To get a student visa, it is necessary to:

1. Submit a student visa application; see the form Application forms
2. VISA application fee; from 1 July 2009 student visa fees is $540 Charges (Fees)
3. Provide a valid passport;
4. Provide appropriate information about financial ability to pay for the study
5. Provide appropriate information about academic and English ability;
6. Provide a CoE for a course
7. Provide information that the student has 1 year Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Student VISA There are also some differences in applying for a student visa outside Australia and applying from within Australia.

• the type of student visa (or subclass) that a student requires.
• the assessment level (AL) of the student’s country.

Student VISA Type (or subclass) Student visas are divided into seven subclasses, which depend on the level of study of the course as described by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Each subclass has different requirements.

The seven sub-classes

VISA Subclass 570 - Independent ELICOS
VISA Subclass 571 - Schools
VISA Subclass 572 - Vocational & Technical Education
VISA Subclass 573 - Higher Education
VISA Subclass 574 - Postgraduate Research
VISA Subclass 575 - Non-award
VISA Subclass 576 - AusAID and Defence

Before applying for a student visa, it is necessary to understand which subclass of visa is required. This must be indicated on the visa application form.

The principal course The principal course determines the subclass.  This is the course that the student intends to undertake in Australia at the highest level. For example, a student may intend to study 3 courses in this order from lowest to highest level:

1. An English language program, then
2. A foundation program, then
3. An undergraduate program (This is the principal course)

If that student has a package of offer letters that provide a clear pathway to the undergraduate degree, then subclass 573 is required. 

Visa Duration The duration of a visa depends on the CoEs that are submitted with the application. The visa awarded will cover the full length of every CoE that is in a sequence or package.

Assessment Level DIAC has assessed every country in the world from 1 (low risk) to 4 (high risk). This assessment is done by studying the statistics of how students comply with their visa conditions.

Meaning of Assessment Level If students come from a low risk country (AL1 or AL2), the financial, academic and English language information they need to provide is less comprehensive than if they come from a higher risk (AL3 or AL 4) country.