International student visas

All international students applying to study in Australia must have a student visa that will remain valid for the duration of their studies. .

A student visa is issued by an Australian Immigration Office outside Australia or the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). A student visa may not be required for students offered a course of less than three months, such as a short-term non-award program.

Applying for a student visa can be a complicated process. While you are able to do this yourself, assistance can be provided by an approved educational representative of the University. Education representatives are trained to assist applicants with their university and visa applications.

To apply for a student visa, you will need a valid passport and your electronic confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) issued by The University of Queensland. For any other documentation that may be required please check the DIAC website or your nearest Australian Immigration Office outside Australia.

Ensure that you allow sufficient time for the processing of your visa as this can take up to six months depending on the country you come from. For more information on the current visa processing times, please contact your nearest Australian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission. They will also be able to advise you on further information about how to apply for a student visa, and whether you will be required to undergo health checks or provide chest X-rays.

Additionally, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) provides comprehensive information about student visa requirements and application procedures.

To obtain a visa you will need to:

Select a visa according to your course of study
There are a number of student visa options available. Tto determine which student visa is best suited to your study program please visit the DIAC website.
Identify your assessment level
Information about assessment levels is available via the DIAC website.
Meet the student visa English language requirements
If you are from a category 3 or 4 assessment level country, you may be required to provide the results of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test in order to be eligible for an Australian student visa.
More information on student visa English Language requirements can be found on the DIAC website.
For information on English Language Courses provided by ICTE-UQ please click here.
Understand your visa conditions
Please note that if you are granted a student visa, you must comply with all conditions as outlined by the visa. These conditions include (but are not limited to) the following. You must:
- complete your program within your visa duration
- make satisfactory academic progress
- not interrupt your study, except for compelling or compassionate grounds;
- maintain approved Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) whilst in Australia
- advise the University on mySI-net immediately of changes in your Australian address and contact details.
- not work more than 20 hours per week when your course is in session (other than work which has been registered as a part of the course). Read more about working in Australia as an international student.

Please note that the above is not the complete list. For more information or a full list of visa conditions, please visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website.

Visa fees
There is a non-refundable visa charge when you apply for your visa. For more information on visa fees and charges please visit the Fees and Charges section of the DIAC website. For information about working while studying, visa extensions and renewals please visit the Guide for International students.

Need help with your visa application?
For further assistance, please contact an approved international educational representative of the University.

DIAC Contact details
Students applying within Australia; http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/visa-enquiries/students-visas.htm
Students applying outside of Australia: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/visa-enquiries/students-visas-outside.htm

National Code and Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2007

Australia's reputation as a safe, progressive and dynamic place to study is maintained by providing quality education and consumer protection specifically developed for overseas students. For information relating to the regulation serving overseas students in Australia please visit http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/ESOS/default.htm

UQ policies and procedures

It is important that students have a basic understanding of UQ policies and procedures. Further information relating to key UQ policies and procedures is located on the myAdvisor website www.uq.edu.au/myadvisor/expectations-responsibilities

Essential information regarding enrolment, changing or withdrawing programs or courses, assessment, financial matters and more can also be found at the myAdvisor website www.uq.edu.au/myadvisor/

Disclaimer: in the case where a discrepancy may occur relating to the information published on this page, students should rely on the principal website as the accurate source of information.

Useful links

Australian Diplomatic Missions, Embassies and High Commissions:
http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm

Department of Immigration and Citizenship:
http://www.immi.gov.au/