As the Australian attitude towards international education is getting more advanced, the replacement of the long-standing Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with the Genuine Student (GS) requirement surely emerged as one of the most essential alterations in student visa policy. So, what does this change entail for international students? What does the GS requirement differ from that of GTE? What is more important, what is it you should include, and how is it graded?
GTE vs. GS Requirement
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) was required of all applicants of the Australia Student Visa to be met before March 2024. The GTE was aimed at verifying that students were, indeed, motivated to come to Australia, temporarily, with the main motive of studying and not as a condition to become a permanent resident or long-term resident.
What changed?
As of 23 March 2024, the GTE was discontinued and replaced by the GS-Genuine Student requirement that is to be applied by the Australian Government. This change indicates the changing priorities of the Australian migration policy that not only the idea of temporary residence should be taken into consideration, but also the sincerity of the applicant in the intentions concerning their education in Australia.
Although the two requirements are meant to sift out the non-genuine applicants, there are notable differences:
- GTE: Strictly demanded a written statement wherein the applicants demonstrated that they will be staying temporarily, and will return home once they complete their education.
- GS: At the online application form, the applicants will not be required to provide a generic statement; instead, they will be asked to respond to some structured questions concerning their true intent as a student, the relevance of the course, and the contribution skills they will add to Australia once they arrive.
The Genuine Student Requirement Questions
The central theme of the GS requirement is the answers you give when filling out your online Student Visa (Subclass 500) application. You will have to respond to a series of particular questions- all aimed at evaluating motivation, background, ties, and plans:
1. Current Circumstances
It involves your family, community, and employment relations, as well as your financial condition. Indeed, immigration will focus on knowing your life circumstances in your home country or the country where you are residing.
2. Reasons for Studying in Australia
- What is it about the course you have chosen to study in Australia that has made you decide to do it, and with this education provider?
- What is it, what do you know about the course, the provider, and what you need to study and live in Australia?
3. Benefits of Completing the Course
- In what ways will you benefit personally/professionally with the course?
- Do your selected studies relate clearly to your career objective?
4. Other Relevant Information
Other details deemed to be essential in their case may be included in the application of the applicants.
What to Include in the Genuine Student Requirement
To prove that you are a true student, you must be able to offer detailed, specific, highly documented evidence. This is to be in association with the answers given on the application form.
What you will need to include is this:
1. Previous Study
- Valuing, accrual of educational certificates, and grade sheets.
- Names of every provider of education.
- The timeframe of every academic term.
- A word or an achievement certificate.
2. Previous Study in Australia (if applicable)
- Complete history of all the study records in Australia.
- Reasons as to why there are changes in courses or education providers.
- Progress report of courses, and unless due to illness, etc., reasons as to why there would be any gap in studies going beyond two months.
- And any other (e.g., suspensions, request to transfer, medical certificate).
3. Current Employment
- Your current company, name, and mailing address.
- The particulars of all the jobs one has worked in and the period of stay.
- Contact information of a referee (a person who would attest to our employment history).
4. Ties to Home Country/Country of Residence
- Explanation of your family, community, and the workplace association.
- Explainable reasons as to why one cannot carry out a similar course at home, in case such a reason is present.
- Economic conditions, which can be specified as:
- Documentation of employment or a business operation has been conducted/ run in the last 12 months.
- The possibility of a job (with a salary, hopefully) upon graduation.
- Or, bank statements, tax returns, or any such reference to a form of financial stability.
How the Genuine Student Requirement is Assessed
The officers dealing with the GS requirement consider the requirement as a whole, rather than pinpointing one specific answer and calling it the magic answer. They think a host of aspects, such as:
1. Situations in Home Country/Country of Residence
- So why don’t you study in your home country when there is a similar program there?
- How strong are your personal, family, and employment relations in the home?
- Do we have special factors (e.g., political unrest, etc)?
2. Potential Situation in Australia
- To what extent do you know your course of choice, the institution, and the life of a student in Australia?
- How do you know your program/provider?
- Past academic achievement and credentials, and indeed whether your study plan appears to be rational.
- Do you sustain realistically and sustainably in terms of tuition and cost of living?
3. Value of the Course to Your Future
- There is no reason to exchange places when you have something similar in your home country.
- In the house, how good are your personal, family, and employment ties?
- Are there any special push factors to the people/communities (e., political unrest, lack of opportunities)?
4. Immigration History
- Any prior visa application either in Australia or to another country.
- Whether they have had any past visa denials or cancellations.
- Travel history.
Your Next Steps
The genuine student requirement aims to safeguard the integrity of Australian education, as well as support students who are genuinely determined to develop their skills and careers. Honestly and thoroughly complete the needed questions with good evidence, and it dramatically increases the possibility of passing the student visa..
When it comes to applying for a Student Visa (Subclass 500) and you need professional help with your GS requirement, we can help!
Ready to take the next step? Visit our Student Visa Assistance for personalized guidance, proven strategies, and peace of mind as you pursue your Australian education dream.
