To be granted a student visa you must satisfy the visa requirements and comply with a number of visa conditions for attendance and academic performance which 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 apply under the visa sub-class for your principal course of study.

Student Visa Subclasses
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
covers Certificate I, II, III and IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma.
Subclass 573	Higher education sector
covers a Bachelor degree, Graduate certificate, and Graduate diploma
Subclass 574	Masters and doctorate sector
covers a Masters degree by coursework or by research, and a Doctoral degree
Subclass 575	Non-award foundation studies/other sector
covers foundation, bridging or other courses that do not lead to the award of a degree, diploma or other formal award
Subclass 576	AusAID or Defence sponsored sector
covers full-time study undertaken by AusAID or Defence-sponsored students for the whole or part of an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider.

Common student visa requirements

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 arrangements acceptable to the Minister to repay such a debt

if assessed at level 1 or 2, or you are in Australia under any assessment level, an electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE) certificate is required before you lodge your application and a copy is to be provided with your application

if you are outside Australia and assessed at level 3, 4 or 5 you will need an 'offer of a place in a course' letter from your Australian education provider at the time you lodge your application. If you are at Assessment level 3 or 4 you must apply for Pre-Visa Assessment.

an electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE) certificate issued by your education provider after you lodge your application if you are requested by the Australian embassy to do so.

Common visa conditions

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 12 months of your course or, if the course is less than 12 months, for the duration of your course

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

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

Visa Application Required Documents

When you applying, it is important that you include all the required documents with your application. Lodging a complete application assists case officers to quickly process your application. This document lists the information and supporting documents required for your student visa. It also lists additional documents that you may need to provide depending on your individual circumstances.

visa application forms:157A, Additional personal particulars information (1221), Supplement for Students, Student Medical Acknowledgement, Supplementary Information Sheet

Offer of Admission from the education provider for the course(s) you are undertaking

Visa Application Charge

Valid Passport

English Language Eligibility "Confirmed by the education Provider"

Certified Translation of Birth Certificate

Certified Translation of all Academic Qualifications and transcripts

Certified Translation Financial Documents (billing accounts in joint names. Bank Account Statements, Affidavit of Support)

Financial Requirements for the duration of your study

1 (45mmx35mm) photograph of you and any other person included in the application. If applying in Australia, only one photograph of each person is required.

Certified Translation of Marriage certificate (If applicable)

Certified Translation of Military Service Card (If applicable)

Academic and Professional Resume

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

For more information, please contact one of our offices

Last Updated: 15 January 2013
Editor: Nina Zarabi

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