IN an era of increasing security concerns, Australia’s student visa system is also attracting interest from those concerned with achieving a balance between strong international education sector and immigration integrity. Australia’s system is open, transparent, efficient and based on risk-management principles. A state-of-the-art, web based confirmation-of-enrolment system and the monitoring of student attendance contribute to the integrity of the student visa system.

Visa formalities
If you are not an Australian citizen, but want to take advantage of the country’s quality education and training system, you may apply for a student visa. Visas are granted by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). It will only grant you a student visa if your course is registered, or is part of a registered course, on a full-time basis. A registered course is one offered by an Australian education provider registered with the Australian Government to offer courses to overseas students. If you intend to study for more than three months, you must apply for a student visa.

You can apply for your student visa as soon as you receive a letter of offer or electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for your full-time course of study. However, it is recommended that you wait until you are advised by your local Australian Government office to enrol or obtain a CoE. The Australian High Commission or Consulate can also give you information on applying and what documents you will need to attach to your application. You should contact the mission to find out:

• How to make your application; and
• Your document requirements.

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Assessment levels
If you are subject to Assessment Level 1, you can apply online. If you are subject to Assessment Level 3 or 4 you will need a letter of offer when you apply for your visa. Depending on your nationality and your principal course of study you may have to undergo a preliminary assessment before an Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) is issued by your Australian education provider. 

• Visa sub-classes for each education sector
• You should apply under the visa sub-class for your principal course of study.
•  Assessment levels
• Each education sector in each country is ranked according to five assessment levels.
•  Evidentiary standards
• These visa requirements include English language proficiency and are increasingly stringent from Assessment level 1 through to Assessment level 5.
•  Electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE)

The only accepted evidence of enrolment for processing student visa applications.

Generally, you will be issued with a multiple entry  visa for the duration of your study course in Australia. This allows you to travel in and out of Australia within the period for which it has been granted. Members of your immediate family (spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age) may accompany you to Australia and will be considered in the same visa class as yourself. If you wish to extend your stay in Australia for further study you will need to lodge an application for a further visa.

Tackling fraudulent institutions DIAC has special arrangements in place to help international students when education providers have ‘defaulted’ on their agreement with students to provide a course.

How are students safeguarded? When a course is terminated the education provider is required to pay a full refund of course monies received or offer students a place in another suitable course at no expense. If the education provider fails to give students a refund or place them in another suitable course, students may be assisted by the Tuition Assurance Scheme or the ESOS Assurance Fund.

For information about a student’s right to a refund or placement in an alternative course go to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) website

Will the student’s visa be cancelled?
The DIAC understands that students will be concerned about their visa status as they need to maintain course enrolment as a condition of their student visa. At the same time the government appreciates that the default of the education provider is beyond the control of the student and will not cancel the students’ visa if they are securing enrolment in another course. Affected students will be provided with extra time to make arrangements. Students who wish to travel overseas while awaiting placement with a new provider may do so as long as they return to Australia while their visa remains valid. Students should be sure to check the visa expiry date.

Enrolling in another course

If the student was studying with the education provider when the provider ceased offering the course and the student wants to continue their studies, they should obtain a Letter of Offer or a Confirmation of Enrolment for alternative studies within three months of the date the course was de-registered, cancelled or the provider closed shop. It is important that you read information on the DEEWR website before seeking alternative enrolment.


If the student is enrolled with the provider but had not yet commenced his studies there, he will also need to secure enrolment in another course as soon as possible. It is important that students read the information on the DEEWR website before considering seeking their own alternative enrolment.

Work entitlements
Students who were studying at the time the provider defaulted are able to work full-time while they are awaiting placement with a new provider. Even though students may not have current enrolment, the Department considers that their course is ‘out of session’, therefore full-time work is permitted. Once a student has secured new enrolment and has commenced a new course, he will be entitled to work up to 20 hours a week while the course is in session and full-time during course breaks. Students who were enrolled with an education provider who has closed but had not commenced any studies in Australia are not eligible to work until they have begun studying with a new provider.

Other useful Information
Information regarding the consumer protection entitlements for students, including information on the arrangements to help students secure enrolment in an alternative course or obtain a refund, is available on the DEEWR website: Telephone: 1300 363 079 (ESOS Helpline).
Information on visas is available on the website or at the department 
Telephone: 131 881 (in Australia).
For students located outside Australia, contact details for DIAC offices are available on DIAC’s website 


PRE-DEPARTURE GUIDANCE

Your passport to Australia
A variety of experiences await you in Australia and it’s quite natural to face them with a blend of excitement and anxiety about the unknown.

The challenge is to take full advantage of the opportunities presented to you. The benefits of being part of a multicultural student population and society in Australia will give you the chance to develop your knowledge and understanding of new cultures. While academic success will be your main focus, you should make the most of the other opportunities that will present themselves to you for your greater personal growth and success.

Before you are ready to depart, make yourself comfortable by planning your initial days there. Institutions in Australia help international students make this important transition by giving them an airport pick-up, arranging for temporary accommodation and by giving them an orientation session. But before you leave, get to know Australia through the eyes of a student by seeking answers to the queries and situations you might face. Make a general checklist of items you should make yourself aware of.  Example: How much cash should you take? Do not carry large amounts of cash. Initially, AUD 1,000 in cash and travellers’ cheques would be sufficient.

ON ARRIVAL
Before arrival in Australia, you will be issued a Customs Declaration form on the aircraft. This form requires you to declare any food items or other items prohibited from entry into Australia. If you are carrying any of the items listed on the form, you will be required to declare them and pass through the Red Channel where an Australian Customs Officer will ask to inspect your goods that you have declared. If there is nothing to declare you can pass through the Green Channel. You can import goods worth AUD 400 if you have owned and used them for less than 12 months. Anything above amount that is taxable. Please note that all luggage is X-rayed upon its arrival  so make sure that you declare any items listed on the Customs Declaration Form.

• If you have booked for an airport pickup, a representative of the institution will greet you. If you have booked for a temporary accommodation, you will be taken there.
•  Call your family members who are eagerly waiting to hear from you. For ISD and STD calls you should use phone cards which are widely available from most shops in Australia. Local telephone calls are charged AUD 0.25. Inform your institution of your arrival and attend the orientation session given by it.
•  When you arrive at your institute, please collect your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) receipt. This is required to collect your card from the local health cover office. Confirm your OSHC at the nearest Medibank Office or its customer service centre. You are covered by the health insurance from the moment you arrive in Australia.

Work Rights
As an international student, you can apply to the DIAC for a permit to work 20 hours per week during your studies and work full-time during vacations. You will be charged AUD 50 to apply for the permit. You can only apply for a  permit after your arrival in Australia and you cannot work without obtaining one. Please also remember that international students who work have to pay taxes in Australia. This has to be kept in mind while filling in an employment declaration form before starting a job. You will need to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) and submit the TFN application form to the Australian Taxation Office. You will also need the TFN while opening a bank account.

RULES AND REGULATIONS
Your Australian Student Visa has a number of important rules that you need to adhere to while studying in Australia. Remember, it has been issued to you so that you can advance your educational qualifications. The key rules for international students to remember are: 

•  You are required to study full-time in Australia.
•  You must attend at least 80 per cent of all your scheduled classes to maintain a valid enrolment (education institutions are required by law to maintain attendance).
•  You must advise the Immigration of any change in your address in Australia, or any change in your student status, or any transfer to another educational institution or in case you withdraw from the course that you are enrolled in.
•  Do not work more than 20 hours per week during your semester studies.
•  You must extend your student visa before it expires if you are intending to stay in Australia after that date.
•  Please remember that any breach of  your visa conditions will result in its cancellation and your departure from the country.
• For further information, you can contact the Education Office at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi’s diplomatic enclave

Adjusting to the life in Australia
The method of study in Australia may be very different from what you have experienced so far. Therefore it is important to give yourself a head start. Keep up to date with Australian news and current affairs (try Australian news websites such as www.abc.net.au) and become familiar with Australia’s education system and learning culture. When you arrive, practise listening to the Australian accent - it is different but you will soon understand the local terms and way of speaking.

In Australia, students are expected to conduct independent research, collect and analyse data by themselves or in-groups, to raise questions, to participate in discussions and debates with other students and teachers. Rote learning does not exist and students take an active part in the learning process. Students spend a great deal of time in libraries and laboratories conducting their own research. If you are having an academic problem, discuss it with them - don’t let it develop from a minor issue into a major problem for you.

A different country means experiencing a culture that is different to the one that you are used to. It is normal to experience a form of “culture shock” initially but this will pass quickly. It is a good idea to observe the habits and customs of other people for they may express their feelings differently from people of your own culture. Learn about the Australian social and educational culture. But it is also important to have confidence in your own traditional values.