You are already on a Student Visa or you are planning to apply for it soon and stay and study in Australia? We answer all your questions on the rules of the Immigration of Australia. Let’s do it!

 

1 – WHICH TYPE OF VISA IS NEEDED TO STUDY IN AUSTRALIA?

 

Since July 2016, there is only one, the Australian Student Visa Subclass 500. 

This Visa is eligible in every sector of Education such as Higher Education courses, English courses, or Vocational Training courses. So you can study any courses of your choice, if your Student Visa is granted. 

 

2 – IS IT POSSIBLE TO WORK ON AN AUSTRALIAN STUDENT VISA?

 

That is the question that everyone is asking!

The answer is YES you can work on an Australian Student Visa. Of course, there are some limits:

  • Make sure to not work more than 40 hours on a fortnight which means 20 hours per week. 
  • During the Holiday breaks, the limit doesn’t apply, so you can work full-time which means 40 hours per week.  
  • Be aware that you cannot work until your course starts (Unfair, we know!).

If you decide to undertake a Master by Researches, or a Doctorate (PhD), you won’t have work limitations. 

If you have any doubts on the conditions of a Student Visa, ask us. 

 

3 – CAN I START MY COURSE EVEN IF MY STUDENT VISA HAS NOT BEEN GRANTED YET?

 

You lodged your application, your course starts, problem you are still waiting for an answer from the Immigration regarding your application!

If you are wondering if you have to attend your orientation day and go to school, the answer is YES. 

 

Delays of the Australian Immigration can happen, and it is important to attend school on your orientation day, and to start your course even if you are still waiting for an answer from the Australian Immigration. 

 

4 – STAY IN AUSTRALIA ON A STUDENT VISA, WITHOUT STUDYING: IS IT POSSIBLE?

 

Of course not! You need to be enrolled in a school or University to apply for a Student Visa and attend school for the whole period of your Student Visa. 

 

5 – CAN I TRAVEL ON A STUDENT VISA?

 

Of course! You have holidays several times per year, which will allow you to work full-time or to travel and have fun discovering Australia. 

If you decide to go overseas outside Holiday breaks, we advise you to inform your school in order to obtain a special authorisation. 

 

6 – CAN I LODGE A STUDENT VISA IF I AM ALREADY IN AUSTRALIA?

 

Of course yes! You can lodge your Student Visa while being onshore (in Australia). You have until the expiration date of your current visa (Tourist Visa, Working Holiday Visa) to lodge your application. 

Friendly tip to avoid any stress and rush: don’t wait until the last minute! 

 

7 – I APPLIED FOR A STUDENT VISA OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA; CAN I ARRIVE ON THE AUSTRALIAN TERRITORY BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF MY COURSE?

 

Of course you can, but one condition: if your Student Visa has been granted! However, you won’t be able to work until the first day of school.

 

8 – WOULD I BE REFUNDED IF MY STUDENT VISA HAS BEEN REFUSED BY THE IMMIGRATION?

 

In this case, the insurance fees will be refunded to you, as well as a part of the tuition fees (if you did not lie in your visa application). The visa fees won’t be refunded to you though. 

 

9 – WHEN SHOULD I APPLY FOR MY STUDENT VISA?

 

Technically, you have until your last day of your current visa i.e. 11.59pm to lodge your application. 

However, you have to obtain the Confirmation of Enrolment of the school and the insurance certificate to do so. Therefore, we advise you to do some research 3 or 4 weeks in advance to have time to think about your options and to properly choose the school and your program. 

 

If you decide last minute, no worries! Our expert team is very efficient and we can sort out your Student Visa within 48 hours. 

 

10 – WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CURRENT VISA EXPIRES SOON AND I DID NOT HAVE ANY ANSWER FROM THE AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION REGARDING MY NEW APPLICATION YET?

 

All good! You will automatically get a Bridging Visa A while waiting for your new Student Visa to be granted by the Australian Immigration. 

 

11 – BRIDGING VISA A: CAN I WORK ON A BRIDGING VISA A?

 

During the Bridging Visa A, you will be under the same work conditions as your previous visa. 

For example, if you were on a Working Holiday Visa, you can keep working under the same work rights (Full-time with one employer for 6 months). 

However, if you were on a Tourist Visa, you will have to wait until your Student Visa is granted to work.

 

12 – CAN I TRAVEL WITH A BRIDGING VISA A?

 

The Bridging Visa A does not allow you to go out of Australia. You will have to apply for a Bridging Visa B if you are planning to go out of the country. 

Don’t worry; the application of a Bridging Visa B is easy and fast.

The Bridging Visa B costs around 150 AUD and you will have to apply for it each time you are planning to travel out of Australia. Yes, it is mandatory!

 

13 – I HEARD THAT I CAN STAY 28 DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE OF MY WORKING HOLIDAY VISA.

CAN I THEN LODGE MY STUDENT VISA DURING THOSE 28 DAYS?

 

The day after your current visa expires you are in a situation of “overstay” which is totally illegal. Therefore, it is mandatory to lodge your Student Visa application before the expiration date of your current visa. 

You will have to go out of the country to apply for a new Visa and wait outside Australia until this one has been granted to come back.  

 

14 – DO I NEED TO ATTACH MY CRIMINAL RECORD TO MY STUDENT VISA APPLICATION?

 

The criminal record is not asked every time. However, in some cases, the Immigration will ask for your criminal record from back home when lodging your Student visa. 

 

 

Find our other posts on the FAQ – Australian Student Visa or contact us your questions directly! 

You will also find good information directly on the Australian Immigration Website. 

 

Cheers,

The StudyBird Team!