Any student wishing to study in Australia for more than three months must obtain a student visa. Students cannot travel to Australia as a tourist and expect to study, as this is considered to be a violation of a visitor visa. Nor does being a student in the US mean they will automatically receive a student visa to Australia.
Although the processing time for student visa’s to Australia is relatively straight-forward and short, students should check the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website as soon as they are accepted to their Australian university.
In order to be eligible for a student visa a student must be fully enrolled in an Australian institution and receive an Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) form. This form is issued by the Australian institution they will be attending. This is not to be confused with the initial “Congratulations... we have reserved a place for you at ...” letter.
The eCoE contains information such as the course start date, end date, and other codes used by DIAC to issue the student visa. The eCoE form is usually issued after the Australian institution has received the student’s tuition fees.
In order to obtain a student visa, the student must show that they have enough money to pay for living expenses, education costs and travel for the duration of study. Students may show evidence in the form of student loans or promissory notes from lenders.
Visas are granted for as long as indicated on a student’s eCoE. Should a student wish to extend their study to subsequent semesters, they will need to contact the International Students Office at their Australian institution.
International students in Australia are bound by the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia, the state in which they reside and the rules of the host university. Failure to adhere to any of these sets of rules may result in the student’s visa being cancelled.
If you have any specific questions about student visas, please contact the Australian Visa Information Services toll-free by calling 1-888-990-8888 in North America. This service, provided by DIAC, provides assistance with queries on visas, immigration and citizenship, and allows students to speak directly with an immigration officer. Alternatively, students can use the on-line visa enquiry form on the DIAC website.
How to apply for a student visa
US citizens are eligible to apply on-line for their student visa using DIAC’s e-visa online processing website.
Students must have the following documents in order for the visa to be processed:
- A valid passport. The passport should be valid for the total period of the student's stay in Australia, or they should have at least 6 months' validity at the time the of visa application to prevent any travel difficulties. Ensure the personal details listed on the student's passport (full name, date of birth, etc) match those in the student's visa application.
- An electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE). This is the official letter of acceptance from the Australian university. Students will receive their eCoE either electronically via email, or in some instances via regular postal mail. The eCoE is proof that the student is accepted at an Australian university, has paid the required university tuition, and has obtained the mandatory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Students will need all three pieces before they can apply for their student visa.
- A credit card. As of January 2008 the cost of a student visa is US$410, payable by credit card via an online payment system. Visit the DIAC website for the most up-to-date student visa fee information.
An Australian student visa can be granted a maximum of 12 weeks (2 months and 3 weeks) before the student's course commencement date. When students apply online, their visa application is typically processed within 5 to 10 business days. Students will be notified by e-mail when their visa has been granted.
In addition, encourage your students to take note of their Transaction Reference Number (TRN). This number, along with a student's passport number and date of birth, can be used to track the status of a student's visa application.
If students have questions about their electronic visa application after they have been submitted, or they would like to inquire about the status of their visa, advise the student to contact the Australian Processing Centres.
Additional documentation for the student visa
In some circumstances, students may be contacted by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to provide more information, undergo a health check or schedule an interview with an immigration officer.
US students who are planning to study in Australia for 12 months or longer on a student visa (Form 457) will typically be required to undergo a chest x-ray - unless their health is of special significance, or they are likely to enter a classroom or healthcare facility, in which case a medical examination will also be required.
When students apply through the e-visa system, they will be notified via email if they need to supply x-ray or medical forms. If necessary, medical forms can be downloaded from the DIAC website and mailed to the appropriate Australian embassy or consulate for processing.
Students with citizenship from another country (non-US Citizen)
Students with citizenship from other countries (non-US) may need to submit a paper-based application depending on their nationality and program of study. Students may also need to undergo a chest x-ray, medical exam, IELTS (English language proficiency) exam and pre-visa assessment, depending on their country assessment level. For additional information please contact the Australian Visa Information Services by calling 1-888-990-8888 or consult the DIAC website.
Friends and relatives
Australia joined the US Visa Waiver Pilot Program in July 1996, allowing US citizens to travel to Australia and stay for a maximum of 3 months on an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA can usually be issued by a travel agent or by telephone with the airline carrier. For stays grater than 3 months, a visitor visa can be obtained on-line. More information about visitor visas can be found on the DIAC website.