Genuine Student (GS) Requirement – Australian Student Visa Guide

What is the Genuine Student (GS) requirement?

The Genuine Student (GS) requirement applies to student Visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024. Applications lodged before this date are assessed under the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement. It is an integrity measure to confirm that applicants genuinely intend to study in Australia. Importantly, the GS requirement is intended to include students who, after studying in Australia, develop skills Australia needs and who then go on to apply for permanent residence. Full details are on the Genuine Student requirement .

Tại sao tôi cần nó cho hồ sơ xin Visa của mình?

The GS requirement helps the Department of Home Affairs identify genuine applicants. Unlike the GTE, you no longer need to declare that you only intend to stay temporarily – but you must be able to demonstrate an understanding that studying in Australia is the primary reason for applying for a student Visa.

Tôi sẽ được yêu cầu viết gì?

You answer targeted questions directly in the Visa application form. The Department prefers applicants to respond to the questions in the application form rather than attaching a separate GS statement. There is a text limit of 150 words per response. All responses must be in English.

• Thẻ current circumstances – ties to family, community, employment and economic situation
• Thẻ reasons for choosing the course, the education provider and Australia as a study destination
• How completing the course will benefit you (career, further study, personal goals)
• Details of any previous study in Australia (if applicable)
• If you currently hold a non-student Visa, your reasons for applying for a Student Visa
• Any other relevant information (consult AUG)

Supporting documents matter: Along with the responses included in the application form, the applicant must attach supporting documents to their ImmiAccount. The Department gives more weight to statements supported by evidence in assessing the GS requirement, and considers the overall personal circumstances of the applicant.

What does the Department of Home Affairs really want to know?

• Your genuine intention to study and understanding of your chosen course
• Your personal and economic circumstances in your home country
• Trình độ tiếng Anh của bạn
• Khả năng tài chính của bạn
• Your education and employment background
• Your immigration history and compliance with previous visa conditions
• The value of the course to your future – for example, if the course is consistent with your current level of education and if it will assist you to obtain employment or improve employment prospects in your home country or another country; if the course is relevant to past or proposed future employment; and the expected salary and other benefits obtained with the qualifications from the proposed course of study.
• If the applicant is a minor, the Department considers the intentions of the parent, legal guardian or spouse.

Related 2025–2026 updates worth noting

• CoE now mandatory at lodgement: Applications from students already in Australia now require a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Not providing a CoE at the time of application will make an application invalid.
• Visa application charge: As of July 1, 2025, the fee increased from A$ 1,600 to A$ 2,000.
• Financial capacity: In 2026, the Department of Home Affairs has enforced strict updates for international students, including an increased financial capacity requirement of A$ 29,710 and a highly scrutinized Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
• English: The minimum IELTS score requirement is 6.0 overall (previously 5.5). For packaged ELICOS courses, it’s now 5.0, and for foundation/pathway programs, 5.5.
• Greater scrutiny: A minor inconsistency between your 150-word GS responses and your provided documentation, such as bank statements or employment history, is now a primary trigger for an interview or an immediate refusal. In the current landscape, template answers are a major red flag.

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Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements are set by the Department of Home Affairs and may change without notice.