Student visa information

Offshore students studying online should note that you can apply for a student visa once you accept your offer and receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) or wait until the Australian Government lifts the travel ban enabling you to arrive onshore.

If you choose to apply for your student visa at the time you accept your offer you can use your CoE document to apply for your student visa. Please note your CoE will be created based on a full-time study load (18 units in each Study Period) and if you study less than full-time your CoE may not cover the duration required for you to complete your program onshore and therefore you will need a further student visa.

If you choose to wait, we recommend you apply for your visa six weeks prior to the time you plan to travel. Please contact UniSA International before you apply for your student visa, as your CoE may need to be revised and reissued. Please also note, the Department of Home Affairs has advised that only offshore study undertaken while holding a student visa will count towards the eligibility of a Post Study Work Visa (PSWV). Please see more information on their website. 

Applying for a student visa

To apply for a student visa you need to obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) document and submit it with your complete student visa application. If you do not provide a complete visa application including your CoE, a detailed Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement and other required documentation at time of lodgement it may result in your visa application being delayed or refused.

An education agent may help you prepare a student visa application or apply online.

To lodge a complete application for prompt assessment, refer to Department of Home Affairs' visa application steps.

Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF)

On 1 July 2016, the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) introduced Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) to replace the previous Assessment Level (AL) framework and Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) arrangements.

SSVF applies to all students and all programs. Under SSVF, evidentiary requirements will be based on the combined immigration risk of your country of citizenship and the education provider.

All student visa applications must now be lodged online and it is important that the application is complete at the time of lodgement and includes a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and a detailed GTE statement.

You will still need to meet the GTE requirement and Home Affairs may request addition information and interview you at their discretion.

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement

You must satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) that you are a Genuine Student and a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE).

Home Affairs may ask you to provide more information or to attend an interview in order to determine whether you meet the criteria for grant of a visa. However, a decision may be made solely on the information provided in your application. It is therefore important that you lodge a complete application and provide a GTE statement with detailed responses to the following:

• Your reasons for choosing to undertake the course of study specified in your application
• Your reasons for choosing your education provider
• Your reason for choosing to study in Australia rather than in your home country
• The relevance of your course of study to your academic and/or employment background
• The relevance of the course to your future career/education plans
• Your incentives to return home after completion of your studies

It is also important to provide an explanation of any gap between your studies or change to your area of study.

Family (dependants)

If you intend to bring family members with you to Australia, you should first check with your nearest Australian Visa Office whether your visa allows for this. While you are in Australia, you will be responsible for supporting any dependents (i.e. family members).

If you are bringing your children to Australia, you must provide evidence that you are arranging for them to attend school. Tuition fees must be paid for school age dependants who study in Australia.

For more information, please refer to the Department of Home Affairs' website.

Under 18 years of age - Welfare arrangements

If you are under 18 years of age and you will not be living with a parent, legal guardian or a nominated eligible relative who is over the age of 21 years in Australia, you must get University approval for your accommodation and welfare arrangements.

You will need to apply and be accepted to live at a residence approved by the University for the period of time you are under 18. You will not be allowed to change your accommodation without the prior approval of the University.

You must have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements organised before you lodge a student visa application. Once you have appropriate accommodation or guardianship arranged we can issue a confirmation of appropriate accommodation/welfare letter (CAAW) with your CoE.

If you are under 18 years of age please read and complete the Under 18 - Acceptance and Accommodation Form.

For more information, please refer to the Department of Home Affairs' website.