Australian student visa
Unless you hold another type of visa which permits you to study, you will need to obtain a student visa to study in Australia. It can take several weeks 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, they will help you prepare your student visa application. If you are applying directly to UTS, contact your nearest Australian Immigration Office (opens an external site) to find out where and how to submit your student visa application.
Pre-Visa Assessment
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has discontinued the Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) requirement.
This change is intended to reduce the time it takes to process a student visa.
Streamlined Visa Processing
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has recently introduced streamlined visa processing arrangements for all universities courses. Under this arrangement, applicants would generally have reduced evidentiary requirements and faster visa application process.
Short courses, associate degrees, graduate diplomas, graduate certificates, diplomas and advanced diploma courses are excluded from streamlined processing.
For further information about student visa assessment and streamlined visa processing, refer to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website. Alternatively you could contact your nearest Australian Immigration Office (opens an external site).
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. 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.
For further information on renewing your student visa please visit the Department Immigration and Citizenship website (opens an external site).
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 conditions from 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.
