Australian Student Visa: How To Apply From

6 mn read

If you are a Nigerian student aspiring to study in Australia, then you are in the right place. Applying for a study visa to Australia is regarded as one of the most difficult. But when you have the correct information, it turns out to be as easy as a piece of cake. Now, let’s guide you on how to apply for an Australian student visa from Nigeria.

Australia is one of the most preferred study abroad destinations for international students because of its standard education system and lively cultural life.

For Nigerian students to study in Australia, they are required to obtain what is called a student visa, which is the Student Visa (Subclass 500). This visa allows you to study and work in Australia until the completion of the study program.

Why Study in Australia?

Australia is considered one of the best countries to study because of the quality of education, research opportunities, and cultural diversity of the country. Certificates obtained from our Australian schools are globally recognized.

In addition, the Australian economy is among the best in the world. International students can work 20 hours a week with an hourly pay of $23.23.

Australia Student Visa Application Process

There are also several visa application processes before applicants are granted the visas they need for travel. They are:

Prepare your documents: You must obtain all of the necessary documents, which include your COE, passport, proof of financial support, and health insurance.

Submit your application. Use the website of the Department of Home Affairs to submit the application and pay the fees for the visa.

Biometrics Appointment: Go for a biometrics appointment at the Australian embassy in Nigeria at a set date and time.

Attend a Visa Interview: Attend the visa interview at the consulate and wait for the visa outcome. The processing time for Australia student visa can take up to 4-6 weeks.

Documents for Student Visa for Australia

To apply for an Australian student visa, Nigerian students must meet several requirements:

Passport
Visa Application Form
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): Your school will give you this
Proof of funds
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay.
Academic Certificates and Transcripts
English Proficiency Test Results: Like IELTS or TOEFL
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Statement
Passport-sized Photographs
Police Character Certificate
Visa Fee

How To Apply For An Australian Student Visa From Nigeria

1. Complete the online application form.

The first thing you need to do when you apply for an Australian visa is to register with the Australian immigration department by opening up an ImmiAccount.

Open an ImmiAccount: Go to the Australian immigration website and create an ImmiAccount. Input your personal information, and make sure you set a strong password.

Complete the Online Forms: After creating an account, complete the online application form. Be very careful here; make sure all the details you enter correspond to the information in your documents.

2. Upload Your Data

Once you have filled out all your forms, the next step is to upload all the necessary documents. Scan and attach documents: To complete this section, you’ll need to scan and upload copies of the following documents:

Your passport (biometric page)
Academic transcripts and certificates
Certification of English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL).
Recent passport photograph
Official documents such as bank statements, pay slips, income tax returns, and others show that you can support yourself during your stay in Australia.
Proof of health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover, or OSHC).
Any other supporting documents as required by the visa regime
Certified Copies.

Submit Documents: After completing all the necessary documents, attach them to your online application.

3. Book an Appointment with TLS Contact

Once your online application and document upload are complete, you need to book an appointment with TLS Contact. TLScontact is in partnership with the Australian government to assist Nigerian visa applicants.

TLScontact has offices in Lagos and Abuja.

Lagos: Etiebet’s Place, 21 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

Abuja: Third floor, El-Yakub Building beside Metro Plaza, Plot 1129 Zakariya Maimalari Street, Central Business District, Abuja.

Book Your Appointment: Visit the TLScontact website to schedule your appointment. This appointment is for the verification of your documents and the capture of your biometric details.

4. Capture Your Biometric Details

On the day of your appointment, head to the TLS contact office to have your biometric details captured. Make sure that you have your appointment confirmation and any other required documents.

After the biometric process and you have paid your application fee, you will receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN). You can monitor the status of your online visa application with this number.

Visa Application Fees and Processing Time

Visa Fees

The student visa application fee is subject to change. As of now, the fee is AUD 620. Additional costs may include biometric fees and health examination costs.

Processing Time

The average time taken to process an Australian student visa is anything between 4 and 6 weeks. However, this may take some time, particularly during intake period.

How to prepare for an Australian student visa interview

1) Know Your Course and School: Ensure that you know what you want to study and why you want to study at that particular school. Describe the course, how it fits into your career growth, and why Australia is the best country for it.

2) Be Genuine: When they ask why you want to study in Australia, it is important to be honest. Talk about quality education, and how it will benefit you, personally and professionally.

3) Show financial proof. Provide evidence that you take care of yourself financially. Make sure you have these documents with you: bank statements, scholarship approval letter (If available).

4) Know Your Post-Study Plans: Be prepared to answer questions about what you intend to do after completing your education. If it is to go home and contribute to the development of Nigeria, or if it is to further your studies,

5) Practice Common Questions: Rehearse with the usual interview questions, such as “Why this course?” “Why this university?” and “How will this degree benefit your career?” Be natural but well-prepared.

6) Dress appropriately. First impressions matter. Dress formally; just look neat and professional.

Be confident. Confidence is key. It is quite simple: speak loud and clear, keep eye contact, and do not hurry with answers.

Possible interview questions for an Australian student visa

Why do you want to study in Australia?

Answer: Australia provides good-quality education and a diverse society. This aspect of the program is appealing since I hope to learn from some of the best institutions and be exposed to different cultures.

What course have you chosen, and why?

Answer: I have chosen to study engineering because it has always been my passion. Australia’s universities are renowned for their engineering programs, and I believe this will provide me with the best education to achieve my career goals.

How did you choose the university you applied to?

Answer: I chose the University of Sydney because of its excellent reputation, strong alumni network, and the availability of the specific engineering program I am interested in. The university’s facilities and resources also played a significant role in my decision.

Do you have any relatives in Australia?

Answer: No, I do not have any relatives in Australia. However, I am looking forward to making new friends and building a support network through the university’s student community.

How do you plan to fund your studies?

Answer: My parents have saved diligently for my education, and I also have a partial scholarship from the university. In addition, I plan to work part-time within the allowed hours to support my living expenses.

What are your plans after completing your studies?

Answer: After completing my studies, I intend to return to Nigeria to contribute to the engineering sector. I am passionate about applying the skills and knowledge I will gain in Australia to help develop infrastructure and technology in my home country.

Why should we grant you a student visa?

Answer: I am a dedicated and hardworking student with a clear plan for my education and career. Studying in Australia will not only benefit me but also contribute to my field and community back in Nigeria. I am committed to adhering to all visa regulations and making the most of this opportunity.

Common Reasons for Australian Student Visa Rejection

a) Incomplete Documents: You cannot go and apply with half-baked documents. Ensure that all documents submitted, including your passport, financial statements, etc., are accurate and complete.

b) Insufficient Funds: The Australian government would like to ensure you have adequate money to fend for yourself. If you do not have enough money in your bank account (savings), the Australian visa officer will not issue you a study visa.

c) Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement: You have to assure them that the desire to study and not to find a way to Japa. The GTE statement provides an overview of your study plans, your career prospects upon completion of the course, and why you will return to Nigeria.

d) Course Relevance: You should prove that the course you plan to pursue is relevant to your past academic or professional background. If they fail to find anything related, they will think you are not serious.

f) English Language Proficiency: You have to do this with tests like IELTS or TOEFL to show that you are fluent in English. If one does not attain the required score, there are few chances of a visa being granted.

These are just a few reasons. However, if you want to make your dream come true, avoid these pitfalls and ensure you do your research well before applying.