Extending your stay
If you have completed your studies and you wish to extend your stay in Australia you will need to apply for another visa. Usually you can only apply for another visa if you do not have a 'No Further Stay' condition on your current student visa.
International Student Services holds weekly information sessions about visa options, including visitor and student visas, occupational trainee and employer sponsored visas, and General Skilled Migration visas. Only 15 places are available per session, and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Upcoming sessions (2009)
Dates: |
November December |
Time: |
1pm - 2 pm |
Venue: |
International Centre Conference Room |
Tourist visa
If you do not intend to continue studying in a CRICOS-registered course, you can apply for a Tourist visa (Subclass 676) to extend your stay in Australia. This visa allows you to finalise any outstanding assessments, attend your graduation ceremony, investigate visa options under the General Skilled Migration Program (GSM) or stay on for a holiday.
Applications for a tourist visa must be lodged in person at the nearest DIAC office. A visa application charge is applicable and you may be required to undertake medical examinations. This visa does not allow work.
Occupational Trainee visa
If you have completed their degree course and wish to gain work experience or undertake practical training, you may be eligible to apply for an Occupational Trainee visa (Subclass 422). The placement or training must be closely related to the course you have completed or a requirement for registration in a profession. First you must find an organization in Australia that is willing to provide you with a training program and lodge a nomination to DIAC. When the nomination is lodged or approved, you can apply for the Occupational Trainee visa. The visa cannot be granted unless the nomination is approved. You should not commence the training program until after the visa is granted.
General Skilled Migration
If you have recently completed one or more degree courses that require at least two-years of study in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for a General Skilled Migration visa. There are various temporary and permanent visa options available for independent or sponsored applicants in Australia.
DIAC also organises the Australia Needs Skills Expo which provided students with comprehensive information on visas and employment.