Australia’s student visa program is growing in popularity as more and more young people seize the opportunity not only for an education abroad, but the added benefits such an exchange brings.

Government statistics show that 228,592 student visas were granted in 2006-07, the majority of them (167,129) were offshore applicants. That’s an incredible increase of 19.89 per cent over the 2005-06 student visa figure. The number does not include Permission to Work or Student Guardianvisas.

India,China, Korea, the United States, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Japan and Hong Kong are the Top 10 countries whose young people came to study in Australia in 2006-2007.

The government’s eVisa, which allows students to file their visa requests online 24 hours a day, makes it easier than ever to apply. Statistics show 43 per cent of eligible applicants used eVisa in 2005-2006.

But before you get started, there is much to learn.

What you need to know

Students must be accepted for full-time study in a “registered” course before applying for a visa. By “registered,” the government means an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

In applying for a student visa, applicants must do so in the sector that relates to their main course of study. These sectors are:

• Independent English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students(ELICOS)
• Schools
• Vocational Education and Training;
• Higher Education
• Postgraduate Research
• Non-award
• AusAID & Defance

All overseas students should apply for their first student visa outside Australia. With few exceptions, only Assessment Level (AL) 1 students would generally be eligible for a visa when applying in Australia.

The rules clearly state that students must provide evidence that satisfies the assessment criteria applicable to them before they can be granted a student visa. Among the evidence needed:

Financial: You must show you have the financial ability to cover living costs in Australia;cover tuition fees; cover travel costs; and have the ability to support any family members.

Language:You must satisfy criteria regarding English proficiency.

How much evidence is required for the above differs according to the Assessment Level assigned to each sector and nationality. AL1 represents the lowest immigration risk and AL5 the highest.

Visas are also assessed on other factors:

• All students and accompanying family members must be of “good character”

• All students must be of sound health and hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Premiums vary, but are about $312 a year. Students from Norway and Sweden may be exempted if they have acceptable health coverage offered by their own countries. 

A look at the tuition and accommodation costs below, along with the rules on working while on a student visa, will give you an idea of whether you meet the financial requirements.

Tuition fees

International students are charged up-front tuition fees in Australia. Some schools also charge extra fees to cover such things as library and sports facility costs.

Please note all fees are in Australian dollars

Annual university fees

• Foundation studies:
  Such as university entrance, prep courses:       $9,000 – $14,000

• Postgraduate :
  Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas:   $9,000 – $16,000
  Masters and Doctoral Degree                              $11,000 – $18,500

Annual vocational education and training fees

• Certificates I – IV     $5,500 – $18,000
• Diploma                    $5,500 – $18,000
• Advanced Diploma   $5,500 – $18,000

Annual school fees

• Secondary school                                  $6,000 – $13,000
• Primary and junior secondary schools  $5,000 – $11,000

English language training

Varies depending on course duration, institution: $3,500 – $13,500

Accommodation costs

International students have a number of options to choose from, depending on their budgets. Institutions provide students with help in finding accommodation and understanding lease and tenancy conditions. Here are options and costs in Australian dollars:

• Home stay or farm stay      $110 –$270 a week
• Hostels and guesthouses  $80 – $135 a week
• Shared accommodation      $50 – $160 a week
• Rental accommodation       $70 – $350 a week
• Boarding schools                $8,000 – $11,000 a year
• University accommodation $80 – $250 per week

Working

International students studying in Australia on a student visa can’t work without applying for permission. And they must start their studies first. What’s allowed with permission:

• Work up to 20 hours a week on a casual basis during course time

• Work full-time during vacation periods. 

According to government statistics, the average international student in Australia spends about $360 per week on:

• Accommodation
• Clothing
• Entertainment
• Transport
• International and domestic travel
• Telephone
• Incidental costs 

If your student visa is approved

Congratulations! Now you must follow all the rules and regulations attached to your student visa.These cover everything from applying for permission to work while you are studying in Australia, to what any family members you bring with you will be allowed, or not allowed, to do after they arrive.

Please note that if your student visa was granted on or after 26 April 2008, you will already have permission to work. Therefore, you and your family members:

• can work up to 20 hours per week while your course is in session
• must not start work until you have commenced your course in Australia.

If however your student visa was granted before 26 April 2008, you and your family members must apply separately for permission to work.

Daniel & Associates can help you and your family navigate through the maze of regulations to ensure your dream of an education in Australia can start off on the right footing.

What our service offers

1. An assessment of whether you meet the student visa requirements

2. We handle your admission to university;

3. An assessment of whether your family members are eligible to come with you to Australia

4. Consultation on what you, and any family members you bring with you, can and cannot do once you arrive in Australia.

5. Consultation on visa options to stay in Australia if you are studying for 10 months or less and have completed your course

6. Consultation on your visa options after your long-term studies in Australia are completed

7. We will represent you before the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship or the Australian Embassy abroad, where required

8. We will properly prepare you for interviews, where required.

To get you started

We have two consulting services to get you started:

• Our Visa Assessment service is designed to answer your questions about visa/immigration requirements and whether you qualify for a student visa,permission to work etc.

• Our Visa Assessment and Visa/Immigration Plan goes one step further, providing you with a plan that will show you what you need to do every step of the way. Along with a timeline, your personalised plan will include a schedule of government/education fees and when they must be paid. 

Contact Us for more information