Visa Issues
- Visa information
- International student visa
- Student visa assessment levels
- Protection for overseas students - ESOS Act
- Other visas
Visa information
Information about applying for a visa is available online from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
It is recommended that you refer to the Forms and booklets page in the student section on the DIAC website, for comprehensive downloadable information on student visas.
DIAC also provides a Student visa document checklist, which will assist you when applying for a student visa.
Refer to DIAC's list of Australian Missions to find the mission closest to you where you can find more information if required and lodge your visa application.
The Australian Government's Study in Australia website is specifically designed for international students.
International student visa
If you are planning to study a course that is longer than three months, you will need to apply for a student visa.
Generally the requirements include:
- Be a genuine student
- Be accepted in a full-time registered course
- Have adequate financial support
- Make arrangements for health insurance while in Australia
- Make adequate arrangements for any accompanying school-aged dependants to be educated
- Meet Australian health and character requirements, usually a chest x-ray and medical exam is required
- Complete the visa application, pay the fee, and satisfy the outlined requirements
Student visa assessment levels
Assessment levels are determined by DIAC from the passport you hold and the educational sector for which you are seeking a student visa. For more information on visa assessment levels visit the DIAC website.
Protection for overseas student students - ESOS Act
The Australian Government wants overseas students in Australia to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding place to study. Australia’s laws promote quality education and consumer protection for overseas students. These laws are known as the ESOS framework and they include the Education Services for Overseas (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code.
For further information please refer to The ESOS framework (.pdf, 44KB).
Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view pdf files. Get Adobe Acrobat reader.
Other visas
If you have been offered a program of study in the Charles Darwin University and Australian Centre of Languages (ACL) deliver the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS). If the course to be studied is less than three months in duration, you may be able to apply for a tourist visa or working holiday visa. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires that tourist visa holders complete a medical examination if they are studying for more than four weeks.
