Can I work in Australia?
You are not permitted to work on a tourist visa or initial student visa, whether granted overseas or in Australia. Students and their dependants will only be able to apply for a student visa with work rights after they arrive in Australia and the student has commenced their course of study. The charge is AUS $55. Students are usually limited to 20 hours work per week during term time and full-time during holiday periods. Dependents of Subclass 574 Masters and Doctorate students have unlimited work rights after the principal student visa holder has commenced his or her course in Australia.
Since 1st November 2000, a student visa is subject to mandatory cancellation if a student works more than their visa allows.

Can my family visit me in Australia?
Your spouse and children can be included in your application for a student visa, and therefore travel with you. Any parents and other family members wishing to visit you in Australia must obtain a tourist visa, whether ETA or other.

Once in Australia, can I change education providers?
You must remain with the education provider of your preliminary and principal courses for the duration of the course or 12 months, whichever is soonest. So, for examples, if you are granted a student visa for a package consisting of 6 months prerequisite English language studies followed by 3 years for a degree, you are must remain with your providers detailed on your application for a total of 18 months, unless you successfully apply to DIMIA to change provider.

If you intend to change education providers, you must notify your current education provider. To change education providers within the same education sector as the student visa you currently hold, you must complete a form 157C. You will be subject to a visa application charge of $130, except where you have to change because the education provider is no longer able to provide the course.
To change providers into a different education sector to your current principal course, you must apply for a new visa using form 157A and will be subject to a visa application charge of $315

Can I change my course?
To change your course you must simply notify the immigration service, but if your course is in a different education sector to your current principal course, then you must apply for a new visa as above.

Can I extend my student visa?
If your current visa is not subject to a 'No further stay' condition you may apply for a further student visa while in Australia. You will have to apply for a new visa before your current visa expires.

Can I leave Australia and re-enter?
Student visas are issued allowing for multiple entry. This means that you can leave Australia and re-enter using this visa whilst your visa remains valid. If you leave Australia without a valid visa you will need to re-apply overseas, pay the application charge and meet the visa requirements that are current at that time.

Can I become a permanent resident?
Certain international students who recently completed a diploma or degree after at least one year of full time study in Australia may be able to apply for:

• Graduate - Skilled (Temporary) (Class UQ), subclass 497, or

• Skilled Independent Overseas Student (Migrant) (Class DD), subclass 880, or

• Skilled Australian Sponsored Overseas Student (Migrant) (Class DE), subclasses 881 or 882.

Embassy contact information:
Please contact the nearest Australian embassy for information on what documentation you may require to enter Australia. Australian Embassies Worldwide.

Australia Student Visas

Australia Student Visas Eta

Australia Student Visas Faq

Australia Student Visas Faq2