What You Need to Know about the Australia Student Visa in 2025

Australia, a leading study abroad destination, continues to be among the top choices for students in 2025. If you are planning to head there this year, you need to know about the recent Australia student visa updates introducing key changes for international students. Beginning in January 2025, students must use their official Confirmation of Enrolment – not just their offer letter – to apply for the Subclass 500 visa. 

Alongside the change in requirement for Confirmation of Enrolment, since 2024 there have also been updates for the English language proficiency and proof of funding requirements. You will additionally have to meet the reworked Genuine Student requirements to qualify for the visa. Keep reading to stay on top of the changes and updates that may impact your application this year.

What’s New for Students Going to Australia in 2025  

Australia is implementing significant updates to its student visa process in 2025 to enhance fairness and efficiency for international students. These changes aim to ensure genuine students have a clear pathway to study in Australia.

Mandatory Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): 

Starting on January 1, 2025, all student visa applicants must provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of application. Previously, applicants could submit a Letter of Offer as proof of enrolment, which was less formal and did not confirm actual enrolment. The education provider issues the CoE once the student meets all course requirements and pays the necessary fees, serving as definitive proof of enrollment. This change ensures that only students who have genuine commitment and eligibility for the course are receiving the Australia student visa.

Genuine Student Requirement: 

The Australian government continues to emphasize the Genuine Student requirement, which as of 2024 replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement. The Genuine Student requirement assesses whether an applicant genuinely intends to temporarily stay in Australia for study purposes. You must demonstrate a clear intention to return to your home country after completing your studies unless you have a legitimate pathway to further stay, such as skilled migration. This requirement helps maintain the integrity of the Australia student visa program by ensuring that it is operating for its intended purpose.

Updated English Language Proficiency Requirements:

 In 2024, the Australian, government also raised its English language proficiency standards for student visa applicants. To ensure academic excellence and eligibility for the Australian standard of education, you have to demonstrate the following English language proficiency levels:
⦁    IELTS: The minimum band score is now 6.0, where before it was 5.5

Enhanced Financial Proof Requirements: 

Starting from May 10, 2024, financial proof requirements for Australia student visa applications changed from previous years’ requirements. Now, you need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover:
⦁    Living expenses: AUD 24,505 per year for the student.
⦁    Dependent expenses: AUD 7,860 per year for the first dependent and AUD 3,240 for each subsequent dependent.
⦁    School costs: AUD 8,000 per year for school-age children accompanying the student.
⦁    Travel costs: Approximately AUD 2,000 for return airfares.

You must additionally be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees to study in Australia.

This requirement intends to ensure that students can sustain their education without financial stress. You can show these funds through savings, loans, or scholarships, and must include in-depth, official evidence during the visa application process.

Priority Processing Tiers: 

The Department of Home Affairs introduced a two-tier priority processing system this year to manage visa applications more effectively. Under this system, applications for education providers who have not yet reached their student cap numbers in Australia will receive high-priority processing. Once a provider exceeds this cap, subsequent applications will receive standard priority processing. This approach aims to balance the distribution of international students across institutions and maintain the quality of education without putting a strain on the country’s resources.

Visa Applications from Offshore: 

Another significant update involves the location for visa applications. Previously, students already in Australia on visitor or graduate visas could apply for a student visa from within the country. This allowed many to transition directly between visas without leaving Australia. However, from July 2025, if you are on visitor or graduate visa, you will need to apply for student visas from your home country. While this might seem like an extra step, it ensures a more transparent process and gives students time to prepare thoroughly with the support of their families before returning to Australia.  

Graduate Pathways Focus: 

The changes also focus on the pathways available for students after graduation. In previous years, many graduates extended their stay by enrolling in additional courses and applying for new student visas. This practice led to prolonged temporary residence without clear career goals. From 2025 onwards, the Australian government is encouraging Temporary Graduate Visa holders to explore skilled job opportunities or work toward permanent residency. This shift discourages over-reliance on student visas as a way to extend stays and helps graduates build meaningful careers in Australia.  

Why You Need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)  

A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is an official document that your Australian education provider provides after you accept an admission offer. It verifies that you secured a place in a course and are ready to begin your studies. Starting January 2025, all onshore Australia student visa applications will require a CoE. This update ensures that students applying for a visa have genuine commitment to their education and are taking concrete steps to enroll in their chosen course.  

This change aligns the visa requirements for students already in Australia with those applying from overseas. Without a CoE, your visa application cannot begin processing, and you will not receive a bridging visa to remain in Australia while your application is under review.

How to Get a CoE

Getting a CoE is straightforward and is the outcome of a successful university application:
⦁    Meet education provider requirements: Ensure you fulfill the academic qualifications and English language proficiency requirements for your course.
⦁    Pay your tuition fee: Complete the payment for your initial tuition fee the education provider requires.
⦁    Receive your CoE: You receive your offer letters, accept the offer that you are most keen on pursuing to receive the CoE.
⦁    Include the CoE in your visa application: Attach the CoE to your student visa application to ensure it is valid.

How Australia Study Visa Changes Benefit International Students  

The recent updates in the Subclass 500 visa may be a cause of concern for some students. However, these are legitimate efforts to make your journey to study in Australia smoother. Here’s how these changes benefit you:  

⦁    Clear and Simple Process for Everyone: Whether you apply from your home country or from within Australia, the rules are now the same. This makes the application process much clearer for you and helps avoid confusion.  

⦁    Faster Approval for Your Visa: With the new CoE requirement, your visa application is more complete and straightforward. This means fewer delays and quicker decisions, so you can start planning your studies in Australia with confidence!  

⦁    Better Support from Universities: With a CoE, your university knows you are officially enrolled and committed to your studies. This means they can offer you better support and guidance to help you succeed in your academic journey.  

Who Is Exempt from These Changes?  

These new rules are not impacting all students, however. If you're applying as a Foreign Affairs, Defence, or secondary exchange student, you don’t need to provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Instead, you can still submit alternative proof of enrolment. This means you can follow the same process you would before the changes.

What Happens if You Don’t Meet the New Requirements?

If you don’t meet the new requirements for studying in Australia in 2025, it could affect your visa application. It’s really important to meet all new and existing requirements to avoid delays or rejections in for your Australia student visa. By researching and preparing thoroughly and following the rules, you can make sure your study plans in Australia go smoothly. Here are a couple of scenarios to watch out for:

No Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): 

From January 2025, you must have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) before applying for a student visa. If you don’t get a CoE from your educational provider, you won’t be able to apply for your visa.

Visa Application Delays: 

If your CoE is missing or you don’t submit all required documents, like proof of financial support or English language proficiency, your visa application is likely to face delays and even rejections.

No Onshore Visa Application:

 Starting July 2025, if you’re in Australia on a visitor or graduate visa, you won’t be able to apply for a student visa while staying in Australia. You will have to apply from your home country. If you don’t follow this rule, your application faces rejection.

Visa Conditions Not Met: 

If you fail to meet the visa conditions, such as studying full-time or not working more than the mandated hours, you might face visa cancellation or issues in renewing it.

Impact on Your Post-Study Plans: 

If you don’t meet certain requirements after graduation, like eligibility to apply for permanent residency or skilled work, it could limit your options for staying in Australia long term.

Steps to Apply for the Subclass 500 Visa in 2025  

Applying for an Australian student visa in 2025 involves several important steps. With up-to-date requirements in place, plan carefully and ensure all documents are in order. Having the right support at each stage can make the process much easier. Here are the steps to apply for the Subclass 500 student visa in 2025:

Step 1: Choose Your Course and Apply to an Australian Education Provider

Begin by selecting a course that aligns with your academic and career goals. Apply directly to the Australian education provider offering the course. Ensure the institution is CRICOS-registered - meaning it has recognition from the Australian government and is eligible to enroll international students.

Step 2: Secure Your Letter of Offer and Accept Your Place in the Course

If the education provider accepts your application, they will issue a Letter of Offer. This letter outlines the terms and conditions of your enrolment. Review the offer carefully, accept it, and sign the acceptance agreement.

Step 3: Receive Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

After accepting the offer, the education provider will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). The CoE is a mandatory document for your student visa application. It confirms your enrolment in a full-time course and is a requirement by the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 4: Submit Your Australia Visa Application with the Required Documents

Gather all necessary documents for your visa application, including:

⦁    Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is current and valid for the duration of your intended stay in Australia.
⦁    Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): Include the CoE from your education provider.
⦁    Financial Evidence: Provide proof that you have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
⦁    English Language Proficiency: Submit evidence of meeting the English language requirements, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores.
⦁    Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Obtain OSHC to cover your health insurance needs while studying in Australia.
⦁    Genuine Student (GS) Requirement: Complete the GS requirement to indicate your genuine intentions to study in Australia and your ability and willingness to return home after your complete your studies.
⦁    Academic Transcripts and Certificates: Provide records of your previous education.
⦁    Passport-Sized Photographs: Include recent photographs as per the visa application requirements.

Submit your application online or at the nearest Australian visa application center. Ensure all documents are complete and accurate to avoid delays. With greater scrutiny on financial proof and the GS requirement, you need to prepare a strong application. For that, you can get help from study abroad experts or immigration specialists to ensure your documentation is accurate and in alignment with visa guidelines.

Step 5: Wait for Approval and Prepare for Your Journey to Study in Australia

After submitting your application, monitor its status through your online account. Processing times can vary, so apply well in advance. Once you receive approval, you will receive your visa grant notice. Review the visa conditions carefully. Prepare for your journey by arranging accommodation, booking flights, and familiarizing yourself with Australian culture and regulations. 

Rounding Up

The Australia student visa updates for 2025 are here to create a smoother process for genuine international students. By securing your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and submitting a complete Australia visa application, you’re one step closer to achieving your dream of studying in Australia. Plan ahead, meet the new requirements, and start your exciting journey at one of the world’s top study destinations.