Genuine Student (GS) Requirement In Australia 2024

Highlights:

• What is GS: The Genuine Student (GS) Requirement is a criterion for assessing Australian student visa applications.
• Implementation: Introduced in March 2024, the Genuine Student requirement replaced the previous Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for student visas (Subclass 500).
• Purpose of GS: It evaluates the genuine intention of an applicant to complete their studies and then leave the country post-graduation.
• Evidence Required: To meet GS requirements, applicants must prove their knowledge of the proposed course and its value to their future, along with their ties to family, community, employment, and economic status in their home nation.

The Genuine Student (GS) Requirement is a new eligibility criteria implemented by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for the assessment of student visa applications received on or after March 23, 2024. This has replaced the previous qualifying criteria known as the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement. The new policy is intended to ensure that overseas students who come to Australia to study are genuinely committed to their education and plan to return to their home country after finishing their studies.

What is the Genuine Student Requirement?

The Genuine Student Requirement is the crucial step when applying for a student visa to Australia under SubClass-500. The policy ensures that overseas students who come to Australia for study purposes must have genuinely committed to their education and return to their home country once they complete their studies.

This Genuine Student Requirement applies to all the visa subclasses available for students in Australia including Subclass 500 (Student), Subclass 570 (Independent ELICOS), Subclass 571 (Schools), Subclass 572 (Vocational Education and Training), Subclass 573 (Higher Education), Subclass 574 (Postgraduate Research), Subclass 575 (Non-Award), and Subclass 576 (AusAID or Defense).

What does the Genuine Student Requirement entail?

To satisfy the Genuine Student Requirement, the applicants should prove that they are legitimate students who genuinely wish to study in Australia and then depart Australia and return to their home country after their studies are finished.

• This requires them to provide specific information about their current scenario, including their connections to their family, community, employment, and economic status.
• Additionally, it includes stating why they are interested in this program and any potential future benefits.

What is the GTE in Australia?

GTE stands for Genuine Temporary Entrant, a previous eligibility requirement used to assess the Student Visa application in Australia.

• It mandates that international students provide proof that they intend to temporarily stay in Australia for education, not for ongoing residency.
• As of March 23, 2024, the GTE requirement has been replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
• Previously, to fulfil the GTE, applicants were required to submit a 300-word personal statement and other supporting documents, which include their academic transcripts, employment details, proof of ties to their home country and their economic situation.
• The Authorities evaluate the applicant’s documents using various factors such as the applicant’s purpose of study in Australia, their connections to the home country, familiarity with the intended course, and immigration background.
• Essentially, the GTE requirement in Australia ensures the student visa program is being used for its intended purpose only and not for long-term stay.

How to Meet the Genuine Student Requirement?

To demonstrate that they meet the GS requirement, applicants must provide detailed information and supporting documents in their online student visa application form. In the online student visa application form, the applicant will be asked to address the Genuine Student criteria by answering the following questions:

• Details of your current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment, and economic circumstances.
• Explain why you wish to study this course in Australia with this particular education provider, including your understanding of the requirements of the intended course and studying and living in Australia.
• Explain how completing the course will be of benefit to you.
• Provide details of any other relevant information you would like to include.

What evidence and information should the applicant have to include?

The applicant should provide evidence or information about:

• Previous study, including academic transcripts, name of education provider, length of study, and certificates of attainment.
• Previous study in Australia, including a complete history of study records, reasons for changing courses or education providers, and details of course progress. (if applicable)
• Existing employment, including information about the employer, the length of time the applicant has worked there, the job they’ve held, and the contact information for someone who can verify the applicant’s employment.
• The circumstances in the applicant's home nation, such as family ties, financial situations, and importantly, the justifications for not pursuing a degree of study locally if a similar program is being offered there.

How does DHA, Australia Assess the Genuine Student Criterion?

The purpose of the GS criterion is to evaluate the student's true intention to study in Australia. The DHA takes into account several considerations to evaluate the sincerity of the applicant's intent, which include:

1. Circumstances in the nation of origin (or place of residence)

According to this criterion, the following factors were assessed:

• Justification for not enrolling in the same program in their home nation or region
• Characteristics of the candidate's connections to their nation of origin
• The economic circumstances
• obligations for military service
• Political and social unrest within their nation of origin

2. Potential Situation in Australia

In this criteria, they consider the following things:

• Level of knowledge of the proposed course and education provider
• Level of knowledge of living in Australia
• Previous study and qualifications
• Level of research undertaken into the proposed course of study and living arrangements

3. Value of the Course to Their Future

In this criteria, the applicant accessed on the following:

• Whether the course is consistent with their current level of education
• Whether the course will assist them in obtaining employment or improving employment prospects in their home country or another country
• Relevance of the course to past or proposed future employment in their home country or another country
• Expected salary and other benefits in their home country or another country obtained with the applicant's qualifications from the proposed course of study

4. Immigration History

In this, the applicant accessed on following:

• Travel history and visa requirements for Australia and other nations
• prior requests for visas to Australia or other nations
• cancellations or rejections of visas

Note: If the applicant is a minor, they consider the intentions of the parent, legal

guardian, or spouse.

5. Additional Information: Any other relevant information provided by the applicant.

Tips for Meeting the Genuine Student Requirement

In order to improve their chances of meeting the GS criterion, the application required to:

• Give extensive and accurate information in their visa application.
• Attach all the required supporting documentation demonstrating their sincere and genuine intention to study in Australia, particularly proof of financial stability and student credibility

• Provide evidence of a thorough understanding of their chosen program of study and its relationship to their future goals.
• Demonstrate a strong sense of connection to their homeland, with a clear intention of returning to their homeland after completing their studies.

A good understanding of the Genuine Student criteria and submission of complete and accurate information will help overseas students increase their chances of obtaining a student visa and completing their educational goals in Australia.

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