Australia student visa: the official document checklist

In short: the Student visa (subclass 500) for Australia asks for 7 documents from every applicant, and 12 more when they apply to you. This list follows the official checklist of the Australia authorities, read on 16 October 2026. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Where applicants in Pakistan submit: Apply online through ImmiAccount from Pakistan. If biometrics are requested you get a letter and have 14 days to give fingerprints and a photo at an Australian biometrics collection centre in Pakistan; health exams follow the referral letter in ImmiAccount.

Passport: Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and issue and expiry dates. No extra validity rule found on the page read.

Documents every applicant needs (7)

• Online application in ImmiAccount
  Apply online, usually from outside Australia. Scan or photograph every document in colour; it must be readable; save a multi-page document as 1 file. Re-check the Document Checklist Tool (by passport country and provider) just before you submit. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Current passport pages showing your photo, personal details, and issue and expiry dates (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• National identity card, if you have one (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
  For a full-time course registered on CRICOS, for all intended courses. Must be valid when you lodge and when the visa is decided. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Genuine Student answers (in the online form) and supporting documents
  Answer in English; each question has a 150 word limit. Attach supporting documents in ImmiAccount. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  Paid cover for the whole visa period for everyone in the application; no gap between policies. Without OSHC details the application is refused. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Polio vaccination certificate When: Applying from outside Australia after time in a polio-risk country - Pakistan is on the current list
  Evidence of a dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) within 12 months of travel; a visa officer will advise. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Documents that depend on your situation (12)

• Proof of change of name (marriage or divorce certificate or change of name documents) When: If your name has changed (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Evidence of English language ability When: If the Document Checklist Tool asks for it, unless exempt
  Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025: IELTS Academic 6.0, PTE Academic 47, TOEFL iBT 67 (lower scores if packaged with at least 10 or 20 weeks of ELICOS). From 21 January 2026 TOEFL takers must select 'Taking TOEFL for Australia'. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Evidence you have enough money for your stay When: If the Document Checklist Tool asks for it; it may still be asked for later
  Figures as printed: 12-month living costs 'students - AUD29,710'; travel 'AUD2,000 for travel costs if you are applying from anywhere else outside Australia'; plus the first 12 months of course fees. Explain the source of deposits with recent bank transaction statements; 'Providing a bank balance certificate across a single day does not show us how you increased your funds.' (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Evidence of parents' or partner's annual income When: Alternative to showing money
  Printed: 'personal annual income of at least AUD87,856 in the 12 months before you apply'. Official government documents such as tax assessments less than 12 months old; bank statements or direct evidence from an employer are not accepted. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Evidence of the person who gives you money When: If someone else provides your funds
  Evidence of your relationship with them, their identity documents, and evidence of any support they gave you or another student before. If money comes through a business, proof the business is operating. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Scholarship or similar financial support When: If you rely on a scholarship (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Evidence of course fees already paid When: If you deduct fees already paid
  A receipt or Confirmation of Enrolment. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Health examinations When: If ImmiAccount shows you need them
  Follow the medical referral letter with your HAP ID. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Form 1229 consent or a statutory declaration from each parent or legal guardian When: If you are under 18
  Plus identity documents showing the signer's signature and photo, and sole-custody evidence if only one parent consents. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Birth certificate showing the names of the parents When: If you are under 18
  A ceremonial or notarial certificate is not sufficient. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Welfare arrangement: CAAW from your provider, or a nominated guardian (Form 157N) When: If you are under 18 (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• English translations of all non-English documents When: Any document not in English
  Translators outside Australia need not be accredited, but each translation must show their full name, address and telephone number, and qualifications and experience in the language, in English. 'You do not need to have any documents certified.' (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

If you apply from another country

Each mission publishes its own list. What the official checklist for applicants in these countries adds or says differently:

Applying from Bangladesh

Department of Home Affairs; apply online in ImmiAccount. Bangladesh is in the biometrics program; VFS Global in Bangladesh collects biometrics and offers paid online-application help. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

• Biometrics (fingerprints and facial image) (Required) When: If you apply from Bangladesh for a visa in the biometrics program.
  Give biometrics at an Australian Visa Application Centre run by VFS Global in Bangladesh. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in Bangladesh

Applying from China

Apply online (ImmiAccount) to the Department of Home Affairs; no China-specific checklist. China is not in Schedule 1 (lower TB risk) of the health instrument read today, so a health check is needed for stays of 6 months or more.

• Health examinations (medical examination, chest x-ray) (If it applies to you) When: Stay of 6 months or more and China counts as a higher TB-risk country (citizenship, or 3+ consecutive months there in the last 5 years)
  Medical examination; chest x-ray if aged 11 or older; serum creatinine/eGFR if aged 15 or older (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in China

Applying from India

Department of Home Affairs; apply online in ImmiAccount. The Australian High Commission New Delhi says India is NOT in the biometrics program. No India-specific student checklist found; use the Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool. items: [] means nothing origin-specific could be confirmed today, not that the general list fully applies. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Applying from Malaysia

Apply online (ImmiAccount) to the Department of Home Affairs; no Malaysia-specific checklist. Malaysia is not in Schedule 1 (lower TB risk) of the health instrument read today.

• Health examinations (medical examination, chest x-ray) (If it applies to you) When: Stay of 6 months or more and Malaysia counts as a higher TB-risk country (citizenship, or 3+ consecutive months there in the last 5 years)
  Medical examination; chest x-ray if aged 11 or older; serum creatinine/eGFR if aged 15 or older (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in Malaysia

Applying from Nepal

Apply online through ImmiAccount (Department of Home Affairs); no separate Nepal-specific student checklist page was found.

• Health examinations (medical exam and chest x-ray) (If it applies to you) When: Nepal is not on Australia's list of countries with low risk of tuberculosis, so it counts as higher risk. Needed when your stay will be 6 months or more.
  medical examination; chest x-ray (if aged 11 years or older); serum creatinine/eGFR (if aged 15 years or older). More tests if you will study or work in health care. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Applying from Nigeria

Apply online through ImmiAccount (Department of Home Affairs); no separate Nigeria-specific student checklist page was found.

• Health examinations (medical exam and chest x-ray) (If it applies to you) When: Nigeria is not on Australia's list of countries with low risk of tuberculosis, so it counts as higher risk. Needed when your stay will be 6 months or more.
  medical examination; chest x-ray (if aged 11 years or older); serum creatinine/eGFR (if aged 15 years or older). More tests if you will study or work in health care. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in Nigeria

Applying from Saudi Arabia

Apply online through ImmiAccount (Department of Home Affairs); no separate Saudi-specific student checklist page was found.

• Health examinations (If it applies to you) When: Saudi Arabia is on Australia's list of countries with low risk of tuberculosis: generally no health examinations are needed unless special circumstances apply (for example study or work in health care, childcare, or time spent in a higher-risk country). (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in Saudi Arabia

Applying from Sri Lanka

Apply online through ImmiAccount (Department of Home Affairs); no separate Sri Lanka-specific student checklist page was found.

• Health examinations (medical exam and chest x-ray) (If it applies to you) When: Sri Lanka is not on Australia's list of countries with low risk of tuberculosis, so it counts as higher risk. Needed when your stay will be 6 months or more.
  medical examination; chest x-ray (if aged 11 years or older); serum creatinine/eGFR (if aged 15 years or older). More tests if you will study or work in health care. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Applying from United Arab Emirates

Apply online through ImmiAccount (Department of Home Affairs); no separate UAE-specific student checklist page was found.

• Health examinations (If it applies to you) When: The United Arab Emirates is on Australia's list of countries with low risk of tuberculosis: generally no health examinations are needed unless special circumstances apply (for example study or work in health care, childcare, or time spent in a higher-risk country). (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in United Arab Emirates

Applying from United Kingdom

Apply online (ImmiAccount). The United Kingdom (British citizen) is in Schedule 1 (lower TB risk), so no health examination is needed unless special circumstances apply. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in United Kingdom

Applying from United States

Apply online (ImmiAccount). The USA is in Schedule 1 (lower TB risk), so no health examination is needed unless special circumstances apply (e.g. health-care studies). (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in United States

How to prepare each document

Visa application form

• Fill it online exactly as your passport (FF Assistant can fill it); print and sign the confirmation where asked.

Passport

• Valid for the whole stay plus the margin the country asks (often 6 months beyond).
• At least two blank visa pages.
• Scan the photo page in colour, flat, all four corners visible.
• If you renewed it, keep the old passport too.

Official verification: Only the issuing authority can confirm a passport; we never call it genuine.

National identity card (front and back)

• Scan both sides in colour.
• A side not in English needs a certified translation if the country asks.

Official verification: Only the national registry that issued it can confirm it.

Marriage certificate

• Only if a spouse comes with you or is your sponsor.
• Computerised certificate, translated and attested as the checklist asks.

Official verification: The issuing registry.

Admission document

• The document the visa asks for (CAS, I-20, CoE, LoA, admission letter).
• Every detail must match your passport.

Official verification: The university can confirm it; ask its admissions office by e-mail.

Letter of motivation / statement of purpose

• Your own words: why this course, this university, this country, and your plan after.
• Respect the page or word limit (often at most 2 pages).
• It must match your form and papers.

English (or other language) test result

• The test and score the university and visa accept (for the UK a UKVI SELT where asked).
• Valid on the date you apply.

Official verification: The test provider's online result check.

Bank statement

• The period and balance the country asks, never dropping below the amount.
• Printed after the holding period, recent on the day you apply.
• Signed and stamped by the bank, or e-mailed by the bank where the mission asks.

Official verification: Only the bank can confirm a statement; we never call it genuine.

Sponsor's income and tax papers

• Tax returns for 2 to 3 years, salary slips, an employer letter or business papers that explain the balance.

Official verification: The tax authority that issued the returns.

Sponsor's identity card

• Both sides, in colour.

Official verification: The national registry that issued it.

Scholarship letter

• The award letter with the amount and what it covers.

Official verification: The awarding body.

Tuition deposit receipt

• Pay only to the account on the university's own website.
• Keep the bank transfer slip and the university's receipt.

Official verification: The university's receipt is the proof.

Health insurance

• Cover for the whole stay from the day you enter, with the minimum the country states.

Official verification: The insurer.

Vaccination certificate

• As the country or airline asks (for example polio).

Official verification: The issuing body.

Medical or TB test

• Only at the clinics the country approves; still valid on the day you apply.

Official verification: The approved clinic.

Parents' consent (under 18)

• Signed by both parents, with copies of their IDs, as the checklist asks.

Official verification: The notary.

Birth certificate

• The computerised certificate from the civil registry.
• English version or a certified translation.
• Attested or apostilled if the checklist says so.

Official verification: The civil registry that issued it.

Accommodation

• Housing contract, university hall confirmation or a host's letter, if the checklist asks.

Official verification: The landlord or university.

Certified translation

• Any paper not in English (or the country's language), translated by a qualified translator who signs and dates it.
• Keep the original and the translation together.

Official verification: The translator's registration.

These preparation points are practical guidance; the official checklist decides what is asked.

Related

• Australia student visa: cost, money and steps
• Getting your papers ready, country by country

ForiForeign prepares and guides; you file your own application and the Australia authorities decide. Checklists change: open the official source before you submit.

ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.

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