To obtain an Australian student visa, international students must meet a number of general requirements, listed in the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship's "Applying for a Student visa." These include sound health, a good character and health insurance through the Overseas Student Health Cover. Applicants must not have any outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia. Depending on the applicant's course of study, he may need to provide evidence of English language proficiency by taking a test prior to applying for a visa. In the application forms, applicants should read and sign the Australian Values Statement about obeying Australian law and respecting the "Australian way of life."
Australia offers several visa assessment levels, depending on where applicants are from and what they plan to study in Australia. Choices include English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students for students planning to take solely English language classes, primary or secondary school course, vocational education and training, higher education for university students, postgraduate research, and non-award for students who will take classes full-time without being granted an Australian award at the end. The Australian Agency for International Development and the Australian Department of Defence may sponsor students, who should apply under another student visa assessment level.
Because the Australian government wants to ensure foreign students are financially prepared for the cost of living in Australia, it requires international students to provide "evidence of funds" amounting to 18,000 Australian dollars a year as of 2010. If family members are accompanying the student to Australia, additional funds are necessary. Students can work up to 20 hours a week in Australia while school is in session, but the immigration department will not include this future income as evidence of funds. Acceptable evidence may include a savings account or an education loan.
The necessary supporting documents vary by application subclass, but documents should be certified or notarized copies of the originals. Most applications must include passport-sized photos, confirmation of enrollment or an acceptance letter from the applicant's future school, medical records and copies of the applicant's passport.
Applicants may file their applications electronically (See Resources), by mail or in person. Applicants in Australia may pay the application fee using a credit card, bank check or money order. Applicants out of the country should contact the office to which they are sending their application for details about how to pay.