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The Australian Government allows people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to study in Australia. You can be granted a student visa only if you wish to undertake a registered course or part of a registered course on a full-time basis. A registered course is an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider who is registered with the Australian Government to offer courses to overseas students. You may undertake any course of study for less than three months on a visitor visa or working holiday visa. If you intend to study for more than three months, you must apply for a student visa. There are advantages to applying for a student visa. If you are studying on a student visa you: - have access to Australia's subsidised student health cover
- are able to study for more than three months
- are generally able to change status to an overseas student in Australia, and
- can apply for permission to work.
Students wanting to study in Australia can apply for a student visa after they have received a letter of offer or electronic confirmation of enrolment in relation to one or more full-time courses of study. Depending on your country of nationality and your principal course of study you may have to undergo a preliminary assessment before an Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment is issued by your Australian education provider. Each education sector in each country is ranked according to five assessment levels. Generally, an international student is issued with a multiple entry visa for the duration of their study course in Australia. This allows you to travel backwards and forwards to Australia within the period for which it has been granted. Members of your immediate family (spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age) may accompany you to Australia and will be considered in the same visa class as yourself. If you wish to extend your stay in Australia for further study you will need to lodge an application for a further visa. While on an Australian Student Visa, you can work no more than 20 hours per week during semester, however you may work full-time during the official University vacations. Please note: DIAC strictly enforces this rule.
If you wish to work part-time while studying, you can only apply for a work permit after you have arrived in Australia and have finalised your enrolment at the relevant Australian college. You will be required to apply online for Permission to Work through DIAC. DIAC charges a fee for the issue of the work permit. Knowledge of the English Language
The Student Visa Regulations require students to have sat an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test prior to lodging their application. You may submit either an Academic or General IELTS test result as proof of your English language ability, however, check with your education provider if you are required to sit a specific IELTS test for entry into your course.
There is a strong demand for IELTS tests in Australia and all centres are booked well in advance. You must book your IELTS test as early as possible. If you require an IELTS test and are on holidays in your home country, you are encouraged to consider sitting your IELTS test while you are there. The applicants passport country and choice of study and determines the following assessment level: 1. ELICOS Sector
This visa is for international students who want to study English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) in Australia. This includes:
- courses that lead to a certificate I, II, III or IV
- courses that result in no formal Australian award.
2. Schools Sector
This visa is designed for international students applying to study in Australia and whose main course of study is:
- a primary school course
- a secondary school course, including junior and senior secondary or an approved secondary school exchange program.
3. Vocational Education and Training
This visa is designed for international students applying to study in Australia and whose main course of study is:
- a certificate I, II, III and IV (except ELICOS)
- a diploma
- an advanced diploma
- a vocational graduate certificate or a vocational graduate diploma.
4. Higher Education
This visa is designed for international students applying to study in Australia and whose main course of study is one of the following:
- Bachelor degree
- associate degree
- graduate certificate
- graduate diploma
- Masters by coursework.
5. Postgraduate Research
This visa is designed for international students who want to study a Masters degree
by research or a Doctoral degree in Australia.
6. Non Award
This visa is designed for international students who want to study the following
courses in Australia:
- a non-award foundation studies course
- other full-time course (or components of a course) that does not lead to an Australian award.
Student Guardian Visa
International students studying in Australia on a student visa may require a guardian
if they are under 18 years of age. There may also be exceptional circumstances where
a student over 18 years of age may need a guardian for religious or cultural reasons.
Bringing Family into Australia
Most student visas allow you to bring your family members to Australia as your dependants if you are:
- assessment level 1 or 2, or
- assessment level 3 or 4 and your course is longer than 12 months or you have been in Australia for 12 months or more.
Your assessment level is determined by your course of study and your nationality Who Is Considered a Family Member?
Family members include your spouse, and you and your spouse's dependent children.
Your spouse is the person you are married to, or in a de facto relationship with.
A de facto relationship applies if you have been living with a person of the opposite sex for at least 12 months, and you have a genuine and exclusive relationship with them.
A dependent child is the natural or adopted child, or step-child, of yourself or your spouse who: - is not married or engaged to be married or in a de facto relationship
- has not turned 18.
Your family members can apply to come with you to Australia in the following ways: - They can apply to join you in Australia as your dependants.
- They can apply for a Student Guardian visa.
- If they plan to study in Australia, they can apply for a student visa in their own right.
Working While Studying
Student visas are granted with a 'No Work' condition. You and your dependant family members can apply for permission to work only after you have started your course in Australia. If you are granted permission to work, a new visa label will be put in your passport. You must obtain a Tax File Number to be able to work in Australia. This is available from the Australian Tax Office.
Visa Cancellation
Your visa is subject to a number of visa conditions that you must comply with. Different visa conditions apply to you and your family members. Breaching a visa condition may result in the cancellation of your visa. Overseas Student Health Cover
You must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance during your stay in Australia. This means that you must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
A Path To Permanent Residency
Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa
This Visa is an 18 month temporary visa for overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study. It allows applicants who are unable to pass the points test to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain the skills and experience needed to apply for a permanent or provisional General Skilled Migration visa. No points test applies.
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