Visa Information

Other visa options

For shorter periods of study, you can apply for a Visitor or Working Holiday Visa. There is also a visa option specifically for student guardians.

Student Guardian (Subclass 590)

Provides for certain persons to reside with a student in Australia, where the student requires a guardian, ie: the student is under 18 years of age.

• Study up to 3 months or study ELICOS for 20 hours per week for the duration of the visa.
• Meet Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement.
• Sufficient funds for airfares and living costs.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Acceptable health insurance.

Read more about Student Guardian visas on the Department of Home Affairs website.

• Student Guardian (Subclass 590)

Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485)

• This visa allows eligible international students who have completed an Australian education to stay in Australia to gain work experience.
• You can work in Australia for a period of 18 months and up to 4 years, depending on your qualification.
• This visa does not restrict the type of work you may do or the number of hours you may work.
• Applications for this visa must be made in Australia and you must hold an eligible student visa in the last 6 months.
• You must meet Australian study, English proficiency, health insurance, health and character requirements.
• You must meet the specific requirements of the stream in which you are applying for this visa.

Read more about Temporary Graduate visas on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Visa options and requirements are sometimes subject to change. In order to stay up to date, the best place to get accurate information is on the Department of Home Affairs website. The website provides comprehensive information on the types of visas available for different levels of study in Australia, including people considering bring family members with them (whether guardians, partners/spouses or children). You will also have access to help and advice about your specific visa requirements.

Another option is to contact an education agent, who can help with your visa application, course application, and answer any other questions.

• Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485)

Visa requirements

The student visa you need depends on your course. Here are some typical requirements:

• Receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) certificate.
• Meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement.
• Prove you have sufficient funds for airfares, course fees and living costs.
• Demonstrate English language proficiency.
• Meet health and character requirements.

Provide evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (see below).

• Explore your visa options for studying in Australia.

Overseas Student Health Cover

Australia has a special system of health cover for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). It will help you pay for any medical or hospital care you may need while you’re studying here. It will also help pay for most prescription medicines and provide you with ambulance cover in emergencies.

You will need to purchase OSHC for yourself and any family member travelling with you, before you arrive in Australia. You must have OSHC for the duration of your student visa. You can find out more about OSHC cover, including where to purchase OSHC at PrivateHealth.gov.au

How to apply

To study in Australia you’ll need to apply for admission to an institution and a student visa from the Australian Government.

Once you’ve decided on a course and an institution, it’s time to apply for admission.

Application process

The first step is to apply for the course you want. There are two ways to apply:

1. Direct to the education provider

To apply direct, download the application form from the education provider’s website. If you are applying for courses at more than one institution, you will need to submit a separate application to each institution.

2. Through an Australian education agent

Most institutions partner with a number of agents. Details on the agents an institution works with can be found on their website or by contacting them directly.

You will need to prepare supporting documentation to send with your application. The documents vary depending on the course, provider and qualification you’re studying for. The most important documents include:

• Certificates that verify your previous study, including qualifications you already have.
• Evidence of your English language proficiency.
• Certificates or documents which verify previous study or work experience if you are seeking course credits. These must be translated into English.

Receiving your Letter of Offer

If your application is successful, you will receive a ‘Letter of Offer’. To confirm your offer you must respond to this letter by signing and sending an acceptance of the offer back to the institution. This can usually be done by mail or, in some cases, by scanning and emailing the letter. The Letter of Offer is a contract between you and the institution. It sets out the course you will be enrolled in, enrolment conditions, the fees you need to pay, and the refund payable if you don’t complete your course with that provider. This contract is very important – if you don’t start your course, or finish your course, this written agreement will be used to determine if you will receive a refund.

Tip:

• Read the Letter of Offer carefully before you accept it.
• Make sure that you understand all your rights, including the refund arrangements.
• Do not accept the Letter of Offer if you are not happy with any of its terms.
• Keep a copy of the Letter of Offer. You will need this copy so that you are aware of your rights and if you have to make a claim against the institution.

Confirmation of Enrolment

After you have accepted your Offer and paid your deposit you will receive an ‘Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment’ (eCoE) by email. This will outline your course start date, total course fees and how long your course will run for.

Visa application

If you are applying for your Student Visa through the Department of Home Affairs online lodgement facility, you will need the details of your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment to lodge your visa application. If you are lodging a paper visa application you must provide the electronic Confirmation of Enrolment prior to the visa being granted.

Generally, secondary school exchange students and students sponsored by either Department of Foreign Affairs or the Department of Defence are the only students who will not require a confirmation of enrolment certificate.

You should make sure that you meet the requirements for a student visa before you accept an offer and pay any tuition fees.

Student visa

Visit Australia to participate in a course of study.

Cost

From AUD 710, unless exempt.

Processing times

Processing times vary

With this visa, you can

• participate in an eligible course of study
• bring family members to Australia with you
• apply online in or outside Australia
• See all conditions
• Check your eligibility

You must

• be enrolled in a course of study in Australia
• hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), or fall in one of the exemption categories
• must be 6 years or older
• prove you have a welfare arrangement if you are under 18
• If in Australia hold an eligible substantive visa. See, ‘Have this Visa if applying while in Australia” in Eligibility Tab.

Note:

• A substantive visa ceases to be in effect if another substantive visa is granted
• Applications are received Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) (or Australian Eastern daylight standard time (AEDST) when applicable)