International Students

Applying for a Student Visa

If you wish to study in Australia you must have a valid student visa. The Australian Government issues student visas for full time study on the understanding that you have sufficient funds for study and living expenses during your stay in Australia. There are regulations that must be met before a student visa can be issued and these vary from country to country. Information about how to apply for your student visa can be obtained from your Education Agent or the nearest Australian Diplomatic Mission in your country. Student visas can take from one to 12 weeks to be issued.

All student visa applications are assessed by the Australian Government according to:

• country assessment level

• visa subclass

• English Language Proficiency

• Finances

• Medical

• Letter of Offer from La Trobe Melbourne

• Confirmation of Enrolment from La Trobe Melbourne (issued by La Trobe Melbourne admissions when the deposit is paid and the Student Acceptance and Payment Agreement is completed and returned to Admissions).

Note: Students from Assessment Level 3 and 4 countries must obtain a pre-visa assessment (PVA) prior to payment of fees.

Course Packaging

Students can package a maximum of four (4) Confirmation of Enrolments (CoEs) for each visa grant. Courses can only be packaged where one of the courses is a prerequisite to another course, or where one of the courses may only be taken after the completion of another of the courses. La Trobe Melbourne courses can be packaged with an ELICOS and La Trobe University Bachelor degree. Eligible students can package their student visa for the duration of the courses offered.

Keeping and Understanding a Student Visa

All International students must comply with current visa conditions and regulations determined by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Office (DIAC). For more detailed information on current visa conditions and regulations visit the DIAC website - www.immi.gov.au

Deferring the Commencement of Your Course

Students who are unable to commence the course they have accepted should write to La Trobe Melbourne Admissions requesting a deferment of commencement of the course to the next semester.

Change of Course

International students may be eligible to change their course within La Trobe Melbourne. To apply for a "change of course" student must complete and submit the Change of Course application to La Trobe Melbourne Reception. Changing your course may have student visa implications and this must be discussed with your course coordinator prior to submitting the form.

Leave of absence

An application for a leave of absence can only be approved on compassionate or compelling grounds when supported by substantial documentation. A leave of absence can only be granted for one semester. Students who are granted a leave of absence after the census date of the Semester will NOT be eligible for a refund of course fees.

A student who is granted leave of absence will be required to depart Australia within 28 days of the approval date of leave. Students can arrive back in Australia two weeks prior to the commencement of the next semester.

It is the responsibility of La Trobe Melbourne to notify the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Office (DIAC) when a student is granted a leave of absence.

Extending your student visa in Australia

Students may apply for a student visa extension in Australia, provided the student visa is not subject to a "no further stay" condition. Students are required to apply for a new student visa 28 days before the current student visa expires. Students are advised to seek assistance from La Trobe Melbourne.

Permission to Work

Students will automatically receive permission to work with their visa grant. This enables you to work up to 20 hours per week whilst classes are in session and unrestricted hours during the semester breaks.

Course Completion within expected duration

International students are required to complete their course within the expected duration as stated in your offer letter and the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). A student must enrol full time to complete the course within the expected duration.

Change of Education Provider

International students who wish to withdraw from their course at La Trobe Melbourne and transfer to another education provider can do so only after six months of study in their principal course. In all cases the Diploma is the principal course unless packaged with La Trobe University.

Students are restricted from transferring to another provider/institution if they have not completed six calendar months of study in their principal course.

Students wanting to transfer to another provider prior to completing the first six months of the principal course must obtain a release letter from La Trobe Melbourne. For further information refer to the La Trobe Melbourne student transfer policy.

Course Gaps

Students may only have a maximum of six to eight weeks break between courses. Students who finish their pathway course earlier than this will need to leave Australia or enrol in alternative study in a CRICOS registered course during the interim.

Finances

You must maintain enough money to pay for tuition and living expenses for yourself, your spouse and your dependent children for the duration of your stay in Australia.

Early Course Completions

Students who complete their course early will be reported to DIAC for early course completion. In such cases you will be required to enrol in an alternative CRICOS registered course or leave Australia. The visa expiry date in the passport is no longer valid in these instances.

Under 18 Students

Under 18 students at the time of visa application must have approved welfare and accommodation arrangements in place and must maintain these arrangements until they turn 18.

The following care arrangements are appropriate:

1. The student resides with a parent, custodian or eligible relative over the age of 21 approved by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Office (DIAC). La Trobe Melbourne approval is not necessary.

2. The parents nominate a La Trobe Melbourne recommended caregiver service to act as your carer. You must meet the costs of this service. La Trobe Melbourne will be required to approve the welfare arrangements in place.

3. The parents appoint a family friend or relative who is over the age of 21 to act as your care giver. La Trobe Melbourne will be required to approve the welfare arrangements in place.

If your welfare arrangements are approved by La Trobe Melbourne you cannot travel to Australia until your welfare arrangements commence. The date your welfare arrangements commence is the welfare start date La Trobe Melbourne will nominate on the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation/Welfare Arrangements (CAAW) letter.

• If your welfare arrangements change after the student visa has been granted you must advise the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Office (DIAC).

• If your parents approved your accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements, you must have your parent's written approval to change these arrangements.

• If La Trobe Melbourne approved your accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements, you must request La Trobe Melbourne to change these arrangements.

Students with Families

If you have family members that will accompany you to Australia there are immigration requirements that must be met. For children between the ages of 5 and 18, you are required to make adequate schooling arrangements for them while they are in Australia. Students must note that Australian government and private schools charge fees. Further information about enrolling your child at a school can be obtained by contacting the Department of Education, telephone (+613) 9637 2202 or visit www.education.vic.gov.au

If you have a spouse travelling with you and they wish to study, they may study up to 3 months. If they want to study beyond 3 months then it is a DIAC requirement that your spouse enrols in a CRICOS registered course and apply for a student visa in their own right.

Student Visa Conditions

Student visas are granted subject to a number of mandatory and discretionary conditions. International students are required to comply with these conditions while studying in Australia.

Academic Progress

Students must make satisfactory academic progress each semester. Failure to achieve this will lead to students being "at risk" of not completing the course within the expected duration as stated in your offer letter and the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). La Trobe Melbourne is obliged to report students to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Office (DIAC) for failing to meet satisfactory academic progress.

Attendance

International students must attend at least 80% of all scheduled classes during the semester. If illness or personal problems prevent you from maintaining 80% attendance at classes during the semester you must seek advice from a Student Adviser as soon as possible.

Providing your Australian Address

Students must advise La Trobe Melbourne of your home address in Australia within seven (7) days of arriving in Australia. Also, if you change your address during your stay in Australia, you must advise La Trobe Melbourne within seven days.

No Further Stay Condition

Some student visas are issued with a "no further stay" condition. This condition means that you cannot apply to stay in Australia beyond the date specified on your student visa. Students will be required to contact DIAC for further advice.