FACTORS TO ADDRESS IN STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (SOP) – GTE

Issues where Department of Home Affairs has been focusing on when refusing visas:

1. ECONOMIC TIES TO HOME COUNTRY

• What incentives are there to return to home country on completion of study?
• SOP should include detail of why the applicant will be motivated to return – this must be
customised to the applicants’ individual/family circumstances … for example:
o Returning to family business,
o Returning for future partnership/marriage
o Family care responsibilities

Example of visa refusal reasoning

I have considered the applicant’s circumstances in their home country. The Applicant has not
demonstrated sufficient economic ties to their home country. I acknowledge that the applicant has
personal ties in their home country in the form of their immediate family however I find that these
ties do not, of themselves, constitute a strong incentive to return home at the completion of the
proposed study. I am therefore not satisfied that the applicant has been able to demonstrate
personal or economic ties that would serve as a significant incentive to return to their home country.

2. REASONS FOR CHOSING COLLEGE & AUSTRALIA AS A STUDY DESTINATION

• Why did you choose this particular college in this particular country?
• What is so compelling about this course (and/or the proposed study pathway) that would
make you travel half way around the earth and spend all that money on this course?
• In relation to your chosen course, what makes it better than other offerings in other
countries?
• How does this course cost (+living expenses) compare to other study destinations eg US, UK
or own country?
• If more expensive then need to justify why it is worth the extra cost.
• In this section – applicant needs to research and provide evidence around:
o Reputation of ‘Australian’ qualifications in the field of study
o Standards and regulations related to the course/learnings and why
understanding these will be helpful to applicants’ long-term career
o Professional bodies/associations that applicant may be able to join while
studying this course in Australia and how that will help career
o Professional networking opportunities available when studying in Australia

Example of visa refusal reasoning

I acknowledge the applicant’s statement in their application, which states that they wish to study in
Australia because of the quality education, safe environment and they wish to improve their English
skill. However, the applicant has not demonstrated that they have researched their options in other
countries or their home country. This raises concerns regarding the applicant’s motivation to study
in Australia. While I accept and have placed weight on the fact the applicant may wish to study in an
English-speaking environment and obtain an internationally recognised qualification, given they
have not substantively investigated study options in their home country I cannot be satisfied, given
their individual circumstances, that they genuinely intend a temporary stay in Australia.
3. IMPROVED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNTIES IN HOME COUNTRY – AFTER GRADUATION

• After you graduate and return to you home country – what job opportunities exist for
someone with your qualifications?
o Must be realistic and based on actual earning potential
o Need real examples of actual pay for that occupation – provide figures and
statistics from credible sources – the Dept will check that the anticipated pay
numbers are realistic
o If you are talking about increased demand for your occupation in your home
country in the future - and you say pay levels will increase as a result – you need
to provide some data and analysis to back this up
o General rule – you should be able to demonstrate that ‘increased earnings’ will
pay back the cost of the overseas study within 3 years

Example of visa refusal reasoning

Applicant has indicated that after the course they will return to their home country and that they
expect to return to a significantly improved employment circumstance and remuneration level. I find
that the applicant has not provided detailed or convincing testimony / evidence as to how they
would achieve this against the prevailing employment circumstances for individuals with their
current and anticipated educational background.