As the applicant for the visa based on undertaking a course of study in Australia, it is a requirement of the visa for the applicant to be:

• enrolled in a registered course of study; and
• a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student.

The applicant will need to provide sufficient information to satisfy us that they meet both of these visa requirements.

the applicant is now invited to give, in writing, all relevant information about the course(s) of study they are undertaking and their entry and stay in Australia as a student. Details of the information requested are set out in the Student Visa Information Form (the information form).

1. The Tribunal also advised that in considering whether an applicant is a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student, the Tribunal must have regard to Ministerial Direction No.108 'Assessing the genuine temporary entrant criterion for Student visa and Student Guardian visa applications'. A link to the Direction was provided.

1. In materials provided before the hearing, the applicant submitted the requested information form to the Tribunal together with course achievement documents (Greenwich College and Akdeniz University), identification, property ownership and health cover documents. Notably, the applicant provided a 'submission (27 October 2025) regarding his review application in respect of a decision to refuse his student (subclass 500) visa' addressing the following:
   • course description/contents of current studies in the Certificate III in Carpentry
   • benefits of the carpentry course to his career outcomes
   • the incentives he has to return to his home country after completing his studies including:
     • - his family in Turkey
     • - property ownership in Turkey.
   • the value of the carpentry course to his future (skills acquisition and income-earning capacity)
   • his understanding of (and commitment to) student Visa conditions
   • his response to findings made by the delegate.
2. A screen shot of the applicant's course progress in the Certificate III in Carpentry course, provided to the Tribunal, discloses that he has completed 25 of the 34 required units. Competency was not achieved in the following units:
   • Frame and fit wet area fixtures
   • Erect roof trusses
   • Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres.
3. In terms of the relevance of his current study to his career aspirations and job prospects, Mr Anas states:
   • in his 10 November 2023 submission to the delegate that:
     • - he had a love for carpentry in his childhood and seeks to develop this amateur interest and extend it to a professional level
     • - he will have opportunities to get a 'respectable job' in carpentry after he graduates however, in the long run, he plans to start his own business.
   • in the 27 October 2025 statement (pre-hearing submission) that:
     • - he will seek employment within Turkey's growing construction and renovation sectors - focused on large commercial projects or high-end residential developments where international compliance is mandatory
     • - he can expect to earn approximately TRY 35,000.00 (AU$1,267) as an average annual salary when he starts working as a carpenter in his home country. It is disclosed in the 'student Visa information form' that the applicant earned an annual salary of AU$670 while working as a photographer (July 2019 to August 2022)
     • - after gaining more experience in his home country, he aspires to supervisory roles in construction/carpentry to increase his financial security.
4. In support of other contentions relating to his stay in Australia being of a temporary nature only, the applicant's pre-hearing submission outlines his family (and other) circumstances as follows:
   • he comes from a socially well-respected family comprising his parents and other close relatives (living in Turkey) and a brother living in Sweden
   • he intends to return to Turkey to care for his parents as they get older. He has regular interactions with them, stays updated on family matters and remains emotionally collected to them
   • he maintains a strong bond with his family - seeking their advice and support on both personal and professional matters
   • he and his brother have equal rights to inherit valuable properties in Turkey
   • he has AU$31,000 invested in a 'gold account' in Turkey.
5. The Tribunal also has before it PRISMS records relating to the applicant's enrolments, and his movement records which set out his immigration history in Australia.

1. Mr Anas explained to the Tribunal that, prior to completing his military service, he studied journalism (at university) and worked for 3 years doing photo journalism in the streets and cities of Turkey. Due to current political sensitivities in Turkey, the applicant does not believe it is a 'good time to be doing that' line of work. He would not return to journalism and seeks a different career path.
2. Mr Anas stated that, while he does not have any significant background 'working with his hands' his father had experience in carpentry.
3. The applicant told the Tribunal that he has gained carpentry skills and experience in Australia:
   • he was working at the timber flooring company Sydney Carpentry Construction (in October 2023) which led to him developing an interest in the carpentry business. This company installed timber flooring at sports centres
   • he is currently working on a student accommodation construction project for Sydney Installation Group (24 hours each week, Monday to Friday with irregular shifts). He is gathering a broad base of kitchen-joinery and on-site installation work experience in this role
   • he has decided that kitchen-joinery and on-site installation is what he 'really wants to do' for a career.
4. Amongst his family network, the applicant has relatives in the construction/real estate industry. Their current projects include the construction of 'multiple flats' (high-density housing). These relatives would help him connect with customers (if he operates his own business) and initially, to obtain employment performing carpentry work in Turkey.
5. The applicant stated that setting up his own kitchen-joinery and on-site installation business is a credible prospect for him because he has significant invested funds (exceeding $31,000 in gold) available to him for this purpose. He can also rely on his family network to refer customers to his business. Together with his practical studies in carpentry, his work experience in Australia is, he says, highly relevant to the services his business would provide.
6. The Tribunal heard that, upon completion of his current studies, the applicant may travel around Australia for a short period but would be returning to Turkey (in January or February 2026 - he has not yet purchased a flight ticket) to meet his new nephew. His brother (currently living in Sweden) will be returning for a visit to Turkey early in 2026. Mr Anas stated that he is part of a close-knit family and is keen to spend time with his brother while he is visiting Turkey.
7. The applicant stated that he has not, as yet, applied for carpentry jobs in Turkey.
8. The Tribunal heard from the applicant that he is aware of all the visa restrictions he is currently subject to and has taken care to abide by each one of them.

1. The criteria for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa are set out in Part 500 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations. The primary criteria in cl 500.211 to cl 500.218 must be satisfied by at least one applicant. Other members of the family unit, if any, who are applicants for the visa need only satisfy the secondary criteria. The issue in the present case is whether the applicant meets cl 500.212.

Genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student (cl 500.212)

The applicant is a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student because:

(a) the applicant intends genuinely to stay in Australia temporarily, having regard to:

(i) the applicant's circumstances; and

(ii) the applicant's immigration history; and

(iii) if the applicant is a minor - the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant; and

(iv) any other relevant matter; and

(b) the applicant intends to comply with any conditions subject to which the visa is granted, having regard to:

(i) the applicant's record of compliance with any condition of a visa previously held by the applicant (if any); and

(ii) the applicant's stated intention to comply with any conditions to which the visa may be subject; and

(c) of any other relevant matter.

Does the applicant intend genuinely to stay in Australia temporarily?

1. In considering whether the applicant satisfies cl 500.212(a), the Tribunal must have regard to Direction No 108, 'Assessing the genuine temporary entrant criterion for Student visa and Student Guardian visa applications', made under s 499 of the Act. This Direction, which is attached to this decision, requires the Tribunal to have regard to a number of specified factors in relation to:
   • the applicant's circumstances in their home country, potential circumstances in Australia, and the value of the course to the applicant's future;
   • the applicant's immigration history, including previous applications for an Australian visa or for visas to other countries, and previous travel to Australia or other countries;
   • if the applicant is a minor, the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant; and
   • any other relevant information provided by the applicant, or information otherwise available to the decision maker, including information that may be either beneficial or unfavourable to the applicant.
2. The Direction indicates that the factors specified should not be used as a checklist but rather, are intended only to guide decision makers when considering the applicant's circumstances as a whole, in reaching a finding about whether the applicant satisfies the genuine temporary entrant criterion.
3. After 4 years of tertiary study, the applicant was awarded a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Akdeniz (Mediterrenian) University in June 2019. Before his compulsory military service began, he worked in the field of photojournalism from July 2019 to August 2022.
4. The applicant did not undertake studies (after completing his degree) until he commenced the General English studies, in Australia, in July 2023. His carpentry course (commenced on 19 March 2024) is at a lower academic level than his journalism studies and, the Tribunal notes that this, represents a significant change in his career path.
5. At hearing the Tribunal found the applicant to be a reliable and forthcoming witness. He was able to provide detailed and thoughtful evidence about the value of his carpentry studies to his intended career path (given that he has significant financial resources to set up a business and family connections within the construction industry) in Turkey. The Tribunal formed the view that Mr Anas genuinely determined to change his career path as he did not want to return to photojournalism once he had completed his military service. This indicates to the Tribunal that the applicant's motivations for undertaking study in Australia are related to genuine academic achievement and career advancement.
6. The Tribunal accepts the applicant's evidence that, with the qualifications and work experience he will have achieved in Australia (and the work opportunities and customer-referrals available to him through his family network in Turkey) he will earn a significantly higher annual income in Turkey than in his previous employment as a photojournalist. The Tribunal places significant weight on this evidence and the applicant's stated intention of returning to Turkey in January or February 2026 to reunite with his family (and meet his new nephew). The Tribunal considers that these factors are indicative of a person who is only a temporary entrant and wishes to return to their home country.
7. Mr Anas has provided evidence to the Tribunal, from his 'dashboard' with the education provider, that he has successfully completed 25 (out of the 34 required) units of competency in the Certificate III in Carpentry. Despite there having been 3 units in which the applicant did not achieve the required level of competency, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant is on-track to complete the course on 23 December 2025.
8. Evidence before the Tribunal, including from PRISMS, indicates the applicant has successfully applied himself to studying his Australian courses.
9. The Tribunal considers that these matters are strong evidence that Mr Anas is in Australia for the purposes of study as he claims and is not using the student visa program to maintain residence in Australia for a purpose unrelated to study. The Tribunal weighs the factors listed above strongly in his favour.
10. As to the applicant's circumstances in his home country, no evidence has been presented that the applicant's economic circumstances would present as a significant incentive for him not to return to Turkey. The Tribunal accepts that the applicant has completed his compulsory military service in his home country. There is no evidence before the Tribunal that political and civil unrest would result in the applicant choosing to remain in Australia indefinitely.
11. On the basis of the above, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant intends genuinely to stay in Australia temporarily. Accordingly, the applicant meets cl 500.212(a).
12. For the following reasons, the Tribunal sets aside the decision under review and remits the visa application for reconsideration.

Does the applicant intend to comply with visa conditions?

1. For the applicant to meet cl 500.212(b), the Tribunal must be satisfied that the applicant intends to comply with any conditions subject to which the visa is granted, having regard to the applicant's record of compliance with any condition of any visa they previously held, and the applicant's stated intention to comply with any conditions to which the visa may be subject.
2. A visa granted to an applicant who meets the primary criteria must have the following conditions imposed (cl 500.611(1)): 8105 (work limitation), 8202 (enrolment/course progress/course attendance), 8501 (health insurance), 8516 (continue to satisfy criteria), 8517 (dependents' education), 8532 (arrangements for under 18s) and 8533 (notify address/education provider) and 8208 (no critical technology related study without approval).
3. At the hearing the Tribunal discussed conditions applying to his student visa with the applicant. He was aware of these conditions, giving evidence of his understanding of the work limitation that applies, and the requirements that he engage in his study. Mr Anas expressly stated that he would comply with the conditions attached to his student visa. The evidence before the Tribunal is that the applicant has abided by conditions of the visa issued to him on 13 May 2023.
4. On the basis of the above, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant intends to comply with the conditions subject to which the visa is granted as required by cl 500.212(b).

Is the applicant a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student because of any other relevant matter?

1. For the applicant to meet cl 500.212(c), the Tribunal must be satisfied that the applicant is a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student because of any other relevant matter (in addition to the requirements in cl 500.212(a) and (b)). There is no other relevant matter to consider. The Tribunal finds the applicant meets cl 500.212(c).
2. Accordingly, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant is a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student as required by cl 500.212.
3. Given the above findings, the appropriate course is to remit the application for the visa to the Minister to consider the remaining criteria for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa.

1. The Tribunal sets aside the decision under review and remits the application for a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa for reconsideration, in accordance with the order that the applicant meets the following criteria for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa:
   • cl 500.212 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.

Representative for the Applicant: Mr Wilson Kumar Sharma (MARN: 1793491)

DIRECTION NUMBER 108 - ASSESSING THE GENUINE TEMPORARY ENTRANT CRITERION FOR STUDENT VISA AND STUDENT GUARDIAN VISA APPLICATIONS

I, CLARE O'NEIL, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security give this Direction under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act).

Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security

Note: Section 499(1) of the Act empowers the Minister to give a written direction to a person or body having functions or powers under the Act if the directions are about the performance of those functions; or the exercise of those powers. Under section 499(2) of the Act, the direction must not be inconsistent with the Act or the Migration Regulations 1994. Under section 499(2A) of the Act, the person or body must comply with the Direction.

This Direction is Direction No. 108 - Assessing the genuine temporary entrant criterion for Student visa and Student Guardian visa applications.

Direction No. 69, given under section 499 of the Act, is revoked.

Act means the Migration Act 1958.

Finally determined has the same meaning as is set out in subsections 5(9) and (9A) of the Act.

Genuine temporary entrant means a person who satisfies the genuine temporary entrant criterion for Student visa or Student Guardian visa applications.

Genuine temporary entrant criterion refers to clause 500.212(a), 500.312(a) and 590.215(a) at Schedule 2 to the Regulations.

Home country has the same meaning as the definition of that term in regulation 1.03 in Part 1 of the Regulations.

Regulations mean the Migration Regulations 1994.

Relative has the same meaning as the definition of that term in regulation 1.03 in Part 1 of the Regulations.

Spouse has the same meaning as the definition of the term in section 5F of the Act.

Student visa means a Subclass 500 (Student) visa

Student Guardian visa means a Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visa.

This Direction applies to delegates performing functions or exercising powers under section 65 of the Act in relation to assessing an applicant against the genuine temporary entrant criterion for Student visa applications and Student Guardian visa applications (as applicable).

This Direction also applies to members of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal; or the Administrative Review Tribunal, upon its establishment; who review the decisions of primary decision-makers in relation to a Student visa or Student Guardian visa application.

This Direction applies in relation to Student visa applications and Student Guardian visa applications made before 23 March 2024 but not finally determined on that date, including such visa applications that are remitted from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal; or the Administrative Review Tribunal, upon its establishment; or a Court.

The genuine temporary entrant criterion must be satisfied by all applicants who make an application for a Student visa and seek to satisfy the primary or secondary criteria, or an application for a Student Guardian visa and seek to satisfy the primary criteria.

Note: Direction No. 106 applies in relation to Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications and Student Guardian visa applications made on or after 23 March 2024, including visa applications made on or after that date that are remitted from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal; or the Administrative Review Tribunal, upon its establishment; or a Court.

The Australian Government operates a student visa program that enables people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to undertake study in Australia. A person who wants to undertake a course of study under the student visa program must obtain a student visa before they can commence a course of study in Australia. A successful applicant must be both a genuine temporary entrant and a genuine student.

An applicant who is a genuine temporary entrant will have circumstances that support a genuine intention to temporarily enter and remain in Australia, notwithstanding the potential for this intention to change over time to an intention to utilise lawful means to remain in Australia for an extended period of time or permanently.

The genuine temporary entrant criterion for Student visa applications requires the Minister to be satisfied that the applicant intends genuinely to stay in Australia temporarily, having regard to:

a) the applicant's circumstances; and

b) the applicant's immigration history; and

c) if the applicant is a minor - the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant; and

d) any other relevant matter

This Direction provides guidance to decision makers on what factors require consideration when assessing the above paragraphs a) to d), to determine whether the applicant genuinely intends to stay in Australia temporarily.

Decision makers must take a reasonable and balanced approach between the need to make a timely decision on a Student visa or Student Guardian visa application and the need to identify those applicants who, at time of decision, do not genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily.

Assessing the genuine temporary entrant criterion

1. Decision makers should not use the factors specified in this Direction as a checklist. The listed factors are intended only to guide decision makers when considering the applicant's circumstances as a whole, in reaching a finding about whether the applicant satisfies the genuine temporary entrant criterion.
2. Decision makers should assess whether, on balance, the genuine temporary entrant criterion is satisfied, by:

a) considering the applicant against all factors specified in this Direction; and > > b) considering any other relevant information provided by the applicant (or information otherwise available to the decision maker)

3. Decision makers may request additional information and/or further evidence from the applicant to demonstrate that they are a genuine temporary entrant, where closer scrutiny of the applicant's circumstances is considered appropriate.
4. Circumstances where further scrutiny may be appropriate include but are not limited to:

a) information in statistical, intelligence and analysis reports on migration fraud and immigration compliance compiled by the department indicates the need for further scrutiny; > > b) the applicant or a relative of the applicant has an immigration history of reasonable concern; > > c) the applicant intends to study in a field unrelated to their previous studies or employment; and > > d) apparent inconsistencies in information provided by the applicant in their Student visa application or Student Guardian visa application.

5. An application for a Student visa or a Student Guardian visa should be refused if, after weighing up the applicant's circumstances, immigration history and any other relevant matter, the decision maker is not satisfied that the applicant genuinely intends a temporary stay in Australia.

1. Decision makers should have regard to the applicant's circumstances in their home country and the applicant's potential circumstances in Australia.
2. For primary applicants of Student visas, decision makers should have regard to the value of the course to the applicant's future.
3. Weight should be placed on an applicant's circumstances that indicate that the Student visa or Student Guardian visa is intended primarily for maintaining residence in Australia.

The applicant's circumstances in their home country

1. When considering the applicant's circumstances in their home country, decision makers should have regard to the following factors:

a) whether the applicant has reasonable reasons for not undertaking the study in their home country or region if a similar course is already available there. Decision makers should allow for any reasonable motives established by the applicant; > > b) the extent of the applicant's personal ties to their home country (for example family, community and employment) and whether those circumstances would serve as a significant incentive to return to their home country; > > c) economic circumstances of the applicant that would present as a significant incentive for the applicant not to return to their home country. These circumstances may include consideration of the applicant's circumstances relative to the home country and to Australia; > > d) military service commitments that would present as a significant incentive for the applicant not to return to their home country; and > > e) political and civil unrest in the applicant's home country. This includes situations of a nature that may induce the applicant to apply for a Student visa or Student Guardian visa as means of obtaining entry to Australia for the purpose of remaining indefinitely. Decision makers should be aware of the changing circumstances in the applicant's home country and the influence these may have on an applicant's motivations for applying for a Student visa or a Student Guardian visa.

2. Decision makers may have regard to the applicant's circumstances in their home country relative to the circumstances of others in that country.

The applicant's potential circumstances in Australia

1. In considering the applicant's potential circumstances in Australia, decision makers should have regard to the following factors:

a) The applicant's ties with Australia which would present as a strong incentive to remain in Australia. This may include family and community ties; > > b) evidence that the student visa programme is being used to circumvent the intentions of the migration programme; > > c) whether the Student visa or Student Guardian visa is being used to maintain ongoing residence; > > d) whether the primary and secondary applicant(s) have entered into a relationship of concern for a successful Student visa outcome. Where a decision maker determines that an applicant and dependant have contrived their relationship for a successful Student visa outcomes, the decision maker may find that both applicants do not satisfy the genuine temporary entrant criterion; and > > e) the applicant's knowledge of living in Australia and their intended course of study and the associated education provider; including previous study and qualifications, what is a realistic level of knowledge an applicant is expected to know and the level of research the applicant has undertaken into their proposed course of study and living arrangements.

1. Decision makers should have regard to the following factors when considering the value of the course to the applicant's future:

a) whether the student is seeking to undertake a course that is consistent with their current level of education and whether the course will assist the applicant to obtain employment or improve employment prospects in their home country. Decision makers should allow for reasonable changes to career or study pathways; and > > b) relevance of the course to the student's past or proposed future employment either in their home country or a third country; and > > c) remuneration the applicant could expect to receive in the home country or a third country, compared with Australia, using the qualifications to be gained from the proposed course of study.

1. An applicant's immigration history refers both to their visa and travel history.
2. When considering the applicant's immigration history, decision makers should have regard to the following factors:

a) Previous visa applications for Australia or other countries, including: > > 1. if the applicant previously applied for an Australian temporary or permanent visa, whether those visa applications are yet to be finally determined (within the meaning of subsection 5(9) of the Act), were granted, or grounds on which the application(s) were refused; and > 2. if the applicant has previously applied for visa(s) to other countries, whether the applicant was refused a visa and the circumstances that led to visa refusal. > 3. b. Previous travels to Australia or other countries, including: > 4. if the applicant previously travelled to Australia, whether they complied with the conditions of their visa and left before their visa ceased, and if not, were there circumstances beyond their control; > 5. whether the applicant previously held a visa that was cancelled or considered for cancellation, and the associated circumstances; > 6. the amount of time the applicant has spent in Australia and whether the Student visa or Student Guardian visa may be used primarily for maintaining ongoing residence, including whether the applicant has undertaken a series of short, inexpensive courses, or has been onshore for some time without successfully completing a qualification; and > 7. if the applicant has travelled to countries other than Australia, whether they complied with the migration laws of that country and the circumstances around any non-compliance.

If the applicant is a minor - the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant

1. If the primary or secondary applicant for a Student visa is a minor, decision makers should have regard to the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant.

1. Decision makers should also have regard to any other relevant information provided by the applicant (or information otherwise available to the decision maker) when assessing the applicant's intention to temporarily stay in Australia. This includes information that may be either beneficial or unfavourable to the applicant.