Before You Leave
Introduction to Australia
Arranging a Student Visa
Most international students wanting to study in Australia require a student visa. Some other visa holders are also eligible to study as international students in Australia. Many students apply for a visa themselves on-line or via the Australian Diplomatic Mission in their country.
In order to apply for a visa you will need a valid passport, an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) and any other documentation required by the Australian diplomatic post with which you lodge your application.
Once you have applied, received your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) and accepted a place, this process can be started by approaching the Australian Embassy or Consulate nearest you. They will help you with the specific requirements for your country. Your student visa application will be assessed according to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) assessment level and evidentiary requirements of your passport country. You will need to use your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) to apply for your student visa. You may be required to provide proof of your English language skills and evidence that you have enough money to pay for living expenses, education costs and travel for the duration of your study. Your student visa will have certain conditions attached to it which you must abide by during your stay in Australia. Failure to comply with these conditions may result you in being asked to leave the country. To find out more information about applying for a student visa and the costs involved visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website ww.immi.gov.au/students/
You must ensure to allow enough time for processing between lodging your application and the start of your academic program, as it can be a lengthy process depending on your country of origin.
As well as links from the DIAC website the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website www.dfat.gov.au/missions/ has a comprehensive list of Australian embassies, high commissions, consulates and representative offices around the world.
You may be required to submit extra information depending on the Visa Assessment Level of your country. Each country, across each education sector, is assigned an Assessment Level which is based on the calculated immigration risk posed by students from that country studying in that education sector. For more information on Visa Assessment Levels, click here.
Migration Agents
A migration agent can assist you in submitting your visa application and communicate with DIAC on your behalf, but please note that you do not need to use a migration agent to lodge any kind of visa application.
Visa Conditions
If you are granted a visa, you must abide by its conditions. Failure to comply with these conditions could result in the cancellation of your visa. These conditions include (but are not limited to):
- Complete the course within the duration specific in the CoE
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Maintain approved Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) while in Australia
- Remain with the principal education provider for 6 calendar months, unless issued a letter of release from the provider to attend another institution
- Notify your training provider of your Australian address and any subsequent changes of address within 7 days.
For a full list of mandatory and discretionary student visa conditions please visit: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/visa-conditions-students.htm
Paying Fees
The Australian Government requires international students to pay their first semester’s fees into the Institute’s trust fund before an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) can be issued. This includes tuition fees for one semester and overseas student health (medical insurance) premium for proposed visa length (refer to below). You will receive more information about how you can pay them once you have been accepted as a Student.
Students who bring dependents of school age with them to Australia will be required to pay school fees for them in addition to their own tuition fees. To find out more information on enrolling your children in a NSW Government School and the costs involved visit:
www.schools.nsw.edu.au/international
Medical Insurance
From 1 July 2010 students must obtain OSHC for the proposed duration of their Student visa. Your Overseas Student Health Cover(OSHC) policy must cover the full period of your course or courses and include a reasonable period after the proposed finish date of your final course. A student visa can be granted up to the maximum duration outlined in the table below.
| Duration of Course | Duration of Visa |
|---|---|
| 10 months or less | Your visa will usually be granted up to one month longer than the duration of your course. |
| Longer than 10 months | Your visa will usually be granted up to two months longer than the duration of your course. |
| Longer than 10 months and finishing at the end of the Australian academic year (October – December) | Your visa will usually be granted up to March 15 of the following year |
You can find out more information about OSHC by visiting the BUPA website at www.bupa.com.au.
Travelling to Sydney
You will need to make your own travel arrangements to Australia. Please try to arrive at least 1-2 weeks before the start of International Student Orientation to allow enough time for settling-in, adjusting to the climate and overcoming jet-lag.
Of course your travel agent can help you with this, but just in case they don’t know much about Sydney... there is only one international airport in Sydney. It’s a long flight to Sydney from just about everywhere, so prepare yourself – perhaps don’t sleep for the previous three nights, or buy several books of crossword puzzles. Don’t forget to drink lots of water and wear comfy (that’s 'comfortable' in Australian) clothes.
Wesley Institute is about 20kms away from the Sydney airport. Visit www.sydneyairport.com.au
Sydney airport has very good taxi services. If your scheduled arrival time is very early or very late, using the taxi service is advised. Alternatively, you can catch a train to Town Hall Train Station. It will cost you $16.20. Disembark at Town Hall, look out for the Druitt Street exit, opposite Venue Music, and catch the 504 bus to our Drummoyne campus. Get off after the CALTEX station which is adjacent to Barney Street. This will cost around $3.50. (However, bus drivers do not sell single trip tickets in the Sydney City area. You will need to buy a MyBus ticket costing $28 for ten trips.)
Click here to see a map.
On Your Flight
Wear comfortable, layered clothing so that you are able to make adjustments according to the local weather. Remember – if you are flying from a northern hemisphere winter into the Australian summer it will be very HOT so wear light weight clothing underneath, and have a pair of sandals or lighter shoes in your hand luggage if you need cooler footwear. Alternatively extra clothing may be required on-hand if flying into the Australian winter season.
