Student visa
If you are coming to Armidale or Sydney to study on campus, you need a student visa to enable your entry to Australia.
The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs handles visa applications and fees.
Eligibility and other requirements vary depending on what country you are coming from and what you are studying.
Most people need an offer of entry from UNE before they can apply for a student visa. However, it can take some time for the Department to process your visa application. So, prepare everything you need and start the process as soon as possible.
Note, if you are studying by distance from your home country, you don't need a student visa.
International students in Australia must observe certain conditions such as holding current Overseas Student Health Cover. It's important that you understand what your visa entitles you to do, and what you aren't permitted to do. In some circumstances, the university must report breaches of student visa conditions to the Department of Home Affairs. All international students should take the time to look at the Department of Home Affairs website. This site provides detailed information on the conditions of student visas, as well as forms and other information. Most student visas allow you to bring your family members to Australia as your dependants if you are: For more information, visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website. Changing courses If you want to change to a new course at the same level of qualification, you only need to apply for a new visa if your current visa is about to expire. Changing the level of qualification If you want to change your level of qualification, you need to apply for a new student visa because your visa subclass will change. Example: You want to change from a Master of Commerce to a PhD. Changing education provider If you want to change provider before completing the first six months of your main course of study, you must contact UNE for permission. You need a letter of offer from the new provider to apply for a letter of release from UNE. If you change your education provider at any time, you must contact the Department of Home Affairs and provide a Confirmation of Enrolment from your new education provider. Changing courses and/or education provider if you are eligible for streamlined visa processing Your eligibility for streamlined visa processing may be affected if you change your course(s) of study before a decision had been made on your visa application. You can't work until you have started your course in Australia. Once your course has begun, you can work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. You may also work unlimited hours when your course isn't in session. Dependent family members The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs consider your course to be 'in-session': For a full list of visa fees, including how to pay, visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website. Australian Law requires international students under 18 years of age to appoint a guardian while they are in Australia. You must appoint a guardian before receiving your Student Visa. UNE does not accept students under 18 years of age unless they provide evidence of acceptable guardianship when they complete and return their acceptance documents. Further information regarding the visa processing requirements for students under 18 is located on the Department of Home Affairs website.
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