Student Visa

The Australian Government's Overseas Student Program (OSP) allows people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to study in Australia. A person who wants to study under the program must obtain a student visa before they can commence a course of study in Australia. In the half-year July-December 2002, 66 318 student visas were granted. In the year July 2001-June 2002 student visas totalled 151 894.

Any person who is not an Australian resident may apply to study in Australia under the OSP. However, you can only be granted a student visa only if you wish to undertake a registered course or part of a registered course on a full-time basis.

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. The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) lists all providers registered to offer courses to people holding student visas and the courses offered. The Department of Education, Science and Training DEST can provide details of registered courses.

The Australian education system is divided into four levels of schooling:

1. primary;
2. secondary;
3. vocational education; and
4. training and higher education.

In addition to these broad categories, students from other countries wishing to undertake study in Australia, have the option to study within specific courses such as English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and non-award courses.

The type of visa appropriate for you will depend primarily upon the course you intend to undertake. Specific visas cover specific courses.

Subclass 570: Independent ELICOS - English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) undertaken as a stand-alone course, not leading to an Australian award

Subclass 571: Schools - Primary school, secondary school including junior and senior secondary, or approved secondary exchange programs

Subclass 572: Vocational Education and Training (VET) - Certificate I, II, III, and IV, Diploma, Advanced diploma

Subclass 573: Higher Education - Bachelor degree, Associate degree, Graduate certificate, Graduate diploma

Subclass 574: Masters and Doctorate - Master degree including master coursework and master research, or doctoral degree

Subclass 575: Non-award Foundation Studies/Other - Non-award foundation studies, such as full-time courses or components of courses not leading to an Australian award

Subclass 576: AusAID and Defence - Full-time courses of all types undertaken by AusAID or Defence students sponsored by the Australian Government

The system of assessment changed on 1 July 2001 at which time the current "assessment level regime" replaced the previous gazetted/non-gazetted country regime.

In the new regime, the applicant's assessment level is determined by their country of nationality and the education sector for which they seek a visa. Different assessment levels establish different threshold requirements that an applicant must meet in order to be granted a student visa. Assessment level 1 represents the lowest assessment level and assessment level 5 the highest. The higher the assessment level, the harder it is to meet the requirements, so at each higher level, the minimum evidentiary thresholds are progressively raised and made stricter. Applicants from countries that have a history of visa violation therefore attract a higher assessment level, and therefore must meet higher standards in the other criteria in order to be successful.

Generally, applicants are assessed to ensure that they wish to enter Australia for the purpose of study and will not contravene visa conditions and become an unlawful non-citizen. You must demonstrate an acceptable level of English proficiency, show that you can pay for living and study costs and, if you have a spouse or dependent children, you must also show that you can support them. This last requirement applies even if your dependants will not be accompanying you to Australia.

You should refer to the relevant Australian government checklist to ensure that you have all the document required when you lodge your application. Examples of required documents are passports, academic records, evidence of medical assessment, evidence of financial situation etc.

The health requirement is common to all visa categories. It is designed to ensure the ongoing health of the Australian community by preventing the migration of people who are a risk to public health or a burden to the health system. The health requirement, therefore, is very serious. Health examinations can be expensive and complex. It is wise to ensure that you have first met all other relevant criteria prior to embarking on medical examination. You must consult DIMIA officials in order to ensure your examination is carried in the correct manner. The decision to approve an application is not taken until the results of the health assessment are received at the processing office.

The Character requirement is quite simple: People who want to either migrate to Australia or stay temporarily on working and tourist visas must be of good character. The character requirements are listed in the legislation and are aimed mostly at excluding people with criminal records or known contacts with criminal elements. Most average people will easily satisfy the requirements. However, if you are in any doubt, you should seek expert advice before you lodge your application.