What is GTE and why is it important for students who want to study in Australia?

What is a GTE requirement?

Several factors make Australia popular as a study-abroad destination. One of which is obviously the high-quality education offered by the institutions in Australia. When you research about studying in Australia, you would have heard of the GTE. What is GTE? The full form of GTE (as defined by the Department of Home Affair’s) is ‘The genuine temporary entrant. GTE requirement is an integrity measure to ensure the student visa program is used as intended and not as a way for international students to maintain ongoing residency in Australia’.

The Genuine Temporary Entrant is a pre-requirement to get an Australian study visa. Every student willing to study in the country must submit a GTE form so that he or she is successfully granted the study visa by the Australian Government. If you need some professional support with your plans to study in Australia, feel free to contact our counsellors. They can guide you in the right direction.

Who can apply for a GTE?

A student whose only intention is to study a full-time course in Australia must fulfil the GTE requirement.

If you want to study in Australia part time and work outside your college hours to support yourself, then GTE is not for you. Or if you are looking for an avenue to move to Australia on a study visa, but your only intention is to work in the country, then you won’t be granted a GTE.

It is a protocol followed to ensure that you have honest intentions of studying at an Australian University, and you aren’t looking for ways to just settle in the country.

GTE serves as a measure to curb the number of people or visitors who want to move to Australia with the ulterior motive of looking for jobs and therefore gain a permanent residency in the long run.  

However, the GTE doesn’t exclude students who after studying at Australian institutes want to develop their skills required by Australian employers, and then slowly obtain a PR visa via the employer they work with.

What should you do to meet the GTE requirement?

1. An applicant must submit a personal statement in English stating that he or she needs to meet the GTE requirement.
2. If the applicant isn’t comfortable writing it in English, he or she can write it in their native language, provided a translated copy in English is attached.
3. While submitting the GTE form, an applicant must attach several supporting documents. A generic statement that isn’t supported with documents will not be evaluated further.

There are several factors based on which an applicant is granted a GTE. The Ministerial Direction 69 lays down all those factors, including personal circumstances that determine if an applicant is eligible to receive a GTE.

• In circumstances where the same course you have applied for is available in your native country, it is mandatory to mention the reasons for not studying in your home country.
• The GTE committee also checks the personal connection of an applicant with his or her home country, which supports the evidence that they will go back once they complete their studies. Any political or military unrest in your home country will also be considered.
• Any personal ties shared by the applicant with Australia
• The level of understanding and knowledge about the provider and course the applicant chose to study
• Reason why you chose the current course, and if it’s in alignment with your previous education and interest
• Previous education qualifications
• Financial stability and availability of proper funds
• Planned accommodation
• Immigration history of the applicant – if the applicant has already visited Australia earlier or any other country, it should be mentioned in the GTE form. You will also have to include the reasons behind those visits.
• Any visa refusal faced by the applicant must be mentioned as well

For further information, you can visit the GTE requirement details available on Australian government website.

Information to be added along with your GTE application

Academic history

You should submit your academic transcripts, qualification certificates, name of the university where the student wants to go, duration of study and offer letter. Academic history also includes reasons behind taking a gap year.

Information about employment

Applicants having work experience must mention the current employer, company address, designation held and tenure in the company. The applicant is also required to mention a recommender from the company who can validate all the details.

Attachment to the home country

Applicant must support their statement with enough evidence that they have strong ties with their native land. This includes financial or social ties. Also, it’s important that the applicant shows proof of funding to support their return journey on completing the course.

Are you looking to study in Australia? Do you have questions on studying in Australia? Wondering what the student life in Australia will be like?

Reach out to our counsellors can give you all possible information that will ease your study abroad journey.

Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs

Editor's note: This article was originally published in May 2018. We have included up-to-date information and made it comprehensive.