Australia Services Immigration

Services for Students
Studying in Australia

If you wish to study in Australia for over 3 months, you will need a student visa (if your intended stay in Australia is 3 months or less you may apply for a short stay visa). For periods of study greater than 3 months a Student (Temporary) Visa is required by non-Australian residents.

However, to be granted a student visa, you must be planning to undertake a registered course. A registered course is an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider who is registered with the Australian Government to offer courses to overseas students. For details of registered course, please see The Department of Education, Science and Training website:
http://cricos.detya.gov.au

It is advisable to check with the Australian Embassy in your home country to see if you are actually eligible to apply for a student visa before you obtain official confirmation of your enrolment and pay tuition fees www.dfat.gov.au/missions/

Student visa requirements

To be granted a student visa you need to satisfy the visa requirements and comply with a number of conditions for attendance and academic performance that will come into effect after you have entered Australia. Your Student (Temporary) Visa will list the conditions that apply specifically to you. It is important to comply with your visa conditions to avoid visa cancellation.

The Student (Temporary) Visa has separate sub-classes for each education sector. You should therefore apply under the visa sub-class for your principal course of study. For further information visit: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/

For up-to-date information on student visas and visa requirements please check the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMIA) website:
www.immi.gov.au/study/index.htm

Making your application

Visa application forms in English, Portuguese or Spanish can be downloaded from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) website. For application forms in other languages contact your nearest Australian embassy (www.dfat.gov.au/missions/) or DIMA office.

Most students will need to fill in the Application for a Student (Temporary) Visa Form 157A. US Study Abroad, Norwegian and Swedish students over 18 years of age can apply for an electronic student visa using Form 157E on the DIMA website.

You may be asked to have a medical examination as part of the visa process. You will be given a list of approved doctors and special forms for the doctor to complete. All students must show evidence that they have health insurance cover before a visa can be issued.

Once completed, you should send your visa application form (together with the correct visa fee and all necessary documents) to the nearest Australian embassy (www.dfat.gov.au/missions/) or DIMA Office, unless instructed otherwise.

If your application is successful you will be issued with a Multiple Entry Visa allowing you to travel backwards and forwards to Australia within the period for which the visa has been granted. That period will depend on the course for which you have been accepted. Your visa can be cancelled if you discontinue your studies or fail to meet the conditions of your visa.

For further information, please see:
http://studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/StudyCosts/

Extending your stay

Following your initial student visa, you may wish to extend your stay in Australia for further study, graduation or to travel. If you wish to enrol on a new course, you will need to apply for a new student visa before your current visa expires. However, if your current student visa has a 'no further stay' condition you may not be granted a new student visa while you are in Australia.

For further information on the options that are available to you please visit:
www.immi.gov.au/study/extending/index.htm