Student Eligibility
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You must meet the following specific requirements to be eligible for this visa.
Accepted in full-time study
You must be accepted for full-time study in a registered course or part of a registered course to be eligible for this visa.
Note: A registered course is an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
See: CRICOS
| Lodgement Method | Proof of Acceptance |
|---|---|
| Online | You must provide the code from your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment. |
| Post or in person |
You can provide a copy of one of the following:
|
Financial requirements
You must have enough money to pay for travel, tuition and living expenses for yourself, your spouse and your dependent children for the duration of your stay in Australia. You must also have enough money to support your spouse and dependent children, even if they do not travel with you to Australia.
Note: Specific financial requirements apply to fully funded students.
Health requirements
You must meet certain health requirements and may need to undergo a health examination. The requirements vary based on:
- your length of stay in Australia
- other health risks in your home country or countries you have visited for more than three months within the last five years.
Health examinations can be completed before you lodge your visa application, but no more than six months before your course starts.
See: Health requirements
Health insurance
You must have health insurance while in Australia. Health insurance can be provided by obtaining Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) which provides medical and hospital insurance.
See: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
You can ask your education provider to organise OSHC for you, or you can select an approved OSHC provider yourself and pay the insurance.
Exceptions: You do not need OSHC if you are:
- a Norwegian student covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme
- a Swedish student covered by the National Board of Student Aid or by Kammarkollegiet.
Proof of insurance: When you lodge your application, you must provide a receipt or other proof of your OSHC payment. The OSHC should commence when you arrive in Australia.
Australian Values Statement
If you are aged 18 years or over, you must declare that you will respect Australian values and obey the laws of Australia. For this visa, the values statement is included in the general declaration section of the application form. When you sign the application form it means you will also be signing the values statement. You will not be required to have read the Life in Australia book, but may do so if you wish.
You are also encouraged to gain an understanding of Australia, its people and their way of life, before applying for this visa.
See: Australian Values - Overview
English language skills
The table below outlines the English language skills you require and the evidence you must provide at the time you apply for your first student visa or to renew your student visa.
| You need one of the following | Evidence Required: |
|---|---|
| IELTS test | If you are over 16 years of age and are applying:
Note: You must take the IELTS test within two years prior
to the date of your application. You can take the Academic or General IELTS
test to meet English Language requirements for a student visa. However, please
check with your Australian education provider about which test they require
for your enrolment.
If you are under 16 years of age, your education provider will advise you of the level of English language you need. You can study up to 30 weeks of a preliminary English course. |
| English test other than IELTS |
You must have a score equal to IELTS 5.0 in one of the following tests:
|
| Study in English |
You must provide evidence that you have:
|
Exceptions: You may be eligible for a waiver of the IELTS test, particularly if you are applying from the People's Republic of China.
See: IELTS Waiver Conditions
Fully funded students: If you are a fully funded student, your education provider will advise you of the level of English you need and the evidence you must provide.
Academic record and age requirements
All students except exchange students must meet specific academic and age requirements.
If you are applying for your first student visa, you must provide evidence:
- that you have successfully completed Year 9 or equivalent
- that your age is appropriate for your proposed Year level
- of one of the following:
- that your secondary school course will be at least 16 months
- that you successfully completed a recognised secondary course lasting two years outside Australia. The course must have an Australian curriculum and be conducted in English by an Australian provider.
Note: An appropriate age means that if you are enrolled in:
- Year 12, you will be less than 20 years of age at the start of Year 12
- Year 11, you will be less than 19 years of age at the start of Year 11
- Year 10, you will be less than 18 years of age at the start of Year 10
- Year 9, you will be less than 17 years of age at the start of Year 9
- Years 1 to 8, your age is consistent with the above.
If you are applying to renew your student visa in Australia, you must show that you:
- successfully completed Year 11 in Australia, by providing school reports and academic records
- are enrolled in Year 12 in Australia.
Note: If you are renewing your student visa, the 16-month minimum course length and age appropriate requirements do not apply.
Character requirements
You must be of good character to enter Australia. The information you provide on the 'Character Declaration' section of your application will be used to assess your character.
See: Character and penal clearance requirements
Debts to the Australian Government
To enter Australia you must:
- have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government
or - have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government.
Students under 18 years of age
You must meet all the above, and the additional eligiblity requirements.
See: Students Under 18 Years of Age - Additional Eligibility