Students Visa
For general information about applying for a Student Visa, please download the information sheet from our website:
www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/applying-student.pdf
To download the application checklist that applies to your circumstance, please complete the Visa Wizard found at
For general information about applying for a Student Guardian Visa, please download Form 1234i from our website at
www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1234i.pdf
Please note that for the purpose of meeting the financial requirements for a Student Visa application lodged in the Philippines, a money deposit or loan will only be accepted from the Philippines-based financial institutions listed at our website. See: List of Acceptable Financial Institutions based in the Philippines.
Visa Basics
This visa is for international students applying to study in Australia and whose main course of study is one of the following:
- higher education diploma
- higher education advanced diploma
- associate degree
- bachelor degree
- graduate certificate
- graduate diploma
- masters by coursework.
This visa is also used:
- to renew your current student visa
- to apply for a family member to join you in Australia.
You must:
- be accepted to study full-time in a registered course at an educational institution in Australia
- be a genuine temporary entrant
- have enough money to pay for travel, tuition and living expenses for yourself, your partner and your dependent children (whether or not they are accompanying you to Australia) for the duration of your stay in Australia
- have adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
Application forms and booklets
Form 157A Application for a student visa (364KB PDF file).
Application checklist Higher Education Sector visa (subclass 573) – Assessment Level 2 (84KB PDF file).
What to do before you apply?
Please make sure you have read all the relevant information before lodging an application.
More information about the Higher Education Sector visa
Location
When you apply: In or outside Australia.
If you are in Australia you must hold or have held a qualifying visa.
If applying for your first student visa while in Australia you must show exceptional reasons for the grant of the visa.
When the visa is granted: Same location as when you apply.
If applying outside Australia, you must not arrive in Australia before the grant of your first student visa.
Exceptions
If you are from one of the countries in the Assessment Level 2-4 Trial (People’s Republic of China, India, Indonesia and Thailand), you must be in your respective country of nationality to apply online through an agent.
Cost
Visa application charge
- 23,900 Philippine Peso (AUD535)
The visa application charge must be paid as part of the visa application process and is generally not refundable. There may also be additional costs, such as medical examinations (if required).
Visa application charges are subject to adjustment on 1 July each year.
Accepted methods of payment
- Managers cheque – made payable to the ‘Australian Embassy’
The PIASI website outlines payments accepted at the Visa Information and Application (VIA) Centre.
The visa application charge can also be paid in Australia for an applicant outside Australia.
More information about fees, charges and methods of payment
Length of stay
If your course is 10 months or less: One month longer than the end date of your course.
If your course is 10 months or more and ends at the end of the standard academic year: Your visa will be granted until 15 March of the following year.
If your course is 10 months or more and does not end at the end of the standard academic year: Two months longer than the end date of your course.
Visa granted on or after 26 April 2008:
You will already have permission to work. You:
- can work up to 20 hours per week while your course is in session
- must not start work until you have commenced your course in Australia.
Your family members:
- can work up to 20 hours per week at all times
- must not start work until you have commenced your course in Australia
- have unlimited work rights if you have commenced a course towards a masters or doctorate degree.
Visa granted before 26 April 2008:
You and your family members must apply separately for permission to work.