About this Visa

This visa is designed for international students applying to study in Australia and whose main course of study is:

• a primary school course
• a secondary school course, including junior and senior secondary
  or
• an approved secondary school exchange program.

Note: If the applicant is not a secondary exchange student, the year or level of school study that the applicant intends to undertake must not be a year or level that is more than 18 months below a year or level that the applicant has previously undertaken in Australia or another country.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you want to do one of the following:

• apply for your first student visa
• renew your student visa
• apply to join a family member who is in Australia on a student visa.

How much will this visa cost?

You must pay a non-refundable visa application charge when you lodge your visa application.
See: Student Visa Charges

What does the visa let me do?

With this visa:

• you can study in Australia
• eligible dependant family members can accompany you to Australia
• when you have commenced your course of study in Australia, you can work up to 20 hours per week while your course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
• your family members can work up to 20 hours per week provided you have commenced your course of study in Australia.
  Note: If you have been granted Student visa before 26 April 2008 you and your dependent family members may need to apply separately for Permission to Work.
  See: How to Apply for Permission to Work
• your partner can study in Australia for up to three months.
  Note: If your partner wants to study for more than three months they must apply for their own student visa. The application can be made in Australia.

What is your assessment level?

Your assessment level is determined by your nationality and course of study.
See: Student Visa Program - Assessment Levels (formerly known as Form 1219i) (147KB PDF file)