Student visa

If you are not an Australian citizen, but interested to take advantage of Australian quality education and training system you may apply for a student visa. Anyone wishing to study in Australia is required to obtain an appropriate Student visa before commencing any course. To be granted a Student visa your enrolment must be in a registered course on a full-time basis.
Visas are granted by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Use 1160i form if you intend to apply for a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa.
What is your assessment level?
Each education sector in each country is ranked according to five assessment levels. Your assessment level is determined by your nationality and course of study.
See: Information form 1219i Overseas Student Program – Assessment Levels (58KB PDF file). You must identify your Assessment Level before you can proceed with your student visa application
 
Types of student visa
There are a number of different types of student visa. The following subclasses are based on the education sector of your principal course:
 

  • 570 – Independent ELICOS
  • 571 – Schools
  • 572 – Vocational Education and Training
  • 573 – Higher Education
  • 574 – Postgraduate Research
  • 575 – Non-Award
  • 576 – AusAID or Defence

English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)- Subclass 570
The ELICOS visa is designed for international students who want to improve their English language skills by taking a stand-alone English language course in Australia.
This visa allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of your course. It permits multiple entries to Australia. Dependent family members who come with you to Australia are usually able to stay the same length of time as you, but they cannot stay once you have left the country.

Schools Sector: Temporary Visa (Subclass 571)
The Primary / Secondary Student visa is a temporary visa designed for students who intend to participate in a primary school course, a secondary school course or an approved secondary school exchange program.
If you are under the age of 18, you also need to demonstrate that you have:

  • a parental permission for you to study in Australia; and
  • suitable arrangements for your accommodation, support and general welfare.

When you have commenced your course, you will have permission to work up to 20 hours per week in Australia.

Assessment Level 1,2,3 &4
This visa is designed for international students applying to study in Australia and whose main course of study is:

  • a primary school course
  • a secondary school course, including junior and senior secondary
  • an approved secondary school exchange program.

 
Vocational Education and Training Student Visa to Australia Subclass 572
Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system provides training to students that are both practical and career-oriented.

Assessment Level 4
This visa is designed for international students applying to study in Australia and whose main course of study is:

  • Certificate IV (except ELICOS)
  • Diploma
  • Advanced diploma
  • Vocational graduate certificate
  • Vocational graduate diploma.

Note: A certificate I, II, or III course can only be studied as part of a package when it is a prerequisite to your main course of study.

Assessment Level 1,2 & 3
This visa is designed for international students applying to study in Australia and whose main course of study is:

  • Certificate I, II, III and IV (except ELICOS)
  • Diploma
  • Advanced diploma
  • Vocational graduate certificate
  • Vocational graduate diploma.

Higher Education Student Visa To Australia (Subclass 573)

Assessment Level 1, 2,3 & 4
This visa is designed for international students applying to study in Australia and whose main course of study is one of the following:

  • Bachelor degree
  • Associate degree
  • Graduate certificate
  • Graduate diploma
  • Masters by coursework.

 When you have commenced your course, you will have permission to work up to 20 hours per week in Australia. When you are granted a Higher Education Student visa, it will be linked to the passport number used in your application.

Postgraduate Research Sector: Temporary Visa (Subclass 574) –
Assessment Level 1, 2, 3 & 4
This visa is designed for international students who want to study a Masters degree by research or a Doctoral degree in Australia.
When you have commenced your course of study in Australia, you can work up to 20 hours per week while your course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
Once you commence your Masters or PhD your family members can work unlimited hours.

Non Award Sector: Temporary Visa (Subclass 575)
Assessment Level 1,2,3 & 4
This visa is designed for international students who want to study the following courses in Australia:

  • a non-award foundation studies course
  • other full-time course (or components of a course) that does not lead to an Australian award.

Exception: If you are studying a non-award course as a pre-requisite to another course, you must apply for the visa appropriate for your main course of study. If you are studying several courses, the main course is the higher-level course.
Example: If you plan to complete a three-month non-award foundation studies course before starting a Bachelor of Arts degree, you must apply for the Higher Education Sector visa.

AusAID and Defence
Applies to students sponsored by AusAID or the Australian Department of Defence undertaking full-time courses of any type.
This visa is designed for international students who are sponsored by AusAID or Defence to study a full-time course of any type in Australia.

Student Guardians
Parents or relatives can apply for a visa to stay in Australia as the guardian of a student who is studying in Australia.