Visas
When you’ve finished your course, you could decide to stay in Australia for further study, for a holiday, to attend a graduation ceremony, or for work.
Depending on why you stay, you will need to apply for a different kind of visa.
Your Current Student Visa
The length of your current student visa, for the course you are completing, depends on the length of electronic-Confirmation of Enrolment (e-COE) you used to apply for your student visa. If your e-COE was less than 10 months in length your visa length is usually for another 28 days after your e-COE expires. If your e-COE was greater than 10 months your visa length is usually for 2 months from the date your e-COE expires. The general exception is when your e-COE expires at the end of the academic year (after November 1): the expiry date on your student visa will usually be March 15 of the following year. If this situation applies to you, you can stay in Australia on your student visa until this expiry date.Note: If you have fast-tracked your course and completed a month or more earlier than scheduled, your student visa will be valid for 28 days after your final results are released.
Make sure you know the date your student visa expires. You should ALWAYS apply for a new visa before your current visa expires!
Note: If you have condition 8534 or 8535 No Further Stay on your student visa, you will NOT be able to remain in Australia after that visa expires, except in very limited circumstances. Contact DIAC for more information on 131 881 or via www.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm
Further Study
If you apply for a new course at La Trobe University or any other institution, you must accept your offer, get a new Confirmation of Enrolment (e-COE) issued and apply for another student visa BEFORE your current visa expires. Make sure you allow enough time (minimum 4 weeks) to submit your application and undertake your medical examination and x-rays (if required).
Note: Collect a student visa renewal kit from the LTI, to get the correct checklist, all the required forms and any further advice on visa expiry dates or renewal processes.
Attending a Graduation Ceremony
If you wish to stay in Australia until the next available graduation you can apply for a visitor visa. Visitor visas are available for “short stays” (up to 3 months) and “long stays” (3-6 months). In your application, you will need to provide evidence of financial ability to support yourself during your stay, and confirmation you have completed your studies at La Trobe University.
You can request a “To Whom It May Concern” (TWIMC) letter, which includes this information, from La Trobe International any time after your official final results have been released, and the Student Information System shows that you have qualified for your degree.
Please note that until you have accepted your invitation to graduate, the Student Centre cannot confirm in a letter that you will be attending (only that you are eligible to attend a graduation ceremony and state the next applicable date). Standard TWIMC letters take up to 48 business hours to complete.
Note: If your family members or friends are applying for visitor visas to attend your graduation ceremony, they may wish to include a TWIMC letter confirming you have completed your course at La Trobe University and are eligible to graduate. The Student Centre can write a TWIMC letter: confirming that you have completed your course; for graduation purposes; for the purpose of applying for Permanent Residency. Note that you can request ONE letter that can be used for ALL of the THREE purposes above.
See www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/index.htm for extending as a visitor from a student visa.
Taking a Holiday
After you’ve finished your studies, you might choose to spend some time travelling around Australia before you return home. If your student visa is due to expire before you plan to finish travelling, you should apply for a visitor visa [see “Attending a Graduation Ceremony” above]. For information on applying for a visitor visa see www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/index.htm
Working in Australia
Permission to Work (condition 8105) on your student visa allows you to work unlimited hours after the end of the official examination period, up until your student visa expires, or is no longer valid. Note that you would need to apply for this before your classes finish.
Note: Visitor visas DO NOT include work rights.
Skilled Migration
Information for international students in Australia applying to migrate under Australia's General Skilled Migration program is available at: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/index.htm
This information is a general guide only, but it will help explain whether you are eligible to apply for any of these visas. If you decide to apply, you must read the detailed information in Booklet 6: General Skilled Migration (PDF 206KB).
Visa Assistance Contacts
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
Ph: 131 881
web: www.immi.gov.au
Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre
95 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Ph: (03) 9483 1140 (free telephone advice)
Wed: 10.00am-4.00pm
Fri: 2.00pm-4.00pm
Web: www.rilc.org.au
