Overview of Australia

As an international student studying abroad in Australia, you will not only enjoy the vibrant city life, but venture from the urban neighbourhoods and you will be met with a wonderfully eclectic mix of environments ' from sun-drenched horizons, to the rugged wilderness of the Outback; the majestic underwater world that is the Great Barrier Reef, to the surfers' paradise beaches of the Gold Coast. You will most likely be based in one of Australia's bustling cosmopolitan cities - often with a beach only a stone's throw of your apartment. The government's relaxed viewpoint on immigration ' with almost a quarter of the population having been born overseas ' brings a unique, fascinating, and exciting aura and influence to these cities.

Australia Visa information

A student visa will only be granted if you satisfy the visa requirements and visa conditions for attendance and academic performance which come into effect after you have entered Australia.It is important to comply with your visa conditions to avoid visa cancellation.

• English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS):Applies to stand-alone English language courses that lead to a certificate I, II, III or IV, or that result in no formal Australian award.
• Primary or secondary school course:Applies to primary, junior secondary or senior secondary school courses, and approved secondary school exchange programs.
• Vocational education and training:Applies to Certificates I, II, III or IV (except ELICOS), diploma, advanced diploma, vocational graduate certificate or vocational graduate diploma courses.
• Higher education:Applies to a Bachelor degree, associate degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or Masters by coursework.
• Postgraduate research:Applies to Masters by research or a doctoral degree.
• Non-award:Applies to non-award foundation studies, or other full-time courses or components of courses not leading to an Australian award.
• AusAID and Defence:Applies to students sponsored by AusAID or the Australian Department of Defence undertaking full-time courses of any type.
• Student Guardians:Parents or relatives can apply for a visa to stay in Australia as the guardian of a student who is studying in Australia.

What are the benefits of streamlined visa processing?

Under the streamlined processing arrangements, universities can be confident that the majority of their students will have their visa applications processed quickly. In addition, student visa applicants applying under the streamlining arrangements will generally have reduced evidentiary requirements. Streamlined processing will help universities to support increased numbers of high-quality, genuine international students and will help to make Australia a destination of choice for international students.

Streamlined processing will help universities to support increased numbers of high-quality, genuine international students and will help to make Australia a destination of choice for international students.

What are assessment levels?

Currently, assessment levels serve to align student visa requirements to the immigration risk posed by applicants from a particular country studying in a particular education sector. Assessment Level 1 represents the lowest immigration risk and Assessment Level 5 the highest. The higher the assessment level, the greater the evidence an applicant is required to demonstrate to support their claims for the grant of a student visa. Australia is one of the most alluring countries in the world, and as such is a focal destination for travellers and students. Natural beauty, magnificent architecture and a hugely diverse array of nature and wildlife. What other country has 40 millions kangaroos, over 100 million sheep and more than 10,000 beaches?