Applying for an Australian student visa

There are seven types of student visas to enter Australia:

• Subclass 570 Independent ELICOS: for international students undertaking ELICOS
• Subclass 571 Schools: for international students studying at primary or secondary school
• Subclass 572 Vocational education and training: for VET students
• Subclass 573 Higher education: for bachelor and associate degrees, graduate certificate, graduate diploma and master's by coursework
• Subclass 574 Postgraduate research: master's and PhD by research
• Subclass 575 Non-award: Foundation, bridging, or other courses that do not lead to an award
• Subclass 576 AusAID or Defence sponsored: for students sponsored by AusAID or Defence

Indian students at ELICOS, VET have been categorised as Assessment Level 4 by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Students at school level and postgraduate research level are classified as Level 2 and higher education (Bachelors, Graduate Diploma and Masters by course work) as Level 3. This means that you must send your application to the Australian Visa Office in Newdelhi. Student visas take approximately 12 weeks to process and it is very important to submit all the information required at the time of application.

To be granted a student visa you must meet evidentiary requirements and general requirements.

Evidentiary requirements

• Proof of your capacity to cover the cost of airfare, tuition fees and living costs. Your living costs in Australia are set at AUD 18,000 per annum
• Proof of your capacity to cover the cost of airfare, living costs and school fees for any dependents (if applicable)
• IELTS , TOEFL , Pearsons English language test are accepted by Australia university and immigration for visa from NOV 5th 2011
• Your personal situation in your home country, for example, personal or financial commitments that may prompt you to return home
• Your academic records
• Your previous immigration history in Australia

General requirements

• You are of good character
• You are of sound health
• You have health insurance through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) (Australia has a special system of health cover for international students called OSHC. You must have health cover for the duration of your enrolment as a condition of your visa requirements)
• You have no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia, or have made arrangements to repay such debts
• Where you are under 18 years of age, you have acceptable arrangements for your accommodation, support and general welfare in place

For more information on the procedure, go to www.immi.gov.au/students

Additional consular information can be found at http://www.india.embassy.gov.au/

Australian High Commission in India