COUNTRY FACTS Capital: Canberra Population: 19,731,984 Area: 7,682,300 sq km Language: English Religion: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Protestant Continent: Europe

WHY STUDY IN AUSTRALIA?

Australia growing up quickly as a popular study destination among the students around the world. Most of the students go to Australia to study in the vocational education and training system and at university level. The most popular fields of study are business and management, information technology, engineering, and tourism and hospitality. Students these days are increasingly studying in a wide range of disciplines at Australian institutions.

Australia is the safe, multicultural and internationally recognized environment for further education, innovative research intensive culture and international rapport has made Australia a leading provider of top quality education to international students from all over the world.

Students Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Visa Options

Select your main course of study from the list below.

English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)

Applies to stand-alone English language courses that lead to a certificate I, II, III or IV, or that result in no formal Australian award.

Primary or secondary school course

Applies to primary, junior secondary or senior secondary school courses, and approved secondary school exchange programs.

Vocational education and training

Applies to Certificates I, II, III or IV (except ELICOS), diploma, advanced diploma, vocational graduate certificate or vocational graduate diploma courses.

Higher education

Applies to a Bachelor degree, associate degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or Masters by coursework.

Postgraduate research

Applies to Masters by research or a doctoral degree.

Non-award

Applies to non-award foundation studies, or other full-time courses or components of courses not leading to an Australian award.

AusAID

Applies to students sponsored by AusAID or the Australian Department of Defence undertaking full-time courses of any type.

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.

Any person who intends to undertake full-time study in a registered course in Australia needs to obtain a Australian Student Visa. A Student Visa permits the holder to travel to, enter and remain in Australia for the duration of the registered course of study. Overseas students cannot undertake part-time study in Australia and must leave Australia on completion of their course of study.

Student Visa Processing
Student visa applicants from India, Nepal and Bhutan are required to undergo a Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA).

Application
Persons wishing to study in Australia should apply on form 157A and pay the current visa application charge.

Documentation to submit with your application:

1. Four recent passport-style photographs for each applicant
2. Supplementary Questionnaire to Form 157A
3. Completed 'details of relatives' form
4. IELTS test results
5. Changes to the student visa regulations require varying evidence of funds dependent on the subclass of student visa applied for. Applicants should show funds and (income that support these funds) enough to cover, course fee, and living costs in Australia (AUD 12,000 pa) as well as amounts covering other family members. For details relating to the specific financial evidentiary requirements for each subclass www.immi.gov.au/students
6. All original education documents including all mark sheets for Degrees
7. Affidavit of support from the person providing financial support
8. For applicants below 18 years of age, details of arranged guardianship in Australia plus an affidavit from the student's parents agreeing to the guardianship arrangement
9. Bank statement from the person(s) providing support outlining transactions for the past 6 months

Processing Times
Student applicants should lodge applications no more than 3 months and at least 8 weeks before course commencement dates. Some applications take longer to process. Students may be asked to undertake further medicals and some delays may be experienced due to the need to verify bank or education documents.  Nepalese and Bhutanese applicants need to take into account the time taken for documents and letters to be sent and received by the Visa Office.

To be granted a student visa you will need

1. complete relevant parts of the visa application form and lodge it along with

1. a copy of your letter of offer or Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE)
2. supporting documentation specified in the appropriate booklet from the Temporary Entry: Overseas Students series, and
3. payment of the visa application charge.

2. satisfy the student visa requirements

Major changes to Australia's student visa assessment procedures came into effect on 1 July 2001 to streamline visa processing. The restructured student visa programme replaces the gazetted/non-gazetted country arrangement and the Special Entry Arrangements for PRC students. The Student (Temporary) Visa now has:

1. visa sub-classes: for each education sector You should apply under the visa sub-class for your principal course of study.
2. country assessment levels (CAL): Each education sector in each country is ranked according to four assessment levels.
3. evidentiary standards: These visa requirements include English language proficiency and are increasingly stringent from CAL 1 through to CAL 4.
4. electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE): The only accepted evidence of enrolment for processing student visa applications.

Generally, an international student is issued a multiple entry visa for the duration of their study course in Australia. This allows you to travel backwards and forwards to Australia within the period for which it has been granted. Members of your immediate family (spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age) may accompany you to Australia and will be considered in the same visa class as yourself. If you wish to extend your stay in Australia for further study you will need to lodge an application for a further visa.

Australian Quarantine Regulations
Australian quarantine is needed to keep out exotic pests and diseases that could affect native plants and animals, human health, agricultural industries and our environment. This role is undertaken by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). Visit the AQIS website for information in a range of foreign languages on what you cannot bring into Australia and what your family and friends at home cannot send to you through the mail.