Student Visas

Student Visas

 

Before applying for a Student Visa, you must first be accepted for full time study in a registered course offered at one of Australia’s schools, technical colleges or universities.

A Student Visa provides you with temporary resident status and is valid for the entire duration of your course.  After completion of your studies, you will be required to leave Australia by the date specified in your visa, unless you are making an application for another temporary or permanent residency visa.

To be granted a Student Visa you will assessed against a number of factors which vary according to your Country of Passport and Visa Subclass.  This is known as your Assessment Level.  The Assessment levels range between 1 and 5.  The higher your Assessment Level, the greater the degree of evidence required. 

The Visa Subclasses are as follows:

Student Visa Subclass

Description

Subclass 570 -

Independent ELICOS Sector

For international students undertaking ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) as a stand-alone course, and not as a prerequisite to commencing another course (for example, a degree course).

Subclass 571 -

Schools sector

For international students undertaking a course of study at a primary school or a secondary school including both junior and senior secondary school.

Subclass 572 -

Vocational education and training (VET) sector

For international students undertaking a course of study at a technical/trade college, resulting in the award of a Certificate I, II, III or IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma.

Subclass 573 -

Higher education sector

For international students undertaking a course of study at University resulting in the award of a Bachelor Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master by course work.

Subclass 574 -

Masters and Doctorate sector

For international students undertaking a course of study at University resulting in the award of either a Masters Degree by Research, or a Doctoral degree.

Subclass 575 -

Non-award foundation studies/other sector

For international students undertaking a foundation, bridging or other course which does not result in the award of a Degree, Diploma or other formal qualification.

Subclass 576 -

AusAID or Defence sponsored sector

For AusAID or Defence-sponsored students undertaking full-time study for the whole or part of an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider.

 

Visa Entitlements:

Successful applicants are able to reside in Australia with very little restriction for the duration of their course.

Many successful student visa applicants are eligible to apply for Australian Permanent Residency at the conclusion of their tertiary studies, under the Skilled Migration Program.

Successful Australian Permanent Residency applicants will be further granted immediate access to public health entitlements (social security benefits have a two year waiting period), and dependant children aged between 6-18 are entitled to attend public schools within Australia.

If you wish to apply under this visa category, please contact one of our student consultants.