Ng (Migration) [2026] ARTA 54 (5 January 2026)

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. The applicant is a single man without dependents. He owns an apartment in Malaysia. Following school, he completed tertiary qualifications in Malaysia and the UK. From 2010 to 2023 he worked in the construction industry in Singapore and Malaysia. In 2017 he co-founded a construction contracting company in Malaysia. He claims to be pursuing a career change by undertaking hospitality related study in Australia and intends to return to Malaysia to work in restaurants or to open his own restaurant in Singapore or Malaysia.
4. The applicant has siblings who have studied in Australia, and now reside here. In 2023, the applicant accompanied his parents and other relatives on a visit to Australia for his sister's graduation. During that visit he observed another sister and brother-in-law running a restaurant in Melbourne. The applicant claims that the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction industry in Malaysia and Singapore, the high intensity workload and uncertain outlook had led to him to start to contemplate a career change and that the discussions with his sister and brother-in-law led him to visit colleges in Melbourne, speak to course advisers about potential career paths, and then to speak to his parents and other family members about a career change.
5. The applicant told the Tribunal that course advisers told him that it was possible to apply for a student visa while visiting Australia. He said that being already advanced in his first career and having the ability to support himself financially, he thought it made better sense to use the fact that he was already in Australia to commence study, rather than return to Malaysia and make subsequent arrangements.
6. The Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant is genuinely pursuing a career change. He has family members involved in the hospitality industry, and while he did not make detailed inquiries to study in his home country, the Tribunal accepts his decision to study in Australia was influenced by the presence of family members in Australia who are involved in the hospitality industry and advice he received from them and course advisers.
7. The Tribunal gives some positive weight to the applicant's cultural, family, property and social links to Malaysia, and Singapore, as providing some incentive for him to return to Malaysia on conclusion of his study. Supporting this is evidence of an agreement the applicant and his sibling's made following their mother's recent diagnosis of cancer. One of the applicant's sisters has temporarily returned to Malaysia to assist their parents, but they have agreed that the applicant will take primary responsibility for care of the parents as they age in Malaysia.
8. The Tribunal was told the applicant's parents are largely independent, now, but are grateful for assistance with things like getting to medical appointments, and that they may require further assistance as his mother's illness progresses. The applicant's sister, and other siblings in Australia, are unable to physically assist their parents in a significant way as they all have commitments in Australia. The applicant told the Tribunal that he has more flexibility and fewer commitments as he is single with no dependents, and that following discussions with his siblings it was agreed that he would be the main carer/support for his parents in Malaysia. The applicant said that the obligation on him to assist his parents was a significant incentive for him to return to Malaysia, and that it was a commitment he would be able to undertake, even if he subsequently took up work in Singapore.
9. All the applicant's siblings are in Australia and are married and have work in Australia. The applicant has travelled to Australia on 3 other occasions and the Tribunal is satisfied that he had sufficient knowledge of study and living conditions in Australia before applying for the student visa. The Tribunal notes the applicant has strong family links in Australia with his siblings living and working here. Despite the agreement that the siblings have made that the applicant will be bear the main responsibility for care of their parents in Malaysia, the Tribunal gives the presence of close family in Australia some negative weight as incentive for the applicant to remain in Australia.
10. Being satisfied that the applicant is genuinely seeking a career change, the Tribunal has considered the value of the courses to his future. The Tribunal is satisfied the courses are relevant and will assist the applicant in his proposed future employment.
11. The applicant has made one application for a student visa. There is no evidence that the student visa is being used to maintain ongoing residence.
12. The applicant has previously travelled to Australia on visitor visas. The Tribunal also notes the applicant has had short visits to other countries. There is no record of the applicant seeking to stay in any country for an extended period (apart from his current presence in Australia).
13. The applicant has had one visitor visa in 2016 cancelled/refused entry for previous non-compliance with a visa condition. The applicant explained the circumstances of the visa cancellation (receiving money from his sister) to the Tribunal, and although he denies that he beached a visa condition, the experience has made him more careful to ensure compliance with visa conditions. The Tribunal gives this history some negative weight, but having holistically considered the applicant's immigration history, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant is not seeking residence outside his home country.
14. 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).

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). The following conditions may also be imposed in some cases (cl 500.611(2)): 8303 (no disruptive or violent activity) and 8534 (limited visa entitlement).
3. The applicant has previously had a visitor visa to Australia cancelled/refused for non-compliance with a visa condition. The applicant explained the circumstances of the visa cancellation. The Tribunal gives some negative weight to the history of visa non-compliance in assessing the applicant's intention to comply with visa conditions.
4. The applicant has been in Australia this time since 2023. As a consequence of his past experience, he is aware of the potential ramifications of not complying with a visa condition and he told the Tribunal that he is currently complying with visa conditions. The Tribunal also notes the applicant has travelled to other countries and there is no information to suggest he has not complied with any conditions of travel to those countries. He has also received some financial support for his study from his parents in Malaysia. The Tribunal gives these circumstances some positive weight.
5. 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)).
2. The Tribunal notes that the applicant has been studying in Australia since January 2024. He has made positive progress achieving the Certificate IV qualification and is on track to complete the Diploma of Hospitality Management in early March 2026. On 4 December 2025 he received a Certificate of Excellence for term 6 of his study. The applicant's study plans have not deviated from those submitted with the visa application and have remained within the anticipated time frame for completion. The positive progress and proximity to end of study support the applicant's claim to be a genuine student.
3. 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.
4. 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: Mrs Minjia Rao (MARN: 1464628)

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.