Key takeaways
- Since 1 July 2024 Visitor and Temporary Graduate visa holders cannot apply for a student visa inside Australia; six subclasses are on the list.
- The student visa charge rose from A$710 to A$1,600 in July 2024, A$2,000 in July 2025 and A$2,500 in July 2026.
- Financial capacity for living costs is A$29,710 a year for a single student since 10 May 2024, up from A$24,505.
- The minimum visa English score is IELTS 6.0 since 23 March 2024, with the result no more than one year old.
- The Genuine Student requirement replaced GTE on 23 March 2024, and Ministerial Direction 111 has set processing priority since December 2024.
- For a Saudi student the route is a final offer, then an offshore application from Saudi Arabia, never a visitor visa.
In this article
Since 1 July 2024, holders of a Visitor visa or a Temporary Graduate visa cannot apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500) from inside Australia (Study Australia). The same year the application charge rose, then rose twice more; the financial capacity amount and the English score went up; and the Genuine Student requirement replaced its predecessor. Here are all the changes with their figures, and what they mean for a Saudi student today.
What was banned from 1 July 2024?
The Australian Government announced in June 2024 that Visitor visa and Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) holders would no longer be able to apply for a student visa while in Australia from 1 July 2024, after visitor-to-student applications passed 36,000 between 1 July 2023 and the end of May 2024 (SBS News, 12 June 2024). KD posted the same alert to its students at the time: student visa applications "must" be lodged from outside Australia (KD on X, 25 June 2024).
Which visas does the ban cover?
The official list has six subclasses: Temporary Graduate (485), Visitor (600), Electronic Travel Authority (601), Medical Treatment (602), eVisitor (651) and Maritime Crew (988). A Visitor visa holder may still study for up to three months; anyone who wants longer must apply for a student visa from outside Australia, while applications lodged onshore before 1 July 2024 continue to be processed (Study Australia – Changes to onshore Student visa applications, 17 June 2024). The official student visa page still states the rule: Visitor, Temporary Graduate and Maritime Crew visa holders cannot apply onshore (Study Australia – Student visa subclass 500, as at September 2026).
What are the new numbers?
| Item | Before | After | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa application charge | A$710 | A$1,600 | 1 July 2024 | ABC News |
| Student visa application charge | A$1,600 | A$2,000 | 1 July 2025 | SBS News |
| Student visa application charge | A$2,000 | A$2,500 | 1 July 2026 | Study Australia |
| Financial capacity for living costs (single student, per year) | A$24,505 | A$29,710 | 10 May 2024 | Study Australia |
| Minimum English for a student visa | IELTS 5.5 | IELTS 6.0 or equivalent | 23 March 2024 | Study Australia |
| English for an ELICOS course before the main course | IELTS 4.5 | IELTS 5.0 | 23 March 2024 | Study Australia |
| Intention test | Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) | Genuine Student (GS) | 23 March 2024 | Study Australia |
| Age limit for the Temporary Graduate visa | up to 50 | 35 or under (research and PhD graduates up to 50) | 1 July 2024 | SBS News, SBS News |
Financial capacity
The A$24,505 figure had taken effect on 1 October 2023 as the first update since 2019 (Study Australia – Change to evidence of financial capacity, 6 September 2023), and was raised to A$29,710 for applications lodged from 10 May 2024 (Study Australia). The amount covers living costs only; course fees and travel are added when you show financial capacity (Study Australia – How to apply for your visa).
English
The test result must be no more than one year old at the date of the visa application; foundation and pathway programs need IELTS 5.5; and the Temporary Graduate visa rose from 6.0 to 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component (Study Australia – English Language Requirements changes, 25 March 2024). Note that a university’s entry requirement may be higher than the visa requirement; check your course page.
Genuine Student
Since 23 March 2024 applicants answer targeted questions about their circumstances at home, why they chose the course and how it will benefit them, in place of the earlier statement of intent (Study Australia – How to apply for your visa).
Processing priority
In December 2024 Ministerial Direction 111 replaced Direction 107: applications are "high priority" until a provider reaches 80% of its indicative allocation and "standard priority" after that (SBS News, 1 January 2025). For the student this affects waiting time, not the decision.
What does this mean for a Saudi student today?
- Apply from Saudi Arabia: for anyone not already in Australia on a valid student visa, the only route is an offshore application after the offer and confirmation of enrolment. Do not travel on a visitor visa hoping to switch.
- Budget A$2,500 for the charge: that is the primary applicant’s fee from 1 July 2026 (Study Australia).
- Scholarship students and financial capacity: a final unconditional offer is required for the scholarship in every track (Ministry of Education – Conditions); the scholarship documents issued after it go into the visa file. Check the required format with the Saudi Cultural Mission. Self-funded students show A$29,710 for living costs plus fees and travel.
- English before the visa: test early, and keep the result within one year of the visa application date.
- Genuine Student answers: write them yourself, consistent with your major and your scholarship track.
For the conditions of the track you are applying to, see Arruaad track: conditions, majors and universities or the guide to all Saudi scholarship programs.
Steps to apply for a student visa after the changes
- Obtain a final offer and a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the university.
- Take an English test scoring at least IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, within one year of the application date.
- Prepare financial evidence: scholarship documents for a sponsored student, or bank statements covering A$29,710 for living costs plus fees and travel for a self-funded student (Study Australia).
- Buy Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full visa period; the application is refused without it (Study Australia).
- Answer the Genuine Student questions and lodge through ImmiAccount from Saudi Arabia, paying A$2,500 (Study Australia).
- Do not book non-refundable travel before the visa is granted.
KD helps you put together an offer and visa file that matches the current rules. Start with the application form or contact us before you book your English test.
Frequently asked questions
Not since 1 July 2024. A Visitor visa holder can study for up to three months only; anyone wanting longer must apply for the student visa from outside Australia.
A$2,500 for the primary applicant for applications lodged from 1 July 2026. It was A$710 before July 2024, then A$1,600, then A$2,000 from July 2025.
A$29,710 a year for living costs for a single student since 10 May 2024, plus course fees and travel. Scholarship students use their sponsorship documents.
6.0 or equivalent since 23 March 2024, and 5.0 for students starting with an ELICOS course. The result must be no more than one year old at application, and the university may require more for admission.
A set of targeted questions about your circumstances at home, why you chose the course and how it benefits you. It replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant statement on 23 March 2024.
The maximum age dropped to 35 from 1 July 2024, with research and PhD graduates eligible up to 50; the English score rose to IELTS 6.5; and holders can no longer apply for a student visa onshore.
In procedure, not eligibility: apply from Saudi Arabia after a final offer, pay the new charge, submit scholarship documents as financial evidence, and answer the Genuine Student questions consistently with your track.
Official sources
- Government further tightens student visa applications to stop ‘visa hopping’ — SBS News
- Changes to onshore Student visa applications — Study Australia (Australian Government)
- Your guide to Australian visa changes for 2024-25 — SBS News
- Visa fees for international students double, sparking outrage — ABC News
- Australia’s new $2,300 visa price increase and more key changes — SBS News
- Student Visa Application Charge increase — Study Australia (Australian Government)
- Student and Temporary Graduate visa changes: 2024 — Study Australia (Australian Government)
- Change to evidence of financial capacity for Student visas — Study Australia (Australian Government)
- English Language Requirements changes — Study Australia (Australian Government)
- How to apply for your visa — Study Australia (Australian Government)
- From language tests to age limits: the key Australian visa changes for 2024 — SBS News
- From skilled visas to ballots: how Australia’s migration changes could unfold in 2025 — SBS News
Ready to start?
KD International helps you choose a university, prepare your admission and visa file, and answers your questions about Saudi scholarships and studying in Australia. Apply now or message us on WhatsApp.
Last updated: 14 September 2026. Fees and requirements change; always confirm with the official source before deciding.
