Visa Requirements
Student Visas
Any study in Australia for over 3 months or longer requires a student visa. A short-stay visa is required if the intended stay is less than 3 months. Student visas are required by non-Australian residents and will only be granted if enrolment is in a registered, full-time course in Australia.
International students will be issued with multiple entry visas for the period of their study course. Students can therefore travel regularly to Australia within the approved period with immediate family members considered in the same visa class.
Procedures and requirements are different for each student and may differ from country to country and for different courses of study.
Educational institutions can assist with the visa process, and specific information can be sought from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC), or from Australian embassies or consulates in your country. Information on applications for student visas can be found at:
Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Student Visa sub-classes
Australia's Student visa program has seven sub-classes. The following information on visa sub-classes can also be found on the abovementioned DIAC website.
Subclass 570
Independent ELICOS sector for international students undertaking ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) as a stand-alone course, and not as a prerequisite to commencing another course (for example, a degree course)
Subclass 571
Schools sector for international students undertaking a course of study at a primary school or a secondary school, including both junior and senior secondary school.
Subclass 572
Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) sector covers Certificate I, II, III and IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Associate degree.
Subclass 573
Higher education sector covers a Bachelor degree, Graduate certificate, and Graduate diploma.
Subclass 574
Masters and doctorate sector covers a Masters degree by coursework or by research, and a Doctoral degree.
Subclass 575
Non-award foundation studies/other sector cover foundation, bridging or other courses that do not lead to the award of a degree, diploma or other formal award on the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Subclass 576
AusAID or Defence sponsored sector covers full-time study undertaken by AusAID or Defence-sponsored students for the whole or part of an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider.
Visa Assessment levels
The criteria by which students are assessed when applying for a particular visa class are dependant on which country they are from.
The assessment levels relate generally to how likely students are to comply with their visa conditions, based on the track record of previous students from their country who have studied in Australia.
Assessment level 1 represents the lowest assessment level and assessment level 5 the highest.
The higher the assessment level, the more evidence students will need to provide. This includes demonstrating their financial capacity to finance their studies, understanding of the English language and other relevant matters.
To determine which assessment level you are depending on, which country you are from and which course you are intending to apply for, please refer to DIAC Form 1219.
Basic requirements for all applicants
Whatever the course of study or country of citizenship, students will need to meet the following basic requirements:
- obtain overseas student health cover insurance (OSHC)
- no debts to the Commonwealth
- good character, and
- if under 18 years of age - additional requirements
- evidence of sound health
- have sufficient funds
- evidence of English language ability (IELTS test results)
For further information with respect to the health requirements please refer to DIAC form 1163i
Applying for a visa
Detailed instructions for applying for a student visa can be found in DIAC Form 1160i.
To apply for a student visa students should complete a visa application form 157A and submit it to DIAC with all required documentation, the application fee, and a copy of their Perth institution's Letter of Offer.
Links
Skilled Migration - Western Australia [http://www.migration.wa.gov.au/A4A8836BD3614D8DADB8F5DCA929ABF4.asp]
