What Documents to Carry for Your Australia Student Visa Interview?

Posted on: May 27, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

What Documents to Carry for Your Australia Student Visa Interview?

Australia is not only an important tourist destination, but it is also rising to be an important study destination. Several students around the world are visiting Australia, especially to get enrolled in some of the top universities. Offering a world-class education with the best diverse cultural experiences, studying in Australia can offer a lot of opportunities.

Whether you want to pursue graduation or post-graduation, you have a lot of opportunities. This is a unique and rewarding study experience for the students. However, in order to enter Australia for studies, one must apply for a student visa. The student must carry all the necessary documents at the interview to avoid rejection. Make sure you already have student travel insurance in case the officer asks for it.

Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)

The Australian student visa is recognised under Subclass 500. This visa came into effect in 2016, allowing international students to study and stay in Australia during their program. This is usually five years and is in alignment with the enrollment date. In order to ensure that the students can stay in the country, they must have a valid visa.

Students must abide by all the rules and regulations mentioned in the visa. If not, there is a high chance that the visa will be cancelled, and you will be asked to move back to your home country. The conditions for abiding by the visa are mentioned on the official website of the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs.

The types of studies covered under the student visa include:

1. Vocational Education and Training

2. Higher education

With the help of an Australian student visa, you will be allowed to:

1. Study in Australia during the course duration, as long as an education provider provides it.

2. Stay in Australia for a maximum duration of five years to complete the program. During this time, you may move in and out of Australia.

3. Include your family in the application, such as your child, your partner's child, or partner.

4. Work in Australia for 48 hours for a fortnight. However, students pursuing a Doctoral degree do not have any work-hour limit.

Whenever you're travelling to Australia for higher studies, make sure that you have your student travel insurance with you. This ensures that any mishap that may happen on the way will be covered by the insurance provider, protecting you against major financial damage.

List of Documents for the Student Visa Interview

The documents you use to apply for the Australian student visa are the same documents that you carry at the interview. Therefore, it is extremely important that you properly arrange them. These are to be used for background checks, so make sure you submit all the correct documents and not any fraudulent ones.

Below is the list of documents that you'll have to submit:

1. Confirmation of Enrollment

This is the main document you must submit to get your visa. This is a proof of admission at the University you applied to. However, ensure that the certificate you received has been approved and registered by the Commonwealth Registration of Institutions and Courses.

2. Valid Passport

If you want to travel to Australia for studies, you must have a valid passport for at least up to 6 months. If required, you may also apply for a new passport to extend the timeline.

English Language Proficiency

Since Australia is an English-speaking country, you need to be proficient in that language. Therefore, Indian students must mandatorily submit their English Language Proficiency Certificates to prove that they're eligible. The top 5 English Language Proficiency Exams accepted by the Australian Immigration Department, along with scores, are as follows:

1. International English Language Testing System: minimum band of 6

2. Occupation English Test: minimum grade B in each section

3. Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test: minimum of 12 in listening, 18 for speaking, 21 for writing and 13 for reading

4. Cambridge English: minimum of 171 in every sub-section

5. Pearson Test of English: minimum of 50 in every section

Health Check-up and Insurance

You will have to prove that you're physically fit for travelling to Australia. You must provide the HAP ID. You should have OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) for your visa tenure. Although international travel insurance isn't mandatory, you may still keep one.

Proof of Funds

Financial stability is one of the key things for students in Australia. Therefore, you must provide proof of funds. This should ensure that you have enough to cover your living, tuition and travel costs to Australia. You can buy travel insurance online to showcase that you have coverage for additional damages such as medical or baggage loss.

Clearance of Academic Transcripts and Passport

The passport and academic documents that you submit must be genuine. If they're not authentic, the visa might get rejected.

Penal Clearance

If you are planning to study in Australia, you must have no criminal records under your name. You must provide authentic proof for it.

Passport-size Photographs

You must submit 4 passport-sized photographs against a plain background. Your name must be printed behind all the photographs.

Curriculum Vitae

If you had worked earlier, you may submit your curriculum vitae along with pay slips and employment status. This is only for background check purposes.

GS Requirements

This is a Statement of Purpose document where the student writes their genuine interest in studying in Australia/the particular institution. It must be clearly written with all the information mentioned duly.

Form 157N

If the student (below 18 years old) is to live with a guardian, they must submit Form 157N.

Fee Confirmation

The student must carry a confirmation slip for their visa fee. At the interview, you will be asked to show the visa application form confirmation through the payment slip. So, don't miss out on it.

Australia Student Visa Interview Process

Once you have submitted all the documents, you can schedule your interview process online. Make sure to book a slot on your designated date and appear on time for the interview. The Embassy General officer will ask you a wide range of questions about yourself, your study plan in Australia and so on.

The Australian Student Visa interview usually lasts for 15-20 minutes. However, the duration may be extended depending on the documents provided or so on. You must ensure that the documents are arranged in the right order so as to get the visa confirmation. You must know that if the applicant is below 18 years of age, there will be additional document requirements, so make sure to comply with those.

Since you'll be travelling to Australia after getting the visa, you should also apply for international travel insurance online. Thus, you can stay protected against any unforeseen circumstance during your travel.

Conclusion

Australia offers a wide range of opportunities for aspiring students. With some of the top-class universities in the world, the chances of excelling in your career are high. You must understand all the benefits that the course has to offer and move ahead with it accordingly. Nonetheless, make sure to align all your documents correctly. Before your visit, you may buy travel insurance online and stay stress-free during your trip. If anything goes wrong, you'll be provided enough coverage for it.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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