The genuine temporary entrant criterion must be satisfied by all applicants who make an application for a Student visa (subclass 500).
The Australian Government operates a student visa programme that enables people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to undertake study in Australia. A successful applicant must be both a genuine temporary entrant and a genuine student.
An applicant who is a genuine temporary entrant will have circumstances that support a genuine intention to temporarily enter and remain in Australia, notwithstanding the potential for this intention to change over time to an intention to utilise lawful means to remain in Australia for an extended period of time or permanently.
In addition, the genuine temporary entrant is a requirement for all student visas and also the most common reason why The Department of Home Affairs refuses student visas. It is important you devote time to write your genuine temporary entrant.
1. Honesty is key
Case Officers can often tell if you are being unrealistic about your statement. For example, providing a job offer for the 2-3 years in the future is often unrealistic and often raises concerns about your genuine intention to study in Australia. Honesty is the best poliy as to why you decided to follow your study pathway and the benefits of such studies going forward.
2. Ties to your home country
The Case Officer will look at your home country current economic and political situation, your personal ties, unemployment levels, amongst others.
You need to demonstrate that you have strong ties in your home country, for example family, community and employment. For instance, be sure to mention that all or most of your family members reside in your home country. Mention any possessions you have in your home country? A house, a car, a business or family business? Do you need to return to support family members? Is the job market improving?
It is important that you demonstrate that there is enough other reasons for you to return to your home country.
3. Why you chose the education provider
Research! Research! Research! It is very important you research into your chosen education provider. How does it compare to other education providers that offer a similar course? Did you look at reviews and other students’ feedback? Did you visit the education provider? For example, the education provided offers smaller classes. The teachers are highly rated in the industry. This will demonstrate that you have put in thought into your studies.
4. Show you have done research into the industry and course you are studying
Case Officers would like to see that you have thought about the industry where you will be planning to study. Is it growing? What are the future job openings like? How will this course benefit you in securing a job in this industry in your home country? How will studying this course in Australia specifically improve your prospects in the industry. For example, you can provide weblinks to research you have done into the industry? Job market growth in your home country?
5. The value of the course to you
Explain the value of the course to your future. Will the course allow you to apply for higher paying positions in the future? Will the course allow you to gain skills which could help you make more money? Or will this new course allow you a better life quality?
Talk about whether you are seeking to undertake the course that is consistent with your current level of education and whether the course will assist you to obtain employment or improve employment prospects in your home country.
Which remuneration could you expect to receive in your home country or a third country, compared with Australia, using the qualifications to be gained from the proposed course of study?
6. Your immigration history
This refers to both your visa and travel history. Explain the countries that you have visited in the past. Explain the previous visas you have obtained to Australia. This will demonstrate to the case officer that you have abided by previous visa conditions.
If you have ever overstayed your visa or not abided by previous visa conditions, explain the reasons why you overstayed and how you have changed since the incident.
If you have already remained in Australia for 3, 4 or 5+ years, you will need to demonstrate to immigration that you are not just studying this course as a way to remain in Australia.
7. Why you chose to study in Australia compared to your home country
The benefits of studying in Australia are well established however, if a similar course is available in your home country, an officer must consider whether you have sound reasons for not undertaking the study in their home country. For example, intending to study an English language course may legitimately want to study in an English-speaking country regardless of whether there are cheaper courses available in your home country.
Explain why you chose to study in Australia and if there were similar courses offered in your home country. If there are options in your home country to study this course, explain how studying this course in Australia is different. Is it taught in a different format? Is the course it shorter, longer? Is the education provided in this industry different in Australia different in your home country?
8. Explain your potential circumstances in Australia
Do you have strong ties with Australia which would present as a strong incentive to remain in Australia? For example, family or community ties.
Is there evidence that the student program is being used as a means to remain in Australia or maintain ongoing residency?
9. The course relate to anything you have previously studied
It is more beneficial for you to study a course which relates to something you have previously studied. Will the course build on or complement what you have previously studied?
However, it is okay to change careers as long as you explain the reasons as to why you have chosen to follow a different career pathway.
10. Supporting documents
You need to back your genuine temporary entrant statement up with evidence to support what you wrote. For example, can you provide: Evidence you can support yourself financially in Australia; Previous education documents; Enrolment or Application forms into another course; Evidence of property ownership in your home country; Evidence of business ownership in your home country, amongst others.