Australia Visa

Our website may or may not be the first one you have browsed through looking for information on migrating to Australia. Whilst our website may not contain all the information you may be looking for, we can assure you that our service is one of the best you would ever come across.

Whatever be your reason to move to Australia, be it an enviable lifestyle, jobs that offer excellent remuneration and the opportunity to grow, beautiful cities, sporting facilities, multicultural population, world-class schools & universities and a place you would be proud to call home, we are in the best position to assess and advise you of your eligibility and guide you through the process.

Securing an Australian permanent residence visa is neither easy nor is it a simple and straightforward process. Should you have any doubts about it, read through the testimonials page for an idea of what lies ahead. We have an excellent track record with one of the highest success rates for immigration visas for Australia. People from across the world have benefited from our experience and expertise in providing advice for immigration to Australia. We have so far provided opportunities to hundreds of people from around the world to migrate and settle in Australia through our offices in India & Australia.

There are several ways to obtain a permanent residence visa for Australia. If you are a business owner, the business skills program could be right for you. If you have close relatives, you may be able to secure their sponsorship and extra points to qualify. For parents, spouses, children, & other qualifying relatives of an Australian citizen, there is one of the family migration routes available.

If you belong to the vast majority of those who seek to migrate to Australia, who do not have any relatives or sponsors, all you need to do is pass the points test to qualify under the general skilled migration program. Even if you are short of points, sometimes it may be possible to secure sponsorship from a State/Territory government for extra points.

We offer you the chance to find out if you would qualify for immigration to Australia for a small fee. This is NOT an automatic assessment that some other websites offer. Your profile will be assessed by our experienced migration agents and a detailed report will be sent out to you. Our fee is also one of the lowest in the industry as we use a very efficient and productive software application to manage the immigration applications for all visas to Australia.

Step-by-step guide to migrate to Australia

For immigration to Australia, first, find out your eligibility. You can take our online evaluation for skilled immigration or send us an email.

•  We will assess your eligibility against all Australian migration regulations and that of DIAC and email the report.
•  If you meet all criteria and score enough points, we can send you an agreement to begin the process of your immigration application for Australia.
•  We will provide all immigration-related advice and closely follow-up to lodge the skill assessment and immigration application for Australia.
•  Once you get the permanent residence visa for Australia, you would be briefed about job search, Australian lifestyle, housing, studies, etc.
•  So, when you arrive in Australia, you will have realized your dream of calling Australia home.

Australia Immigration Policy

Australia’s 1998-99 Migration Program places emphasis on the importance of skilled migrants – migrants with a good track record in business, a high level of education and occupational skills, or outstanding talents in a particular field.

More than half of the 68,000 places in the program is allocated to these skilled migrants. The balance is made up of family-sponsored migrants.

In addition, there is a Humanitarian Program which caters to refugees and other people who have left their homes and countries because of war or civil strife or who have experienced human rights abuse.

All non-Australian citizens require visas for entry to Australia. Australia has 4 main visa types, these being:

Permanent Australian Visas: These visas entitle a person to remain permanently in the country.

Temporary Australian Visas: These visas authorize temporary stay, subject to conditions.

Protection Visas: These visas are for those people who have been granted refugee status.

Bridging Visas: These visas confer temporary lawfulness on someone who would otherwise be unlawful.

Immigration and Visas

No matter what type of Australian Visa you seek, it is important to determine the facts of your particular case and the category of visa you should apply for. Each category has special rules which apply, all of which must be satisfied before a visa can be granted.

We have set out a brief description for some of the visas available. Visa conditions and types of visas are constantly changed and added to. It is important that you provide as much history as possible in relation to your case in order that we can assist in working out the proper visa class for your application. Based on the facts of your particular case, the factors we will take into account include:

The likelihood of success of your application

The cost of your application

The time for processing your application

Any special restrictions on your application and temporary entry options

Student visa requirements

To be granted a student visa you must satisfy the visa requirements and comply with a number of visa conditions for attendance and academic performance which come into effect after you have entered Australia. Your student visa will list the conditions that apply specifically to you. It is important to comply with these visa conditions to avoid cancellation of visa.

Student visa information on this website is an outline only and subject to change. For more detailed, accurate, and up-to-date information on student visas and visa requirements please check the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website.

The student visa has seven separate sub-classes for each education sector. You should apply under the visa sub-class for your principal course of study. Please note from 1 July 2004 there will be changes to some of these subclasses.

Student visa sub-classes

Subclass 570                        Independent ELICOS
For international students undertaking ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) as a stand-alone course, and not as a prerequisite to commencing another course (for example, a degree course).

Subclass 571                         Schools
For international students undertaking a course of study at a primary school or a secondary school, including both junior and senior secondary school, and an approved secondary exchange program.

Subclass 572                         Vocational education and Training (VET) sector
Covers Certificate I, II, III, and IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma.

Subclass 573                        Higher education
Covers a Bachelor degree, Associate Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and masters by coursework.

Subclass 574                        Postgraduate Research
Covers a Masters degree by research and Doctoral degrees.

Subclass 575                        Non-award.
Covers foundation, bridging or other courses that do not lead to the award of a degree, diploma or other formal awards.

Subclass 576                       AusAID or Defence sponsored
Covers full-time study undertaken by AusAID or Defence students sponsored by the Australian Government.

General requirements

You are of a good character

You have a sound health

You have acceptable health insurance through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself and members of your family unit accompanying you to Australia

You have no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia or have made arrangements acceptable to the Minister to repay such a debt

You are under 18 years of age, acceptable arrangements for your accommodation, support, and general welfare are in place

Offer of a Place in a Course and Confirmation of Enrollment

If you are applying outside Australia and your visa application will be assessed at Assessment Level 3, 4, or 5, you should provide:

• An ‘offer of a place in a course’ letter from your Australian education provider at the time you lodge your application;
• An electronic confirmation of enrollment certificate issued by your education provider after you lodge your application if you are requested by the Australian overseas mission to do so.

This process allows a preliminary or Pre-Visa Assessment to be made on your application to see if you are genuinely seeking to enter Australia for the purpose of the study.

If you are applying outside Australia in Assessment Level 1 or 2, or in Australia in any Assessment Level, an electronic confirmation of enrollment certificate (CoE) is required before you lodge your application and a copy is to be provided with your application.

Note: A letter of offer is acceptable where a client lodges an application within Australia, but they must have a CoE for grant of a student visa application.

Student visa conditions

• You must satisfy attendance and course requirements and maintain a valid enrollment for your course
• You must not work unless you have been granted permission to do so
• You must maintain your Overseas Student Health (OSHC) cover while in Australia
• You must leave Australia before your visa expires
• You must remain with the education provider you originally enrolled with for the first six months of your course or, if the course is less than six months, for the duration of your course
• You must advise your education provider of your residential address within seven days of your arrival in Australia and must advise any changes of address within seven days
• If you change education provider you must inform your current education provider within seven days of issue of an eCoE

If you are an unaccompanied student applicant under 18 years of age you must obtain written approval of your education provider before you change your address, support, and welfare arrangements in Australia.

More detail about visa conditions can be found on the DIAC website.

Visa Application Forms

Application for a student (temporary) visa

Application for an electronic student (temporary) visa
(Eligibility restricted to US Study Abroad, Norwegian and Swedish students over 18 years of age)

Application for a student visa with permission to work
(Only to be lodged after you have arrived in Australia and commenced study in a registered course in Australia)

Short-Term Visitor/Tourist Visas – Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

Visa Information Forms

Applying for a student visa

Country Assessment Levels – Student Visa Processing (you should read this document together with form 1160i)

Charges (fees)

Student Dependent Nomination

Guardian Visa forms

Health requirements for temporary entrants

Making and processing visa applications

Bridging visas

Short-Term Visitor/Tourist Visas – Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

Assessment levels for student visas

Each student visa application is assessed according to an assessment level. The assessment level is determined by the passport held and the visa subclass applied for.

The assessment levels relate generally to how likely students are to comply with their visa conditions, based on previous students’ behavior. Assessment level 1 represents the lowest assessment level and assessment level 5 the highest.

The higher the assessment level, the more evidence you will need to provide to demonstrate your financial capacity, understanding of the English language, and other relevant matters.

Important: If you have an assessment level 2, 3, 4, or 5, then you must make your first student visa application, while you are outside Australia.

Evidentiary Requirements

• Your capacity to cover the cost of airfares, course fees, and living costs for the duration of your stay in Australia
• Your capacity to cover the costs of airfares, living costs and school tuition fees of your family unit members for the duration of your stay in Australia
• Your level of English Language Proficiency in relation to that required for your assessment level and educational sector of study
• The situation in your home country e.g. personal or financial commitments that may prompt you to return to your home country
• Your academic record and history in the context of the course you intend to study
• Your immigration history e.g. previous compliance with immigration laws and whether you have previously applied for entry to Australia
• Whether your proposed course of study is what you might reasonably have chosen, given your circumstances
• Whether your proposed course is consistent with and appropriate to, your current level of education

More information on evidentiary requirements can be found on the DIAC website.

Requirements

Financial Ability

For Masters and Doctorate Courses

Sponsors must provide evidence of cash assets for the first year tuition fee (as on the letter of offer) and living expenses and access to additional funds (from acceptable sources) to meet the cost of the remainder of study and stay in Australia.

Health

Individuals applying to study in Australia must satisfy the health requirements specified in the Migration Regulations. Any family unit members who are included in the visa application are also required to satisfy health requirements.

Students from low health risk countries such as Iceland, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, and Sweden are generally not required to undertake health examinations unless a health condition of special significance is declared.
The relevant forms for health checks are:

• Form 26, Medical examination for an Australian visa
• Form 160, Radiological report on chest x-ray of an applicant for an Australian visa

When you present yourself for your health check, you should bring the following:

• Form 26, Medical examination for an Australian visa, with a passport photograph attached;
• Form 160, Radiological report on chest x-ray of an applicant for an Australian visa, with a passport photograph attached;
• Your passport for identification;
• Any prescription spectacles or contact lenses that you may wear; and
• Where you have a known medical condition, any existing specialist reports.

To be covered by health insurance, you will have to pay the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself and any family members traveling with you.

Student Health Cover for AusAID Students

If you are a student sponsored by AusAID, you will not need to pay the OSHC yourself. You will, however, need to provide proof that AusAID supports your application.

Student Health Cover for Students from Norway and Sweden

Students from Norway and Sweden do not need to obtain OSHC if they are covered by acceptable health insurance schemes from their home countries.

Character

To enter Australia, you must be of a good character. The information you provide at the ‘Character Declaration’ section of the application form 157A, Application for a student (temporary) visa enables an assessment to be made with respect to your character.

Debts

To enter Australia, you must have no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia or have made acceptable arrangements to repay such debt.

If you are under 18

Approval for Accommodation, Support, and General Welfare Arrangements

If you are under 18 years of age and declare in your application that you will be residing in Australia with a parent or a person who has custody of you, you must provide evidence of the relationship, and that they hold a visitor visa of 11 months stay, or of a shorter stay if you seek to study for less than 11 months or turn 18 years before 11 months.

If assessed at level 1 or 2, or you are in Australia under any assessment level, an electronic confirmation of enrollment (eCoE) certificate is required before you lodge your application and a copy is to be provided with your application.

If you are outside Australia and assessed at level 3, 4, or 5 you will need an ‘offer of a place in a course’ letter from your Australian education provider at the time you lodge your application. If you are at Assessment level 3 or 4, you must apply for Pre-Visa Assessment.

An electronic confirmation of enrollment (eCoE) certificate issued by your education provider after you lodge your application if you are requested by the Australian embassy to do so.

Common Visa Conditions

• You must satisfy attendance and course requirements and maintain a valid enrollment for your course
• You must not work unless you have been granted permission to do so
• You must maintain your Overseas Student Health (OSHC) cover while in Australia
• You must leave Australia before your visa expires
• You must remain with the education provider you originally enrolled with for the first 12 months of your course or, if the course is less than 12 months, for the duration of your course
• You must advise your education provider of your residential address within seven days of your arrival in Australia and must advise any changes of address within seven days
• If you change education provider you must inform your current education provider within seven days of issue of an eCoE

Study Australia – Visa Requirements

The Australian Government operates an Overseas Student Program (OSP) that allows people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents, to study in Australia. A student visa is required to undertake a registered course.

Involved with the granting of student visas, international students must provide evidence that satisfies the assessment factors applicable to your country of origin. Assessment factors include English proficiency levels and financial requirements amongst other matters.

For further information on visa requirements and assessment details please contact our study abroad Australia information center.

Visa Requirements and Application Procedures

Non-Australian residents are required to obtain a student visa before commencing study in Australia. Student visas can only be issued to students who intend to undertake registered courses on a full-time basis, are of good character, have adequate means of financial support, and are covered by health insurance whilst in Australia.

Major changes to Australia’s student visa assessment procedures came into effect on 1 July 2001. The restructured student visa program replaces the gazetted/non-gazetted arrangement and the Special Entry Arrangements for students from the People’s Republic of China.

Student Visa Details for Australia

International students who wish to leave for Australia for pursuing a study program there must apply and get the student visa from the country, which is the ‘official entry permit’ given to the overseas students. Australian Student Visa is granted to international students only when a registered Australian educational institute accepts them by offering them a full-time course. The general requirements for applying an Australian Student Visa are:

• Proof for demonstrating their ability to meet the financial expenses for the full study duration in the country
• Adequate and satisfactory level of proficiency in the English language
• Good character and satisfactory health conditions
• Acceptable health insurance cover of the student
• Proof of enrollment of the student in a course by any of the registered Australian Educational institution or universities
• Sponsors must provide evidence of cash assets for the study affair in Australia
• Evidence for scholarships from an Australian institution or an institution in the host country, if any
• Past educational evidence

Visa application procedures and requirements will vary according to the nature of the study program students are opting for and the country to which they belong. It is generally advised to start applying for the student visa for Australia at least six or eight weeks prior to the start of the study program in the country.

Re-entry into Australia:

All Student Visas for Australia have multiple entry facilities for the full period of the visa. Students who plan to travel ‘out of Australia’ and ‘return to Australia’ at any time during their course are recommended to check that their visa is valid for return to Australia.
The Australian Government operates an Overseas Student Program (OSP) that allows people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to study in Australia.

Any person who is not an Australian resident may apply to study in Australia under the OSP.

A person who wants to study under the program must obtain an Australian student visa before they can commence a course of study in Australia.

You can be granted a student visa only if you wish to undertake a registered course or part of a registered course on a full-time basis.

A registered course is an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider who is registered with the Australian Government to offer courses to overseas students.

The Australian education system is divided broadly into four levels of schooling:

1. Primary
2. Secondary
3. Vocational education
4. Training and higher education

However, there are also other options available to students from other countries wishing to undertake study in Australia, such as English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and non-award courses.

Links between visa subclasses and courses/qualifications