Australia remains one of the top destinations for international students — but with recent changes to student visa requirements, especially the Genuine Student (GS) criteria, applicants must now be better prepared and more transparent than ever before.
In this complete guide, we break down every essential aspect of the Subclass 500 visa — from undergraduate and postgraduate eligibility, English and financial requirements, to bringing dependents. If you’re seeking guidance from the best study visa consultant in Lahore, this one’s for you.
📘 What is the GS Requirement?
Earlier known as Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE), Australia has now introduced Genuine Student (GS) checks — shifting the focus from “temporary stay” to the overall genuineness and readiness of the student.
Your Statement of Purpose (SOP) must clearly cover:
Your current academic and work status
Family ties and home country connection
Justification for choosing Australia, your course, and your university
How the course links to your previous education and future career goals
Financial preparedness
This SOP plays a critical role in visa decision-making — especially if you’re applying for Study in Australia with Dependents under Subclass 500.
🎓 Undergraduate Admissions — Requirements & Pathway Options
If you’re applying for an Undergraduate Program, here’s what you need:
✅ Academic Requirements: 50–60% in Intermediate (F.Sc/FA)
✅ Gap: Maximum 8 months after completion of Intermediate
✅ English Language Proficiency:
You can also start with a Diploma leading to a Degree, especially through trusted pathway providers like Navitas and UP Education. These allow you to enter prestigious universities such as:
This is a flexible, visa-friendly route with good academic and career outcomes.
Add Your 🎓 Postgraduate Admissions — Key Guidelines
For students applying to Postgraduate (Master’s) courses:
✅ Academic Requirements: A recognized 4-year Bachelor’s Honours degree
✅ University Recognition: Must be listed under NOOSR (National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition) (N.B. As it is a subscription based list – you may have to contact your local agent like Aptitude Consultants to get assessment of your university)
✅ Assessment Level of University: Visa chances are better when applying to Level 1 institutions.
💡 Choosing a Group of Eight (Go8) university or any Level 1 university drastically improves your visa success ratio. These universities are considered low-risk by the Australian government and usually have a better acceptance and visa approval rate.
✅ English Language Proficiency:
IELTS: 6.5 overall with no band less than 6.0
PTE: 58 minimum (course-dependent)
Even if your past education was in English and any university is giving you admission on the basis of Medium of Instruction Letter (MOI); submitting IELTS or PTE scores is still recommended for visa credibility.
💰 Financial Requirements — GS & Visa Compliance
To qualify under GS for financial preparedness, you must show one or both of the following:
Option 1: Income-Based Proof
AUD $72,465 annual income
Government-issued income proof, tax returns, and documentation of employment/income source required
Option 2: Bank Statement-Based Proof
3 to 6 months old active bank statement
Tuition fee parked or paid
OHSC (Overseas Student Health Cover) must be included
Living expenses: AUD $29,710
Travel cost: approx. AUD $2,000
All transactions must be traceable and justifiable — unexplained deposits raise red flags
💡 Pro Tip: Provide both income and bank statement proof to present a watertight case and increase your visa approval probability.
👨👩👧 Studying with Dependents — Subclass 500 Family Route
Yes, the Subclass 500 visa allows you to bring dependents — such as a spouse or children — but doing so makes your file more sensitive and complex.
To apply with dependents:
You must have a very strong SOP
Your financials must support all living costs for your family
You should justify why your family needs to accompany you during study
We recommend a case-by-case assessment to evaluate whether it’s the right time to include dependents or delay that step.
Study In Australia🏆 Why Choose Aptitude Consultants?
At Aptitude Consultants, we offer personalized, transparent, and honest advice to help students reach their academic goals abroad.
We are proud to be recognized as:
Best Study Visa Consultant in Lahore
Trusted Overseas Education Consultant in Lahore
Your go-to Study in Australia Agent for UG, PG, and dependent cases
From choosing a Level 1 or Go8 university to building a perfect SOP and preparing visa documentation, we handle it all.
📞 Get in touch today to start your journey to Australia with confidence — and let the experts handle your Subclass 500 visa with clarity and care.
