Lodgement Procedure for Citizens of People's Republic of China

You should read this information if you are a citizen of the People's Republic of China and you are applying for your first student visa.
Note: This information does not apply to passport holders from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macau Special Administrative Region.

When to lodge

You should lodge your visa application at least 12 weeks before your course starts. You should also allow extra time for your visa label to arrive and to make travel and accommodation arrangements for Australia.

Applying online

The People's Republic of China is one of the countries involved in an online application (eVisa) trial. This means that you can lodge your visa application online through a registered education agent, if you are living in the People's Republic of China.
See: Agents Participating in the Trial of Electronic Visa Application Lodgement for Assessment Levels 2–4 (348KB PDF file)
Note: Registered migration agents in Australia are also included in the trial and can lodge eVisa applications for offshore students.

Applying by post or in person

The table below explains were to lodge your visa application if you are applying by post or in person outside Australia.

Where you are applying from	Where to lodge
The People's Republic of China	Student Visa Centre (South Australia) See: Student Visa Centre (South Australia)
New Zealand
Any other country outside Australia	Your nearest departmental office See: Immigration Offices outside Australia

Paying the application charge

The visa application charge must be paid in Australian dollars by credit card, cheque or money order.