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 outside Australia.

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 Electronic Visa Application (eVisa) trial. This means that you can lodge your visa applicaton online through a registered migration agent, if you are living in the People's Republic of China.
See: List of education agents based in China

Note: Registered migration agents in Australia are also included in the trial and can lodge eVisa applications for offshore students.

Applying by mail or in person

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

Country	Where to Lodge
The People's Republic of China	Adelaide Offshore Student Processing Centre, DIAC By mail: GPO Box 1393, Adelaide SA 5001 By courier: 4th Floor, 55 Currie Street, Adelaide SA 5000 Note: The Australian Embassy does not accept visa applications.
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.

Contacting the Adelaide Offshore Student Processing Centre

If you have questions about the application procedure, contact the Adelaide Offshore Student Processing Centre.
See: Adelaide Offshore Student Processing Centre (AOSPC)