From 1st July 2016 most people in Australia on tourist or business class visas will be able to convert to a student visa while in Australia. You can use the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s (DIBP) Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system to confirm whether you are eligible for onshore visa applications.
If you intend to study in Australia, you will need to apply for the Student visa (subclass 500).
There is specific information for Foreign Affairs and Defence sponsored students and school sector students.

There is more information for students including genuine temporary entrant requirements, health insurance, English language requirements, financial capacity requirements and changing courses.
You might be able to package your courses if you would like to study more than one course.
For information about your rights and responsibilities while studying in Australia read the factsheet available at the Department of Education and Training (DET) website.

Please note that in order to apply for an Australian student visa, you must have an unconditional offer of place at a university, have accepted that place in writing and paid the required tuition fee deposit. It is therefore one of the last parts of the process to organise.

What type of visa do I need?

For all programmes of study you will be applying for a subclass 500 student visa. This visa must be applied for using the online system at www.homeaffairs.gov.au

When should I apply?

You can only make an application for an Australian student visa after you have received a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your chosen university. In order to get a CoE, you must have been given a formal offer by the university, have accepted it in writing and paid the required deposit toward your tuition fees.

Can I take my partner with me on my student visa?

Yes, it is possible for your partner to accompany you to Australia as a dependent on your student visa. You will need to prove you have been in a genuine and exclusive relationship with them for at least 12 months. This usually requires you to have been living together for at least 12 months.

Your obligations

• You must remain enrolled in a course registered on CRICOS (cricos.deewr.gov.au).
• You must maintain satisfactory attendance on your course, as required by your education provider.
• You must make satisfactory academic progress for each study period.
• You must advise your education provider of your home address within seven days of arriving in Australia. If you change address during your stay, you must tell your education provider within seven days.
• You must maintain suitable health insurance throughout your time in Australia. This can be done by obtaining OSHC.