Study Advice Australia - Apply to study in Australia
Step 1 - Study planning
1.1 What sort of institution would suit your studies best?
You should choose your mode of education from the four main sectors:
- Education language training
- Schools / Highschools
- Universities
- Vocational Education and Training
When choosing your preferred type of education, you should take note of qualification prerequisites, commencement and duration, facilities, reputation of the institute, the environment in which it is located (eg urban or rural, climate and extra curricular activities available on and off campus as well as religious facilities), accommodation and quality assurances.
You may also want to take into consideration the opinion of friends who have previously attended the same institution and the proximity of friends and relatives to the institute.
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Step 2 - Choosing a course
2.1 Cost
The majority of international students in Australia are full-fee paying students and are not awarded scholarships. Unfortunately student loans are not available for international students in Australia.
When choosing an institute to study at, you should consider fees. Fees vary according to the institution and the type of course. For example, those that require a large amount of laboratory and fieldwork are more expensive than an arts course.
To be granted a student visa you will need to declare your financial ability and in most cases you will need evidence of having sufficient funds to pay part or all of your tuition fees. If you intend to work while studying, then the money you earn should only supplement your income and not be your primary source.
You can only apply for a new student visa with work rights after you arrive in Australia and have begun studying. You will only be permitted to work a limited number of hours, so be sure to calculate your funds and your earnings to cover the cost of study and living sufficiently.
2.2 Choosing a course based on what you wish to learn
Universities offer many undergraduate and postgraduate courses covering fields of study such as agriculture, business, economics, education, environmental science, engineering, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, information technology, law, mathematics and computing, medicine, science and visual/performing arts.
Vocational education and training institutions offer practical, career-orientated courses, including business, computing, marketing, tourism and hospitality.
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) covers 12 different types of qualifications to help students find a suitable course anywhere in Australia. The AQF helps students determine the appropriate level courses through your existing qualifications and previous studies.
By law, all Australian education providers and the courses they offer must be accredited and registered by the Australian Government. This register provides information on institution services and locations, courses and their duration and tuition fees.
It is helpful to seek information from more than one education provider before making a decision on a particular one.
Australia’s education system makes it easy for a student to transfer from one institute to another. Many education providers offer preparatory studies, also known as bridging or foundation courses, to help meet the academic entry requirements of Australian institutions. You may for instance, want to complete a vocational course to assist a university degree.
2.3 Entry requirements
2.3.1 Do you meet the English language requirements?
You will need to have a certain level of English language proficiency as a requirement for applying for a visa and for most university and vocational education and training courses. You will need to meet the minimum score in the IELTS English language proficiency test and/or a period of English language tuition. You should check with each education provider what English language proficiency tests are recognised and what the minimum score is for each course.
Foundation Studies and secondary schooling prepare you for further study in Australia. There are many English language courses, with starting dates throughout the year, which will help you with further studies.
2.3.2 Do you meet the academic requirements?
Students must meet a minimum academic requirement to be accepted into specific courses. Each institution sets its own entry requirements, so they may vary from one education provider to another and from one course or faculty to another. Some courses also require relevant work experience and this may be particularly important in relation to MBA and other postgraduate studies.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your academic achievements and English language proficiency to assess whether you meet the entry requirements for your proposed course of study in Australia. Institutions will look at the level and content of the study you have completed in Australia or your home country.
If you do not meet the entry requirements you can enrol in secondary school in Australia or Foundation Studies, which prepare you for further study in Australia and reserve a provisional place in your proposed course. Bridging courses, such as a Master Qualifying program, are also offered. It is recommended that you seek advice from the education provider about meeting their entry requirements before applying for admission into your selected courses.
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Step 3 - Admission
3.1 Application form
3.1.1 Obtaining
We can provide you with a list of Australian institutes, application forms and advice.
3.1.2 Completing
An application form will ask you to list the course you are applying for and your second and third course preferences at the same institution. Some additional documentation needed may include:
- Previous study details, including copies of qualifications already awarded to you.
- Evidence of English language proficiency (for undergraduate and postgraduate studies and vocational education and training)
If you are unsure what documents to include then contact us. If you are currently in the process of completing other studies, then you may be granted provisional acceptance on the basis of your previous academic performance in anticipation that your final examination results do not differ greatly from your previous grades.
3.1.3 Submitting the application form
After completing your application form, you should attach all the required documents and submit them direct to Australien-Ausbildung. You may wish to use registered post to ensure the documents are not lost in transit.
3.2 Receiving a confirmation of enrolment
After the education provider assesses your application documents, they will advise if you meet the entry requirements and send you a letter of offer if you are accepted. You may be required to submit yourself to a pre-visa assessment before the institution issues an Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), which is the only accepted evidence of enrolment for processing student visa applications.
Before applying for the student visa, you may have to pay tuition fees. We will advise you of specific requirements. You are generally required to pay at least one semester of fees.
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Step 4 - Visas
4.1 Obtaining information on visas
Eligibility
International students must have a valid student visa for the duration of their studies in Australia. You should check with the Australian Embassy in your country to see if you are eligible to apply for a student visa before obtaining official confirmation of your enrolment and paying tuition fees. You will only be issued with a student visa for study in Australia if you seek to undertake a full-time course that is accredited and registered by the Australian Government. The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) also has offices in many countries, please check their website for locations.
4.2 Where can I get the visa application forms?
Visa application forms in English, Portuguese or Spanish can be downloaded from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) website. Contact your nearest Australian Embassy or DIMA office for application forms in host-country languages. Most students will need to fill in the Application for a Student (Temporary) Visa Form 157A. US Study Abroad, Norwegian and Swedish students over 18 years of age can apply for an electronic student using Form 157E on the DIMA website.
4.3 Where can I get help with filling out a visa application?
Because of the design of the visa application form, you should be able to complete it with minimal assistance. The DIMA website has visa information forms available to download and provides more detailed information on student visa requirements. If help in obtaining a visa is needed, please contact a registered migration agent through the Australian Embassy or DIMA Office where a list of registered migration agents is available.You will be asked to have a medical examination as part of the visa process and will be given a list of approved doctors. The doctor will need to complete a special form.
4.4 Where do I submit the visa application?
Send your visa application form together with the correct visa charge and all necessary documents to the nearest Australian Embassy or DIMA Office. In some circumstances you may have to send the documents via the institution you have applied at.
4.5 Obtaining medical insurance
All students must show evidence that they have health insurance cover before a visa can be issued. In many cases you can pay the compulsory medical insurance premium (Overseas Student Health Cover, (OSHC)) to the educational institution, which will pay the health insurer on your behalf. If you are a student sponsored by AusAID you will not need to pay the OSHC yourself, but will need to provide proof that AusAID supports your application.
Norwegian students are exempt from this requirement. Swedish students who are studying under CSN International (the Swedish National Board of Student Aid) who have obtained insurance through CSN are also exempt from the OSHC requirement.
4.6 Receiving your visa
You will be issued with a Multiple Entry Visa allowing you to travel to and from Australia within the period for which the visa has been granted. That period will depend on the course for which you have been accepted. Your visa may be cancelled if you discontinue your studies or fail to meet the conditions of your visa.
4.7 What if the student visa application is unsuccessful?
If your application is not successful you will be given the reason in writing. You cannot apply to have the decision reversed if you applied from outside Australia. Before re-applying for a student visa, carefully consider what evidence you can provide to meet all the requirements.If you apply in Australia and are refused a student visa then you may apply for a review of the decision. You will be notified of your review rights and time limits, for lodging such an appeal, in writing.
4.8 Renewing your visa
It is important to comply with Australian student visa conditions for the duration of your stay. Under Government legislation, students who break their visa conditions will face mandatory visa cancellation.
During your studies, you can leave Australia and re-enter if you hold a valid visa. Otherwise you will need to reapply, pay the charge and meet the current visa requirements.
Your student visa is not valid for permanent residence in Australia or for residence after you have completed your studies. You are obliged to leave Australia at the end of your studies. If you wish to enrol in a new course you need to apply for a new student visa before your current visa expires. If your current student visa has a no further stay condition you may not be granted a new student visa while you are in Australia.
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Step 5 - Pre-departure
5.1 Institution admission notice and information package
The institution in which you have enrolled will send you a confirmation of enrolment and an information package. This package will contain information on your selected course, accommodation options and important events that you should attend during the first weeks of study such as orientation week. It may include information about the city you are going to, its climate, your likely clothing requirements, information about local customs, shopping facilities, transport, banking, mail and telephone services, the estimated cost of living and the amount of money you should bring with you when you first arrive. It may also explain arrangements made for your welcome and settling-in period and the date by which you are expected to arrive. Contact your education provider if you don't receive this material before leaving your country. You may have to attend a pre-departure briefing and you must contact your institution or a local Australian Education Centre to arrange this.
5.2 Arranging finances, transport and accommodation
You will need to purchase your air tickets. We can assist you in finding cheap flights and arrange a home stay or other accommodation for 2-4 weeks. You can find permanent accommodation during this time.
The Australian Government requires that you inform your educational institution of your address in Australia within seven days of arrival. You will need to notify them of any further changes of address within seven days.
If you have not asked the institution to arrange accommodation you will need to book your own. Campus noticeboards and newspapers advertise other students looking for people to share units or houses. All students under 18 years of age must have their accommodation approved by their education provider. The international office of your institution may be able to help you find suitable accommodation, either on-campus or off-campus, once you arrive in Australia.
You should also exchange some money for Australian Dollars. You can find out the exchange rate on the www.xe.com website. Australian traveller cheques are accepted in most major cities and there are auto bank facilities that accept major credit cards.
5.3 Australian quarantine requirements
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website, can give you information in a range of foreign languages, on what you cannot bring into Australia and what cannot be sent to you through the mail from outside Australia. Anything sent to you from overseas cannot be packaged in cases that have formerly contained fruit, vegetables or timber.
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Step 6 - Arrival in Australia
6.1 Arrival Reception
You will most likely be unfamiliar with transport when you first arrive. The institution in which you have enrolled will send someone to meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation if you have organized this arrangement with them.
6.2 Orientation
You will be told how to get to your chosen institution on the day of your orientation. You may not receive the same orientation as the locals and may have special orientation at your institution from the international officer. They will introduce you to the institution's rules and regulations and help you with your timetable and any questions.
6.3 Can I change my course or institution?
You must stay with the institution for 12 months or for the duration of the course provided it is less than 12 months in length. You may change your course but to do so you must apply to DIMA to change education provider. There may be a fee for changing courses or institution.
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