Student Visa

Many people come to Australia from overseas to take advantage of its excellent trade and vocational colleges as well as the academic qualifications gained through universities and post-graduate courses.

To apply for a Student Visa, you must be enrolled in a full-time course of study at a registered educational establishment in Australia. This is the first step for all those wishing to apply for a Student Visa.

Main Eligibility Factors

Student Visas are granted when a student can prove that they have adequate funds to support themselves in Australia, pay for their tuition and care for dependant family members included on the visa.

As a student in Australia, you will only have a limited working allowance on your visa, so you will need enough funds to pay for living expenses and tuition and this funding must be evidenced in order to apply successfully. If you take time off from study to work, you will possibly exceed your work allowance on the visa and in addition you may fall below full-time study levels and fail academically. These results can lead to visa cancellation.

Other criteria include being of good health, a committed student and of good character - without a criminal record. It is important that students’ English language ability is proficient enough to successfully study in Australia. If a student’s English is not good enough, most education providers will arrange for you to take an intensive English course before starting the main tuition. Furthermore, applicants need to take out Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) because Medicare is not available to overseas students.

You may undertake any course of study for up to three months on a Working Holiday or Visitor Visa. For study lasting more than three months, a Student Visa must be applied for.

Benefits of studying on a Student Visa

• Access to Australia's subsidised student health cover
• Able to study for more than three months
• Usually able to change status to an overseas student in Australia
• Can apply for permission to work

Potential students can apply for a Student Visa after they have received a letter of offer or electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE). However, before you enrol or obtain an eCoE, you need to seek advice from your local Australian Government office overseas. The office will assist you in making your application and will advise you on what documents you require.

Student Visa Program – 7 categories

1. Independent English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students Student Visa
   This visa is only for students enrolling on the English course.
   
2. Vocational Education and Training Student Visa
   This course is at Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Certificate level. It is taken in Australia at a Government Funded Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges, or a privately funded college.
   
3. Higher Education Student Visa
   This visa is for a University Bachelor Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.
   
4. Masters and Doctorate Student Visa
   This visa is for a Masters Degree by coursework or by research and a Doctorate (PhD).
   
5. Schools Student Visa
   This visa is for a primary or secondary school course, or a secondary exchange student program.
   
6. Non-Award Foundation Student Visa
   This visa is for any study course where there is no formal educational award or certificate.
   
7. AusAID or Defence Sponsored Student Visa
   For this visa applicants must provide evidence of sponsorship by either AusAID or a Defence scholarship.