Australian Student visas are issued to overseas students enrolled on courses offered by an Australian education provider who is registered with the Australian government to offer courses to overseas students.
To qualify for an Australian Student Visa you must be registered on a course on a full-time basis.
To check if your course is registered you can visit the Commonwealth Register of Courses and Institutions for Overseas Students (CRICOS) website.
You can apply for your student visa as soon as you receive a letter of offer or electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for your full time course of study. However, it is recommended that you wait until you are advised by your local Australian Government office to enrol or obtain a CoE.
Your local Australian Government office can also give you information on applying and what documents you will need to attach to your application.
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 (eCoE) is issued by your Australian education provider.
Generally, you will be issued with a multiple entry visa for the duration of your study course in Australia. This allows you to travel in and out of Australia within the period for which it has been granted.
If you wish to extend your stay in Australia for further study you will need to lodge an application for a further visa.
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.
The charge for the Australian Student visa is currently AU$540. This fee must accompany your application and is generally not refunded if the visa application is unsuccessful.
Once you are granted an Australian Student Visa you are eligible for Australia’s subsidised student health cover.
Australia has a special system of health cover for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). You will need to buy OSHC before you come to Australia to cover you from when you arrive. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires you to maintain OSHC for the duration of your time on a student visa in Australia.
You can find further information about the OSHC system on the Study in Australia Website:
International students resident in Australia on an Australian Student Visa can apply for permission to work for up to 20 hours a week during course time and full time during vacation. A typical academic year is between 38 and 40 weeks.
Those granted a student visa after 26 April 2008 will automatically receive permission to work with your visa grant. This information is held electronically by DIAC.
You can only start work once you have started your course.
To be issued and maintain your Australian Student Visa you must meet the following conditions:
Conditions to your Australian Student visa are set out in your letter of approval received with your visa.
If any of your circumstances change or you wish to change course you should contact your nearest DIAC office for advice.
If you remain in Australia for more than 28 days after your student visa expires without obtaining a new one you may be prevented from returning to Australia for up to 3 years.
For more detailed, accurate and up-to-date information on student visas and visa requirements please visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website: http://www.immi.gov.au/
