Australia Genuine Student (GS) Requirement 2026: What to Write in the 4 Questions
If you’re applying for an Australian student visa in 2026, you’ll meet the Genuine Student requirement — four short questions, 150 words each, answered directly inside your ImmiAccount application. Get them right and they barely register. Get them wrong and your visa is refused, no matter how strong the rest of your file is.
Australia replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) essay with the GS requirement on 23 March 2024, yet countless guides still tell you to “write a strong GTE statement.” This guide covers the actual 2026 format.
What is Australia’s Genuine Student requirement in 2026?
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the GTE on 23 March 2024 for all Subclass 500 student visa applications. Applicants answer four mandatory questions in ImmiAccount with a strict 150-word limit per answer (600 words total).
The 4 Questions, Explained
Question 1: Current circumstances (150 words)
Who are you? Officers want your personal background — family, community ties, employment, economic situation. Include your age, family situation, current job, financial position, and ties to home.
Question 2: Why this course and institution? (150 words)
Did you research this? Include how the course builds on your background, what attracted you to the institution specifically, and evidence you compared options.
Question 3: Why study in Australia? (150 words)
Why not study at home? Include specific advantages for your field. You may honestly discuss post-study work rights.
Question 4: Visa conditions (150 words)
Name the actual conditions: maintaining enrolment, 48-hours-per-fortnight work limit, OSHC health cover, address notifications.
Financial Evidence in 2026
Approximately AUD $29,710 per year in living costs for the primary applicant, plus first-year tuition. Bank statements should show funds held steadily for 3–6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words per Genuine Student question?
150 words maximum per question, 600 words total, typed directly into ImmiAccount.
Can I mention PR in my GS answers?
Yes. Unlike the old GTE, the GS framework allows honest discussion of post-study pathways.
When did GS replace GTE?
23 March 2024 for all applications lodged on or after that date.
Informational only, not legal advice. Verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Not affiliated with any government agency.
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