Do I need a PIER-registered education consultant to apply for a student visa?

No — PIER registration is not a legal requirement for getting a student visa. You can apply directly through an institution's international admissions office, or even self-manage the application. However, a PIER-registered consultant can be valuable if: - You are unsure which institution or course is right for you - Your academic background is non-standard - You need help understanding the GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) requirement - You are applying from a country with higher visa refusal rates Most reputable Australian universities and colleges will only work with PIER-registered consultants, so if you want consultant support, PIER-registration is a good signal of legitimacy. [Compare PIER-registered education consultants →](/education-consultants)