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Getting a Student Visa for Australia

Student Visas are divided into visa subclasses based on the principal course of study in Australia.

The Department of Immigration associates a certain risk to the issue of Student Visas, and to this effect base the different Student Visas on assessment factors such as the applicant's nationality and their intended type and area of study.

Students who have obtained certain Australian qualifications are potentially able to apply for new categories of permanent Skilled Visas in Australia on completion of their studies.

The different Student Visa subclasses (based on the intended studies) include:

• 570 - Independent English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (although where a student is undertaking ELICOS as a prerequisite to another course, the student must apply under the subclass relevant to the principal course);
• 571 - Schools (primary, secondary, and approved secondary exchange programs);
• 572 - Vocational education and training sector (meaning Certificate I, II, III, and IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma);
• 573 - Higher education sector (covering bachelor degree, graduate certificate and graduate diploma);
• 574 - Masters and doctorate sector;
• 575 - Non-award foundation studies/other full-time course not leading to an Australian award; and
• 576 - AusAID or Defence sponsored sector.

Visa Conditions

Strict conditions are imposed on Student Visa holders, and any breach of these conditions may lead to the cancellation of the visa.

Some examples of Student Visa conditions are outlined below:

• The student must satisfy attendance and/or course requirements and maintain a valid enrolment for the chosen course of study.
• Students (and their dependents) are not allowed to work. After they have commenced studies, they can apply for work rights (limited to 20 hours per week).
• The student must remain with the education provider with whom the student enrolled for the first 12 months of the course (or for the duration of the course if the course lasts for less than 12 months) - save for in exceptional circumstances.
• The student's residential address (and any changes) must be notified to the educational provider within 7 days of arrival in Australia (or of any move).

Students must also provide evidence they have sufficient funds to pay for accommodation, airfares, course tuition fees, overseas student health cover (OSHC) and meet the basic requirements for English language ability as determined by their intended institution of study. All students must prove they can manage their tuition fee and general expenses during the duration of their stay in Australia on a Student Visa.