Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2008

Coming to Australia

Student Visas

It is the responsibility of students to ensure they obtain and maintain a valid passport and student visa to enter Australia for study purposes. The electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) form issued by the International Programs Office on receipt of acceptance is used to apply for a student visa at the nearest Australian diplomatic mission. Students are also required to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses.

The International Programs Office can provide advice on matters related to student visas including procedures for visa extension and Permission to Work.

  • Contact:
  • International Programs Office
  • Level 2, Peribolos East
  • Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus
  • Tel: +61 3 9479 1199
  • Email: international@latrobe.edu.au
  • Website: www.latrobe.edu.au/international

Visa Conditions

Student visas are issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) with a number of conditions attached, including the following:

  • 8202 – satisfy academic requirements (students must be enrolled full-time and make satisfactory academic progress)
  • 8533 – advise the University within seven days of arrival in Australia of your current residential address and of any changes of address within seven days of each change
  • 8501 – maintain acceptable health insurance cover during the entire stay in Australia
  • 8101 – the student and their family members must not work without permission.

The University is obliged to notify DIAC if students breach visa conditions, change their course, or intermit or discontinue their studies.

Permission to Work

Students are not automatically granted the right to work on a student visa. If students wish to get a job while studying, they must wait until classes have started to apply for Permission To Work (PTW) on their student visa. Applications can be lodged online or students can make an appointment with DIAC. The application fee is A$60. This process may change in 2008. If PTW (a student visa with condition 8105) is granted, a student may work for a maximum of 20 hours a week while their course is in session. For visa purposes a course is ‘in session’ for the duration of the published semesters, including any official examination periods. There is no restriction on working hours during vacation times. Spouses of undergraduate and some postgraduate coursework students are permitted to work a maximum of only 20 hours a week at all times. However, spouses of Masters and PhD students can work unlimited hours if they apply for permission to work after the Masters or Doctoral program has commenced.

Some scholarships may also place restrictions on working hours, particularly for postgraduate students. Students may undertake a work placement as part of their course requirements as long as it is a registered part of their course. If students volunteer or take part in unpaid work, DIAC requires them to apply for permission to work. Any volunteer or unpaid work counts towards the limit of 20 hours per week.

Overseas Student Health Cover

As a condition of a student visa, all international students must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). OSHC provides medical and hospital insurance cover for international students and their dependants while in Australia.

La Trobe University currently has an agreement with OSHC Worldcare, a private health fund, for the provision of OSHC. La Trobe University’s policy is that students purchase health cover for the duration of their course. This one-off payment saves students needing to renew their OSHC each year and avoids any price increases during that period.

OSHC rates for 2008 are:

Length of Stay Single Family
6 months A$185 A$370
1 year A$370 A$740
2 years A$675 A$1410
3 years A$1058 A$2117

Note: Commencing students using another OSHC provider must make payment arrangements with the provider directly, as La Trobe can only accept payment for OSHC Worldcare. If you choose to use a provider other than OSHC Worldcare, you must provide proof of OSHC to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) before your visa is issued. A list of OSHC providers is available from the Department of Health and Ageing via www.latrobe.edu.au/international/predeparture/visa

For further information on student visa regulations, visit the DIAC website:

www.immi.gov.au

Note for Norwegian and Swedish students:

OSHC is not required by Norwegian students, as they are covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. Swedish students whose insurance is provided by CSN International do not need to take out OSHC; however Swedish students not covered by the Swedish National Board of Student Aid must purchase OSHC.