Australia Genuine Student (GS) Statement: The Document Every International Student Must Write

The statement nobody prepares for properly

Every year, hundreds of thousands of international students prepare their Australian university applications. They research programs, compile transcripts, take English tests. Many also write a personal statement or SOP for their university application.

Then they discover a second writing requirement -- one that carries higher stakes than anything the university asks for.

The Genuine Student (GS) statement is part of the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) application. It consists of four targeted questions, each limited to 150 words, that visa decision-makers use to assess whether you are a genuine student. It replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement on 23 March 2024.

Here is why it matters more than most students realize: the visa refusal rate for student visas is approximately 18% as of 2024-25. And according to StudyHQ, 30-40% of student visa rejections are due to poorly written SOPs that fail to justify the applicant's intent, financial stability, or post-study plans.

That means roughly 1 in 5 applicants gets rejected, and poorly written statements are a leading cause. This is a document where weak writing has direct, measurable consequences -- you do not get a visa, you do not study in Australia.

This guide covers exactly what the GS statement requires, how it differs from university personal statements, and how to write responses that demonstrate genuine study intent.

Table of Contents

• What changed: GTE to GS
• The four GS questions
• Question-by-question writing guide
• How university and visa statements interact
• RMIT's combined GS-SOP model
• Common rejection reasons
• Financial evidence requirements
• What the GS assessment actually evaluates
• Key differences from the old GTE
• The role of education agents
• How to review your GS statement

What changed: GTE to GS

On 23 March 2024, the Australian Department of Home Affairs replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

The change was significant in both format and philosophy.

"The GS requirement replaces the previous 300-word statement with a list of targeted questions. These questions give visa decision makers information about you and your reasons for wanting to study in Australia." -- Study Australia (Australian Government)

Under the old GTE, students wrote a single statement proving they were "genuine temporary entrants" who intended to return home after studies. The new GS framework takes a fundamentally different approach:

The philosophical shift is important. Under GTE, any hint that you might want to stay in Australia permanently could result in a refusal. Under GS, the government explicitly acknowledges:

"Genuine students may develop skills Australia needs and may later choose to apply for permanent residence. Future intentions of this kind do not count against an applicant under GS." -- Department of Home Affairs

This does not mean the assessment is lenient. It means the focus has shifted from testing your promise to leave to testing whether you genuinely intend to study. The distinction is subtle but important for how you frame your responses.

The four GS questions

All questions are answered directly within the visa application form. Each response must be 150 words or fewer. The Department of Home Affairs prefers responses in the application form rather than in a separate attached statement.

Question 1: Current circumstances

"Give details of your current circumstances. This includes ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances."

Question 2: Course and destination choice

"Explain why you wish to study this course in Australia with the particular education provider. This includes your understanding of the requirements of the intended course and studying and living in Australia."

Question 3: Future benefits

"Explain how completing the course will be of benefit to you."

Question 4: Other relevant information

"Give details of any other relevant information you would like to include."

There is also an additional question for applicants who have held or currently hold a student visa, or are applying from a non-student visa within Australia.

Critical note from the Department: "We give more weight to statements supported by evidence in assessing the GS requirement." This is not a creative writing exercise. Back your statements with verifiable facts.

Question-by-question writing guide

Question 1: Current circumstances (150 words)

What they are assessing: Whether you have genuine ties to your home country and a stable personal situation. This is not about proving you will return -- it is about showing you are a real person with a real life making a deliberate decision.

What to include:

• Your current employment status and role (or recent graduation)
• Family ties -- parents, spouse, dependents
• Community connections -- professional memberships, ongoing projects
• Economic circumstances -- briefly indicate financial stability without oversharing

What to avoid:

• Vague statements like "I have strong family ties"
• Excessive personal detail unrelated to your study decision
• Complaints about your home country's economic situation
• Anything that suggests you are trying to escape rather than pursue education

Example structure (not to copy, but to illustrate):

I am currently [employment status] at [company/institution] in [city, country], where I [brief role description]. I hold a [degree] from [university] completed in [year]. My [family members] reside in [city], and I maintain [specific community/professional connection]. I have [specific economic circumstance that demonstrates stability, e.g., savings, family support, employer sponsorship]. My decision to study in Australia is a planned progression of my career in [field], building on [X years] of professional experience.

Question 2: Course and destination choice (150 words)

What they are assessing: Whether you have genuinely researched your program and understand what you are committing to. Generic responses that could apply to any course at any university are red flags.

What to include:

• The specific program name and university
• Why this particular program (specific subjects, specializations, industry connections)
• Why this particular university (do not say "world rankings" -- mention specific features)
• Awareness of course requirements (duration, structure, fees)
• Understanding of living costs and conditions in Australia

What to avoid:

• "Australia has a world-class education system" -- this is meaningless
• Naming the wrong university or program (surprisingly common)
• Generic praise without specifics
• Focusing on post-study work rights as the primary reason

This is the question where specificity matters most. Visa decision-makers can tell immediately whether you have actually researched the program or submitted a template response. Mention a specific subject within the curriculum, a particular research group, an industry partnership, or a capstone project.

For guidance on how to write about specific program features convincingly, our how to write a statement of purpose introduction guide covers the principles of specificity that apply here.

Question 3: Future benefits (150 words)

What they are assessing: Whether the course logically connects to your career trajectory. A mismatch between your background, chosen course, and stated career goals is one of the most common reasons for refusal.

What to include:

• How the qualification connects to your existing career or planned career path
• Specific skills or knowledge the program will provide
• How these skills are relevant in your home country's job market (or the global market)
• Realistic career outcomes -- not "I will become CEO"

What to avoid:

• Focusing exclusively on Australian job market opportunities
• Career goals that do not require the specific qualification you are pursuing
• Unrealistic salary or position expectations
• Contradicting your stated current circumstances

The key test: does the course make sense given your background? If you have been working in marketing for five years and are applying for a Master of Nursing, you need a very strong explanation. Course misalignment is a documented rejection reason.

Question 4: Other relevant information (150 words)

What they are assessing: This is your opportunity to address anything that might raise questions in the rest of your application.

Best uses of this question:

• Explaining gaps in your study or employment history
• Addressing a previous visa refusal (if applicable)
• Explaining a career change or course change
• Mentioning scholarship funding
• Addressing the additional question about prior student visas

If you have no additional information to share:

Do not leave it blank, and do not fill it with generic enthusiasm. A brief statement summarizing your overall genuine intent is better than leaving the field empty or padding it with irrelevant content.

If you have study gaps: This is critical. Unexplained study gaps are a common refusal reason. If you took time off between your undergraduate degree and this application, explain what you were doing and why. Employment, family obligations, health reasons, and professional development are all valid explanations when stated honestly.

How university and visa statements interact

This is the "dual statement" problem unique to Australian applications. No other major study destination requires international students to write two separate statements for two different audiences.

The audiences evaluate different things:

University admissions want to know:

• Are you academically prepared?
• Will you succeed in this program?
• What is your motivation for this specific field?
• What will you contribute?

Visa decision-makers want to know:

• Are you a genuine student?
• Does this course make sense given your circumstances?
• Can you afford to study here?
• Do you understand what you are committing to?

There is natural overlap -- both care about why you chose the program. But the framing should differ. Your university statement should emphasize academic preparation and intellectual fit. Your GS statement should emphasize genuine intent, financial capacity, and logical career progression.

For students who have already written a personal statement for US or UK applications and are adapting it for Australia, our international students SOP cultural differences guide covers the adjustments needed.

RMIT's combined GS-SOP model

RMIT University takes a unique approach: they combine the university admission statement and GS visa requirements into a single integrated document. This is the most detailed personal statement requirement at any Australian university.

RMIT's 7-section GS Statement of Purpose (~1,500 words total):

RMIT-specific requirements that other universities do not demand:

• You must list other universities you researched and considered (not just RMIT)
• You must address awareness of study costs and additional living costs
• You must explain any career path changes
• The document must be signed and dated

Source: RMIT -- How to Write a Genuine Student Statement of Purpose

This combined model may become more common as universities increasingly align their admission processes with GS visa requirements.

Common rejection reasons

Understanding why visas are refused helps you avoid the same mistakes. The refusal rate for student visas is approximately 18% as of 2024-25 -- roughly 1 in 5 applications.

"Around 30-40% of student visa rejections are due to poorly written SOPs that fail to justify the applicant's intent, financial stability, or post-study plans." -- StudyHQ

Reason 1: Vague or generic GS statements

Statements that could apply to any student, any course, any university. "I want to study in Australia because it has excellent universities" tells the decision-maker nothing. Name the specific course, specific university, specific features.

Reason 2: Course misalignment

Your chosen course does not logically follow from your educational background or career history. An engineering graduate applying for a diploma in hospitality without a clear career rationale will face scrutiny.

Reason 3: Insufficient financial evidence

You must demonstrate at least AUD 29,710 per year in living expenses, plus tuition fees and return travel costs. Financial evidence must be genuine and verifiable. The Department can and does verify bank statements and sponsor details.

Reason 4: Unexplained study gaps

Gaps in your education or employment timeline without justification raise red flags. If you completed your undergraduate degree in 2019 and are applying in 2026, you need to explain those seven years clearly.

Reason 5: Course downgrading

Applying for a qualification at a lower level than one you already hold without a clear rationale. A student with a master's degree applying for a graduate diploma needs to explain why.

Reason 6: Incomplete documentation

Missing or fraudulent documents. This includes forged transcripts, fake bank statements, and altered reference letters. The consequences of document fraud extend beyond visa refusal -- they can result in bans on future applications.

Reason 7: Prior visa refusals

If you have been refused a visa before (to Australia or any other country), this must be disclosed and explained. Failure to disclose is grounds for automatic refusal.

What the GS assessment actually evaluates

The Department of Home Affairs considers several factors when assessing your GS responses. Understanding these helps you write targeted responses.

Factors that support a genuine student finding:

• Course is relevant to your past qualifications or employment
• Your intended education provider is well-established
• You have a genuine understanding of the course requirements and costs
• You have stable financial circumstances to support your study
• You have ties to your home country (family, property, employment to return to)
• Your study plans represent a logical progression

Factors that may weigh against:

• Significant unexplained gaps in education or employment
• Previous visa refusals or compliance issues
• The course represents a significant downgrade from your current qualifications
• Financial capacity is unclear or evidence appears fabricated
• Your overall application suggests non-genuine intent

The assessment is holistic. A strong GS statement cannot overcome fabricated financial documents, and strong financial evidence cannot compensate for a completely illogical course choice. Everything needs to be internally consistent.

Key differences from the old GTE

If you have researched Australian visa requirements before March 2024, or if your education agent provided guidance based on the old system, be aware of these changes:

Students still searching for "GTE statement template" or "GTE statement for Australia" need to know that this requirement no longer exists. The GS replaced it entirely.

The role of education agents

Approximately 75% of international students use education agents for Australian applications, according to the Australian Government. Many agents offer to write or assist with both university personal statements and GS statements.

There are real risks here:

• Template GS statements that agents recycle across clients are exactly the kind of generic content that triggers refusals
• Agents may not understand the nuances of your specific program or circumstances
• Some agents use AI-generated text, which universities like UWA now explicitly screen for
• The statement needs to be in your words and reflect your genuine circumstances -- a visa officer may ask you about its contents during an interview

If you use an agent, ensure you review every word of both your university and visa statements before submission. The statements should sound like you and reflect your actual circumstances. For a detailed analysis of how the agent business model works and where conflicts of interest arise, see our education agents guide.

How to review your GS statement

The GS statement operates in a space between a personal statement and a legal declaration. It needs to be both authentic and strategically written. Getting it wrong has direct, measurable consequences -- an 18% refusal rate is not a theoretical risk.

Before submitting, verify that your GS responses:

1. Answer each question directly -- do not drift into unrelated topics
2. Stay within the 150-word limit per question -- visa systems may truncate longer responses
3. Are internally consistent -- your current circumstances, course choice, and career plans should form a logical chain
4. Are supported by evidence -- the Department explicitly gives more weight to evidence-backed statements
5. Match your supporting documents -- if you claim employment at a company, your employment letter should confirm this
6. Use specific details -- program name, university name, course codes, career titles
7. Are written in your own words -- not copied from templates, agents, or AI tools

GradPilot reviews application essays for graduate students from 50+ countries. While the service is designed primarily for university personal statements and SOPs, the feedback on clarity, specificity, and authenticity applies directly to GS statement writing. The AI detection feature (99.8% accuracy) is also relevant -- if your agent or consultant used AI tools to draft your statement, you want to know before submission, not after. You can choose a rubric, submit your draft, and receive instant feedback.

For students writing both a university personal statement and a GS statement, our Australia masters personal statement requirements guide covers the university-specific requirements at 16 major institutions. If you are targeting one of Australia's most prestigious research institutions, our Group of Eight personal statement guide covers Melbourne, ANU, Sydney, UNSW, Monash, UQ, UWA, and Adelaide in detail.

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This guide reflects the Genuine Student requirement as implemented from 23 March 2024. Visa requirements change. Always verify current requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website before submitting your application.

Sources

• Department of Home Affairs -- Genuine Student Requirement
• Department of Home Affairs -- Student Visa Subclass 500
• Study Australia -- New Genuine Student Requirement
• RMIT -- How to Write a Genuine Student Statement of Purpose
• Department of Education -- Education Agents
• StudyHQ -- SOP for Australia
• Nomad Credit -- GS Requirement
• Roam Migration Law -- GTE Replaced with GS
• Amber Student -- Australian Student Visa Rejection Reasons