Applying in Australia: A student timeline
Three years prior to study
Research
It is never too early to start conducting the
important initial research that will help you to decide on the right study
destination, institution and course. Institution websites, this Guide and
www.studiesinaustralia.com are the best places to find this information.
18 months prior to study
Check the entry requirements
Check the academic and English language requirements for entry to your course prior to applying.
Organise English language testing (if necessary)
Ask your
institution whether you will need to demonstrate your English language
proficiency, the tests they accept and what score you will need. You should
register for the test about 18 months prior to commencing your studies. You
will need the results in order for your student visa to be processed, but it is
important not to register too early because institutions typically only accept
test results that are less than two years old.
12 months prior to study
Apply
Generally institutions don't set deadlines for international student applications, but it is best to apply as early as possible so that you have time to organise a visa, flights and accommodation. You can have the forms posted to you, apply online through the institution's website, apply through an education agent or at an education fair.
Complete and submit your application
It can take a few
weeks to complete the application as you need to obtain supporting
documentation and get certified copies (or certified translations) made. Most
institutions take between four and six weeks to assess applications.
Accept your offer
Read the offer very carefully to make
sure that course details and fee amounts are correct. Students with
'unconditional' offers are free to accept the offer and make their first
tuition payment to the provider, while those with 'conditional' offers will
need to satisfy other conditions before they are able to enrol.
Meet the conditions
If you receive a conditional offer of
enrolment, you will need to find out what conditions need to be met and return
certified copies of all necessary documentation to the institution by the due
date.
Apply for a student visa
Visa processing through the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) or an Australian visa office in your home country can take up to 12 weeks, so apply as soon as you receive your letter of offer or Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Organise your overseas student health cover (OSHC)
Purchase your OSHC as soon as you have received your letter of offer (at the
same time as you apply for your student visa) because you will need to have
OSHC in order to satisfy the grant of your student visa and accept your offer.
One month prior to study
Organise your accommodation
It is best to do this as soon
as you have received your offer and your student visa has been granted so you
can secure your preferred accommodation.
Book your flight
You can book your flight once your
institution and visa applications are approved and accommodation arrangements
have been made. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to settle in before
classes start and that your arrival date coordinates with international student
orientation sessions and your accommodation check-in date.
Two weeks prior to study
Organise airport pick-up
Many providers offer a free airport pick-up service for international students. If this is not provided, you will need to make your own arrangements. At this point you should also confirm your arrival date and time with your accommodation provider, so you can be sure that they are expecting you.
