Renewing your student visa
Continuing your studies |Examination of your thesis
You must hold a valid student visa while studying in Australia. Remember to renew your visa before it expires if you have not completed your studies or are required to remain in Australia during the marking of your thesis. You can only renew your visa in Australia if you do no have a 'No Further Stay' condition on your current visa.
Continuing your studies
If your student visa is about to expire and you have not yet completed your studies, you can renew your visa in Australia. You can lodge an online application (preferred) or via post. As of 1 October 2008, DIAC will no longer be able to accept student visa applications lodged by appointment, see DIAC Queue no more - Information for students
When you have lodged a valid application, you will be granted a Bridging visa that will come in effect when your current visa expires and allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while your application is being processed.
Preparing your application
In preparation of your student visa application, you will need to:
- Obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment by completing a COE Request form and return it to International Student Services
- Read the information and download a documentation checklist for student visa
Lodging your application
An online application is the quickest and easiest way to renew your visa. The visa application fee can be paid by credit card or using an Australia bank account (via BPAY). You will need to lodge your application at least 7 days before the expiry date of your current visa.
Alternatively download 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
Applications outside Australia
If you apply for a new visa in your home country, you should wait until your application is decided on before returning to Melbourne. If you travel to Australia before your visa granted, you may need to lodge a new application in Australia which requires you to pay another application fee.
Examination of your thesis
Research students holding a Student (Postgraduate Research) visa (Subclass 574) may find that their visa expires shortly after they have submitted their thesis. In order to remain lawfully in Australia during the marking of your thesis, you must renew your student visa before it expires. To renew your visa:
- Obtain a Confirmation of Marking of Thesis by completing a CMT Request form and return it to International Student Services.
- Read information and download a documentation checklist for Student (Postgraduate Research) visa (Subclass 574)
- Download 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