Student Visas
Studying in Australia
Despite having only a population of 23 million, Australia has the third highest number of international students in the world behind only the United Kingdom and the United States. This is because Australia has seven of the top 100 universities in the world, offering over 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions.
A student visa enables students from other countries to come to Australia to undertake full-time study in registered courses.
To be eligible for a Student Visa, you must first be accepted to study full time in a registered course offered at one of Australia’s universities, schools or technical colleges. A list of courses available for overseas students can be found at The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
The applicant must:
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Accept to study full time in a registered course
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Have the financial capacity to cover living costs in Australia:
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Tuition fees
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Travel costs
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Living costs
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Have the financial capacity to be able to support any visiting / accompanying family members
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Have genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily
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Be Proficient in English.
Student visa holders:
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Must not undertake work until the main student visa holder has started their course in Australia.
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Are limited to 40 hours work per fortnight while their course is in session, but may work unlimited hours during formal holiday periods.
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Who have commenced their study, towards a Master's degree by research or Doctoral degree, have unrestricted permission to work.
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Who breach these conditions may be subject to visa cancellation.
+ Family members' visa conditions
+ Family members' visa conditions
- Family members' visa conditions
- Family members' visa conditions
Family members of student visa holders must also meet certain conditions:
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Family members of student visa holders:
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Are permitted to work up to 40 hours per fortnight once the main student visa holder has started the course of study.
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Can work unlimited hours if the main student visa holder has started a masters or doctoral course.
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If aged 18 years or over, may only study for up to three months. If they want to undertake a course of study that exceeds three months, they must apply for a student visa, in their own right.
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Children aged 5–18 years who join the student in Australia for more than three months must attend school. The student must meet any associated education or tuition costs for that child.
A student's child aged 18 years or over cannot apply for a student visa as a family member. If they want to study in Australia, they must apply for a student visa separately.