It is essential that all prospective
overseas applicants check information about visa requirements
and applications on the DIAC website which is http://www.immi.gov.au/students
The website also lists DIAC offices worldwide to which you
can apply for your visa, and provides for online visa applications.
To apply for a student visa, you will either have to produce
your:
·
Confirmation of Enrolment from AIPS (this will be provided
once your Acceptance and Payment Agreement is completed and sent together
with course fees); or
·
Your unconditional Letter of Offer from AIPS (this generally
only applies if you are applying from outside Australia and are from
an Assessment Level 3 or 4 country).
Pre-Visa Assessment
If you are from an Assessment Level 3 or 4 country and
therefore must produce your Letter of Offer to
apply for a visa, you will also be required to undergo
a pre-visa assessment of your ability to meet the student
visa requirements applicable to you. You should
apply for pre-visa assessment immediately, as it can take
a considerable length of time to obtain.
If the assessment is favourable, the Department will issue
you with a letter authorising AIPS to issue you with a
Confirmation of Enrolment Certificate. This letter should
be attached to your Acceptance
and Payment Agreement. No tutition fees should be paid
until the results of this pre-visa assessment are known.
Medical and Health Matters
Applicants from certain countries will also
be required to undergo medical checks prior to applying
for their visas.
Most visa applicants will also be required to join a private
health fund, obtain Overseas Student Health Cover and provide
DIAC with evidence of this.
CRICOS
In order to satisfy visa requirements, overseas students
must enrol in a course that is listed on the Commonwealth Register
of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students, CRICOS.
Many other factors are involved in your visa application,
which can be quite complex and time consuming. It is therefore
strongly advised that you check your status and responsibilities
with DIAC and attend to these matters urgently, as overseas
students must be in Australia in time for enrolment and
orientation in late February, or they may not be accepted
into the course and may be breaching visa conditions if
they do not commence classes on the first day of the academic
year.
Unsuccessful visa application
If you are refused a student visa, you are entitled to
a full refund of your student fees, minus a $500 administrative charge.
Contact the Institute in writing and include your official receipt.
Your refund will be paid within 4 weeks of receipt.
Student and Institute Visa Compliance Obligations
To comply with visa requirements, students must attend
at least 80% of all scheduled classes and acheive satisfactory academic
progress. The Institute is responsible for reporting any
breaches of these obligations to DIAC.
WORKING IN AUSTRALIA
From 26 April 2008, people granted student visas will automatically receive permission to work with their visa grant. Most student visa holders will no longer need to apply separately in Australia for permission to work.
Further information is available on the PRISMS website at https://prisms.deewr.gov.au/Information/News/News.aspx?NewsId=366
|
