The Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) has one of the highest refusal rates of any visa category. Most refusals are not because the applicant was ineligible; they are because of avoidable mistakes in the application. Here are the 10 most common errors I see, and how to prevent each one.
The GS requirement (Direction 106, March 2024) is consistently the leading reason Student visa applications are refused. If you get nothing else right, get your GS statement right.
1. A generic or templated GS statement
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement under Direction No. 106 (effective 23 March 2024, replacing the old GTE) is consistently reported as the leading reason Student visa applications are refused. Case officers read thousands of these statements. If yours reads like a template downloaded from the internet, it will fail. Your GS statement must be personal, specific, and address the six factors set out in Direction 106: your current circumstances, your ties to your home country, why this course and provider, how the course advances your career, your immigration history, and why now.
2. Not understanding what "Genuine Student" actually means
Direction 106 replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement in March 2024. The shift is significant: under GTE, the focus was on whether you genuinely intended to leave Australia after study. Under GS, the focus is on whether you are a genuine student: someone who genuinely intends to study. The distinction matters because the questions you must answer and the evidence you must provide are different. If your statement still uses the old GTE framing, it signals you have not engaged with the current requirements.
3. Insufficient or inconsistent financial evidence
You must show you can cover tuition, living costs (prescribed under Schedule 5A at AUD $29,710 per year for the student), OSHC, and travel. A common mistake is showing only one year of funding for a multi-year course. Another is making a sudden large deposit into your bank account just before applying, which triggers immediate scrutiny. The Department wants to see that funds have been accumulated over time and are genuinely available to you.
4. Using the wrong English test
Not all English tests are accepted. The following are NOT accepted: IELTS Online, TOEFL Home Edition, PTE Online, OET@Home, and computer-based CAE taken from 12 February 2024. Additionally, TOEFL iBT tests taken between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 are not accepted. You also cannot "club" scores across multiple sittings; your result must come from a single test sitting. Check the current accepted test list before booking.
5. Not disclosing criminal history (even spent convictions)
Under Section 85ZZH of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), foreign spent convictions are not recognised for immigration purposes. This means you must declare criminal history even if it has been spent in your home country. Non-disclosure triggers PIC 4020, which carries a 3-year exclusion from any Australian visa (10-year exclusion for identity fraud). The non-disclosure is treated as worse than the underlying offence.
6. Letting OSHC lapse even one day
Condition 8501 requires you to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your visa. If your OSHC lapses even for a single day, it is a breach of your visa condition and can lead to cancellation. Make sure your OSHC policy covers the full visa period before you apply, and set a renewal reminder well before expiry.
7. Ignoring the 6-month transfer restriction
Under the ESOS Act 2000, if you are already studying in Australia on a Student visa and want to change providers, you generally must have completed at least 6 months of your principal course. The restriction runs from the commencement of your principal course, not from any packaged ELICOS or foundation course. Transferring before this period without an exception can jeopardise your visa.
8. Choosing a course that does not align with your background
If you have a degree in engineering and 5 years of work experience, applying for a Certificate III in Hospitality will raise obvious questions. The GS requirement asks you to explain why this course, why now. If your course choice does not make sense in the context of your academic and professional background, your statement needs to address that gap directly and convincingly.
9. Applying without a valid CoE
A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for a CRICOS-registered course is a validity requirement. Without it, your application is not valid and will not be processed. Make sure your education provider has issued the CoE before you lodge. If your CoE is cancelled or expires before a decision is made, your application can fail.
10. Missing an RFI deadline
If the Department sends a Request for Further Information, you must respond by the deadline stated in the letter (this varies by visa type and circumstance). Missing this deadline can result in a refusal based on the information already provided. If you need more time, request an extension before the deadline expires, not after.
How to get your GS statement right
- Write it yourself: do not use a template or have someone else write it for you
- Address all six topics required by Direction 106
- Be specific: name the course, the provider, and why this one over alternatives
- Explain how the course connects to your career goals and home country opportunities
- Aim for 1,000 to 2,000 words: long enough to be thorough, short enough to be read
Need help with your Student visa application?
Our Student Visa Info Pack includes GS statement templates, document checklists, financial evidence guides, and step-by-step instructions aligned with Direction 106, so your application is complete and accurate.
About the Author
Matilda, MARN 0958254
A Registered Migration Agent with 16+ years in migration and thousands of consultations across every major visa pathway.
General information only, not personal migration advice. Legislative references and fees are current as at July 2026 but change periodically. Always confirm the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website before applying.
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