Studying in Australia from India: figures and rules for Indians

India is one of Australia's biggest sources of student visa applicants, and the Department of Home Affairs publishes figures by nationality. This guide uses those figures for India, plus the one post-study rule that is specific to Indian graduates. Grant rates move every quarter, so treat the numbers as a snapshot.

A year costs from: ~US$38,000 all-in
Next intakes you can make: July 2027, November 2027
Published visa figure, Indian applicants: About 36% of Indian applicants were refused (2025–26). Source
Work after graduating: Temporary Graduate visa, typically 2–3 years depending on your degree

What is different from India

Indian applications rose; India is the second-largest source

From July to December 2025 (program year to 31 December 2025), Home Affairs counted 34,512 student visa applications lodged by Indian citizens, up 18.2 percent on the same period a year earlier and second only to China (37,500). Source

Grant rate for Indians applying from outside Australia dropped in late 2025

For applications decided between 1 October and 31 December 2025, the grant rate for Indian citizens applying from outside Australia was 59.5 percent, compared with 80.2 percent in the previous quarter. For Indians applying inside Australia it was 60.5 percent. These are quarterly figures for all sectors combined; the rate for a specific course or provider can differ. Source

Typical processing for Indian applicants outside Australia was about three to five weeks

In the same quarter, offshore Indian student visas that were granted had a median processing time of 23 days, with 75 percent granted within 36 days. Processing time depends on the provider and the quality of evidence, so use this only as a rough guide. Source

Indian graduates may get a longer Temporary Graduate visa

Home Affairs notes that under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), Indian nationals on the Post-Higher Education Work stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) may stay between 2 and 4 years, rather than the usual 2 to 3 years. Eligibility depends on the qualification you complete. Source

Your evidence level depends on both your country and your provider

Home Affairs says the combined evidence level of the education provider and the student's country of citizenship guides how much financial and English-language evidence you must submit. You can see your likely requirements by entering your provider and Indian citizenship into the Document Checklist Tool; Home Affairs does not publish a simple country list. Source

India was reported moved to the strictest evidence level in January 2026

Khaleej Times reported on 13 January 2026, citing information published by Home Affairs, that evidence levels were adjusted from 8 January 2026 and India was moved from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3, which can mean more documents, manual checks of bank statements and longer processing. This is a news report; confirm in the Document Checklist Tool for your provider. Source

Indians are the largest group of student visa holders in Australia

On 31 December 2025, 88,306 student visa holders in Australia were Indian citizens, the largest nationality, ahead of China (62,771) and Nepal (61,437). Source

Class 12 entry marks are set by each provider

Providers publish their own conversion of Indian boards. As one example, Federation University lists completion of CBSE or ISC with an average of 65 percent in the best four academic subjects, or a state board Higher Secondary Certificate with 70 percent, for its undergraduate entry. Other universities set different thresholds, so check your chosen course page. Source

Your steps, in order

Shortlist courses and read each provider's India entry page (Class 12 marks for bachelor's; accepted degree length for master's).
Open the Document Checklist Tool, pick Student visa 500, India as citizenship and your provider, and note the financial and English evidence it lists.
Get a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) after accepting an offer and paying any deposit the provider requires.
Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover and gather the evidence of funds and English listed by the tool.
Write the Genuine Student statement about this course, this provider and your plans, in your own words.
Apply online through ImmiAccount and complete biometrics and health checks when asked.
If you plan to work after graduating, read the Temporary Graduate visa rules for Indian nationals before you pick your course length.

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Questions Indian students ask

Is the Indian grant rate really only around 60 percent?

That was the figure for applications decided from 1 October to 31 December 2025 from outside Australia. It was around 80 percent in the previous quarter, so it changes a lot between periods.

Do Indian graduates get a longer post-study visa?

Home Affairs says Indian nationals on the Post-Higher Education Work stream may stay between 2 and 4 years under AI-ECTA, depending on the qualification.

How do I find my evidence level?

Use the Document Checklist Tool with your provider and Indian citizenship; Home Affairs does not publish a country list.

Is there a cap on student visas?

The Home Affairs program report states there is no cap on the number of student visas granted. Policy settings change, so check the current rules.

Facts checked 18 October 2026. Rules change often — the official source linked beside each fact always wins over this page. We never promise admission or a visa.