Coming to Australia
Student visas
It is your responsibility to ensure you obtain a valid passport and student visa before you enter Australia for study purposes. Only those who fall under Assessment Level 1 can be granted their initial student visa while in Australia. Visa assessment levels are determined by country of citizenship. Most students must obtain a student visa before travelling to Australia.
Please note that as a condition of a student visa you are required to complete your course in the minimum time, as stated on your electronic-Confirmation of Enrolment. The University requires you to be enrolled in a full-time load, unless:
- there are compelling or compassionate circumstances,
- you have problems with academic progress or,
- you undertake subjects at times other than Semester 1 or 2, which count towards your course credits, e.g. during Summer School.
Please contact your nearest Australian Diplomatic Mission (Embassy, High Commission or Consulate General) for more information: www.immi.gov.au. Assistance with visa applications is also available from La Trobe University’s representatives: www.latrobe.edu.au/international/contact
Please note: The University is unable to provide advice concerning immigration matters.
Health Insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover)
As a condition of a student visa, all international students must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before they accept their offer. 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 2009 are:
| Length of Stay | Single | Family |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | A$190 | A$380 |
| 1 year | A$380 | A$760 |
| 2 years | A$722 | A$1 444 |
| 3 years | A$1 077 | A$2 154 |
These rates are subject to change without notice and may increase in 2010.
Note: Commencing students not using OSHC Worldcare must make payment arrangements with that provider directly. If you choose to use a provider other than OSHC Worldcare you must provide proof of OSHC to La Trobe International and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) before your student 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
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.
Employment
International students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during semester, or unlimited hours during official University vacations if they have Permission to Work by the DIAC. This includes any employment, volunteer work or work placement. The exception to this is where a placement or internship is a registered part of your course. From April 2008 all student visas are granted with work rights.
Please note In some university courses, the study demands allow little time for employment. Part-time work and vacation work is not always available and students should not depend on this form of income to cover living expenses or tuition fees.
Students under 18 years of age
Students under the age of 18 must have their parents (or legal custodian) nominate a guardian who resides in Australia prior to the DIAC considering their student visa application. Parents must lodge the �??Nomination of a Student Guardian�?? form (157N) available via the Embassy in their home country. DIAC requires this guardian to be over 21 years old, an eligible relative and of good character.
If a student under 18 does not have an eligible relative in Australia they will normally be required to defer enrolment until after they turn 18 years of age. An exception is where a student has enrolled in a course at the La Trobe University International College prior to articulating to a La Trobe University Bachelor’s program. In exceptional circumstances, the University may permit direct entry into a Bachelor’s program. In such cases, the student will need to be supported by the services of the La Trobe University International College-approved care provider agency or non-relative (close family friend) or cousin before the University will issue an eCOE and the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation/Welfare (CAAW) form: www.latrobe.edu.au/icollege/apply
Students with school-aged children
If you have school-aged dependants accompanying you to Australia, it is a visa requirement that you must enrol them in primary or secondary school and pay school fees, unless you are the recipient of an Australian government scholarship.
Important note
In some countries the DIAC requires students to provide a minimum IELTS score as part of the student visa application process. More information is available from the DIAC website: www.immi.gov.au