So, you’re thinking about studying in Australia? That’s an amazing choice! Australia offers not only world-class education but also a lifestyle that's hard to beat. Whether you’re dreaming of sunny beaches, vibrant cities, or friendly locals, a Student Visa can be your ticket to this incredible experience. And the best part? Study Destination is here to guide you every step of the way. Let's dive into how you can get your Student Visa and what life in Australia might look like.
What is a Student Visa (Subclass 500)? 🎓
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) is your golden ticket to live, study, and work in Australia for a certain period. It’s perfect for those who want to improve their academic and cultural skills while enjoying everything Australia has to offer.
Benefits of a Student Visa
- Work-Life Balance: You can work up to 24 hours per week while studying and full-time during holidays. Perfect for gaining experience and making some extra money! 💼
- Flexibility: If you fall in love with Australia and want to keep studying, you can extend your visa.
- Bring a Partner: You can bring your partner along, and there’s no age limit*.
- Cultural Immersion: Live like a local, experience new cultures, and make lifelong friends.
Requirements for a Student Visa
To apply for a Student Visa, you’ll need:
- Admission to an Australian Educational Institution: You must be accepted into a course before you can apply.
- Financial Capacity: You need to show that you can support yourself (and your family, if applicable) during your stay.
- English Proficiency: Depending on your course, you might need to prove your English skills.
Who Can Apply to an Australian Student Visa? 🤔
To apply for a Student Visa, you must be at least 18 years old. While there’s no upper age limit, applicants over 37/38 years old may face stricter scrutiny. You’ll need to demonstrate:
- A Professional Background: Show that you’ve been working or studying.
- Active Lifestyle: Prove that you’re an active person with a clear purpose for studying.
- Visa and Travel History: Your previous visa history (for countries like the USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia) will be reviewed. Also you need to mention your travel history.
- Good Character: Unfortunately, if you’ve been deported or lived illegally in another country, we won’t be able to assist you.
What Can You Study in Australia on a Student Visa?
Australia offers a variety of courses that cater to different interests and career goals. Here’s a breakdown of your study options:
English Courses (ELICOS)
ELICOS stands for "English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students" and refers to a specific type of education program in Australia that is designed for international students who want to improve their English language skills. ELICOS courses are offered by a range of institutions, including universities, TAFEs (Technical and Further Education institutions), private colleges, and language schools.
ELICOS courses are typically aimed at students who are planning to study at an Australian university or vocational education and training (VET) institution, or who need to improve their English skills for work or personal reasons.
- What is it? English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students.
- Class Schedule: 5 days or 2.5 days a week (Mornings, Afternoons, or Evenings).
- Cost: $170 - $400 per week.
- Payment Plan: Organised by the school.
- Teaching Method: Attendance-based learning.
- Deposit: 5 to 10 weeks deposit.
ELICOS Programs offered:
- General English (Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, intermediate, upper intermediate, Advanced)
- IELTS Preparation
- Business English
- English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
- Cambridge Preparation (PET, FCE, CAE, CPE)
- Pronunciation & Speaking
VET (Vocational Education and Training)
Designed to deliver workplace-specific skills and knowledge, vocational education, and training (VET) covers a wide range of careers and industries, including trade and office work, retail, hospitality and technology.
Students may be able to achieve long term goals in Australia after studying one of these courses.
- What is it? Professional courses offered by private schools.
- Class Schedule: 1-2.5 days a week, face-to-face learning.
- Cost: Around $9K per year.
- Payment Plan: Organised by the school.
- Teaching Method: Assessment-based learning.
- Deposit: $500 - $2000 deposit.
VET Qualifications:
- Certificate II
- Certificate III
- Certificate IV
- Diploma
- Advanced Diploma
(Duration between 22 weeks - 104 weeks)
TAFE (Technical and Further Education)
- What is it? Professional courses offered by public schools (TAFE).
- Class Schedule: 2-3 days a week, face-to-face learning.
- Cost: $14K - $17K per year.
- Payment Plan: Organized by the school.
- Teaching Method: Assessment-based learning.
- Deposit: 1 semester or 1 term deposit.
TAFE provide this tertiary education option for those looking to gain vocational qualifications for numerous fields and industries, it is designed to make higher education affordable and accessible to everyone in Australia.
TAFE institutions offer courses on various subject areas, including the following:
- Agriculture
- Arts and Design
- Building and Furnishing
- Business and Marketing
- Community and Health
- Education and Languages
- Engineering and Transport
- Food and Beverage
- Hair and Beauty
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Information Technology
University (Higher Education)
- What is it? Courses offered by private schools or universities.
- Class Schedule: 3-4 days a week, face-to-face learning.
- Cost: Private $20K - $25K per year / Public $28K - $60K per year.
- Teaching Method: Assessments + Exams (Some fields only).
- Deposit: 1 semester deposit.
There are 41 Australian universities, of which 3 are private. While most universities have campuses in the main cities, some also have campuses in regional areas and they could be of great interest to you due to the benefits of studying in a regional area!
Courses can vary considerably in form, entry requirements, duration, and method of assessment. Students will need to have both a sufficient level of English language proficiency and the minimum academic requirements before you can be admitted to university.
Universities can decide their academic entry requirements for each course. Undergraduate degrees require an Australian Senior School Certificate of Education (Year 12) or the overseas equivalent of this. Some degrees may also have certain pre-requisite subjects and grades.
The Process with Study Destination 🚀
Getting your Student Visa might sound complicated, but with Study Destination, it’s a breeze. We’ve helped thousands of students achieve their dreams, and we’re here to help you too.
1. Get to Know You
First, we’ll have a chat to understand what you’re looking for. We’ll help you define:
- Course: What do you want to study?
- School: Which institution suits you best?
- City: Where do you want to live?
- Timetable: What schedule fits your lifestyle?
- Goals: What are your life goals?
2. School Application
Next, you’ll need to provide us with:
- Personal Information: Basic details about yourself.
- Documents: Academic records, proof of identity, etc.
We’ll take care of sending your application to the school of your choice.
3. Receive Your Offer Letter
Once the school processes your application, they’ll send us an Offer Letter. This document will include:
- Study Dates: Start and end dates of your course.
- Total Cost: How much you’ll need to pay.
- Payment Plan: Details of payment installments.
- Refund Policy: In case you need to withdraw.
- Course Information: Everything you need to know about your studies.
4. Signature and Payment
At this stage, you’ll need to:
- Sign Your Offer Letter: Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Pay Your School Deposit: Secure your place in the course.
5. COE (Confirmation of Enrolment)
After your payment, the school will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This official document confirms that you’re a student, and you’re ready for the next step—applying for your visa! 😊
6. Visa Application
Now it’s time to apply for your Student Visa. You’ll need to:
- Fill Out the Student Visa Application Form: Provide all necessary details.
- Complete the GTE Form (Genuine Temporary Entrant): This is a cover letter explaining your intention to study in Australia.
- Pay OSHC and Visa Fees: Your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and visa application fees need to be paid before you can submit your application.
7. Visa Lodgement and Waiting
Finally, we’ll lodge your visa application and wait for a response from Immigration. Fingers crossed! 🤞
Why Choose Study Destination? 🌟
Study Destination is an education agency that’s been helping international students study and live in Australia for over 8 years. Our services are completely free—we’re funded by the schools, so there’s no cost to you.
Why do we love what we do?
Because we’ve been in your shoes! We know what it’s like to navigate the visa process, find the right course, and settle into a new country. That’s why our mission is to provide the best advice and support to help you achieve your dreams.
Our Services Include:
- City Selection: We help you choose the best city for your lifestyle.
- Ongoing Support: We’ll be with you throughout your stay in Australia.
- Course and School Selection: We guide you in choosing the right institute and course.
- Visa Process: We handle everything—from application to medical insurance and cover letters.
- Accommodation Assistance: Need a place to stay? We can guide you in your search!
- Job Search Help: We guide you in finding a job and creating an Australian resume.
- TFN and ABN Application: We assist with applying for Tax File Numbers (TFN) and Australian Business Numbers (ABN) required for work.
- Community Events: We organise monthly events to help you feel part of our community.
Ready to Start Your Journey? 🌏✈️
Getting your Student Visa with Study Destination is a step-by-step process that’s designed to make your life easier. From choosing your course to applying for your visa, we’ve got you covered. So why wait? Let’s make your dream of studying in Australia a reality!
FAQs on Obtaining a Student Visa with Study Destination
What is a privately-run School?
A privately-run school is a training organisation that is owned and operated by a company and often specialises, focusing on a particular industry or niche for example: childcare, aged care, hospitality, building or business.
What is a publicly-run School?
Public schools, also known as TAFE's are government funded institutes established to provide training and assessments.
