How this Visa Works
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Before you apply for this visa, you must have applied for and been accepted to study full-time at an educational institution in Australia.
Length of stay
This visa allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of your course. It permits multiple entries to Australia. Dependent family members who come with you to Australia are usually able to stay the same length of time as you, but they cannot stay once you have left the country.
The table below outlines the usual duration for a student visa.
| Duration of Course | Duration of Visa |
|---|---|
| 10 months or less | Your visa will usually be granted for one month longer than the end date of your course. |
| Longer than 10 months | Your visa will usually be granted for two months longer than the end date of your course, if your course ends before November. Note: If your course ends in November or December, your visa will usually cease on March 15 of the following year. |
Note: If your student visa expires before your graduation, you can apply for a Visitor visa. You will need a letter from your education provider which states the date of your graduation.
See: Visitors
Working while studying
If you have been granted a Student visa on or after 26 April 2008, you and your dependent family members will already have Permission to Work automatically included with your visa. Further information on the conditions that apply to working while studying is available.
See: Conditions for Working While Studying
If you were granted a student visa before 26 April 2008 and have not yet applied for Permission to Work, you and your dependent family members may only apply for Permission to Work after you have started your course in Australia.
See: How to Apply for Permission to Work
The table below outlines the work entitlements for you and your dependent family members if you have Permission to Work.
| Type of Applicant | Work Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Students with Permission to Work | You can work a maximum of 20 hours per week when your course is in session and unlimited hours when your course is not in session. Note: Work that is a formal registered part of your course is not included in the limit of 20 hours per week. |
| Dependent family members with Permission to Work | You can work a maximum of 20 hours per week throughout the year. A week begins on Monday and ends on the following Sunday.
You cannot undertake work until the primary student visa holder has started their course in Australia. |
Important: You must also comply with the State and Territory laws of Australia. Under all State and Territory laws, you cannot work during school hours if you are under the school leaving age, which in most states is 15 years.
When is your course in session?
The department considers your course to be 'in session':
- for the duration of the advertised semesters (including periods when exams are being held)
- if you have completed your studies and your Confirmation of Enrolment is still in effect
- if you are undertaking another course, during a break from your main course and the points will be credited to your main course.
See: How to apply for permission to work
Student visa definitions
- Eligible family members
- Your spouse and your spouse's dependent children.
- Spouse
- The person you are married to, or in a de facto (common law) relationship with. You are in a de facto relationship if you have been living with a person of the opposite sex for at least 12 months and you have a genuine and exclusive relationship with them.
- Dependent child
- The natural or adopted child, or step-child of yourself or your spouse who has not turned 18 and is not married or engaged to be married or in a de facto relationship.
- Fully funded student
-
A student whose travel, tuition and living expenses are paid by one of the following:
- the Australian Government or an Australian State or Territory government
- the government of a foreign country
- a provincial or state government of a foreign country (with the written support of the national government)
- a multilateral agency
Examples: United Nations, World Bank or Asian Development Bank or an organisation gazetted by the Minister.