Preparing your application

Most international students require a student visa to study in Australia. If you are holding an Australian temporary visa (other than a student visa) you may not need to apply for a student visa. Please check the study entitlements on your visa with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

Assessment levels

Student visa applications are assessed according to Assessment Levels. The higher the Assessment Level, the more evidence is required or the grant of visa. The average processing times are as follows:

- Assessment Level 1 and 2: 3 weeks

- Assessment Level 3 and 4: 3 months

Your Assessment Level is determined by your student visa subclass and country of passport. If you intend to undertake more than one course (packaged courses), your visa application will be assessed for the subclass that corresponds with your principal course of study (the last course) and the highest Assessment Level of your course package.

When to apply?

You can apply for a student visa as soon as you have received an offer of a place or a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) from English In Paradise. Depending on which country you are from and where you are when you lodge your application, you can either apply online or via mail or lodge a paper application.

Applying for a student visa outside Australia

If you lodge an application outside Australia, wait until your visa is granted before travelling to Australia. If you travel to Australia on another visa before your application is finalised, you may need to lodge a new application in Australia (if eligible) and pay another visa application charge.

Online applications

Only students from Assessment Level 1 countries can apply for their first student visa online. You can attach electronic documents and check the progress of your application online and need a credit card to pay the application charge.

Students from the People's Republic of China, India, Indonesia or Thailand can lodge an online application when using an approved education or migration agent through the Electronic Lodgement Trial. A pre-visa assessment (PVA) is not required for online applications.

When you lodge a valid online application, you will receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) and a payment receipt. DIAC will notify you of the grant of the visa via email. Print a copy of this letter and keep it with you when you travel to and from Australia and when you enrol at the University.

Paper applications or in person

Visa application requirements vary by country. Contact your nearest immigration office to check how to lodge you application before completing Form 157A: Application for a student visa.

Pre-visa assessment (PVA)

A pre-visa assessment may be required if your country is listed as Assessment Levels 3 or 4. You should apply for your visa as soon as you receive an offer of place from the University and at least 12 weeks before your course starts.

When the PVA is completed, DIAC will ask you for medical examination results and a CoE from English In Paradise. English In Paradise requires that you provide evidence of a successful PVA before you can accept your offer and receive a CoE.

Applying for a student visa in Australia

If you are from an Assessment Level 1 country, you can apply for your first student visa in Australia. Students from countries with other Assessment Levels can only do so in exceptional circumstances.

Online applications

An online application is the quickest and easiest way to apply for a student visa. The visa application fee can be paid by credit card or through an Australia bank account (via BPAY©).

Paper applications

Complete DIAC Form 157A: Application for a student visa and send your application and all required documents to:

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

GPO Box 9984 Brisbane QLD 4001

Student Visa conditions

Your visa is subject to a number of conditions, including:

A complete overview of all mandatory and discretionary conditions is available from the Department of Immigration (DIAC) website.

Visa validity

A student visa allows multiple entries to Australia. Usually your student visa is granted for the duration of your course and the course end date on your Confirmation of Enrolment (COE):

If you have changed courses, transferred from another education provider or extended the duration of your course, the validity of your visa may change depending on the course end date of your Confirmation of Enrolment (COE):

- If your student visa expires before the expected completion date of your course, you will need to renew your visa a few weeks before it expires.

If you complete your course before your visa expires, your visa validity will change according to the above table.

Working while studying

If you wish to work while you are studying, you must hold a Student Visa with permission to work. You can only work when you have commenced your course of study.You can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week when your course is in session and unlimited hours during periods of vacation. A week is defined as the seven-day period starting on a Monday.