Australian student visa
Unless you hold another kind of visa which permits you to study, you will need to obtain a student visa to study in Australia. It can take anywhere from several weeks to several months for your visa application to be processed. Hence, it is important to begin the visa application process as soon as you have received an offer to study in Australia.
For further information on student visas refer to the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website (opens an external site).
- Applying for an Australian student visa
- Renewing your Student Visa - Continuing and Commencing Students
- How to renew your visa
- Student Visa Conditions
Applying for a Australian student visa - Commencing Students
If you are applying to UTS through a UTS representative, your agent will help you prepare your student visa application. If you are applying directly to UTS, contact your nearest Australian Immigration Office to find out where and how to submit your student visa application.
Assessment Levels
The student visa application process you will follow depends on your country of citizenship and the education level of your proposed course of study (coursework, research, or non-award). These determine your Assessment Level. To find out your Assessment Level, refer to the Department of Immigration and Citzenship website. Alternatively you could contact your nearest Australian Immigration Office.
If your Assessment Level is 2, 3, 4, or 5, you must submit your application for your first student visa outside Australia. You can only submit your first student visa application in Australia if you are assessed at Level 1.
All Assessment Level 1 applications, and some higher level applications, can be submitted online. See the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website for further information.
Pre-Visa Assessment
If your Assessment Level is 3, 4, or 5 you must undertake a Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) before you accept your offer at UTS. You should apply for your PVA at an Australian Immigration Office directly after you receive your Letter of Offer from UTS; do not accept your offer or pay any tuition fees to UTS before you have received your PVA approval. After you have received your PVA approval, you can accept your offer at UTS.
If your Assessment Level is 1 or 2, you are not required to obtain a PVA. You should accept your offer as soon as you receive it from UTS International.
Confirmation of Enrolment
After you have accepted your offer at UTS, UTS will send you a Confirmation of Enrolment certificate (CoE). You will need your CoE to apply for your student visa.
Under-18 Students
Students under the age of 18 must satisfy extra requirements before a student visa can be granted. More information can be found about under-18 Students
For information about the complete application requirements for an Australian student visas while in Australia, refer to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website (opens an external site).
Renewing your Student Visa - Continuing and Commencing Students
If the following circumstances apply, you will need to change or renew your student visa during your stay in Australia.
Commencing a new course at UTS
If you have commenced a new course at UTS you should have received a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Contact UTS International if you need another copy of your CoE.
Extending your Course
If you already hold a student visa but your visa will expire before you complete your studies, you will need to renew your student visa. It is very important that you renew your visa before it expires. If you let your student visa expire you may become unlawful and be subject to detention or removal from Australia. It is your responsibility to be aware of your visa expiry date and to renew it in time.
If you are renewing your visa because you are extending your current course, you must first apply for a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). To do this you need to speak to a Student Adviser in International Student Services. This process is not automatic - you must satisfy certain conditions to be able to extend your course.
Changing Education Level
You will also need to renew your student visa if you have changed to a course with a different education level. The education levels are: School, ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students), Vocational Education (e.g. TAFE), Higher Education Coursework, Higher Education Research, and Non-Award. For example, if you currently hold a Schools Sector visa and have commenced an undergraduate course at UTS, you must apply for a new visa.
How to renew your visa
For further information on renewing your student visa please visit the Department Immigration and Citizenship website (opens an external site).
Student Visa Conditions
Note that there are special conditions and requirements attached to student visas.
It is your responsibility as the visa applicant or holder to be aware of these conditions and requirements.
You can find out more about your student visa conditionsfrom the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
There is more information about your rights and responsibilities as an international student available on the UTS International website too.
