Welfare arrangements for students under 18
International students who are under 18 years of age are required by their student visa to maintain adequate arrangements for accommodation, support and general welfare while in Australia.
If you are under 18, you will need to demonstrate that adequate arrangements have been made in order to obtain a student visa.
According to Department of Immigration and Citizenship policy (opens an external site), the following three categories of arrangements are acceptable.
While studying at UTS:
- You will be living with your parent or legal guardian; or
- You will be living with a suitable relative nominated by your parent or legal guardian; or
- You will be living in accommodation that has been approved for you by UTS
Currently UTS is not able to arrange or approve accommodation for international students under 18 (option 3 above).
Therefore, if you will be under 18 when you commence your UTS course you will need to ensure that you are able to reside with a parent or legal guardian (option 1) or suitable relative (option 2) in Sydney. You will need to demonstrate suitable accommodation arrangements when you apply for your student visa.
Note that student guardian visas are available for your parent or guardian to come to Australia to care for you while you are here. Contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for more information (opens an external site).
