Changes to the GTE requirement for Student visas sc 500 - From 23 March 2024
The Department of Home Affairs has announced that changes to the student visa subclass 500, as outlined in the Migration Strategy released last December, will take effect from March 23, 2024, for applications submitted on or after that date.
The main change pertains to the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement: up to now, international students have been requested to submit a letter of intent along with their visa application. However, this statement will now be replaced by a Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
This new requirement will comprise targeted questions designed to assist case officers in evaluating students' genuine intentions to pursue quality education in Australia, distinguishing their study plans from any future migration aspirations.
The questions will focus on:
Details of their current circumstances, including connections to family, community, employment, and economic conditions.
An explanation for their choice of course and reasons for selecting Australia as their study destination.
Advantages offered by the chosen course.
Educational history for applicants with a prior record of studying in Australia.
Reasons why applicants holding a different visa in Australia require a student visa, and any additional relevant information the applicant wishes to provide.
Although articulated differently, with questions replacing the current statement, many aspects of the new GS requirement will overlap with the GTE. However, the last two points, specifically concerning applicants who are already studying in Australia and those holding visas other than student visas, look particularly aimed at scrutinizing the intentions of applicants already within the country. These applicants will need to demonstrate their genuine student status, if they have previously studied in Australia (for example, showing that they have successfully completed their previous course of studies). If they are onshore on a different visa, they must show that their intentions genuinely revolve around achieving education in Australia. This measure is in place to prevent visa misuse for alternative purposes.
Additionally, amendments will be made to the student visa declaration to ensure that students:
Understand what it means to be a genuine student for the purpose of studying in Australia.
Have read, comprehended, and agreed to comply with the conditions of the student visa, as well as to notify the Department of Home Affairs of any changes to their circumstances.
Recognize that while post-study pathways to permanent migration exist, only a limited number of graduates will be eligible, and those unable to legally remain in Australia must depart.
There is a possibility that changes to the English language requirements for international students, also outlined in the Migration Strategy, will be introduced at this stage; however, there are currently no specific updates regarding this matter.
It's important to note that despite the imminent start date, these changes have not yet been enacted into law. The Department will provide further details closer to the expected implementation date.