A GTE is a criterion is based on individual student’s circumstances and is highly discretionary on the decision maker, student visa applicants are advised to provide a detailed statement addressing any concerns that a decision maker may have and provide relevant supporting documents.

In assessing whether an applicant is a genuine student, the decision maker would generally have regard to all circumstances of the student visa applicants in relation but not limited to the following:

1. Country of profiles of the student’s home country, which may include political upheavals, natural disasters, general visa compliance and visa frauds from other visa applicants.

2. Applicant’s or a relative of the applicant’s past immigration history to Australia and other countries

   1. including past visa compliance and non-compliances

   2. whether applicant has previously applied for temporary or permanent visas

   3. whether these visas were granted or refused, cancelled

   4. the amount of time spent on these visas and the likelihood of using student visa to prolong student’s stay

   5. whether the student has undertaken a series of short, inexpensive courses, or remained on student visa for some time without successfully completing a qualification

3. Applicant’s own circumstances in their home country and applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia

   1. Family and community ties with student’s home country and Australia

   2. Economic and employment prospect in Australia and home country

   3. Military service commitments

4. The course(s) the student wishes to studyWhether the student and dependant spouse have entered into a relationship for visa purposes (contrived relationship)

   1. whether it is consistent with their current level of education

   2. whether they will assist the student to obtain or improve employment prospect in their home country

   3. any changes to career or study pathways should be reasonable

   4. whether the student has reasonable reasons for not undertaking the study in their home country or region if similar course is available.

   5. relevance of the course to the student’s past or proposed future employment in their home country or third country.

   6. remuneration the student would expect to receive in home or third country compared to Australia after completing the intended course

5. Whether the student and dependant spouse have entered into a relationship for visa purposes (contrived relationship)

6. Student’s knowledge of living in Australia, their intended course of study and the educational provider.  It could be based on the student’s previous studies and qualifications, and realistic expectation of the level of the student’s research into their course of study, living arrangement etc

7. Applicant’s and financial sponsor’s ability to fully support the student’s costs in Australia, whether the student has genuine access to the funds.