Skillage Nimbus is an Adelaide-based migration and education consultancy. We help international students choose the right course and institution, manage applications, and prepare a student visa application that stands up to scrutiny. Founder Ashish Thapa holds a QEAC credential. Call the 24/7 direct line on +61 8 9131 6011.
Why Study in Australia
Australia offers globally recognised qualifications.
International students can choose from universities, colleges and vocational providers. Student visa holders may also work within visa limits.
After graduation, eligible students may explore post-study work rights. Some may later consider skilled migration, employer sponsorship or permanent residency Australia pathways.
Australia is popular. Competition is real. Integrity checks are stricter. A clear course choice and well-prepared application matter more than ever.
Choosing Where to Study
Adelaide and South Australia offer a practical study environment.
Adelaide has recognised universities, vocational providers, industry connections and regional study options. Living costs may be lower than in Sydney or Melbourne, depending on your accommodation, lifestyle and course.
Regional study may also support certain migration strategies. This can include access to regional post-study settings or state nomination pathways. These benefits depend on the course, location, occupation and rules in force when you apply.
If you are comparing study in Australia from Nepal, India or another country, assess more than rankings. Consider:
- Course relevance.
- Provider quality.
- Location.
- Accommodation.
- Career outcomes.
- Your Genuine Student evidence.
- Your longer-term visa options.
University or Vocational Study?
University study generally leads to bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral qualifications. It may suit students seeking academic, professional or research careers.
Vocational Education and Training, or VET, focuses on practical skills. It may suit students pursuing careers in trades, construction, hospitality, community services, engineering support or other technical fields.
The right choice depends on your background and career plan.
Course level can affect tuition, duration, entry requirements and future visa options. Trades qualifications are increasingly valuable in Australia, but no course guarantees a visa or permanent residence outcome.
Entry Requirements
Confirm these requirements before applying:
- Academic entry requirements for your chosen course.
- English language evidence accepted by the provider and Department of Home Affairs.
- The Genuine Student requirement.
- Financial capacity for tuition, travel and living costs.
- Health and character requirements.
The Genuine Student requirement replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement.
You must answer targeted questions about your current circumstances, home-country ties, study history, course choice, provider choice and future benefit. Your answers should make sense as a complete story.
Explain why this course fits your background. Explain why this provider fits your goals. Explain how the study supports your future career.
A generic statement can create problems. So can a course that appears unrelated to your previous study or experience.
This is where many applications are won or lost.
The Application Process, Step by Step
- Shortlist courses and institutions. Compare entry requirements, location, duration, costs and career relevance.
- Submit the education application. Receive and review your offer carefully.
- Accept the offer. Complete the provider’s conditions and obtain your Confirmation of Enrolment, or CoE.
- Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover. OSHC is generally required for the length of your stay.
- Prepare your evidence. Organise financial, English, academic, identity and Genuine Student documents.
- Lodge the Student visa subclass 500 application. Check every answer and attachment before submission.
- Prepare for departure. Plan accommodation, travel, arrival support and enrolment obligations.
You need a CoE in a CRICOS-registered course before applying for the student visa.
Student Visa Essentials
The Australian student visa is generally the Student visa subclass 500.
The application may require evidence of:
- A valid CoE.
- OSHC.
- Financial capacity.
- English language evidence, where required.
- Genuine Student answers.
- Health and character compliance.
Visa conditions apply after grant. Work rights, study obligations and health insurance requirements must be followed.
For detailed subclass information, read our existing guide: Student Visa Subclass 500 and Graduate Visa Subclass 485.
Bringing Family to Australia: What Changed in September 2026
On 17 September 2026, the Australian Government announced that the vast majority of international students will no longer be able to bring family members as dependants on a student visa. Most students will now study alone. Exceptions continue to apply for PhD students and some Pacific and ASEAN nationals. Existing families in Australia will not be separated, and the change is not retrospective.
The announcement’s implementation details, commencement arrangements and full exception criteria must be confirmed before relying on them. Read the full explanation of the September 2026 family changes and verify the current position directly on the Department of Home Affairs website.
What It Costs
Plan for several cost categories:
- Tuition fees.
- Accommodation and living costs.
- OSHC.
- Student visa application charges.
- Travel.
- English testing.
- Course materials and other provider charges.
Costs depend on the course level, institution, city, duration and lifestyle.
Do not rely on an old social media post or an outdated agent quote. Confirm tuition with the education provider. Confirm visa charges and financial capacity settings with the Department of Home Affairs.
Working While You Study
Student visa holders generally have limited work rights while their course is in session. Unrestricted work may be available during scheduled course breaks.
Research master’s and doctoral students generally have no work-hour limits once their course has commenced.
Settings can change. Check your visa conditions before accepting employment. Do not build your financial plan around work income alone.
After You Graduate
The Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 may provide post-study work rights to eligible graduates. It can give you time to gain Australian experience and assess your next step.
Possible pathways may include:
- Skilled migration under subclasses 189, 190 or 491.
- Employer sponsorship.
- South Australian state nomination.
- Further study where academically and strategically appropriate.
A student may later examine a subclass 190 visa or subclass 491 visa, including a skilled work regional visa 491 strategy. South Australia skilled migration requirements can change. Check the current State Nomination Occupation List, nomination criteria and application process before relying on them.
These are pathways to assess. They are not guarantees of a graduate visa, invitation, nomination or permanent residency Australia outcome.
Read more about skilled visas subclasses 189, 190 and 491 and employer-sponsored visas.
Our Education Consultancy Services
- University and course shortlisting.
- Institution applications and offer management.
- Essay and statement editing.
- Scholarship applications.
- Genuine Student statement preparation.
- Student visa application preparation and lodgement.
- Pre-departure briefings.
- Ongoing support after arrival.
How Skillage Nimbus Helps
- Education pathway advice matched to migration goals.
- Course and institution shortlisting.
- Application and offer management.
- Document and evidence preparation.
- Student visa lodgement.
- Post-study pathway planning.
- Ongoing case management.
- Refusal assistance where relevant.
Searching for a migration agent Adelaide, migration agent Australia or immigration lawyer Adelaide? Start with a structured review of your study history, course choice and future goals. General online information or free migration advice may not address your personal risks.
Book a consultation with Skillage Nimbus.
Our Credentials
- Australian Registered Migration Agent, MARN 2217972.
- New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser: IAA 202503676.
- Founder Ashish Thapa, legal name Asi Thapa, admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia.
- QEAC, CCG and ITAC certifications.
- Employment Agent Licence issued by the Government of South Australia.
- Member of Business Australia and Migration Alliance.
- Core values: Honesty, Reliability and Accuracy.
Visit Our Adelaide Office
Suite 11, Floor 2, 12 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Strictly by appointment only.
Office hours
- Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM.
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Sunday: Closed.
Call the 24/7 direct line: +61 8 9131 6011.
Emergency appointment support may be available within one hour, subject to availability.
Learn More
Need help choosing a course, provider or student visa strategy?
Call the 24/7 direct line: +61 8 9131 6011
Book your education and migration consultation.
You can also review Skillage Nimbus migration and education services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to study in Australia?
You generally need admission to a CRICOS-registered course, a Confirmation of Enrolment, OSHC, financial capacity and evidence supporting the Genuine Student requirement. You must also meet relevant academic, English, health and character requirements.
How much does it cost to study in Australia?
There is no single cost. Tuition varies by course and provider. Living costs vary by city, accommodation and lifestyle. You must also budget for OSHC, travel, English testing and visa charges. Confirm current amounts with your provider and the Department of Home Affairs.
Can I work while studying in Australia?
Student visa holders generally have limited work rights during study periods and broader rights during scheduled breaks. Research master’s and doctoral students generally have no work-hour limits after commencing their course. Confirm your current visa conditions before working.
Can I bring my family with me on a student visa?
Most future students will no longer be able to bring dependants under the September 2026 announcement. PhD students and some Pacific and ASEAN nationals may fall within exceptions. Existing families in Australia are not being separated under the announced change. Verify the current rules before applying.
What is the Genuine Student requirement?
The Genuine Student requirement assesses whether study is your genuine primary purpose. You must explain your circumstances, study history, course and provider choice, home-country ties and future benefit. Your answers should be accurate, consistent and supported by your documents.
Can I stay in Australia after I finish studying?
Eligible graduates may consider the Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485. Later options may include skilled migration, employer sponsorship or state nomination. Eligibility depends on the rules, your qualification, occupation, age, English, experience and other factors. No pathway is guaranteed.
This page provides general information only. It is not migration or education advice. Confirm current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs, your education provider or a registered migration agent. Requirements, fees and visa settings can change.