In 2026, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) no longer wants to read a story. They want data. The new GS requirement forces you to answer specific, targeted questions directly in your online ImmiAccount, with a strict maximum of 150 words per question.

If you are applying from India—which is currently classified as a high-risk Evidence Level 3 country—every single word you type must be backed by hard documentary evidence. Here is the 2026 blueprint for passing the GS test.

1. The 4 Core GS Questions (And How to Answer Them)

Instead of a blank page, you will face these specific questions. Here is how to conquer them:

Question 1: Your Current Circumstances

• What they ask: Give details of your current circumstances. This includes ties to family, community, employment, and economic circumstances.

• How to Answer: Do not write poetry about your family. Be factual. Mention your parents’ exact professions, your family’s annual income, and any property you own. If you are working, state your exact job title and company in India.

• The Rule: Everything mentioned here must match your attached Bank Statements and ITRs.

Question 2: Why This Course & Why Australia?

• What they ask: Explain why you wish to study this course in Australia with this particular education provider.

• How to Answer: Zero generic statements. Do not mention the weather, the kangaroos, or “world-class education.” Name 2 or 3 specific modules in your syllabus that are not taught in India. Mention a specific professor or campus facility at your chosen university. Prove you did the research.

Question 3: The Benefit to Your Future

• What they ask: Explain how completing the course will be of benefit to you.

• How to Answer: This is your ROI (Return on Investment) pitch. State the exact job title you expect to get in India upon graduation (e.g., “Senior Data Analyst”). Mention target companies in Punjab or Delhi (e.g., TCS, Infosys) and quote the expected salary difference this Australian degree will give you compared to a local Indian degree.

Question 4: Additional Information

• What they ask: Give details of any other relevant information you would like to include.

• How to Answer: Use this space to explain any study gaps or previous visa refusals from any country. Do not hide your history; the DHA shares data with the US, UK, and Canada. If you have a gap, explain what you did (e.g., “Prepared for competitive exams”) and attach proof.

“My agent told me to write a 2-page Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) letter. Is that enough?”No! If you do this, your visa will be refused.

• The Australian Government officially abolished the GTE requirement. It has been replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) Test. The days of writing a generic, 300-word essay about how “Australia is a beautiful country” are over.

2. The AI Detection Trap (Why DIY Fails)

Are you thinking of using ChatGPT to write your GS answers? Don’t.

• The DHA uses advanced AI-detection software. If your 150-word answers read like perfectly polished, robotic text with no personal flaws, your file will be flagged for “Non-Genuine Intent.”

• Visa officers prefer slightly imperfect English that sounds like a real 18-to-22-year-old Indian student, rather than a machine.

3. The “Evidence Level 3” Reality for India

As of January 2026, Indian applicants face the highest level of scrutiny.

• The Rule: You cannot just make claims in your GS answers. If you say, “My father runs a successful business,” you must attach the GST certificate, MSME registration, and business bank statements.

• The Funds: You must prove you have the AUD 29,710 for living costs readily available. “Window dressing” (borrowing money for 3 days) will result in a 3-year ban for fraud.

External Resources (Official Links)

• Department of Home Affairs – Genuine Student Requirement: The official government breakdown of the new GS questions.

• Study Australia – Course Search: Use this to find specific syllabus details to use in your GS answers.