Student visa information
Preparing your applications
Most international students require a student visa to study in Australia. You can apply for a student visa with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) as soon as you have received an offer of place or a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) from the University of Melbourne.
Applications are processed according to Assessment Levels. Your Assessment Level is based on the course of study you have applied for and your country of passport. The higher the Assessment Level, the more evidence you will need to provide to meet the English language, financial, health and other requirements.
Before lodging an application, you should read the information about the visa that matches the (main) course of study for which you have received an offer of place:
Student (Higher Education) visa (subclass 573)
For courses leading to a Bachelor degree, Graduate certificate or diploma, or Masters by courseworkStudent (Postgraduate Research) visa (subclass 574)
For courses leading to a Masters by research or a Doctoral degreeStudent (Non-Award) visa (subclass 575)
For Study Abroad and Exchange programs
Applying from outside Australia
If you have lodged an application outside Australia, you should wait until your application is decided on before travelling to Australia. If you travel to Australia before your visa granted, you may need to lodge a new application (if eligible) in Australia and pay another application fee.
Online applications
Only students from Assessment Level 1 countries are eligible to apply for a new student visa online. The visa application fee can be paid by credit card.
Students from the People’s Republic of China, India, Indonesia and Thailand are also able to apply online when using an approved education or migration agent through the electronic lodgement trial. No Pre-visa Assessment (PVA) is required for online applications.
Applications by post or in person
Visa application requirements may vary per country. Please contact the nearest Immigration office to check how to lodge you application before completing DIAC Form 157A Application for a student visa and lodging your application.
Pre-visa Assessment (PVA)
Students from Assessment Level 3 and 4 countries will undergo a PVA. When the PVA process is successfully completed, DIAC will ask you to undertake medical examination results and provide a COE from the University. The University requires that students provide evidence of a successful PVA before they can accept their offer of place and receive a COE.
Applying inside Australia
Students from Assessment Level 1 countries are able to apply for their first student visa in Australia. Students from other Assessment Levels are only able to do so in exceptional circumstances.
Students from all Assessment Levels who are holding a valid student visa that is not subject to a No Further Stay condition can renew their student visa in Australia.
DIAC has made available documentation checklist to assist you with lodging your application.
Online applications
An online application is the quickest and easiest way to apply for student visa. The visa application fee can be paid by credit card or using an Australia bank account (via BPAY©).
Paper applications
Download and complete DIAC Form 157A Application for a student visa and send your application together with all required documents to:
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Melbourne Student Centre
GPO Box 241
Melbourne VIC 3001