In order to study for an undergraduate degree (or a taught master’s
degree) in Australia you will need a Higher Education Sector: Temporary Visa
(Subclass 573). The process you need to follow will depend on which assessment
level citizens of your country fall under. Here's a quick checklist of what it
takes to get an Australian student visa:
·
Acceptance on to a course
Australian visa
requirements for students mean you must first be accepted into a
course which is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions of
Courses (CRICOS). You’ll need an online code and a copy of your confirmation of
enrolment or an offer letter to serve as proof of this. You will be able to
change course afterwards, but it must be to one of the same level, or else you
will need to be apply for a new visa.
·
Proof of finances
Students who fall
into assessment level 1 will simply need toattest that they have enough money,
while students at all other levels are required to prove that they have at
least enough money to cover the first year of their stay. At present this is
deemed to be A$18,000 (in addition to tuition fees), which is around US$19,250.
Accommodation fees paid to your institution in advance can be deducted from the
total. If you are receiving full funding you simply need to provide proof of
this.
·
Medical check-ups/ health
insurance
You may be required
to take a medical and/or a radiological check-up to show that you are in good
health, but you shouldn’t do this unless you are specifically advised that you
must. If you are told to take a test then you must attend an appointment with a
doctor who has been approved by the Australian immigration department.
You are also obliged
to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover – OSHC – unless you are from Belgium,
Norway or Sweden; though Swedes must be covered by CSN or Kammarkollegiet for
this to apply. You may purchase this cover through your university, or directly
from one the five approved providers. These are Australian Health Management,
BUPA Australia, Medibank Private, OSHC Worldwide and nib OSHC. The average cost
of this insurance is A$423, which is around US$450.
·
Proof of English proficiency
English language
requirements for those not from Anglophone countries are set by universities
for level 1 and 2 candidates. Level 3 and 4 candidates will need to prove their
proficiency with certified test results (the Australian Department of Immigration
and Citizenship website lists eligible tests). The score you will need will
depend on whether you are starting a degree proper, doing a foundation course,
or enrolling on a preliminary English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas
Students (ELICOS), which you will have a maximum of 30 weeks to complete.
·
Criminal record checks
You will also need
to show that you don’t have a substantial criminal record, and your past and
present conduct must not suggest you will engage in criminal activity or incite
discord in Australia. You may need to acquire penal clearance or get a police statement
for this purpose. You will also need to declare fidelity to Australian values
by signing an Australian Values Statement.
·
Visa applications
Level 1 students can
apply online or in person, whereas students from levels 2-4 must apply in post
or in person at an Australian embassy if applying for the first time. A trial
is currently being run to allow level 2-4 applicants to make the initial
application online which allows citizens of certain countries to apply online.
You will need to
submit evidence of all the above along with application form 157A, four
passport pictures and proof of your academic record. All documents should be
translated into English. Applications must be made no more than 124 days
(around four months) before your course starts. You may be asked to attend an
interview at a local visa office.
