Genuine Student Requirement resources

Genuine Student Requirement

Regardless of citizenship, ALL applicants must:

1. be a genuine student with the primary purpose of studying
2. have sufficient funds to study in Australia, supported by evidence

Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs GSR website for further information as to how the Genuine Student Requirement (GSR) is assessed.

GSR tips for agents

• carefully assess whether the applicant is a genuine student before submitting an application
• verify all supporting documents (this includes academic, work experience and financial documents). The University will report any cases of fraud to the Department of Home Affairs (“Department”)
• keep informed of changes to country Evidence Levels and in Department policy/trends. The University uses these to guide its decision making
• ensure application questions are answered correctly. Sometimes we receive responses that are inconsistent with documentation provided. For example, the response is “no” to “Have you ever applied for any type of visa for any other country?” however a visa refusal document is uploaded. This leads to delays and possible GSR refusal
• take steps to mitigate any risk factors (see examples below) by explaining them with supporting evidence. The best way to do this is to submit responses to the visa application questions [refer Attachment 1] together with supporting documentation
• do not leave it to the University to piece together information – this leads to unnecessary delays and possible GSR refusal
• note that the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement no longer applies so there is no need to be temporary/return home. Applicants are welcome to express non-temporary intentions e.g. Post Study Work if relevant
• if evidence of finance is requested, you must show how funds were accumulated (supplying only bank statements, term deposits etc is not enough). Refer further details below
• do NOT provide the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) or CoE number to the applicant or anyone else as they may lodge the student visa application themselves or ask someone else to lodge it for them. If you require an applicant to check the content of the visa application and/or the CoE, please redact the CoE Code so it cannot be used without your authority
• carefully prepare the student visa application bearing in mind that you will be given ONE opportunity to lodge it. Please be sure to:
  • disclose yourself as agent
  • provide all supporting documentation in a clear, comprehensive way so that it can be easily reconciled
  • if an articulation arrangement, please make this clear by explaining the arrangement with supporting documentation including credit (otherwise, the applicant may present risk in terms of incomplete studies)
  • ensure that the information you submitted to the University (and was approved) is submitted as part of the student visa application – DO NOT provide different information
  • ensure that the applicant answers the Genuine Student questions in their own words (no generic, copy and pasted or AI material) and within the word limit provided
  • do NOT provide a Genuine Student statement/SOP. All answers should be addressed within the word limit
  • ensure that applicants are prepared for any interview by the Department and ready to take calls at any time after submitting the visa application
  • respond to any questions from the Department within the timeframe (usually 28 days)

Failure to comply with any of the above presents risk of student visa refusal. For further information, please see the Department website, Check twice, submit once

Examples of risk factors

This is not an exhaustive list, but the following are some of the more common risk factors:

• Previous visa refusal – recent Australian student visa refusals will likely be GSR refused. If the applicant has any other visa refusal, please:
  • Provide the visa refusal document
  • Explain the reason for the visa application and in the case of student visa refusal, provide institution and program to which applicant applied
  • Explain reasons for visa refusal and anything done to mitigate the refusal
• Low English test result - This now appears to be a significant risk factor. If an applicant has below IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) we recommend that they improve their score to avoid GSR or student visa refusal
• Change to area of study / lack of course progression / incomplete studies:
  • Explain the reasons for changing area of study / not progressing / not completing studies by way of responses to the visa application questions [refer Attachment 1] together with any supporting documentation
• Onshore applicants – are now much more strictly assessed by the Department. If the applicant has not been engaging in studies and/or has downgraded studies without applying for a new student visa, they will likely be GSR refused. Please ensure that onshore study history is clearly explained with supporting evidence. This can be done by way of responses to the visa application questions [refer Attachment 1]. Evidence of finance may also be requested (as required by the Department)

Adelaide University approach

• Most applicants from Evidence Level 3 countries and/or those with risk factors will require GSR assessment. These applicants may:
  • be required to attend an interview (prior to Offer);
  • be requested to provide information (prior to / post Offer); and/or
  • have a GSR and/or finance condition (on their Offer Letter)
• Interviews – if the applicant is required to undertake an interview, please adhere to the following and advise applicants:
  • The interview must not take place in your (agent’s) office. This will result in the interview being terminated, and the application GSR refused
  • Ensure they have access to a quiet space without interruption
  • Ensure they have suitable internet connection
  • Ensure they have their passport ready to show at interview
  • No one else is to be in the room/with the applicant
  • Applicants are generally given one chance to interview – if the interview is not approved, a reschedule is not permitted unless there are exceptional circumstances
• If there is a Finance condition, please assist the applicant to provide the required information via the link (sent by email after the Offer) or in response to a More Information Request
• If there is a GSR condition, there is no need to do anything at the time of Offer. The application will be GSR assessed on the basis of the information provided. The University will request further information if necessary
• Clearly address any requests for information and provide supporting documentation that can be easily reconciled. Do not omit or provide misleading information
• The University assesses applications holistically – therefore all of the applicant’s circumstances will be taken into account. If on balance, there appears to be high risk of visa refusal/the applicant is not a genuine student, it will be GSR refused (possibly without a request for further information if risk factors are significant and/or if information is false, misleading or inconsistent)
• Be upfront about applications – if you have questions about an application, we probably will too. Please address risk factors proactively to avoid delays and/or the disappointment of GSR refusal

Evidence of finance

• ALL applicants must have genuine access to funds to cover tuition, living and travel expenses for themselves and any dependants in Australia, whether or not this is requested by the University/the Department
• All evidence of finance must be:
  • issued by a financial institution regulated by the Central Bank in the relevant country
  • supported by evidence as to how it was accumulated
  • be clear, and easily reconciled
• Relationship to sponsor/s
• Clearly demonstrate who is funding the applicant’s studies and their relationship to the applicant. The following documents are acceptable:
  • Birth or marriage certificates
  • Government issued national ID cards
  • Passports
  • Family or relationship registration documents
• If the applicant has a loan, evidence of disbursement is required prior to issue of CoE (loan disbursement letter, bank statement showing disbursement and copy of telegraphic transfer of fee paid to the University)
• Particular country requirements and related Frequently Asked Questions are attached: 
  • India (evidence of finance) 
  • Kenya (evidence of identification and finance)
  • Nepal (evidence of finance)
  • Pakistan (evidence of finance)
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Important notes for Under 18 applicants (all citizenships)

There have been recent visa refusals for Under 18 applicants on the basis of the “intention of the parents”. The University therefore requires parents of applicants who are under 18 years of age to provide both responses to the visa application questions and evidence of finance. Please refer to the Under 18 Checklist [Attachment 7] in order to meet these GSR and finance requirements.

For further information, please contact: gsrenquiries@adelaide.edu.au