Visa Information
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General Visa Conditions
All international students intending to enter Australia to study must apply for a student visa (an exception may be for students offered a program, such as an English language course, of less than three months). Details of the Australian Diplomatic Offices around the world where applications for a student visa can be lodged are available at the Department of Home Affairs website.
International students normally must obtain a student visa before they travel to Australia. However, students from selected countries may apply for a student visa after arrival in Australia on a temporary entry visa. Again, details may be obtained from the nearest Australian Diplomatic Office.
Student visas are issued for full-time study. International students cannot study part-time. Students must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover their tuition fees and living expenses whilst in Australia. Once enrolled, students must complete 6 calendar months of study of their program before they can change to another education institution in Australia unless special permission is obtained. If a student is not satisfying program and/or visa requirements (including attending the program and making satisfactory academic progress) ECA Graduate Institute by law must notify the relevant Commonwealth and State authorities and the student visa may be cancelled.
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Visa Application Procedures
All international students must have applied for and have been accepted for full-time study in a registered program, or part of a program, by ECA Graduate Institute before they can apply for a student visa. An electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) form issued by ECA Graduate Institute offering a place in a program is proof of acceptance for visa purposes.
Students wishing to undertake a package of programs (e.g. English language followed by a VET course and a university degree program) must apply and be accepted into each program in the 'package'. Students offered a 'package' program must apply for the visa subclass applicable to the principal program of the 'package'.
Student visas are divided into seven subclasses. Each subclass is based on the education sector or level of the principal program of study (e.g. Higher Education; Masters and Doctorates; Vocational Education and Training sector; ELICOS; Foundation Program). Each student visa subclass is given an Assessment Level (AL) according to the country of nationality of the international student.
There are 5 Assessment Levels (AL1 to AL5), with AL5 having the most stringent requirements. The assessment factors for each level include financial ability, English language proficiency, likely compliance with the conditions of the student visa and other matters considered relevant to assessing each visa application. International students must meet the assessment factors applicable to the AL level of the student visa subclass of their principal program.
International students must also satisfy the general requirements applicable to all student visa applicants. The general requirements include being of good character and sound health, having acceptable health insurance for the period of time in Australia and having no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia. Details of the student visa subclasses and related conditions are available at the Department of Home Affairs website.
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Enrolment Status
It is a condition of enrolment that international students abide by the Australian student visa regulations. ECA Graduate Institute monitors student enrolments and visa status and will advise students if visa requirements are not being met. The Student Services Department at ECA Graduate Institute must approve all international student enrolments in advance. Students amending their enrolments without this authority may have their enrolment cancelled or modified appropriately.
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Work Rights
International students are able to work after they arrive in Australia and have commenced their program of study. All student visas granted on or after 26 April 2008 will receive permission to work automatically. This will apply to both the primary student and any family members travelling with them on their student visa.
Students can work up to 20 hours a week while their course is in session and they can work unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Family members of students are not allowed to work until the student begins their course and they are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week at all times. Dependents of Subclass 574 Masters and Doctorate students have unlimited work rights after the principal student visa holder has commenced his or her program in Australia.