can also provide extra information to reflect their personal situation, making each application unique.
Supporting Evidence and Declarations
To strengthen their application, students should provide documents and details that show their:
- Study and work history
- Ties to family, community, and home country
- Financial situation and reasons for not studying locally
- Understanding of their course and future career plans
Applicants also need to declare that they understand what it means to be a genuine student, that they will follow visa conditions, and that they are aware of both the opportunities and limits of staying in Australia after their studies.
How Is the GS Requirement Assessed?
The GS test is assessed as a whole picture rather than just a checklist. Officers consider:
- Ties to the home country compared with reasons to stay in Australia
- Whether the chosen course matches the applicant’s background and career goals
- Knowledge of the course, provider, and living in Australia
- Past immigration history, including visa compliance or refusals
For applicants under 18, the intentions of parents or guardians are also reviewed. The immigration history of close family members may also influence the decision.
Why the GS Requirement Matters
The GS requirement helps make the visa system fairer and more consistent. For students, it is an opportunity to show they have thought carefully about their education and future plans.
Applicants who provide clear, detailed, and honest answers – backed with evidence – have a stronger chance of success.
Get expert support
Applying for a student visa can be stressful, but with the right preparation, you can put forward a strong application.
You can contact a registered migration agent using the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) registry, or contact an immigration lawyer:
Nicole Kirkwood
Australian Visa & Immigration Experts
MARN: 0962323
Email: email@avie.com.au
Website & book a consultation: www.avie.com.au
What we do: Provide expert migration advice, assist and lodge all skills assessments and visa applications, state and regional sponsorship, ART and all other migration matters.
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