Genuine Student (GS)

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) replaced with Genuine Student (GS) for student visas (sc 500)

Related:

• Genuine Temporary Entrant letter sample
• How to choose the best course to study in Australia?

As part of your application for a student visa (subclass 500), previously student visa applicants had to provide a personal statement, in English, that addresses the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement.

This statement must be submitted with your visa application and should explain that:

• You are genuinely coming to Australia to study and not for any other reason.
• You will only be residing in Australia for the time allowed on your visa (and not overstaying).

As announced in the Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023, the GTE requirement applicable to student visas (sc 500) is being replaced with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

The new GS requirement will have target questions that will provide decision makers with an overview of the applicant and their reasons for wanting to study in Australia.

The intended questions will cover:

• details of their current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances;
• an explanation for the choice of course and reasons for choosing Australia as a study destination;
• what benefits the course provides to the applicant;
• for applicants with a study history in Australia, details of their study history;
• for applicants holding a visa other than a Student visa, their reasons for applying for a student visa; and
• any other relevant information the applicant wishes to provide

The GS requirement is planned to commence for student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024. Student visa application lodged before 23 March 2024 will be assessed according to existing arrangements. 

The GTE requirement will be retained for Student Guardian (sc 590) visa applications. 

The student visa declaration will be amended to require applicants to confirm that they:

• understand what it means to be a genuine student for the purposes of studying in Australia;
• have read, understand and commit to comply with student visa conditions and to notify the Department of Home Affairs of any changes to their circumstances; and
• understand that while post-study pathways to permanent migration are available, only a limited number of graduates will be eligible and those who are unable to remain lawfully in Australia must depart Australia.

As part of the changes Ministerial Direction 69 will be revoked and replaced by two new ministerial directions, which will reflect the intention for the GS requirement to apply after the intended commencement date of 23 March 2024; and then to ensure that the GTE assessment applies to applications that have been lodged and not yet decided before 23 March 2024.

The Department has advised that any further information will be placed on their website closer to the implementation date of 23 March 2024.

Related: More savings required, changes to concurrent COEs for international Students