Learn4good provides general information on study, travel, work visa and business visa requirements and the addresses of embassies worldwide. You should contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information or visa forms.
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Who requires a visa?
Everyone travelling to Australia needs an approved travel document, visa or authority to enter Australia.
Student visa:
Any person who intends to undertake full-time study in a registered course in Australia needs to obtain a Student Visa. A Student Visa permits the holder to travel to, enter and remain in Australia for the duration of the registered course of study. Overseas students cannot undertake part-time study in Australia and must leave Australia on completion of their course of study.
What documents will be required?
To be considered for a Student Visa, you must first complete an application form (157W) which is available free of charge either from the Australian High Commission. The application form must be accompanied by the correct application fee, which should be in the form of a bank draft made payable to the Australian High Commission.
It is best to apply through a university representative as the application procedure is quite long and cumbersome. The application fee for a student (temporary) visa can be found from the official High Commission. The fee is subject to change without notice. An application will not be accepted unless it is made in the prescribed form and with the correct fee.
The fee is an immigration service charge and is non refundable irrespective of the outcome of your visa application.
Your application will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
a) Evidence of Enrolment
One of the important requirements for a student visa application is that you must be accepted for enrolment, to undertake a course, by a Government registered Australian education institution. This is verified by the advice of acceptance from the Australian institution (commonly known as Letter of Offer), which is issued to a student who has been offered enrolment in a full-time course. You should not pay any part of the course tuition fee prior to the outcome of the PVA.
b) Bona Fides
The bona fides assessment determines whether an applicant is a genuine student who intends to undertake studies in Australia, abide by visa conditions and depart on completion of the course. This involves examining the following:
– academic performance of the applicant;
– relevance of the proposed course of the applicant’s current academic and employment circumstances;
– whether the applicant’s English language skills are adequate for the purposes of the proposed course;
– applicant’s intention to comply with visa conditions and leave Australia at the end of the authorised period of stay
c) Adequate Financial Resources
This involves an assessment of the applicant’s or his/her sponsor’s ability to finance all expenses pertaining to the applicant’s education in Australia. The factors that may be taken into account include:
– Capacity to pay for course tuition fee, return air fares to home country and all expenses (including medical insurance) associated with his/her stay in Australia;
– Applicant’s capacity to repay any loans taken to finance his/her study; and
– if the applicant is married, his/her ability to support any financially-dependent family unit members for the duration of the course.
From 26 April 2008, people granted student visas will automatically receive permission to work with their visa grant. Most student visa holders will no longer need to apply separately in Australia for permission to work.
Time required to issue visa:
As a general rule, applicants should allow a four to six week timeframe for processing of applications. Factors that may delay this processing time include:
– Medical referral to Australia and the need for any subsequent medical tests;
– Document verification including educational documents, employment references and bank statements; and
– Applications which are incomplete and require the visa office to make contact with the applicant or the applicant’s agent.
It is compulsory for all international students to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for themselves and their dependents, where applicable, for the duration of the visa. The premium for OSHC is only to be paid once the PVA requirements have been met.
What if my application is not successful?
If you have applied from outside Australia, the decision not to grant you a visa cannot be reviewed by the Migration Review Tribunal. If you have applied in Australia, you may apply to the Migration Review Tribunal for review of the decision not to grant a visa.
What is the cost of a visa?
No fees apply to students sponsored under Commonwealth approved programs and secondary exchange students.
The Student visa application charge includes an International Education Contribution of $115. This contributes to Australian Government initiatives to support international education through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
How long is the visa valid for?
Secondary School Exchange Student visas (for students holding an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Schooling) are always valid for the length of the exchange. Other student visas are usually valid for the duration of the course plus one or two months depending on the total length of the course.
If students wish to stay longer, they will have to apply for an additional visitor visa shortly before the student visa expires.
Other information:
For skilled people to be employed in Australia on a temporary or permanent basis. Applicants for these visas seeking to work for an Australian employer must be sponsored by their employer.
Can I work in Australia?
If you were granted a Student visa on or after 26 April 2008, you will already have Permission to Work automatically included with your visa.
If you were granted a Student visa before 26 April 2008 and have not yet applied for Permission to Work, you and your dependent family members may only apply for Permission to Work after you have started your course in Australia.
Can my family visit me in Australia?
Your spouse and dependent children may be included in your application for a student visa. Your parents and other family members wishing to visit you in Australia must obtain a tourist visa.
Embassy contact information:
Please contact the nearest Australian embassy for information on what documentation you may require to enter Australia. Australian Embassies Worldwide.
English Language School Australia
For Hotels, Hostels, Car Hire, Jobs and Schools in this country, see the menu options above. See ourTravel Forum to create a travel topic and ask questions to fellow travelers.
Who requires a visa?
Everyone travelling to Australia needs an approved travel document, visa or authority to enter Australia.
Student visa:
Any person who intends to undertake full-time study in a registered course in Australia needs to obtain a Student Visa. A Student Visa permits the holder to travel to, enter and remain in Australia for the duration of the registered course of study. Overseas students cannot undertake part-time study in Australia and must leave Australia on completion of their course of study.
What documents will be required?
To be considered for a Student Visa, you must first complete an application form (157W) which is available free of charge either from the Australian High Commission. The application form must be accompanied by the correct application fee, which should be in the form of a bank draft made payable to the Australian High Commission.
It is best to apply through a university representative as the application procedure is quite long and cumbersome. The application fee for a student (temporary) visa can be found from the official High Commission. The fee is subject to change without notice. An application will not be accepted unless it is made in the prescribed form and with the correct fee.
The fee is an immigration service charge and is non refundable irrespective of the outcome of your visa application.
Your application will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
a) Evidence of Enrolment
One of the important requirements for a student visa application is that you must be accepted for enrolment, to undertake a course, by a Government registered Australian education institution. This is verified by the advice of acceptance from the Australian institution (commonly known as Letter of Offer), which is issued to a student who has been offered enrolment in a full-time course. You should not pay any part of the course tuition fee prior to the outcome of the PVA.
b) Bona Fides
The bona fides assessment determines whether an applicant is a genuine student who intends to undertake studies in Australia, abide by visa conditions and depart on completion of the course. This involves examining the following:
– academic performance of the applicant;
– relevance of the proposed course of the applicant’s current academic and employment circumstances;
– whether the applicant’s English language skills are adequate for the purposes of the proposed course;
– applicant’s intention to comply with visa conditions and leave Australia at the end of the authorised period of stay
c) Adequate Financial Resources
This involves an assessment of the applicant’s or his/her sponsor’s ability to finance all expenses pertaining to the applicant’s education in Australia. The factors that may be taken into account include:
– Capacity to pay for course tuition fee, return air fares to home country and all expenses (including medical insurance) associated with his/her stay in Australia;
– Applicant’s capacity to repay any loans taken to finance his/her study; and
– if the applicant is married, his/her ability to support any financially-dependent family unit members for the duration of the course.
From 26 April 2008, people granted student visas will automatically receive permission to work with their visa grant. Most student visa holders will no longer need to apply separately in Australia for permission to work.
Time required to issue visa:
As a general rule, applicants should allow a four to six week timeframe for processing of applications. Factors that may delay this processing time include:
– Medical referral to Australia and the need for any subsequent medical tests;
– Document verification including educational documents, employment references and bank statements; and
– Applications which are incomplete and require the visa office to make contact with the applicant or the applicant’s agent.
It is compulsory for all international students to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for themselves and their dependents, where applicable, for the duration of the visa. The premium for OSHC is only to be paid once the PVA requirements have been met.
What if my application is not successful?
If you have applied from outside Australia, the decision not to grant you a visa cannot be reviewed by the Migration Review Tribunal. If you have applied in Australia, you may apply to the Migration Review Tribunal for review of the decision not to grant a visa.
What is the cost of a visa?
No fees apply to students sponsored under Commonwealth approved programs and secondary exchange students.
The Student visa application charge includes an International Education Contribution of $115. This contributes to Australian Government initiatives to support international education through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
How long is the visa valid for?
Secondary School Exchange Student visas (for students holding an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Schooling) are always valid for the length of the exchange. Other student visas are usually valid for the duration of the course plus one or two months depending on the total length of the course.
If students wish to stay longer, they will have to apply for an additional visitor visa shortly before the student visa expires.
Other information:
For skilled people to be employed in Australia on a temporary or permanent basis. Applicants for these visas seeking to work for an Australian employer must be sponsored by their employer.
Can I work in Australia?
If you were granted a Student visa on or after 26 April 2008, you will already have Permission to Work automatically included with your visa.
If you were granted a Student visa before 26 April 2008 and have not yet applied for Permission to Work, you and your dependent family members may only apply for Permission to Work after you have started your course in Australia.
Can my family visit me in Australia?
Your spouse and dependent children may be included in your application for a student visa. Your parents and other family members wishing to visit you in Australia must obtain a tourist visa.
Embassy contact information:
Please contact the nearest Australian embassy for information on what documentation you may require to enter Australia. Australian Embassies Worldwide.
English Language School Australia