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Steps

1. Once you have read through the information on the Study Australia website, you must consider:
   • What kind of course you would like to study
   • What level qualification you would like to study

   • In which Australian city or town you would like to live and study

2. Then contact us and send us information about your educational needs and goals.

3. We will then give you free counselling via email and will advise you of your choices and opportunities in Australia.

4. When you have decided on a particular university, college or school, Study Australia will help you make an application. We will advise you of the academic and English language requirements as well as other documentation you need to provide with your application. Generally, you will need to provide details of your previous study, including copies of qualifications you already have. You will also need to have proof of your level of English (eg IELTS or TOEFL ) as well as the name of the person responsible for paying your tuition fees.

5. When you are accepted into a course, Study Australia will advise you and send you a Letter of Offer from your school, college or university.

6. You must read the Letter of Offer and understand any conditions such as upgrading your English language skills. You will be asked to pay the first semester tuition fees as well as the compulsory medical insurance fee (the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)) to pay for any medical or hospital treatment which you may need during your stay in Australia. All fees are payable directly to the school, college or university.

7. When the college or university receives your fees, they will send you a Letter of Confirmation of Enrolment. You need the Letter of Offer, Confirmation of Enrolment and receipt for your first semester’s (or first year's) tuition fees to apply for your student visa for Australia.

8. Study Australia will give you advice about how you make a visa application. You will be asked to have a medical examination in order to get your student visa, and your doctor will fill out information on special forms.

9. After all this, you will be told if your visa application is successful. The length of your student visa will be the same length as your course in Australia.

Study Australia can assist you arrange homestay accommodation and airport pickup and we will tell you when you should arrive in Australia to start your studies.

Student Visa

Study Australia will give you advice about how to apply for your visa. To be given your visa, you will need to show the following:

• Letter of Confirmation of Enrolment from the school, college or university
• Letter of Offer
• Receipt showing you have paid your tuition fees
• Valid passport
• Medical report showing your good health
• Proof of having paid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for Australia

You should be aware of the conditions of your visa:

• You must leave Australia when your visa has expired
• Your visa is not valid for permanent residency of Australia
• You must satisfy course requirements and continue your enrolment
• While studying you can work up to 20 hours a week and full-time during vacation time
• Health insurance must be paid for the full stay in Australia

For more information about visas, please contact the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) at www.dimia.gov.au.

Insurance

International students in Australia with a student visa must have arrangements for health insurance. Australia has a special system of health care cover for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and you must have this for the duration of your student visa in Australia. If you come to Australia on a working holiday visa or tourist visa and study a short course (up to 3 months) you cannot take out OSHC. We recommend travel or private medical insurance for those students on other visas.

How much does it cost?

The cost of OSHC will depend on how long you will be in Australia. The fees for OSHC in Australia dollars for 2003 are:

Current at March 2003.

What is covered by OSHC?

• A rebate of approximately 85% of consultation fees with a general practitioner
• A rebate of approximately 85% of consultation fees with a specialist
• Full coverage for shared ward costs in any public hospital, including treatment by your own doctor
• Benefits towards treatment and accommodation in a private hospital
• Full cover for emergency ambulance transport for emergency medical treatment

What is not covered by OSHC?

• Pre-existing conditions (such as pregnancy or prior illness)

Other insurance

Students in Australia are responsible for their own accident and property insurance. We recommend you take out travel insurance before leaving your country.