Australia Student Visa Requirements for Nigeria 2024

Australia is one of the best countries in the world for study because of its cultural diversity, quality standard of education and vibrant city life.

Little wonder several Nigerians desire to continue their academic pursuit in the country.

Studying in Australia could positively affect your career trajectory and could be rewarding in future.

But how would a Nigerian go about the daunting process of applying for an Australian student visa?

If this is your concern, you should worry no more as this article is for you!

Here, we will discuss the Australian student visa requirements for Nigeria and other relevant information.

But before we proceed, let’s briefly discuss what an Australian student visa is.

Australian Student Visa

The Australian Student Visa also referred to as Subclass 500 is the key to opening the door to your education in Australia.

The student visa enables individuals to travel to Australia to further their education.

With the visa, you live and work while you study (you can work for 40 hours!) for a maximum period of 5 years in line with the program you choose.

The Australian student visa also enables you to:

• Partake in an eligible program
• Bring your family with you to Australia
• Travel within and outside Australia
• Earn money while you learn

Classes of the Australian Student Visa

Under the Subclass 500, there are different types of student visas depending on your level of education.

The following are the classes for an Australian student visa;

• Schools – Subclass 571
• Independent ELICOS – Subclass 570
• Higher Education Sector Visa – Subclass 573
• Postgraduate Research Sector Visa – Subclass 574

Schools – Subclass 571

This class is for parents or guardians who want their children to pursue primary and secondary education in Australia.

This enables students to be part of exchange programs.

Independent ELICOS – Subclass 570

ELICOS which stands for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students is another class under the Subclass 500.

This may be the ideal course for Nigerian students who want to take English language courses.

Higher Education Sector Visa – Subclass 573

This is probably the most popular class for Nigerians. This is the ideal class for Nigerians who wish to pursue their undergraduate studies in Australia.

Postgraduate Research Sector Visa – Subclass 574

If you want to pursue your master’s or postgraduate studies, then this class is for you. It enables you to study for two to three years depending on your course of study.

Requirements for Australian Student Visa in Nigeria

International students including Nigerians are required to meet the following requirements before they can obtain an Australian student visa:

1. GTE Requirement
2. A Valid Nigerian International Passport
3. Recent Passport Photographs
4. Admission or Acceptance Letter
5. Language Proficiency Test Result
6. Proof of Financial Ability
7. Transcripts, Academic Certificates and Resume
8. Statement of Purpose
9. Proof of Good Character
10. Proof of Good Health

GTE Requirement

GTE stands for Genuine Temporary Entrant and it was introduced in November 2011.

This is to show that you genuinely intend to stay in Australia for a limited time for education or to come with a student as a guardian or dependent which could be a spouse or child.

Before you can be eligible for a student visa, the Department of Home Affairs will take consider the following:

• The circumstances of your home country, which in this case is Nigeria.
• Possible circumstances for you in Australia.
• The value of your desired program.
• The history of your immigration.
• You may also be requested to be interviewed at the Australian embassy or consulate.

A Valid Nigerian International Passport

You would need a valid international passport to apply for an Australian student visa. Your passport is valid when it is not more than six (6) months.

If you observe that your passport’s expiry date is near, then renew it as soon as possible.

Recent Passport Photographs

You would also require two passport-sized photos(you can have more, just in case!) that are recent.

Recent in this case means the photo must not be more than 6 months old.

The image must be clear with a plain background and a consistent neutral facial expression.

Admission or Acceptance Letter

This is crucial in your application process and it would serve as proof that you have been enrolled in an Australian school.

This acceptance letter or admission offer would also prove that you are coming to Australia for education purposes.

Language Proficiency Test Result

A recent English language result would be required to be submitted. This proves that you can communicate fluently in the English language. The test could either be CEA, IELTS or TOEFL.

Proof of Financial Ability

You would need to prove that you are financially capable when applying for your Australian student visa.

It is to show that you would have enough funds to cover your tuition and living expenses.

This is usually in form of a bank statement which could be either yours, your parents or your sponsor.

If you are going to study on a scholarship, then you must provide your scholarship letter.

Transcripts, Academic Certificates and Resume

You would need to submit your original copies of transcripts from the schools you have attended in the past.

Academic certificates such as WAEC, NECO etc and your resume are also necessary for the application process.

These documents prove that you have a good academic history and you can grasp what you are going to be taught when you commence your studies.

Statement of Purpose

This is not mandatory but including a statement of purpose in your application can help consular officers see why they should grant you your visa thereby giving you an edge.

This letter should show why you are visiting Australia to study, why you chose your university and your goals.

Proof of Good Character

Australia has zero tolerance for crimes and embraces law-abiding individuals.

To prove that you are of good character and have no criminal record, you may be required to submit a Police Character Certificate.

Proof of Good Health

You would need to prove that you are sickness-free and this can be done by tendering a medical certificate.

As a Nigerian student, you may be obliged to purchase the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

You can get this from your school or any of the five approved providers.

Application Process for Australian Student Visa in Nigeria

The following are the procedures for Nigerian students to apply for an Australian visa;

How much does the Australian Student Visa Cost?

The Australian student visa fees vary per time, however, it costs AUD650.

You can pay the visa fees online through PayPal, Mastercard etc.

It is advisable to have extra funds to cover extra fees.

What is the Processing Time for Australian Student Visa

Although there is no exact processing time for the visa application, it may take about four weeks.

However, some factors can delay the processing time and this is why it is important to meet all the eligibility requirements. These factors include:

• Need for more medical tests or referrals.
• Verification of documents.
• Incomplete applications.

Conclusion

Applying for a student visa as a Nigerian could be lengthy and challenging.

However, we hope this article has helped to make your journey easier.

Bear in mind that you must meet all the eligibility requirements and pay the required fees for your visa application to be successful.