Entry requirements

Students need a sufficient level of English language proficiency and must meet minimum academic requirements to study in Australia. Institutions will assess whether you meet the selection criteria set for your proposed course of study. They will look at the level and content of the study you have completed in Australia or your home country.

English language proficiency

English language proficiency is now a requirement when applying for a student visa (see table below). The IELTS is the only test accepted by the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs for student visa purposes. Some visa Assessment Levels accept the IELTS entry levels required by the education institution.

Australian education institutions can only accept students with an appropriate level of English proficiency. Institutions set their own English language requirements and may have different IELTS entry levels for the proposed level of course than those required for a student visa. You should check the entry requirements with your proposed institution.

Education sector

Assessment level

1 2 3 4 Independent ELICOS As accepted by the education provider As accepted by the education provider As accepted by the education provider. Max. 50 weeks ELICOS Min. overall band score of 5.0 IELTS. Max. 40 weeks ELICOS* Schools As accepted by the education provider As accepted by the education provider As accepted by the education provider. Max. 40 weeks ELICOS Max. 30 weeks ELICOS Vocational education and training As accepted by the education provider As accepted by the education provider Min. overall band score of 5.5 IELTS or Overall band score of 4.5 IELTS plus max. 30 weeks ELICOS* Min. overall band score of 5.5 IELTS or Overall band score of 5.0 IELTS plus max. 20 weeks ELICOS* Higher education As accepted by the education provider As accepted by the education provider Min. overall band score of 6.0 IELTS or Overall band score of 5.0 IELTS plus max. 30 weeks ELICOS* Min. overall band score of 6.0 IELTS or Overall band score of 5.0 IELTS plus max. 30 weeks ELICOS* Masters/Doctorate As accepted by the education provider As accepted by the education provider Min. overall band score of 6.0 IELTS or Overall band score of 5.0 IELTS plus max. 30 weeks ELICOS* Min. overall band score of 6.0 IELTS or Overall band score of 5.0 IELTS plus max. 30 weeks ELICOS* Non-award foundation studies As accepted by the education provider As accepted by the education provider Min. overall band score of 5.5 IELTS or Overall band score of 4.5 IELTS plusmax. 30 weeks ELICOS* Min. overall band score of 5.5 IELTS or Overall band score of 4.5 IELTS plus max. 20 weeks ELICOS* AusAID or Defence sponsored Evidence of having support of the AusAID Minister or evidence of having support of the Minster for Defence.

   *IELTS test to have been conducted not more than 24 months before the day on which the      application was made

Academic

Undergraduate

Undergraduate courses require an Australian Senior School Certificate of Education (Year 12) or the overseas equivalent of Australian high school matriculation, such as three passes at GCE A Levels in appropriate subjects. Some courses may also have certain pre-requisite subjects.

Postgraduate

Entry to postgraduate courses requires satisfactory completion of a first degree at undergraduate level. Demonstrated research ability or relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration.

Vocational education and training

Usually there are no other entrance exams to VET institutions. However some courses may have certain pre-requisite subjects or demonstrated work experience.

Schools

Entry requirements can vary between schools throughout Australia. Academic performance and ability is taken into consideration during the selection process. Some schools are more selective in their student intake and place higher emphasis on academic or sporting excellence. School enrolments may be limited simply because the availability of spaces is at a premium.

What if you do not meet the entry requirements?

If your English language proficiency score is not high enough, there are many English language courses with starting dates throughout the year to prepare you for further study in Australia. All Australian universities have their own English language centre or have links with English language colleges.

If you do not meet the entry requirements for further study you can enrol in secondary school in Australia. If you do not meet undergraduate course entry requirements you may be able to enrol in Foundation Studies which prepare you for further study in Australia and reserve a provisional place in your proposed course. Bridging courses, such as a Master Qualifying program, are also offered. It is recommended that you seek advice from the institution about meeting their entry requirements before applying for admission into your selected courses.

Student visa requirements

To be granted a student visa you must satisfy the visa requirements and comply with a number of visa conditions for attendance and academic performance which come into effect after you have entered Australia. Your Student (Temporary) Visa will list the conditions that apply specifically to you. It is important to comply with your visa conditions to avoid visa cancellation.

Student visa information on this website is an outline only and subject to change. For more detailed, accurate and up-to-date information on student visas and visa requirements, please check the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMIA) website.

The Student (Temporary) Visa has separate sub-classes for each education sector. You should apply under the visa sub-class for your principal course of study.

Student visa sub-classes
Subclass 570	Independent ELICOS Sector
for international students undertaking ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) as a stand-alone course, and not as a prerequisite to commencing another course (for example, a degree course)
Subclass 571	Schools sector
for international students undertaking a course of study at a primary school or a secondary school, including both junior and senior secondary school
Subclass 572	Vocational education and training (VET) sector
covers Certificate I, II, III and IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma.
Subclass 573	Higher education sector
covers a Bachelor degree, Graduate certificate, and Graduate diploma
Subclass 574	Masters and doctorate sector
covers a Masters degree by coursework or by research, and a Doctoral degree
Subclass 575	Non-award foundation studies/other sector
covers foundation, bridging or other courses that do not lead to the award of a degree, diploma or other formal award
Subclass 576	AusAID or Defence sponsored sector
covers full-time study undertaken by AusAID or Defence-sponsored students for the whole or part of an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider

Country assessment levels

Each education sector in each country is ranked according to four Assessment Levels based on the levels of students not complying with their visa conditions. The visa requirements or Evidentiary Standards you must satisfy are increasingly stringent from Assessment Level 1 through to Assessment Level 4. A fifth Assessment Level is available for emergency use and has the most stringent requirements. Further information on country assessment levels can be found at the DIMIA website.

Basic Requirements of Student Visa (India specific in some cases)

Visa Class	Award Name	Typical Duration	Finances required for Australian student visa
# 572	Diploma/ Advance Diploma	2 - 2.5 years	Tuition + living costs for the full duration of course.
# 573	Bachelor, Graduate Diploma, Masters degree	3 - 4 years	Tuition + living costs for a maximum period of two years
# 573	Graduate Diploma	1 year	Tuition + living costs for the year
# 573	Master Degree	1- 2 years	Tuition + living costs for the full duration of the course
# 574	Masters Degree by research	1 - 2 years	Tuition + living cost for the first one year of the course or research.

Living expenditure is estimated as AUD12,000/annum.

Loans are accepted by the visa office for all visa subclasses.

Only some banks and financial institutions are recognised by the Australian visa office for the purpose of an education loan

Blood relations are accepted sponsors. Others may be accepted on discretion of the Visa office.
For dependents additional finances need to be shown.

The accepted and available liquid finances can be shown in the form of savings in a bank, Fixed deposits, Provident fund and Post Office deposits.

The exchange rate used to determine a students financial capacity is the rate applicable at the time of the student visa application, unless there is a variation of more than 10%.