Student Visa
Once a student is accepted into a full time course of study at an Australian institution he needs to obtain a student visa, which is valid for the duration of the course of study indicated on the Confirmation of Enrollment form provided by the Australian Institution. This form is provided once international student fees (or exchange places) have been arranged, and overseas student health coverage charges have been paid.

There are advantages to applying for a student visa. If you are studying on a student visa you:
* have access to Australia's subsidized student health cover
* are able to study for more than three months
* are generally able to change status to an overseas student in Australia, and
* can apply for permission to work.

Students wanting to study in Australia can apply for a student visa after they have received a letter of offer or electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE) in relation to one or more full-time courses of study. However, it is recommended that you do not enroll in your course or obtain an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) until you have been advised to do so by your local Australian Government office.
 

You should contact your local Australian Government office overseas to find out:

* How to make your application, and
* What your document requirements will be.

Important: if you have been assessed as assessment level 3 or 4, you will need a letter of offer when you apply for a student visa.
 

Depending on your country of nationality and your principal course of study you may have to undergo a preliminary assessment before an Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) is issued by your Australian education provider.
*Visa sub-classes for each education sector
 You should apply under the visa sub-class for your principal course of study.
*Assessment levels
Each education sector in each country is ranked according to five assessment levels.
*Evidentiary standards
 These visa requirements include English language proficiency and are increasingly stringent from assessment level 1 through to assessment level 5.
*Electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE)
The only accepted evidence of enrolment for processing student visa applications.
 

Generally, an international student is issued with 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.

Application deadline for admissions and visa lodgement

For July session: Student should apply for admission within mid-March. This is the latest application deadline, ideally student should apply for this session in November (previous year). This is the main intake in Australia for International students. All universities, colleges & TAFEs have all type of courses in July intake. This is the most popular intake and thousands of International students apply in the July intake. About 60% of total Indian students are opting for this intake compare to 30% in February & 10% in October/November intake in a year.
 

For October/November session: Student should apply for admission within mid-June maximum. Very few selected courses are available in this intake. Few universities are offering MBA & some selected PG courses in this intake while some TAFE, College & private VET institutes are offering vocational Diploma courses, university foundation and pathway programmes in October/November intakes.

For student visa: Visa Application should be submitted to the Australian High Commission minimum 10-12 weeks before the actual course commencement dates.

Health insurance premium (OSHC):
Australia has a special system of health cover for international students in Australia. This is called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and you are required to have this for the duration of your student visa in Australia. OSHC costs depend on how long you will be in Australia. If your spouse and/or dependent children are accompanying you to Australia you will need to pay a family premium. You have to pay your OSHC premium before coming to Australia.

Further information, including costs and details of cover, is available from the following websites:
http://www.medibank.com.au/Overseas-Students/About-OSHC/What-is-covered....
https://www.oshcworldcare.com.au

 

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