Sri Lankan Students In Australia & New Zealand

🇦🇺 What is a CoE and Why Do You Need It?
This is the most important document to start your Australian visa application! After you accept an offer from a university and pay your deposit, the institution will issue your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). You CANNOT lodge your student visa application without this official document.

When you apply for a Student visa for studies in Australia, you may be required to show evidence of your English language ability. There is a list of specific tests that can be used to meet this requirement.

On 7 August 2025, the Australian Government announced that there are now 9 English language tests that can be used for Student visa applications.

Key points
The additional tests mean you now have more options for meeting the English language requirement for the Student visa.
The tests that were already approved can still be used.
There have been no changes to the level of English language ability required. However, some scores may be slightly different to make sure that all the available tests match that level, e.g. the TOEFL iBT score has increased from 64 to 67.
The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs will accept results from the updated list of English language tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.
Depending on your evidence level requirements, in most cases, results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 will be valid for a 24-month period before a visa application is made.
Updated list of approved tests
The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs will now accept from the following English Language test providers for Student visas:

Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced)
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic),
International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS General Training)
LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic)
Michigan English Test (MET)
Occupational English Test (OET)
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT).
If you are required to demonstrate English language ability for your Student visa application, you must ensure that you

take a test that is valid, and
achieve the minimum English test scores required.

PATHWAY VISA ALERT:
Ensure Your Application is Complete!

Applying for a Pathway Student Visa in New Zealand? Immigration NZ is applying stricter rules and has noted an increase in incomplete applications. You MUST provide a valid Offer of Place from an approved provider for all courses in your study plan. Missing details will likely lead to refusal.

Tough Times for English Language Courses in Australia.

A word of caution for students. Reports from late 2025 show that high visa fees and rising rejection rates have caused a 38% drop in enrolments for Australia's English language (ELICOS) sector.1 This shows how important it is to submit a high-quality, genuine application, no matter what course you choose.

On 18 August 2025, international student visa applications moved to Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system. If you are applying for an international student visa, there are some important things you need to know.

Immigration New Zealand’s ambition is to provide a trusted, world class immigration service to all our customers and staff. We recently commenced Our Future Services, a long-term work programme building on work already done to move us towards that goal.

Over the course of the 7-year Our Future Services programme, we will move all visa applications and processing onto our enhanced Immigration Online system, also known as ADEPT. We have already moved several visa products to the new system since it was first introduced in 2021, including Visitor Visa, Accredited Employer Work Visa and Permanent Resident Visa.

Customers and staff are at the heart of the Our Future Services programme. We are aiming to deliver a simpler, faster and more user-friendly visa application process to reduce waiting times, provide clear communication on application status and increase self-service capabilities so everyone feels more informed and better supported.

Student visa changes from 18 August
Groups of visa products are transitioning to the new system one by one. International student visas were the first transition completed by the Our Future Services programme.

Our approach to this design focuses on an improved customer experience, ensuring that the process is easy to understand, and you know what is expected of you.

Here is what you need to know:

From 18 August, you will be automatically directed to the new application form if you are applying for one of the following student visa types:
English Language Student Visa
Exchange Student Visa
Fee Paying Student Visa
Pathway Student Visa
NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa
All applications that were submitted on the old application form on or before 17 August will be processed. You do not need to resubmit your application if you have already applied. You will have access to your application to upload documents and respond to Immigration New Zealand requests until the application is decided and the decision communicated to you.
If you have a draft application on the old application form that you have not yet submitted, you have until 17 September 2025 to complete and submit it, or you can choose to start a new application on the new application form.
After 17 September, all remaining draft applications on the old form will be deleted and we will no longer be accepting paper applications. You will have to start a new application on the new form.
Further related family visa products will be transitioned to the new system alongside other products over the next year.

Student visa peak
We are currently in a peak period for student visa applications.

You should aim to apply 3 months ahead of your intended travel date as this will help to avoid delays that may impact your ability to start studying.

Student visa changes from 18 September
From 18 September 2025, we will no longer accept paper applications for the following student visa types:

English Language Student Visa
Exchange Student Visa
Fee Paying Student Visa
Pathway Student Visa
NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa
All applications for these visas from 18 September must be submitted online. Check our guidance if you need help completing your application online:

Applying online
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/applying-for-a-visa/applying-online/

We are working on updating our information sheets and checklists to ensure those who support students to apply for visas have all the information they need to continue providing their services.

Step by step guide
Choosing to study in Australia is an exciting step towards a bright future. Here's a simple guide to applying for a student visa.

Step 1 - Letter of Offer
If your course application is successful, you will receive a Letter of Offer from your chosen education provider.

Read the Letter of Offer carefully before you accept it. It will include your course details, enrolment conditions and fees you will need to pay if you accept the offer.
Make sure that you understand all your rights, including the refund arrangements. If you don’t start or finish your course, the agreement will be used to determine if you will receive a refund on any fees paid.
Do not accept the Letter of Offer if you are not happy with any of its terms.
Keep a copy of the Letter of Offer. You will need this copy so that you are aware of your rights and if you have to make a claim against your education provider.
Step 2 - Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is a document that will be issued by your education provider that verifies your enrolment in a specific course. The CoE will be sent to you after you have accepted your Letter of Offer and paid your deposit.

You must include a copy of your CoE in your student visa application so that the Australian Government has proof that you are registered in your declared course.

Please note: Concurrent CoEs will no longer be issued. If you choose to change your course from a higher education degree to a vocational education and training course you must meet all student visa requirements. You may be eligible for credits and exemptions in recognition of your prior learning.

Step 3 - Proof of English proficiency
Australian educational courses are taught in English, so you may need to supply a certificate of results from an approved English language test. This certificate will prove to the Australian Government that you meet the minimum English proficiency levels needed to succeed in your course.

There are only certain tests you can take that will be accepted by the Australian Government, but all are easily accessible from around the world.

Step 4 - Genuine Student (GS) requirement
The online student visa application form contains a list of questions. Your answers to these questions will give visa decision makers information about you and your reasons for wanting to study in Australia, which gives context to the documentary evidence that you provide in support of your application.

The GS questions cover:

Details of your current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances.
Why you chose your course and why you chose Australia as your study destination.
How you will benefit from studying your chosen course.
Details of your study history in Australia (if any).
If you are holding a visa other than a Student visa, you will need to give your reasons for applying for a Student visa.
Any other relevant information that you’d like to provide.
For more details on the GS requirement, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Step 5 - Financial capacity requirement
To meet the requirements for a student visa, you must prove that you have enough savings to cover the costs and expenses associated with your course, such as travel, course fees and rent. International student visa applicants must provide proof of at least $29, 710.

There are a range of options for you to prove your financial capacity. For more information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website, and navigate to 'Gather your documents'.

Living costs vary throughout Australia and may be higher than what is needed for your visa application. We recommend you research the area you intend to live including the cost of living in that area.

Step 6 - Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
As an international student in Australia, you must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay.

If you don’t provide proof that you have this insurance, your student visa application will be refused.

OSHC will help you:

pay for medical or hospital care while studying in Australia,
pay for most prescription medicines, and
provide you with ambulance cover in emergencies.
While organising your health cover, also make sure you order an OSHC card for use at doctor appointments while you're living in Australia. Read more on our insurance page.

Step 7 - Health requirement
The Australian Government requires all international students to be in good health before entering the country. As a result, you may need to undergo a health examination to meet the student visa health requirement.

You can use the My Health Declaration service to complete any required health examinations before submitting your visa application.

Step 8 - Character requirement
There are also certain character requirements that you must meet if you want to study in Australia. In your application, you’ll have to answer some basic questions about your character and past conduct. In some cases, you may need to provide a police background check.

Step 9 - Apply using ImmiAccount
The Department of Home Affairs website outlines all the requirements for a student visa. You apply online using ImmiAccount.

You do not need an agent to lodge a student visa application. If you want professional immigration assistance with your visa application, use a registered migration agent or a legal practitioner.

Only certain people can give immigration assistance in Australia. An education agent is someone who can assist you with your options for studying in Australia. An education agent who is not a registered migration agent or a legal practitioner and cannot lawfully give you immigration assistance in Australia.

More information on who can provide immigration assistance is on the Home Affairs website.

Step 10 - Check travel requirements
You can stay up to date with the latest travel requirements by visiting our Preparing for your travels page.

Stay up to date
This information may change. Check the Department of Home Affair’s Student visa website for the most up to date information on how to apply for Student visa.

The Australian Government has officially moved Sri Lanka to Assessment Level 1, marking a historic milestone for Sri Lankan students and migrants aspiring to study and settle in Australia. This upgrade simplifies the visa process, enhances approval rates, and reflects the growing trust in Sri Lanka’s education system and applicant credibility.



At the forefront of this development stands Sirus Migration and Education a leading consultancy headquartered in Brisbane with offices in Melbourne, Sri Lanka, India, and South Korea, Png, New Zealand, Colombia. With over 20 years of expertise in guiding international students and migrants, Sirus Migration is proud to support Sri Lankans in making the most of this opportunity.

For countries classified under Assessment Level 1, visa applicants benefit from a smoother and more supportive application process. Students face reduced documentation requirements, no longer needing to provide extensive financial and academic evidence, which makes the process faster and less stressful. This classification also leads to significantly higher visa approval rates, as applicants from Level 1 countries present fewer compliance risks and enjoy a stronger chance of success. In addition, streamlined applications ensure faster processing times, enabling students to receive outcomes sooner and move forward confidently with enrolments and travel plans. Beyond immediate student visa benefits, this enhanced confidence in the system creates a positive flow-on effect across other visa pathways, including graduate, skilled migration, and permanent residency applications.

This change positions Sri Lankan students more competitively in the global education market and opens doors to long-term settlement options in Australia.

As a trusted partner in migration and education, Sirus Migration is dedicated to ensuring that Sri Lankans take full advantage of this change. The company offers full guidance from Initial consultations to visa lodgement and settling in Australia and New Zealand and personalised guidance on student visas, skilled migration, partner visas, Parent visas and permanent residency pathways.

The team is led by a group of highly qualified professionals with extensive expertise in migration and education services. At the helm is Isuru Yapa, CEO and Registered Migration and Education Agent for Australia. He is joined by Yogesh, a Registered Education Agent for both Australia and New Zealand, and Ashani, a Registered Migration Agent and Education Consultant for Australia and New Zealand, who specialises in partner visas. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide students and migrants through every stage of their journey.

With this depth of expertise, Sirus Migration provides end-to-end solutions for students and families, from choosing the right education pathway to securing permanent residency.

The inclusion of Sri Lanka in Assessment Level 1 not only strengthens the ties between Australia and Sri Lanka but also signals confidence in Sri Lankan students as future contributors to Australia’s workforce and society.

Sirus Migration & Education remains committed to supporting this journey by offering trusted advice, professional representation, and dedicated services across its international offices.

To learn more about how Assessment Level 1 can benefit your visa application and future in Australia, reach out to Sirus Migration today.

Pro-Tip for New Zealand Applicants

Applying to Study in New Zealand? Submit Your Visa Application Early!

A friendly reminder for anyone planning to start their studies in New Zealand soon: apply for your student visa as early as possible. Immigration New Zealand has advised that its busiest processing period is between October and March. 2025-2026

To avoid delays:
It is strongly recommended that you submit your application at least three months before your intended travel date.

Applying early ensures you have a better chance of getting a decision before your course starts, helping you avoid last-minute stress.

Feel free to reach out whenever you need the latest information for your page!

University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships
Find information about the doctoral scholarships offered by the University of Auckland.

The University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship (UoADS) is a competitive scholarship scheme in 4 rounds each year. This is what you can get:

In 2025 the University of Auckland Scholarship comprises:

a tax-free stipend of $34,569 per annum with an annual CPI adjustment to the stipend value for up to 36 months FTE*
tuition fees for up to 36 months FTE
single student Health Insurance compulsory charge
a further six months of scholarship funding may be available following the initial scholarship
* Duration of stipend varies according to doctoral programme, see the Regulations for more details.

How to apply
It’s easy! Any student who is to be offered a place in a doctoral programme will be eligible for scholarship consideration prior to receiving their offer of place.

When you apply for your doctoral programme, you will have the opportunity to confirm whether or not you also wish to be considered for a University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship — you don’t need to apply separately.

If you already have scholarship funding and/or don't want to be considered for this scholarship, confirm this in your application form so that your application can be processed as quickly as possible.

If you are still completing your qualifying programme and/or have not yet received your final grades from your qualifying programme, you can still be considered for a scholarship. It might mean that you receive a conditional offer for a scholarship and/or admission to the doctoral programme.

Scholarship offers will be made alongside offers of places in doctoral programmes, so if you indicate you wish to be considered for a University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship, your admissions offer will be made as part of one of the four annual rounds below.

If you change your mind at any time during the admissions process, please let our Doctoral Admissions team know so that your admissions offer does not need to be made during one of the four annual rounds below.