VISA SERVICE

Below is the list of the student visas currently available. For more detail on each visa, visit the  Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP)

• Student visa (Subclass 500)
• Independent ELICOS (Subclass 570)
• Schools (Subclass 571)
• Vocational Education and Training (Subclass 572)
• Higher Education (Subclass 573)
• Postgraduate Research (Subclass 574)
• Non-award (Subclass 575)
• Foreign Affairs or Defence (Subclass 576)

Other Visa Options

For shorter period of study you can apply for a Visitor or Working Holiday Maker Visa. There is also a visa option specifically for student guardians.

Visitor Visa (Subclasses 600,601,651)

• Maximum 3 months study.
• Intention to visit Australia is genuine.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Sufficient money to support yourself during stay in Australia.

Read more about Visitor Visas on the DIBP website.

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

• Maximum 4 months study.
• Aged 18 to 30 years and hold an eligible passport.
• Principal purpose to holiday in Australia.
• Enter or remain in Australia as a genuine visitor.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Sufficient funds for airfares and personal support for stay in Australia.

Read more about Working Holiday Visas on the DIBP website.

Student Guardian Visa(Subclass 580)

• Maximum 4 months study.
• Provides for certain persons to reside with a student in Australia, where the student requires a guardian, ie: the student is under 18 years of age.
• Study up to 3 months or study ELICOS for 20 hours per week for duration of visa.
• Meet Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement.
• Sufficient funds for airfares and living costs.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Acceptable health insurance.

Read more about Student Guardian Visas on the DIBP website.

Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485)

• You can work in Australia for a period of 18 months and up to 4 years, depending on your qualification.
• Provides for certain persons to reside with a student in Australia, where the student requires a guardian, ie: the student is under 18 years of age.
• This visa does not restrict the type of work you may do or the number of hours you may work.
• Applications for this visa must be made in Australia and you must hold an eligible student visa in the last 6 months.
• You must meet Australian study, English proficiency, health insurance, health and character requirements.
• You must meet the specific requirements of the stream in which you are applying for this visa.
• Acceptable health insurance.

Read more about Temporary Graduate Visas on the DIBP website.

Visa options and requirements are sometimes subject to change. In order to stay up to date, the best place to get accurate information is on the  Department of Immigration and Border Protection website. The website provides comprehensive information on the types of visas available for different levels of study in Australia, including people considering bring family members with them (whether guardians, partners/spouses or children). You will also have access to help and advice about your specific visa requirements.

Another option is to contact an education agent, who can help with your visa application, course application, and answer any other questions.

Skilled Migration Visa (189 or 457 Visa)

We begin with the top 10 tips for international students thinking of applying for General Skilled Migration:

• 1. Graduate Skilled Visa: the 18-month Graduate Skilled visa (subclass 485 and also commonly called "TR") is a very useful way of helping you get enough points to apply for your permanent residence.
• 2. Critical Skills List (CSL): If you are thinking about choosing a course, think about doing a course which would allow you to pass skills assessment in a CSL occupation, see  www.acacia-au.com/csl.php
• 3. Watch out for Exemptions: if you have exemptions or academic credits for overseas studies, these can affect whether you have enough study to apply. Avoid academic credits if at all possible.
• 4. Work Experience: work experience can give you extra points - however, it has to meet certain requirements in terms of skill level, salary paid, hours per week etc. The Department of Immigration looks very carefully at work experience claimed by international students, so your employer can expect a call or site visit for verification.
• 5. Further Study: if you are completing a bachelor degree in Australia, you can get 10 extra points if you do an honours year or masters.
• 6. Professional Year: professional years are available for IT, Accounting and Engineering. Aside from extra points, your application may be processed more quickly if you complete a professional year.
• 7. State Nomination: states publish lists of occupations in demand and for which they will consider nominating people for temporary or permanent skilled visas. These days it is difficult to get a state nomination, but if you do have one, it means that you don't need as many points to qualify for migration and your application is processed at the highest level of priority.
• 8. English Testing: most students will need to do the IELTS test of English language ability( www.ielts.org) . Unless you get at least 6 in all 4 components of the IELTS, it will be very difficult to apply even for the skilled graduate visa. You need to think ahead as you may need to wait 3-4 months for a test date - the test is valid for 2 years so you can do it well before you are ready to apply.
• 9. Bridging Visas: if you lodge an onshore application you will receive a Bridging A visa which gives full work rights in Australia. However, the Bridging A visa ceases if you leave Australia. If you want to travel, you'll need a Bridging B visa - this costs $90 and you will need to show evidence of the reason you need to travel.
• 10. Keep up to Date: the rules change constantly, and the Department of Immigration is currently looking at revising the whole General Skilled Program.