The Under 18 Supervision Program
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requires that all international students who will be under 18 years of age when entering Australia on a student visa, have appropriate accommodation, support and welfare arrangements in place. There are various options available to international students under 18 to meet this DIAC requirement.
One way is by enrolling in the Under 18 Supervision Program coordinated by International Student Services (ISS). This program available to international students who:
- will be under 18 years of age at the time when they enter Australia and commence their course at the University; and
- would need approval of their accommodation and welfare arrangements in order to meet the Department of Immigration and Citizenship student visa requirements.
Students who are accepted in the program will receive a Confirmation of Approved Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) form after they have accepted their offer of place. ISS will monitor the students' welfare through regular meetings until they turn 18 years of age, and is able provide comprehensive support and can refer students for additional assistance as required from academic staff or other services.
Applications
The application process for the Under 18 Supervision program is as follows:
- Students and their parents or legal custodian must complete an Application for the Under 18 Supervision Program and return this form together with all required documents and payment of the program fee to International Student Services.
- ISS staff will assess the intended accommodation and welfare arrangements for students enrolling in the Under 18 Supervision Program.
See: Housing options - When ISS has approved the intended accommodation, students will receive their CAAW
Obligations
Arrival dates
Students who are accepted in the Under 18 Supervision Program must not arrive in Australia prior to the date that care arrangements commence. Usually the following dates apply:
- Students commencing in Semester 2, 2009 need to arrive on or after Wednesday 1 July 2009 and before Monday 20 July 2009
- Students commencing in Semester ,1 2010 need to arrive on (or after) Monday 1 February 2010, and before Thursday 19 February 2009.
ISS will consider earlier commencement of the Under 18 Supervision Program in special circumstances. Please email the Under 18 Program Coordinator for further information.
Changing your welfare arrangements
Student must obtain written approval from the Under 18 Program Coordinator before changing approved arrangements. If students do not maintain adequate accommodation and welfare arrangements during their stay in Australia their student visa may be cancelled.
Contact
The contact person for the Under 18 Supervision Program is:
Under 18 Program Coordinator
International Student Services
International Centre
The University of Melbourne VIC 3010T: (+61 3) 8344 0666- Business hours
T: (+61 3) 8344 6666 - After hours
F: (+61 3) 9349 3204
E: iss-under18@unimelb.edu.au