Australia’s new Migration Strategy, launched in December of last year, has brought about many changes in its immigration policy. These changes have been introduced as a way to cap the levels of immigration to Australia to more manageable levels. One of the key visas affected by this change is, of course, the Student Visa subclass 500.

For January 2024, the number of international students studying in Australia rose to 567,505 as per data released by the Australian Government’s Department of Education. To manage this level of immigration, the government announced that it will be replacing the GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) requirement with a Genuine Student (GS) Requirement to apply for a student visa to study in Australia.

What is the GS (Genuine Study) Requirement?

The GS requirement has been introduced as a means of differentiation of actual genuine students from those who are not, that is, those who aim to work rather than study. Instead of a short, written essay, student visa applicants must now answer a set of questions to provide a variety of information, such as:

• Evidence of previous study
• Evidence of previous study in Australia
• Current Employment
• Circumstances in their home country or country of residence
• Economic circumstances in home country or country of residence

The GS requirement replaces the GTE requirement for student visa applications lodged on and after March 23, 2024. This means that all applications submitted before this date will still be assessed based on the GTE. However, any application submitted after this date will now be assessed based on the newly introduced GS requirement.

The GS requirement is intended for students, who, after their study in Australia, develop skills Australia needs and eventually apply for permanent residencies. To be granted their student visa, all applicants must satisfy the GS requirement.

Questions asked as part of GS for Student Visa Applications

Now as part of the student visa applications, the Department of Home Affairs asks the students the following questions to address the GS criteria:

• Give details of the applicant’s current circumstances. This includes ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances.
• Explain why the applicant wishes to study this course in Australia with this particular education provider. This must also explain their understanding of the requirements of the intended course and studying and living in Australia.
• Explain how completing the course will be of benefit to the applicant.
• Give details of any other relevant information the applicant would like to include

Answers must be written in English, with a maximum of 150 words per question.

What to include in your answers:

The DHA has provided some basic criteria to keep in mind while answering the questions for the GS requirement, in relation to the information listed above:

Previous Study

• Academic transcripts showing qualifications achieved
• Name of the education provider(s)
• Length of study
• Certificates of attainment

Previous Study in Australia

• A complete history of study record(s) in Australia
• Reasons for change of course and/or education providers
• Details of information on course progress
• Study gaps of more than 2 months during an academic year
• Any other information the applicant considers relevant to their study record in Australia

Current Employment

• Details of their current employer and company address
• Period of employment
• Details of position held
• The name and contact details of someone who can confirm the circumstances of declared employment

Circumstances in their home country or country of residence

• The nature of the applicant’s personal ties eg: family, community and employment. They will need to provide reasons for not studying in their home country if a similar course is available.

Economic circumstances in home country or country of residence

• Documents showing employment or business activities for 12 months before lodging an application
• Potential employment offers including salary and other benefits, after course completion
• Income tax returns or bank statements

If there is political and civil unrest and military service commitments in the applicant’s home country that would present as a significant incentive for them to leave their home country, they must provide their reasons and supporting evidence.

How GS is assessed

As stated, the GS requirement is intended to assess the intention of the applicant to genuinely study in Australia and considers many factors including:

• Circumstances
• Immigration History
• Compliance with visa conditions and any other relevant matter

GS vs GTE: What’s the difference?

Conclusion

The GS allows you to demonstrate the various factors and situations that have led to you choosing Australia and an Australian university for your higher education. The GS requirement is not a barrier by another way for you to demonstrate that you are committed to your study and your study-related goals while you are in Australia.

For further information regarding the GS requirement and the student visa process, you can visit the Department of Home Affairs Australia website.

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