Complete Document & Eligibility Checklist (2025)
1. 🔐 Personal Identification Documents
- Valid passport (bio-data page scan)
- Birth certificate or National ID (if available)
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Current contact details (email and phone)
- Full residential address history in Australia (with dates)
2. 🎓 Education Documents and Eligibility
- CRICOS-registered course completed in Australia
- Course must be at least 2 academic years (92 CRICOS weeks) in duration
- Study duration in Australia no less than 16 calendar months
- Must have held a valid student visa while studying
Required documents:
- Official academic transcript
- Completion letter from institution stating course name, CRICOS code, start and end dates, and completion date
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) (optional but helpful)
3. 🩺 Health and Insurance
- Valid Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) at time of application. This can be purchased just before the lodgement
- Undergo health examinations if requested after lodgment
4. 🧑⚖️ Character Documents
- AFP National Police Check – must be applied for before lodging the visa application (Purpose Code 33)
- Completed character declaration in application
- Possibly Form 80 if requested post-lodgment
5. ✍️ English Language Requirement
Applicants not from exempt countries (UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland) must meet one of the following within 12 months of application:
| Test | Overall Score | Minimum per Band/Component |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | ≥ 6.5 | ≥ 5.5 per band |
| PTE Academic | ≥ 57 | Listening ≥ 43, Reading ≥ 48, Speaking ≥ 42, Writing ≥ 51 |
| TOEFL iBT | ≥ 83 | Listening ≥ 7, Reading ≥ 8, Speaking ≥ 16, Writing ≥ 18 |
| Cambridge CAE | ≥ 176 | ≥ 162 per component |
| OET | B in all components | — |
Exemptions apply for citizens of exempt countries.
6. 👨👩👧👦 Family / Dependents Documents (if applicable)
- Passports and visas for dependents included in the application
- Marriage certificate (for spouse)
- Birth certificates (for children)
- English test results and police checks for dependents aged 16+
- OVHC covering dependents for visa length
7. 💰 Visa Application Fees (as of 2025)
| Applicant Type | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | From 2,300 |
| Additional applicant 18 years or over | Approx. 1,150 – 1,250 |
| Additional applicant under 18 years | Approx. 575 – 625 |
Exact fees depend on individual circumstances and number of dependents.
8. 🗓️ Other Key Eligibility Criteria
- Apply within 6 months of course completion
- Must be in Australia at the time of application
- Must have held a valid student visa in the last 6 months
- Must have adequate health insurance at time of application