These are temporary visas allowing overseas (international) students to come to Australia to study at Australian registered education providers. While the main purpose for international students to acquire new or improve their current skills for better employment opportunities in the home country. Australia have recognized that International students graduating from Australian Educational Institutions can benefit Australia and thus created a program allowing them to apply for permanent residency after completion of their course. For more details click here.

There are eight types of student visas for Australia. The assessment level for each is dependent on the country of origin and the intended course of study. There are five assessment level with (one) being the easiest and (five) the strictest. The higher the level the more a potential student will have to prove a genuine intention to come to Australia for study purpose and that is usually by imposing strict requirement in relation to english and financial ability and previous study.

1 - Independent ELICOS Sector

Students come to Australia under these visas to attend English language courses that lead to a certificate I, II, III or IV, or that result in no formal award. They are designed for people who want to improve their English language skills and most registered education providers cater for many levels with courses up to 60 weeks in duration.

2 - School Sector

Students come to Australia under these visas to attend primary and secondary school courses or under the schools exchange program. The age of the proposed student must be appropriate to the course entering (17 for Year 9, 18 for Year 10, 19 for Year 11 and 20 for Year 12). The parent of a student granted a visa under this category are able to be granted a Student Guardian Visa to accompany the student to Australia.

3 - Vocational Education and Training Sector

Students come to Australia under these visas to undertake studies leading to vocational qualifications. The courses that can be studies under this visa are Certificates I-IV except for English language courses (ELICOS), Advanced certificate courses, Diploma, Associate and Advanced Diploma courses. For some students there is a requirement to study at a minimum level and for some they must have attained the educational level of year 12 or its equivalent before they can attend vocational study in Australia.

5 - Higher Education Sector

As the title suggest these visas are available to international students wishing to attend undergrad (Bachelor Degrees), graduate (certificate, diploma and associate degrees), and Masters (by coursework)

6 - Postgradute Research Sector

These visa available to overseas student who wish to undertake Masters (by research) and Doctoral Degrees. This visa is also available to those who complete their course of study and need to stay in Australia for the marking of their thesis but usually for no longer than six months.

7 - Non Award Sector

This visa is designed for international students who want to study, a non-award foundation studies course OR other full-time course or components of a course that does not lead to an Australian award. Student whose foundation course is prerequisite to their main course can and should apply for the visa under the relevant sector covering the main course.

*The Student program is quite comprehensive and it will not be possible to details for every possible scenario on this site. If you have an inquiry about your particular circumstances please Contact Us