Student Visa Australia

Aussie Student Visas

In 2007 – 08 student visa applications went up by 21% with 278 000 student visa’s granted by the Australian government, while student’s from 190 countries made Australia home from anywhere between three months to six years while they completed their studies in a wide range of institutions from TAFE’s, to universities and vocational colleges.

So, Australia is a popular destination for international students who want to gain excellent credentials in a professional environment that is rated alongside other developed countries favorably.  

 But there are a few things to take note of before you jump on the plane and head out here. And one of those things is cost. It will cost you roughly $360 per week to live in Australia depending on where you live. This does not include tuition fees, travel and OSHC either.

And OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is compulsory by Australian law and any lapse on the student’s behalf in paying OSHC fees can put their student visa in jeopardy, although you are protected from this possibility if you are a Swedish or Norwegian citizen because your government has a government to government agreement with Australia.

www.studyingaustralia.com has details on this and other issues related to OSHC. Five companies offer OSHC to students during their stay in Australia and these companies can be accessed through the same website.

Also, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship assess students on their risk of becoming illegal immigrants by giving everyone who applies for a student visa an assessment level.

The assessment level takes into consideration one basic factor and that is, what is the risk of people from your country of origin studying in your education sector from staying in Australia illegally?

If your country of origin has a high assessment level (AL 5) than you have to give the Australian government more information to back up the validity of your application. But, if you come from a country with a low assessment level (AL 1) than you do not have to provide as much information.  

So, to find out what assessment level you are, you have to first contact the Australian Diplomatic Mission in your homeland, and they will assist you in getting the appropriate material to put forward a successful application.