Visa Information

General Visa Conditions

All international students intending to enter Australia to study must apply for a Student Visa (an exception may be for students offered a course, such as an English Language Course, of less than three months). Details of the Australian Diplomatic Offices around the world where the applications for the student visa can be lodged are available at the following website: DIAC

International students normally must obtain a student visa before they travel to Australia. However, students from selected countries may apply for a student visa after arrival in Australia on a temporary entry visa. Again, details may be obtained from the nearest Australian Diplomatic Office. Student visas are issued for full-time study. International students cannot study part-time.

Students must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover their tuition fees and living expenses while in Australia. Once enrolled, students must complete a full year of their course (or the whole course if it is less than a year in length), before they can change to another education institution in Australia, unless special permission is obtained. If a student is not satisfying course and/or visa requirements (including attending the course and making satisfactory academic progress) the University by law must notify the relevant Commonwealth and State authorities and the student visa may be cancelled.

Visa Application Procedures

All International students must have applied for and have been accepted for full-time study in a registered courses, or part of a course, by the University before they can apply for a student visa. An electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) form issued by the University offering a place in a course is proof of acceptance for visa purposes.

Students wishing to undertake a ‘package’ of courses (e.g. English language followed by a degree course) must apply and be accepted into each course in the ‘package’. Students offered a ‘package’ course must apply for the visa subclass applicable to the principal courses of the ‘package’.

Student visas are divided into seven subclasses. Each subclass is based on the education sector or level of the principal course of study (e.g. Higher Education; Masters and Doctorate; Vocational Education and Training sector; ELICOS; Foundation Program). Each student visa subclass is given and Assessment Level (AL) according to the country of nationality of the international students. There are 5 Assessment Levels (AL1 to AL5), with AL5 having the most stringent requirements. The assessment factors for each level include financial ability, English language proficiency, likely compliance with the conditions of the student visa, and other matters considered relevant to assessing each visa application. International students must meet the assessment factors applicable to the AL level of the Student Visa subclass of their principal course.

International students must also satisfy the general requirements applicable to all student visa applicants. The general requirements include being of good character and sound health, having acceptable health insurance for the period of time in Australia, and having no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia Details of the students visa subclasses, and related conditions, are available to the following website:

Dept of Immigration – Student Visa

Enrolment Status

It is a condition of enrolment that international students abide by the Australian student visa regulations. The University, through the International Student Office, is responsible for monitoring students’ enrolment and visa status at all time and for advising student if visa requirements are not being met. The Director of International Student Programs must approve enrolment and amendments to enrolments of all International students in advance. Students amending their enrolment without this authority may have their enrolment cancelled or modified appropriately.

Work Rights

International students are able to work after they arrive in Australia and have commenced their course of study. To do this they need to apply for a Student Visa with Permission to Work for which there is a minimal fee. Generally, students are limited to 20 hours work per week during semester; however, they may work fulltime during holiday periods.

Migration Information

International students who complete a degree or trade qualification in Australia may be able to apply to remain in Australia as a permanent resident at the end of their course, if they meet certain requirements. Students may apply only after they have completed their course. Students should check with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in Australia (www.immi.gov.au) for the latest requirements, as these requirements change from time to time. Students should also consult the Department’s booklet General Skilled Migration for up to date details of migration requirements for skilled migrants, including a list of skilled occupations in demand in Australia.

Also the students can contact the Migration Agents as listed by Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) in Australia (www.themara.com.au) if they wish to apply for migration, after they have completed their studies in Australia. Students can also contact these agents, if they wish to authorise an agent for their visa application

Employment

All initial students visas granted do not provide for the holder to be granted permission to work in Australia. Students and their dependants will only be able to apply for a student visa with work rights after they arrive in Australia and the student has commenced their course of study. The charge is AUD$50.

Generally, student visas and their dependents are limited to 20 hours work per week while the student’s course of study or training is in session. Students may work full-time during holiday periods. Dependent of Subclass 574 Masters and Doctorate student have unlimited work rights after the principal student visa holder has commenced his or her course in Australia.