• An Australian kangarooyoung kangaroo image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
  
  Australia is a country with white beaches, eccentric wildlife, and a booming economy. With the education system becoming more comparable to that of North America, it is not surprising that the amount of students studying abroad is surpassing previous years. According to the Australian government, more students are becoming attracted to the Australian student lifestyle with an increase of 15 percent of student visas granted over the past year. If you are a student considering studying abroad in Australia, you need to be aware of the laws and regulations that accompany Australian student visas.
  
  

Types of student visas

• There are a range of student visa subclasses, depending on the type and level of schooling you are applying for. International students interested in ELICOS would need to obtain a subclass 570 student visa, while students applying for higher education at a college or university would apply for a subclass 573 student visa. It is best to contact the school you are interested in attending to gather information about the visa subclass requirements.
  
  

Applying for a student visa

• Australian student visas require applicants to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), as well as a medical check before arrival in Australia. The application for a student visa can be found on-line at the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website. The application should be accompanied by a confirmation of enrollment form or a letter of offer in the course of choice. If interested in sending the application by mail, students should complete Form-157A and post it along with the application fee, medical test results and confirmation of enrollment form to:
  
  DIAC Client Services
  GPO BOX 241
  Melbourne, 3001
  immi.gov.au/
  
  

Working with a student visa

• Students receiving payment for employment in Australia must ensure they are aware of the work stipulations imposed on their visa subclass. Students are permitted to work 20 hours per week while in study. However, during inter-term sessions, students are allowed to work indefinitely.
  
  

Student visa conditions

• In order to be considered for a student visa, DIAC needs to ensure that your program of study is longer than 3 months. According to DIAC, students need to ensure that they meet any attendance requirements to guarantee enrollment. Visa stipulations maintain that students will need to continue to make tuition payments and OSHC fees. Once a student finishes their schooling, they need to be aware of their visa expiration and make certain they have departed the country before that expiry date.