A Student Visa Application Guidebook for Studying in Australia

7/30/2019 A Student Visa Application Guidebook for Studying in Australia

1/11

A student visa application guidebook for studying in Australia

A wise man once said 'Education is like rowing upstream. To not advance is to drop back'. On the samelines, further education today has become a matter of paramount importance and learning abroad hasprofound value. The quality of international schools have increased by leaps and bounds every year and

and there are so many countries that offer a rich variety of courses that cater to so many different fields ofeducation.

Ranked as some of the best places to study in,Australia have a surplus of established universities andschools that offer quality education. Yet, the common matter of concern for every individual is not theapplication to universities, but to gain a visa to go abroad.

In the following article, one will gain all the valuable information necessary for obtaining a student visatoStudy in Australia. Visas have a lot of tedious procedures and a lot of documentation required. Ifone is not a citizen of the country that one wishes to study in, it presents a plethora of problems fromimmigration to settling to financial concerns to so many others. Obtaining a Visa in general is alreadya huge process and the smallest of mistakes could lead to one not getting the Visa which nulls all thetiresome effort that we have put in. Therefore, the following article not only lists out the detailedprocedure and what documentation one has to file, but also provides all the other basic necessities for

student visa application.

The following are the important topics covered.

Qualifying/eligibility requirements for Student Visas Procedure of applying for Student Visas Required Documentation - A simple detailed Checklist with important information like questions

which can be expected in the visa interview, expected time-line, fee details

What are theRequired Visa FeesThe above topics will be discussed with all the valuable details to make your Visa application a muchsimpler process.

Student Visa in Australia

If you are not an Australian citizen, but want to take advantage of our quality education and trainingsystem, you may apply for a student visa.

Visas are granted by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). DIAC will onlygrant you a student visa if your course is registered, or is part of a registered course, on a full time basis. Aregistered course is one offered by an Australian education provider registered with the AustralianGovernment to offer courses to overseas students. Visit the Commonwealth Register of Courses andInstitutions or Overseas Students (CRICOS) website for more information.

Only courses under three months duration can be undertaken on a visitor visa orworking holiday visa. Ifyou intend to study for more than three months, you must apply for a student visa.

Advantages to studying on a student visa include:

you will have access to Australias subsidised student health cover; you will be allowed to study for longer than three months; and you can apply for permission to work part time. You can apply for your student visa as soon as you receive a letter of offer or electronic Confirmation of

Enrolment (CoE) for your full time course of study. However, it is recommended that you wait untilyou are advised by your local Australian Government office to enroll or obtain a CoE. Your local
http://www.minglebox.com/studyaustraliahttp://www.minglebox.com/studyaustraliahttp://www.minglebox.com/studyaustraliahttp://www.minglebox.com/studyaustralia


2/11

Australian Government office can also give you information on applying and what documents you willneed to attach to your application.

You should contact your local Australian Government office overseas to find out:

how to make your application; and what your document requirements will be.Assessment Levels

If you are subject to Assessment Level 1, you can apply online. If you are subject to Assessment Level 3 or4 you will need a letter of offer when

you apply for your visa.

Depending on your country of nationality and your principal course of study you may have to undergoa preliminary assessment before an Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) is issued by your

Australian education provider.

visa sub-classes for each education sectorYou should apply under the visa sub-class for your principal course of study.

assessment levelsEach education sector in each country is ranked according to five assessment levels. evidentiary standardsThese visa requirements include English language proficiency and are increasingly stringent fromassessment level 1 through to assessmentlevel 5.electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE)The only accepted evidence of enrolment for processing student visa applications. Generally, you will be issued with a multiple entry visa for the duration of your study course in Australia.This allows you to travel in and out of Australia within the period for which it has been granted. Membersof your immediate family (spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age) mayaccompany you to Australia and will be considered in the same visa class as yourself. If you wish to extend

your stay in Australia for further study you will need to lodge an application for a further visa.

Qualifying/Eligibility Requirements for a Student Visa in Australia

To be granted a student visa you must satisfy the visa requirements and comply with a number of visaconditions for attendance and academic performance which come into effect after you have entered

Australia. Your student visa will list the conditions that apply specifically to you. It is important to complywith your visa conditions to avoid visa cancellation.The student visa has seven separate sub-classes for each education sector. You should apply under the

visa sub-class for your principal course of study. Please note from 1 July 2004 there will be changes tosome of these subclasses.

Student visa requirements

To be granted a student visa you must satisfy the visa requirements and comply with a number of visaconditions for attendance and academic performance which come into effect after you have entered

Australia. Your student visa will list the conditions that apply specifically to you. It is important to complywith your visa conditions to avoid visa cancellation.

Student visa information on this website is an outline only and subject to change. For more detailed,accurate and up-to-date information on student visas and visa requirements please check the Departmentof Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website.


3/11

The student visa has seven separate sub-classes for each education sector. You should apply under thevisa sub-class for your principal course of study. Please note from 1 July 2004 there will be changes tosome of these subclasses.

Student visa sub-classes Independent ELICOS Schools Vocational education and Training (VET) sector Higher education Postgraduate Research Non-award. AusAID or Defence sponsoredGeneral Requirements for applying for a Student Visa

you are of good character you are of sound health you have acceptable health insurance through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself

and members of your family unit accompanying you to Australia

you have no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia, or have made arrangementsacceptable to the Minister to repay such a debt where you are under 18 years of age, acceptablearrangements for your accommodation, support and general welfare are in place

Offer of a place in a course and confirmation of enrolment

If you are applying outside Australia and your visa application will be assessed at Assessment Level 3, 4 or5, you should provide:

an offer of a place in a course letter from your Australian education provider at the time you lodgeyour application; and

an electronic confirmation of enrolment certificate issued by your education provider after you lodgeyour application if you are requested by the Australian overseas mission to do so.

This process allows a preliminary or Pre-Visa Assessment to be made on your application to see if you aregenuinely seeking to enter Australia for the purpose of study.

If you are applying outside Australia in Assessment Level 1 or 2, or in Australia in any Assessment Level,an electronic confirmation of enrolment certificate (CoE) is required before you lodge your applicationand a copy is to be provided with your application.

Note: A letter of offer is acceptable where a client lodges an application within Australia, but they musthave a CoE for grant of a student visaapplication.

Assessment Levels

In the above points, there are a lot of references to 'Assessment levels' as such. What are these Assessmentlevels?

Each student visa application is assessed according to an assessment level. The assessment level isdetermined by the passport held and visa subclass applied for.

The assessment levels relate generally to how likely students are to comply with their visa conditions,based on previous students behaviour. Assessment level 1 represents the lowest assessment level andassessment level 5 the highest. The higher the assessment level, the more evidence you will need to


4/11

provide to demonstrate your financial capacity, understanding of the English language and other relevantmatters.

You can find out your assessment level by looking up your nationality and visa subclass applied forin 'Overseas Student Program - Assessment Levels'or by visiting theDIAC website.

Important: if you have an assessment level 2, 3, 4 or 5, then you must make your first student visaapplication while you are outside Australia.

Preliminary Assessment

** A preliminary assessment will determine your eligibility for a student visa and is necessary if yourcountry is at Assessment Level 3, 4 or 5.** Youwill need to provide an Offer of a place in a course letter from your education provider to the visaprocessing office.** This letter should indicate your proposed entry level, name of course, CRICOS course and providercodes, proposed start and end dates and the full tuition fees for the course.** When your application is received, the visa processing office will undertake a preliminary assessmentof your ability to meet the student visa requirements applicable to you. If the assessment is favourable, theoffice will issue you a letter to give to your education provider authorising them to issue you with an eCoE

certificate.** You will be also advised to pay the tuition fees and OSHC premium, and undergo medical tests.The student visa will be granted when the Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) and all otherrequirements are satisfied.

Apart from the Assessment levels, there are certain vital Evidentiary requirements one has to fulfil toobtain a Student Visa to Australia. They include

your capacity to cover the cost of air fares, course fees and living costs for the duration of your stay inAustralia

your capacity to cover the costs of air fares, living costs and school tuition costs for your family unitmembers for the duration of your stay in Australia.

your level of English Language Proficiency in relation to that required for your assessment level andeducation sector of study

the situation in your home country e.g. personal or financial commitments that may prompt you toreturn to your home country

your academic record and history in the context of the course you intend to study your immigration history e.g. previous compliance with immigration laws and whether you have

previously applied for entry to Australia

whether your proposed course of study is what you might reasonably have chosen given yourcircumstances

whether your proposed course is consistent with, and appropriate to, your current level of educationThe Australian Government proposes a list ofStudent Visa conditions that need to be adhered for a

Visa application. They are discussed in brief below.

you must satisfy attendance and course requirements and maintain a valid enrolment for your course you must not work unless you have been granted permission to do so you must maintain your Overseas Student Health (OSHC) cover while in Australia you must leave Australia before your visa expires you must remain with the education provider you originally enrolled with for the first six months of

your course or, if the course is less than six months, for the duration of your course

you must advise your education provider of your residential address within seven days of your arrivalin Australia and must advise any changes of address within seven days


5/11

if you change education provider you must inform your current education provider within seven daysof issue of an eCoE

if you are an unaccompanied student applicant under 18 years of age you must obtain written approvalof your education provider before you change your address, support and welfare arrangements in

Australia.

Now that we have seen all the eligibility and requirement details for a Student Visa in Australia, let us seethe procedure one has to follow toobtain the same.

Required Documentation - A checklist

Forms, fees and charges For a student visa application complete form 157A. If you are lodging an application for a further

student visa in Australia you may apply online.

The electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) certificate(s) and/or letter of offer issued by youreducation provider for the course(s) you are undertaking.

Visa application charge payable to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) by creditcard, debit card, bank cheque or money order.

Certified copies of passport or travel documents of all people included in the application. Passportsmust not have expired. If you are asked to attend a DIAC office you must bring your passport. If you are under 18 and are applying in Australia for a student visa you will need to show your evidence

that appropriate arrangements are in place for your welfare at the time you lodge application. Pleaserefer to the Welfare for Students Under 18 section of this checklist for information on what isconsidered acceptable evidence.

Personal documents If you are applying from outside Australia, four recent passport sized photographs in

Australia, (45mmx35mm) of you and any other person included in the application. If applying onlyone photograph of each person is required.

These photographs should be of the head and shoulders only against a plain background. Print the name of the person on the back of each photograph.

Evidence of the relationship between yourself and all members of your family unit.Example: certified copies or notarised copies of birth certificates (including those who are not joining you in

Australia) marriage certificate.

If you are living in a de facto relationship, independent evidence that you have been in the relationshipfor at least 12 months.

Example: joint bank account statements billing accounts in joint names.

If you or anyone included in the application has been permanently separated, divorced or widowed, acertified copy of the statutory declaration/separation certificate, divorce decree absolute or the deathcertificate of the deceased partner (as appropriate).

If anyone in the application has changed his or her name, certified copies of documents verifying thename change.

Example: marriage or deed poll certificate a certified copy of evidence of the name change.

If any dependent child included in the application is adopted, certified copies of the adoption papers. Certified copies of documents to verify custody and access arrangements for children under 18 years of

age. This is not required if both parents or legal custodians are included in the application.


6/11

If your family members have turned 5 years of age, but have not yet turned 18, and are remaining withyou in Australia, you will need to provide evidence of enrolment in an Australian school, includingpayment of any required fee.

Health documents If you are applying from outside Australia and are undertaking a pre-visa assessment, the office

processing your application will advise you if you need to undertake a health examination. All otherapplicants may be required to provide one of the following: medical and x-ray examinations for yourself and any family unit member planning to remain with in you

Australia evidence of a booking, or receipt, from Medibank Health Solutions for your medical and x-rayexaminations.

Other health and character Documents Evidence that you have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your visa.Your visa

expiry date will be determined by the expiry date of your OSHC.

You may be required to provide a penal clearance for any country you have lived in for 12 months, orlonger, in the last ten years, since reaching 16 years of age. If you have served in the armed forces of

any country, you may be required to provide certified copies of militaryservice records or dischargepapers. The office processing your application will advise you if they require these documents.

Academic documentsIf you must undertake anELICOS (or other English language bridging course) beforecommencing your higher education course, provide aConfirmation of Enrolment or letter of offer in an ELICOS course of no more than 30 weeks duration.

You must provide one of the following (a), (b), (c) or (d):a) Academic transcripts that show you completed schooling to at least the year 12 level (or its equivalent);

or b) Academic transcripts that show you completed schooling to at least the year 11 level (or itsequivalent) and have successfully completed or have a Confirmation of Enrolment or letter of offer for aFoundation Course in Australia;

or c) Academic transcripts that show you have completed a qualification from the AustralianQualifications Framework at Certificate Level IV level or higher conducted in Australia;

or d) have a Confirmation of Enrolment or letter of offer for a qualification from the AustralianQualifications Framework at Certificate Level IV level or higher which will be undertaken in Australiaahead of your higher education course.

English proficiency

You must provide one of the following:a)IELTSCertificateIELTSTest Score of:

6.0 or above for direct entry into a course; or 5.5 and a Confirmation of Enrolment or letter of offer in a FoundationCourse; or 5.0 and a Confirmation of Enrolment or letter of offer in an ELICOS with a duration of no more than 30

weeks.Note: Tests older than two years are not acceptable.

orb) Letter of sponsorship from one of the following: your home countrys government a multilateral agency (for example The World Bank)
http://www.minglebox.com/ielts-testhttp://www.minglebox.com/ielts-testhttp://www.minglebox.com/ielts-testhttp://www.minglebox.com/ielts-testhttp://www.minglebox.com/ielts-testhttp://www.minglebox.com/ielts-testhttp://www.minglebox.com/ielts-test


7/11

the Australian Government an Australian State or Territory government.

or c)Academic transcripts that show you have in Australia and not more than 24 months prior to yourvisa application completed a senior secondary certificate of education.

or d)Academic transcripts showing that you have successfully completed a substantial part of a courseleading to a qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework at Certificate IV level or higheras the holder of a student visa not more than 2 years before your visa application.Note: This does not include foundation courses.

or e)Academic transcripts that show you have in Australia and not more than 24 months prior to yourvisa application completed a foundationcourse.

or f)Academic transcripts that show you have studied in English for 5 years or more in Australia,Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland,the United Kingdom, the United States of America or South Africa.

Financial documents Provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover yourself and your family members for the first

36 months of your stay in Australia for: living costs tuition costs school costs for any school-age children.

Declare on your student visa application that you have access to sufficient funds to cover the samecosts for the remainder of your stay. The departmental officer assessing your application will need to

be satisfied that the funds you are relying on will genuinely be available to you during your stay inAustralia.

Provide evidence that you have access to funds to cover travel costs to and from Australia. Financial support can be provided by eligible family members. These include: the applicant the applicants partner

the applicants parents the applicants grandparents the applicants brothers and sisters; an uncle or aunt of the applicant who is: - an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen; and- usually resident in Australia

Evidence of fundsPlease provide at least one of the following:a) Money deposit from: A financial institution- in your name or the name of another individual

- funds in a money deposit must be held for at least 6 months immediately prior to the lodgement of yourvisa application.

Note: The 6 months saving history requirement does not apply if you are applying for a further studentvisa to finish a course of study, and you have successfully completed at least 75% of that course.b) Loan from: a financial Insitution- in your name or any individual members name the government of your home country.


8/11

c) Scholarship from your Australian Education Provider. d) Scholarship or Financial Support from: The government of your home country The government of a foreign country Employer Multilateral agency Gazetted organisation (Rotary International, Ford Foundation, National Red Cross and Red CrescentSocieties) Australian Government Australian State or Territory Government Acceptable non-profit organisation.

Evidence of income

Please provide at least one of the following:a) Tax Statement.

b) Income Statement.c) Business Statement.d) Loan documents.e) Bank account statement(s).

f) Savings history or other evidence of regular income.

Welfare for students under 18

If you are under 18 years of age you must provide evidence that every person with a legal right to decidewhere you live consents to your proposed studies in Australia

If you are under 18 years of age you must provide evidence ofeither (a), (b) or (c):

a) If you intend to reside in Australia with a parent, or a person who has custody of you, you must provideevidence of the relationship, and that they have the right to remain in Australia for the period of your stay,or until you turn 18 years, whichever is the lesser period.

or b) If you intend to reside in Australia with a relative nominated by a parent or a person who hascustody of you, you must provide evidence of the relationship, evidence that the relative is at least 21 yearsold, police clearance/s, and evidence that the relative has the right to remain in Australia for the period of

your stay, or until you turn 18, whichever is the lesser period. Police clearances do not need to besubmitted at the time you lodge your application but will need to be submitted before your visa can

be granted.

or c) If you will not be residing in Australia with one of the above mentioned persons, you must provide asigned statement from your education provider confirming that appropriate arrangements have beenmade for your accommodation, support and general welfare during your stay in Australia.

Once we are finalized with all the documentation, and we are sure we have obtained all the necessarydocumentation, the next important thing is the procedure for applying for the Student Visa.

Procedure of applying for Student Visas

First and foremost, one has to check completely whether all the requirements mentioned above are met. Ifany of them fail, itResultsin automatic failure of obtaining the student visa because the AustralianGovernment mentions them as mandates for Visa application in Australia.

Complete applicationsWhen you lodge your application, it is important that you include all the required documents with yourapplication. Lodging a complete application assists case officers to quickly process your application.
http://www.minglebox.com/resultshttp://www.minglebox.com/resultshttp://www.minglebox.com/resultshttp://www.minglebox.com/results


9/11

If you cannot provide all the supporting documentation when you lodge your visa application, tell thedepartment which documents are missing and when you expect to be able to provide them. Incompleteapplications may be delayed or, in some cases, refused.

Passport details

Your visa will be linked to the passport number you used in your application. You must use the samepassport to travel to and from Australia. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from thetime you lodge the application.

Important: To avoid significant delays at your departure point for Australia, you must advise thedepartment of new passport details before you travel to Australia.

Application chargeYou must pay a non-refundable charge when you lodge your application.

Other costsThere may also be other costs associated with the application, such as translating documents into English.

You will also need to pay for any medical examinations.

If required, you may also need to provide a police check. Charges for obtaining police checks vary in eachcountry. When required to obtain your own police checks, you are personally responsible for allarrangements and charges.

How to applyYou can apply by mail or in person. The following lists the methods.

Outside AustraliaTo apply for your first student visa:

you and your family members can apply by post or in person you and your family members can apply online through a migration agent if you are a citizen of: India Indonesia ThailandThe Peoples Republic of China.

To renewyour or your family members current student visa:

You can apply online, by post or in person You cannot apply to renew online more than 124 days (4 months) before your course starts A family member cannot apply online separately from the student. They can apply separately by post

or in person.

In Australia

To apply for your first student visa:

you must have exceptional reasons why the visa should be grantedTo renewyour or your family members' current student visa:

You can apply online, by post or in person You cannot apply to renew online more than 93 days (3 months) before your course starts There are no time restrictions for students applying for a further Student visa in Australia by post or in

person, however applications made more than 93 days in advance of the course commencement datewill be carefully assessed and may be refused if a decision-maker considers the applicant is unlikely tobe a genuine student

A family member cannot apply online separately from the student. They can apply separately by postor in person.


10/11

Students under 18 years applying in Australia

You can only apply online for a student visa in Australia if your education provider has undertaken toapprove your welfare arrangements. If your parent, legal custodian or suitable relative is providing

welfare arrangements you will need to lodge a paper application with the department.

After you lodge your application

Your application will be assessed and you will be advised of any other steps that may need to be completedprior to consideration of the visa decision.Important: Processing of your application will not continue until all outstanding documentation has

been received.

Providing additional informationAdditional information can be provided in writing at any time until a decision is made on yourapplication. All relevant information is taken into account.

Invitation to comment

If you are invited to comment on or give additional information, you will be given a date by which to doso. After that date, the department can continue processing your application whether you provide theinformation or not. You cannot delay a decision by saying that you might give more information later.

InterviewsIf you are invited to attend an interview, you must attend on the date and time agreed with thedepartment. If you do not, the department can make a decision based on the information you have alreadyprovided in your application.

Change in circumstancesIf your circumstances change, such that an answer in your application or information given to thedepartment is no longer correct, you must inform the department as soon as possible.

Important:Your visa may be cancelled if you give incorrect information or fail to advise the departmentthat some information is no longer correct.

Examples of a change in circumstances include:

change of education providers new passport new member of your family discovery of incorrect information in your application change of address or contact details. You can advise the department by submitting a completed form relevant to your change of circumstances.

Adding family members to your application

If your child is born after you lodge your application but before a decision has been made, you mustinform the department in writing of the details of the newborn child. You must include a certified copyof the child's full birth certificate.

If you get married or enter a de facto relationship, you must inform the department in writing of yourpartners details.

Any family members added to your application must also meet the eligibility requirements.Withdrawing your applicationYou can withdraw your application by advising the department in writing at any time before a decision ismade. Any charges paid at the time of application are usually not refunded.


11/11

Abiding by your visa conditionsIf you are in Australia while your application is being processed you must continue to meet the conditionsof your current visa or it may be cancelled. If you do not meet the conditions of your current visa, this mayalso affect the outcome of your application.

Visa decisionA decision on your application will be made based on the information you provide, your circumstances atthe time the application is made, and the legal requirements which apply at that time. The applicationmay be decided solely on the basis of information provided in this application.

If approved the department will send a Notification of Grant letter to your nominated postal or emailaddress. It is recommended that you print this letter and keep it with you when you travel to and from

Australia.

This letter contains:

your Visa Grant Number the validity date of your visa the visa conditions.If not approved the department will send you a notification letter advising you of:

the reasons for the refusal your review rights time limit for lodging an appeal.Your rights for a review of the decision differ:

if you lodged in Australia, the refusal letter advises you of your review rights and the time limit forlodging an appeal

if you lodged outside Australia, you have no right for a review of the merits of the decisionPassport details

Your visa will be linked to the passport number you used in your application. You must use the samepassport to travel to Australia. This passport should be valid for at least six months from the time of

lodging the application.

Important: To avoid significant delays at your departure point for Australia, you must advise thedepartment of new passport details before you travel to Australia.

Visa labelYou will not have a visa label inserted in your passport if you lodged your application online. A visa labelis not required, however if you want a visa label inserted in your passport, you can go to any departmentaloffice to have your visa label printed.

Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)

If you apply online and your visa is granted, theVisa Entitlement Verification Online(VEVO) service will allow you to check the following:

visa details visa entitlements visa grant number visa conditions.Note: You must provide a password for VEVO in your online application to access the VEVO service.