schools Archives - My Study in Australia and Migration to Australia

November 15, 2013

Overseas Students in Australia

By intpartners Study at High School, Study at TAFE, Study at University, Study English, Study Master, Study MBA, Study PhD Doctorate, studyinaustralia

The student visa program enables overseas students to come to Australia to undertake full-time study in registered courses.

When processing applications, the department ensures:

· transparency in the requirements to be granted a student visa

· consistency in decision-making

· integrity of the student visa program by using objective measures of risk to determine visa requirements.

Eligibility

Before applying for a student visa, students must have been accepted for full-time study in a registered course in Australia.

A registered course is an accredited education or training course listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and offered by an Australian education provider registered to offer courses to overseas students.
See:CRICOS

Applying for a student visa

Students must apply for a visa in the sector that relates to their main course of study:

· Independent English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector (subclass 570) visa

· Schools sector (subclass 571) visa

· Vocational Education and Training sector (subclass 572) visa

· Higher Education sector (subclass 573) visa

· Postgraduate Research sector (subclass 574) visa

· Non-award sector (subclass 575) visa

· AusAID and Defence sector (subclass 576) visa.

Generally, only students subject to Assessment Level 1 or students eligible for streamlined visa processing may be granted their first student visa while they are in Australia. Other students may only be able to obtain their first student visa while they are in Australia under exceptional circumstances.
See: Student Visa Program—Assessment Levels (formerly known as Form 1219i) (144KB PDF file)

Students who already have a student visa to study in Australia, but want to change their main course of study to one in a different education sector must apply for a new student visa in the education sector appropriate to their new main course of study.
See:Applying for a student visa (formerly known as Form 1160i) (128KB PDF file)

Assessment factors and streamlined visa processing

Students must provide evidence to satisfy the assessment criteria that apply to them before they can be granted a student visa. This may include evidence that they have the financial capacity to cover living costs in Australia—tuition fees, travel costs and capacity to support any family members. Applicants must also satisfy criteria for proficiency in English, level of education and other matters such as the potential to breach visa conditions.

The evidence required for these criteria varies according to the student visa applicant’s assessment level. Assessment Level 1 represents the lowest evidentiary requirements and Assessment Level 5 represents the highest.
See: Student Visa Program—Assessment Levels (formerly known as Form 1219i) (144KB PDF file)

Streamlined visa processing is available for prospective international students with a confirmation of enrolment (CoE) from a participating university at bachelor, masters or doctoral degree level. Student visa applicants who are eligible for streamlined visa processing are not subject to assessment levels.
See: The university sector streamlined visa processing( 80KB PDF file)

All students and accompanying family members must meet character and health requirements and obtain overseas student health cover (OSHC) for the duration of their visa. Students from Belgium, Norway and Sweden may not need OSHC if they have acceptable health cover offered by those countries.

Passport holders from certain countries may be entitled to Medicare, however it is still a requirement for overseas students to obtain OSHC for the duration of their stay in Australia while on a student visa.
See:Health insurance for students

Course packaging

Students may ‘package’ their studies to combine a preliminary course with their main course of study on the one student visa. The subclass that applies to the package would be the one that corresponds to the main course of study. The student’s assessment level is based on the package of courses they are studying.
See: Course packaging

Visa conditions

Permission to work

Students and their dependent family members who were granted a student visa on or after 26 April 2008 have permission to work.
See:New permission to work arrangement for student visa holders(58KB PDF file)

Students and dependent family members who were granted a student visa before 26 April 2008 and have not yet applied for permission to work may only apply for permission to work after they have started their course in Australia.
See:How to apply for permission to work

Students and their dependent family members with permission to work must not undertake work until the main student visa holder has started their course in Australia. They are limited to 40 hours work per fortnight while their course is in session, but may work unlimited hours during formal holiday periods. Holders of a Postgraduate Research (subclass 574) visa who have started their course have unrestricted permission to work.

Student visa holders found to be working in excess of their limited work rights may be subject to visa cancellation.

Family members’ permission to work

Family members who have permission to work can work up to 40 hours per fortnight once the main student visa holder has started the course of study.

Where students are on a Higher Education (subclass 573) visa, Postgraduate (subclass 574) or AusAID and Defence (subclass 576) visa and have started a masters or doctorate course, any family member who has permission to work can do so for unlimited hours.

No extension of stay

Most Assessment Level 3 and all Assessment Level 4 students (except those in the schools sector) undertaking a course or courses of 10 months duration or less, are subject to a ‘Further Stay Restricted’ condition. This condition generally prevents students from extending their stay in Australia, although they may apply for a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa or a student visa with permission to work or a student visa with permission to work.

If an Assessment Level 3 student provides evidence of funds to cover a further 12 month stay, the ‘Further Stay Restricted’ condition is no longer mandatory.

Students who are sponsored by the Australian Government, or the government of their home country, may also be subject to a ‘Further Stay Restricted’ condition. They will only be able to extend their studies in Australia if the sponsoring government gives written consent.

Change of address

Students must inform their education provider of their current residential address within seven days of arrival and of any change of address in Australia within seven days of the change. Students must also notify their current provider of any change of enrolment to a new provider.

Family members

Family members aged 18 years or over may only study for up to three months. If they want to undertake a course of study that exceeds three months, they must apply for a student visa in their own right.

School-age family members, children aged 5–18 years, who join the student in Australia for more than three months must attend school. The student must meet any associated education or tuition costs for that child.

A student’s child aged 18 years or over cannot apply for a student visa as a family member. If they want to study in Australia, they must apply for a student visa in their own right.

Student Guardian (subclass 580) visa

Where students are under 18 years of age, it is possible for a parent or relative to apply for a student guardian visa to accompany them to Australia. The student guardian visa allows that person to stay in Australia to care for the student until they turn 18. A student guardian does not have permission to work while in Australia.

Statistics

The student visa program report is a quarterly statistical publication that provides data on the student visa program administered by the department. This report will be a valuable resource for anyone who has an interest in the international student sector.
See:Student visa statistics

Further information for students

The Education Services for Overseas Student Act 2000 provides important safeguards for overseas students in Australia. The Act regulates the activities of education providers delivering education and training to international students by setting standards and providing tuition and financial assurance.
See:Australian Education International

If students choose to work part-time while studying in Australia they have the same work rights as Australian permanent residents and citizens. For more information and advice about conditions of employment in Australia students can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman.
See:Fair Work Ombudsman

Further information is available on the department’s website.
See:www.immi.gov.au

The department also operates a national general enquiries line.
Telephone:131 881
Hours of operation:Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Recorded information is available outside these hours.

Fact Sheet 50 – Overseas Students in Australia

Produced by the National Communications Branch, Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Canberra. Last reviewed April 2013.

June 1, 2012

Zero to Twelve: A solid Australian education

By intpartners Uncategorized

The Australian education system has earned a reputation of being one of the most sought after curricula in the world. In June last year, more than 15,000 Malaysian international students were living in Australia.

In 2010, 73 countries took part in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) testing, an internationally standardised assessment for 15-year-olds, conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Australia was placed in the top 10, out-performing most of the large English speaking countries. Seven of Australia’s universities are ranked in the top 100 worldwide.

Considering the above and the popularity of the Australian education in Malaysia, it is undoubted that the Australian International School Malaysia (AISM) has earned an outstanding reputation through its rich and rigorous educational programmes, stimulating learning environments, international and multicultural perspectives and highly qualified and experienced Australian-trained staff.

AISM is a vibrant and growing Kindergarten to Year 12 international school for children from age 3 (Preparation) to age 18 (Year 12). Established in 2000, AISM is the only international school in Malaysia offering an Australian curriculum, delivered by Australian teachers and following the Australian school year.

AISM houses all three of its schools, Junior, Middle and Senior, on one campus and has about 560 students represented by more than 30 nationalities. The school offers a rigorous academic programme leading to the Higher School Certificate (HSC).

Whilst great emphasis is placed on academic excellence, the physical, emotional and social dimensions of growth are seen as crucial elements of the school’s teaching and reflect the Australian education philosophy of developing the whole child.

“AISM is certainly a pathway to international excellence. Our students have successfully entered institutions in Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, New Zealand, Malaysia, as well as many European countries,” says David Kilpatrick, the school’s principal. “In fact, one of our Year 12 students has received a full scholarship to study in the UK and will be applying to the University of Oxford.”

AISM recently hosted the inaugural meeting of the Principals of Australian International Schools from all over the world. The meeting was attended by principals from other eight countries — United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Bangladesh — who have become the Founding Members of the Australian International Schools Association (AISA). The forming of this association brings together more than 10,000 students who are studying the Australian curriculum throughout the world.

With the formation of AISA, the principals have formalised different means of collaboration between the Australian International Schools that will provide more diverse opportunities for their students to be involved in competition and collaborative events between the schools, explains Kilpatrick.

With the aim of providing the best of Australian education for all in Malaysia, AISM has also invested heavily in creating a truly 21st century, student-centred learning environment. Its recent major development and expansion project will accommodate classrooms and open learning spaces for the school’s Junior students (aged three to 10 years), extensive performing arts facilities (including a Black Box Theatre, instrument practice, orchestral and dance rooms), excellent ICT facilities, a science and technology centre, a new learning resource centre (library) and a dedicated space for Senior students in their final years of study (Year 11 and 12).

Source: New Straits Times (www.nst.com.my )

February 15, 2012

SIMPLIFYING Australian STUDENT VISAS

By intpartners Uncategorized

1 The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today announced the Government will make the visa application process easier for students from 29 countries by reducing assessment levels across a range of student visa subclasses from 24 March.

The changes are in response to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) 2011 review of student visa assessment level settings, which recommended that a number of assessment levels be changed.

“While it was recommended that some assessment levels be increased, I have decided to only implement the reductions in order to best support Australia’s international education sector,” Mr Bowen said.

“Lowering the minimum evidentiary requirement for the grant of a student visa for selected countries and visa subclasses is expected to help around 10,500 prospective students.

“These changes will particularly benefit the postgraduate research sector, English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and vocational education and training (VET) providers.”

For example, South Koreans studying VET and ELICOS courses and postgraduate research students from China, India and Indonesia will now find it easier to apply for visas.

“The reduction in assessment levels builds on the measures implemented as a result of the Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program, undertaken by the Hon Michael Knight AO, to ensure Australia remains an attractive study option for overseas students,” Mr Bowen said.

Assessment levels are an important tool in managing the student visa program, as they ensure the efficient delivery of services to a diverse range of students while supporting the integrity of Australia’s immigration program.

Assessment levels align visa requirements to the immigration risk posed by students from every country and in each education sector. They are regularly reviewed and amended to accurately reflect the risk posed by a student cohort.

Those countries and sectors that were recommended to be subject to an increase in assessment levels will be placed on notice and reviewed as part of any future reforms to the risk management framework.

More information on the reductions to student visa assessment levels can be found at www.immi.gov.au/students/student-visa-assessment-levels.htm

2 Reduction of Certain Student Visa Assessment Levels

Reductions in Student visa assessment levels for 29 countries for certain Student visa subclasses was announced by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship on 15 February 2012. These reductions will take effect on 24 March 2012.

These changes will lower the minimum evidentiary requirements needed for the grant of a Student visa for certain countries and education sectors.

The following is a list of countries and Student visa subclasses affected by the assessment level decreases which will take effect on 24 March 2012.

Country of Citizenship	Education Sector	Updated Assessment Levels
Belize	Subclass 572 – VET	AL2
Bhutan	Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research	AL1
Botswana	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL1
Botswana	Subclass 575 – Non–Award	AL1
Bulgaria	Subclass 570 – ELICOS	AL1
Bulgaria	Subclass 572 – VET	AL1
Bulgaria	Subclass 573 – Higher Ed	AL1
Bulgaria	Subclass 575 – Non–Award	AL1
China, Peoples Republic of	Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research	AL1
Ecuador	Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research	AL1
Egypt	Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research	AL1
India	Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research	AL1
Indonesia	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL1
Indonesia	Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research	AL1
Jordan	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL2
Kazakhstan	Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research	AL1
Kazakhstan	Subclass 575 – Non–Award	AL2
Korea, South	Subclass 570 – ELICOS	AL1
Korea, South	Subclass 572 – VET	AL1
Latvia	Subclass 572 – VET	AL1
Lebanon	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL2
Lebanon	Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research	AL1
Lebanon	Subclass 575 – Non–Award	AL3
Maldives	Subclass 570 – ELICOS	AL2
Maldives	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL1
Maldives	Subclass 573 – Higher Ed	AL1
Mauritius	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL1
Mexico	Subclass 572 – VET	AL1
Montenegro, Republic of	Subclass 570 – ELICOS	AL2
Montenegro, Republic of	Subclass 57 2 – VET	AL2
Montenegro, Republic of	Subclass 573 – Higher Ed	AL2
Montenegro, Republic of	Subclass 575 – Non–Award	AL2
Namibia	Subclass 573 – Higher Ed	AL2
Nepal	Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research	AL1
Nicaragua	Subclass 570 – ELICOS	AL2
Nicaragua	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL2
Nicaragua	Subclass 572 – VET	AL2
Nicaragua	Subclass 575 – Non–Award	AL2
Philippines	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL1
Reunion	Subclass 572 – VET	AL1
Reunion	Subclass 573 – Higher Ed	AL1
Seychelles	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL1
Seychelles	Subclass 572 – VET	AL1
Seychelles	Subclass 575 – Non–Award	AL1
Suriname	Subclass 573 – Higher Ed	AL2
Suriname	Subclass 575 – Non–Award	AL2
Tanzania	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL2
Tanzania	Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research	AL1
Turkey	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL2
Turkey	Subclass 572 – VET	AL2
Ukraine	Subclass 570 – ELICOS	AL2
Ukraine	Subclass 571 – Schools	AL2
Ukraine	Subclass 573 – Higher Ed	AL2
Ukraine	Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research	AL1
Ukraine	Subclass 575 – Non–Award	AL2
Venezuela	Subclass 572 – VET	AL1

3 Frequently asked Questions

4 Q: I am an international student studying in Australia. Do these changes affect me?

A: These changes will only affect new Student visa applications made on or after 24 March 2012.

5 Q: What does a reduction of assessment levels mean to Student visa applicants?

A: Students affected by the changes will be required to provide less documentary evidence to support their claims for the grant of a Student visa. These may include evidence of English language proficiency, financial capacity and academic qualifications.

6 Q: Where can I find out more information about assessment levels?

A: Further information on assessment levels including a full list of current assessment levels is available on the department’s website.
See: Student Visa Assessment Levels

August 21, 2011

Did not meet the A-Level results for medicine/ architecture/dentistry/ veterinary/ pharmacology?

By intpartners Uncategorized

Parents – secure your childs future

The University of Queensland Foundation Year (UQFY) program prepares international students for entry into the first year of all undergraduate courses at UQ. Students from more than 40 countries are enrolled on this course. Graduates enter all faculties of UQ including Arts, Sciences, Business Economics and Law, Engineering, Architecture and IT, Health Sciences, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences. Graduates of the program also enjoy a high measure of academic success at UQ. Studies undertaken indicate that UQFY alumni have an average GPA higher than that of other international students.

Since the program commenced, UQFY has become one of the most respected foundation programs in Australia with more than 85% of students continuing on to study undergraduate programs at UQ. To date, more than 3,000 undergraduate students who have entered UQ through UQFY.

The University of Queensland (Ranked third in Australia) was ranked as one of the top 50 universities in the world by the QS World University Rankings. The quality of the delivery can be judged by the teaching staff and their experience. Here are some of the teachers on the Foundation programmes:

Dr Peter Munro BSc (UQ, Hons Chem) PhD (UQ, Biochem) – CHEMISTRY CO-ORDINATOR

Peter taught for ten years in primary and lower-secondary Catholic schools in country Queensland. He enjoyed teaching but also wanted to gain a Bachelor of Science. He entered The University of Queensland as a mature age student in 1985 and studied chemistry, mathematics and physics. He enjoyed university so much that he stayed on to complete his PhD in 1994.

He moved to the USA for three years to undertake research work in the computer simulation of living systems. He returned to teaching in 2000 and taught maths and science in various high schools around Brisbane. He started teaching on the Foundation programme in 2008. His varied background gives him a good insight into the different paths open to university students. He enjoyed playing rugby and cricket when he was younger. Now, he is a keen bridge player.

Mr Max King – B.Arts (Mathematics), Teaching Diploma – DIRECTOR OF STUDIES

Teaches Mathematics on the UQ Foundation Year program since its inception in 1998. Mathematics has always been one of his passions and he really enjoys the interaction with students in the classroom. Some people tell him he is crazy because he also enjoys the timetabling part of his job.

It is treated like a mathematical puzzle and he tries to come up with the best possible solution to the problem to ensure that students are able to select a variety of subjects and not miss out because of conflicts.

Mr David Hooper – BAppSc (Biol)-QUT, Grad Dip Teaching (Science)-QUT – BIOLOGY CO-ORDINATOR

David has been a science teacher since 1985, with much of this time spent as the Head of Science in various public schools throughout Queensland. He has been the Biology Co-ordinator since 2000 and enjoys interacting with his students and how they politely laugh at all of his jokes!

The field excursion to North Stradbroke Island is a highlight of the course as it allows students to work with teachers outside of class and interact with nature. Most of his spare time is spent with his family, but he also has a long-standing interest in aviation, nature conservation and food! His latest passion is travel, and he has recently visited Hong Kong, Japan and Malaysia.

Mr Theo Skordilis – MEd (Leadership), BEd(Phys/Chem), Dip Teach (Sc/Ma) – PHYSICS CO-ORDINATOR

Theo coordinates and teaches the Physics program and has also taught Chemistry for many years. Being a migrant and of Greek origin, Theo is well aware of the language, social and emotional needs of international students. Theo is a very experienced and innovative teacher having worked in many private colleges since 1985.

Source: Sunday Times, 21 Augusrt 2011

Everything About Study, Work, Migration and Life in Australia

Tag Archives: schools

Overseas Students in Australia

Zero to Twelve: A solid Australian education

SIMPLIFYING Australian STUDENT VISAS

Did not meet the A-Level results for medicine/ architecture/dentistry/ veterinary/ pharmacology?

Tag Archives: schools

Overseas Students in Australia

Zero to Twelve: A solid Australian education

SIMPLIFYING Australian STUDENT VISAS

Did not meet the A-Level results for medicine/ architecture/dentistry/ veterinary/ pharmacology?

Enter your email to get instant access to the Document

Enter your email to get instant access to the webinar recording