Australian Embassy, China

澳大利亚驻华大使馆

Embassy address: 21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Sanlitun, Beijing - Telephone: 5140 4111 - Fax: 5140 4204

Information - Student Visas

On this page: Introduction; Documentary requirements; Where to apply; Application processing times and Further information

Introduction

The Australian Government operates an overseas student program (OSP) that allows people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to study in Australia. Anyone who is not an Australian resident may apply to study in Australia under the OSP.

If you want to study under this program, you must obtain a student visa before you can commence a course of study in Australia. You can be granted a student visa only if you wish to undertake a registered course or part of a registered course on a full-time basis.

A registered course is an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider who is registered with the Australian Government to offer courses to overseas students.

The Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations can provide details of registered courses. See: Australian Course and Education Institution Search website

Australia's student visa program has seven subclasses. Each subclass is based on the education sector of your principal course of study. Please see the following link for information about each subclass: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/chooser/subclass-options.htm

You should read the following for further background on applying for a Student Visa:

• Applying for a student visa;

• Student Visa Documentation Requirements Checklist;

• Student Visa Documentation Requirements Checklist (for Mongolian applicants only);

• Student Visa FAQ's;

• Student Visa FAQ's (for Mongolian applicants only);

• Student Visa Financial Information (for Mongolian applicants only).

• Form 157A - Application For A Student Visa;

• Form 54 - Family Composition;

• Form 919 - Nomination Of Student Dependants (if you are applying to join your parent or spouse who is already in Australia on a student visa); and

• All other documents listed on the Checklist - Student Visas.

Where to Apply

Nationals of the People's Republic of China (PRC) who are normally resident in the PRC or New Zealand, and who are applying outside Australia for a student visa, will be required to lodge their application by mail to the following Adelaide office post box address:

Adelaide Offshore Student Processing Centre
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
GPO Box 1393
Adelaide SA 5001
Australia

Or by courier to the following street address:

Adelaide Offshore Student Processing Centre
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Level 4, 55 Currie Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Australia

Applications should be mailed with the student visa application fee in Australian dollars. Please pay by credit card, bank cheque or money order payable to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Please note that the Adelaide Offshore Student Processing Centre does NOT accept personal cheques or cash through the mail. Bank cheques must be made out in Australian dollars and payable to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship through an Australian bank.

You can write all your credit card details on the application form or on a separate letter. Credit card details required are card number, expiry date, card holder's name and correct payment amount. You should attach a photocopy of the back and front of your credit card. We accept American Express, Visa, Diners, Mastercard and JCB Credit cards.

Application Processing Times

To assist the AOSPC in delivering a fast and efficient service eVisa agents are asked to ensure that they lodge complete applications and that they attach the key documents to the application as quickly as possible after the time of lodgement. The key documents include the completed document checklists and the agent declaration.

All applications should be lodged at least 12 weeks before the course commencement date, however you are strongly encouraged to lodge student visa applications as early as possible.

Further Information

The AOSPC, aims to finalise all applications within 12 weeks of receiving the application. Within this timeframe the AOSPC is unable to field progress enquiries. We will contact you when your application is decided, or if we need more information from you. To check on the progress of your application please refer to: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/visa-enquiries/students.htm

The DIAC Shanghai office only evidences Student visas that have been processed in Adelaide. DIAC Shanghai is not involved in any other processing related to Student visas. Do not send general student enquiries to DIAC Shanghai.

For more information on Student visas to Australia, please visit our website www.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm

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Documentary Requirements

Please note that documents and information provided to support a Student visa application must be genuine. Applications in which bogus documents or information that is false and misleading have been provided may be refused.