Recently, Australia has become a darling destination for international students. The country’s excellent educational system hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Australia has seen more international students recently than in previous years with over 710 thousand international students currently enrolled in Australian universities.
If you’re currently in Australia and have fallen in love with the country’s educational system, now you want to have a taste of the cake, you can explore the option of studying in the country.
Also, read: Can international students work in Canada after graduation
However, a visitor visa or any other visa won’t allow you to study in the country unless you are on a student visa.
As a visitor on a visitor visa in the country, you aren’t allowed to engage in academic activities until you obtain a student visa.
Can you apply for a student visa while in Australia?
The short answer is yes, it is possible to apply for a student visa while you’re already in Australia, as long as you are eligible to study in the country and you do not have a “no further stay” attached to your current visa.
The “no further stay” condition, also known as Condition 8503, if attached to your current visa, prevents you from applying for any other visas while you are in Australia.
It means you can’t extend current your stay or change your visa status without leaving the country.
Also, read: Is it easy to get a part-time job in Australia?
If your current visa has a “no further stay” condition, you will not be eligible to apply for a student visa while in Australia unless you get a waiver of this condition.
Waivers are only granted in exceptional circumstances like during medical emergencies.
Before you plan to apply for a student visa while in Australia, check if you have a “no further stay” condition in your current visa.
Also, read: Can I bring my wife to Canada while on a work visa?
If the condition isn’t attached to your current visa, then you are eligible to apply for a student visa while in Australia.
However, your current visa must be valid and should allow you further stay throughout the time of applying for a student visa.
Can I convert a visitor visa into a study visa in Australia?
You can convert a visitor visa into a study visa in Australia if your visitor visa does not have a “no further stay” condition attached to it, and if you meet all the requirements for a student visa.
Also, read: Can you transfer universities after one semester in Canada?
To get started, apply for admission, demonstrate genuine temporary entry intent, and be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course.
If you meet the requirements to study in Australia, you can apply for admission while in the country as a visitor.
Applying for a student visa while in Australia
In Australia, the Department of Home Affairs oversees the visa application process, and there are several types of student visas you can apply for:
The most common student visa subclass is the Subclass 500, which allows recipients to study full-time at an accredited Australian educational institution.
Also, read: How to convert a student visa to a work permit in Canada
The visa also allows holders to work limited hours while studying.
Eligibility requirements for a student visa while in Australia
To apply for a student visa while in Australia, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Current visa status: You must hold a valid visa. It can be a tourist visa (Subclass 600) or a temporary graduate visa (Subclass 485).
- Genuine intent to leave the condition: In your application (student visa application), you must demonstrate to the Department of Home Affairs that you genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily (to study) and leave the country after your studies.
- Proof of funds: You also need to show proof of funds – proof that you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay.
- Maintain your visa terms: You can’t be granted another visa in Australia if you fail to maintain the terms of your current visa.
- Be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course: Student visas are granted to only applicants who have been accepted to study in a registered course of study with an Australian institution that is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
If you comply with these requirements, you can proceed to apply for a student visa while in Australia.
How to apply for a student visa while in Australia
To apply for a student visa, ensure you have already been offered admission to study in an authorized institution in the country.
Accept the offer of admission and get your confirmation of enrollment.
To apply for a student visa, check if you are eligible for a visa.
- Check if you meet the student visa requirements: Student visa requirements are different from the requirements to study in an institution in Australia, each institution has its requirements which you must meet before you are offered admission, however, the visa requirements make you eligible for a student visa which you need to enter Australia for academic purposes.
- Create an ImmiAccount: If you are eligible for a student visa, create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website if you don’t already have one. You will use this account to lodge your student visa application.
- Fill out the student visa application form through your ImmiAccount: Log in to your ImmiAccount and fill out the online student visa application form. Scan and upload all the required documents
The list of documents required for an Australian student visa includes:
-
-
- Valid passport
- Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE)
- Proof of financial capacity to cover tuition fees, living costs, and return travel
- Proof of English proficiency (if required)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Police clearance certificate.
-
- Pay the application fee: After uploading your documents, pay the application fee and attach proof of payment before submitting your application package.
- Wait for a decision from the immigration authorities: Once you’ve submitted your application, the Department of Home Affairs will assess it based on the information contained in your application. You will either get approval or a rejection.
If your application meets all the requirements, it will be approved – once approved, you can study in Australia for the duration of your program.
Upon receiving your student visa, study the terms and understand any conditions attached to your visa.
While in the country, ensure that you obey your visa conditions.
Also, read: How to convert visitor visa to student visa in Australia
Your visa will expire at the end of your program under which you will be required to leave the country.
However, you can stay in the country after your studies if you apply for other visa options like a postgraduate work visa.
If during the application process, you need help, you can always reach out to your institution (the college or university that offered you admission) for help.
Also, read: Can I get a work permit after completing a diploma in Canada?
They will be glad to assist you with any issues you have.
You can also share your questions in the comment section on our platform, we will be glad to assist you with whatever you need.