Australia Admissions

Documents for Australian University Applications

The papers you need to apply to an Australian university, and then for your Student visa (subclass 500, the number of the Student visa). Some rules here come from named universities, so check your own university.

Document Types

Your papers fall into these groups.

Study Papers

Certificates and transcripts from school and university.

Personal Papers

Passport and any change of name papers.

Supporting Papers

Personal statement, CV or portfolio, if your course asks.

Money and Visa Papers

Needed after your offer, for your Student visa.

Study Papers

These papers show what you studied and how you did.

Transcripts

Transcripts for all university study you started.
They must show every subject and result, including failed or unfinished subjects and exchange study.
For a bachelor's degree, also give your final school transcripts.

Certificates

Your academic certificates, such as your degree certificate.

English results

Proof that your English meets your course's level.
Some universities, such as the University of Melbourne, let you upload English results after you apply.

Important

The University of Melbourne checks all results with the school or university that issued them.

Personal and Supporting Papers

Some courses need more than your study papers.

Proof of identity

Your passport.

CV or personal statement

Some courses ask for a CV (curriculum vitae), a personal statement, a portfolio or a supplementary form.

Genuine Student declaration

The University of Melbourne asks international applicants for a Genuine Student (GS) declaration, a statement that you really plan to study.
The University of Sydney may ask for an extra GS check.

Tips for Standout Supporting Documents

Essays

Check your course's entry rules to see if it asks for a personal statement.

After You Get an Offer

You show money and health cover after your offer, for your Student visa.

Accept your offer

Accept your offer by the date on it and pay the fees for your first semester.
Your university then sends your CoE.

Proof of money for your visa

Only if your visa checklist from Home Affairs (Australia's visa office) asks: show money for travel, 12 months of course fees and AUD 29,710 (Australian dollars) for 12 months of living costs.

Health cover

OSHC. The University of Sydney can arrange it when you accept your offer, or you can buy it yourself.

Average Cost Overview for Australia

Living Expenses

AUD 29,710 for 12 months of living costs. The visa asks for at least this much.

Application fee

University of Melbourne: AUD 154 for each application, paid by card when you apply

CoE

After you accept your offer and pay your first semester fees

Translation and Checks

Universities check your papers, so they must be complete and true.

Originals

A university may ask to see your original papers at any time, during your application or while you study.

Translations

Translate any paper not in English.
The University of Sydney accepts a translator approved by the government, such as one approved by NAATI (the body that approves translators), or your school's records office.
Send the original-language paper as well.

Digital Papers

If your school gives digital transcripts, the University of Sydney asks for the secure digital copy.
Approved websites that send secure copies include My eQuals, MyCreds and Parchment.

Checks

The University of Melbourne checks your results with the school that issued them.
Fake papers can get you into serious trouble.

Document Verification Timeline

Gather papers

Before you apply

Collect transcripts, certificates, your passport and English results.

Upload everything

When you apply

Upload all papers with your online application.

Accept and pay

After your offer

Accept your offer by the date on it. Pay the fees for your first semester (half a study year). Then you get your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), the letter your university sends after you accept and pay. You need it for the visa.