On this page: Students, General Skilled Migration
STUDENTS
Before applying for a student visa, students must have been accepted for full-time study in a registered course in Australia. A registered course is an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider registered to offer courses to overseas students on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
See: CRICOS
Applying for a student visa
Students must apply for a visa in the sector that relates to their principal or main course of study:
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Independent English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector
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Schools sector
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Vocational Education and Training sector
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Higher Education sector
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Postgraduate Research sector
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Non-award sector
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AusAID and Defence sector.
Overseas students who are assessment level three and four should apply for their first student visa outside Australia. Students who are assessment level one and two may apply for their first student visa on-shore.
Students must provide evidence of sufficient financial capacity to cover living costs in Australia, tuition fees, travel costs as well as the ability to support any family members, English language ability and level of education. The evidentiary requirements for these criteria differ according to the Assessment Level (AL) assigned to each sector and nationality. All students and accompanying family members must be of good character and sound health and hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Students from Norway and Sweden may not need OSHC if they have acceptable health cover offered by those countries.
Students and their family members have permission to work in Australia for a maximum of 20 hours per week although they may they may work full-time during formal holiday periods.
For further information or appointment to discuss your student visa application please ring 61 3 9386 5525 or contact info@migrationtoaustralia.net
Student Guardian visa
If a student is under 18 years of age, it is possible for one of their parents or relatives to apply for a Student Guardian visa to accompany them to Australia. The Student Guardian visa allows that person to stay in Australia to care for the student until they turn 18. It is not possible for a student guardian to work while in Australia.
For further information or appointment to discuss your student visa application please ring 61 3 9386 5525 or contact info@migrationtoaustralia.net
see also www.studentaccommodation.org
GENERAL SKILLED MIGRATION
Persons who are between 18 and 45 years of age and have skills and occupations which are in demand in Australia may apply for migration under the General Skilled Migration program (GSM). Student visa holders who have completed at least two years of study in Australia may also apply for permanent residence in this catergory.
For all visas in this program an occupation must be nominated from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and a skills assessment by the relevant assessing authority must be undertaken. Minimum English language requirements must be met although some professions/occupations require a higher level of English where it forms part of the skills assessment and/or is required for registration/licensing/membership. Work experience requirements vary depending on the class of visa applied for and whether or not you have Australian qualifications.
Sponsorship for some visas is available and this can be done by either a relative or State/Territory governement. If there is no sponosrship and you apply independently you will be points-tested. Points are awarded for: skill, age, English language ability, specific work experience, occupation in demand (and job offer), Australian qualifications, regional australia – study and residence, State/Territory sponsorship, spouse skills and relationship. Bonus points can also be received for fluency in one of australia’s community language, Australian work experience or capital investment incluidng spouse skills. The points test has a pass mark and a pool mark depending on the visa applied for.
For more information and/or an appointment to discuss your visa options please ring 61 3 9386 5525 or contact info@migrationtoaustralia.net
