
International students who wish to study in Australia must first be accepted into an Australian educational institution and obtain a valid student visa. Students are advised to apply for their visa early due to processing times and can enter Australia up to 90 days before their course begins. However, students must ensure they have adequate health insurance, such as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which is active before entering the country. Additionally, students under 18 years of age must have welfare arrangements in place, and all students should organize their accommodation prior to arrival. International students in Australia on a valid student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during school terms and full-time during recognized school vacations, providing a valuable opportunity to supplement their finances and gain cultural experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time of arrival in Australia | No earlier than 90 days before the course begins |
| Visa requirements | Must have a valid student visa and visa documentation (including Confirmation of Enrolment, or eCoE) |
| Health insurance | Must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) |
| Work rights | Can work up to 20 hours per week during studies and full-time during vacations |
| Work permit | Required to work; costs AUD 50 |
| Tax | Must apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) |
| Accommodation | Must arrange accommodation for the first night(s) before travelling |
| Transportation | Must know how to get to accommodation from the airport |
| Money | AUD 1,000 in cash and travellers' cheques is usually sufficient for the initial days |
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What You'll Learn
- International students can enter Australia up to 90 days before their course starts
- Students must have a valid visa and visa documentation before entering Australia
- Students must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before entering Australia
- Students can work up to 20 hours per week during studies and full-time during vacations
- Students should carry AUD 1,000 in cash and travellers' cheques for their initial days in Australia

International students can enter Australia up to 90 days before their course starts
International students on a valid student visa can enter Australia up to 90 days before the commencement of their course. This allows students to settle into their new surroundings and campus before their studies begin. Students are advised to book their flights only after obtaining their visa.
To enter Australia, international students must have a valid visa and all necessary visa documentation, including Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE). Students are also required to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). The OSHC start date must be the same as the date of arrival in Australia, not the date the course starts. Students may be refused entry if they cannot prove they have health insurance in place.
International students in Australia on a valid student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during school sessions and unlimited hours during recognised school vacations. However, students cannot begin working until after their courses have started. Any work that is a component of their studies or training does not count towards the 20-hour limit. Volunteer and unpaid work, however, does count towards the weekly limit. Family members accompanying the student under their visa have the same work rights.
To work in Australia, international students must apply for a work permit from the Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for a fee of AUD 50. They must also apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) and submit the TFN application form to the Australian Taxation Office.
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Students must have a valid visa and visa documentation before entering Australia
International students must have a valid visa and visa documentation before entering Australia. Students are advised to apply for their visa as early as possible before their intended travel date, as processing times can vary. To apply for a student visa, students must first be accepted into an Australian educational institute and have received a Letter of Offer from their chosen education provider.
The student visa application requires several supporting documents, including evidence of identity, such as a birth certificate, passport copy, or driver's license. Students must also provide proof of their English language proficiency, with the Australian Immigration Department accepting five English language tests, including IELTS and TOEFL. Additionally, students need to demonstrate that they are in good health and have adequate health insurance coverage, such as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Financial capacity is another crucial aspect of the student visa application. Students must prove that they have sufficient funds to cover their education and living expenses during their stay in Australia. This can be demonstrated through various means, such as bank statements or a letter from the bank validating their financial capacity. Students should also be prepared to provide details of their current circumstances, study history, and reasons for choosing to study in Australia.
It is important to note that students under 18 years of age must ensure they have adequate welfare arrangements in place before their arrival in Australia. Additionally, students should book their flights only after obtaining their student visa and ensure they have their visa documentation, including Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), with them when travelling to Australia.
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Students must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before entering Australia
International students must obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before entering Australia. OSHC is a mandatory requirement for almost all student visa applicants and is essential for fulfilling visa requirements. It ensures that international students have access to healthcare services during their studies, providing the same base level of medical cover as Australian residents. Students can then choose to increase their coverage with different insurance companies offering various packages at different price points.
The Department of Home Affairs in Australia requires students to maintain OSHC for the duration of their stay. The length of cover must correspond to the entire period of the student visa, including any additional time spent in Australia after completing their studies. Students should be mindful of potential wait times for 'pre-existing conditions'. Certain health conditions that existed prior to applying for OSHC may have a waiting period before students can claim insurance for those specific conditions. Similarly, there is typically a 12-month wait for pregnancy care coverage.
It is important to note that students from Sweden, Norway, and Belgium may have special arrangements under their own national healthcare schemes. Additionally, students already holding OSHC from another insurer or from specific countries with Reciprocal Health Care Agreements may not need OSHC. As of December 20, 2019, six health insurers in Australia were signatories to the OSHC Deed. Students must ensure that their OSHC is supplied by an Australian insurer with an agreement with the Australian government.
International students are advised to apply for their student visas early, as obtaining a visa is crucial for entering Australia. Students must also have a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) and ensure that their visa documentation is in order before departing for Australia. Additionally, students should book their flights only after obtaining their student visa and allow sufficient time to settle into their new surroundings before their courses commence.
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Students can work up to 20 hours per week during studies and full-time during vacations
International students in Australia on a valid student visa can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. This rule applies to both part-time and casual employment. Students can work unlimited hours during recognised school vacations, including semester breaks, mid-semester breaks, and holidays. However, it is important to note that students are not allowed to begin working until after their courses have officially started. Additionally, students must ensure they comply with other student visa rules, such as maintaining satisfactory attendance and course progress, possessing adequate welfare arrangements if under 18, and maintaining Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
International students in Australia have similar workplace rights and protections as other workers in the country. They can reach out to the Fair Work Ombudsman for assistance with workplace issues, such as receiving incorrect pay or not obtaining entitled benefits like leave. This service is provided in multiple languages, and students can utilise it without fear of their visa being cancelled.
Students should also be aware of the visa application process and associated fees. A student visa application fee in Australia is currently A$535. International students must first gain acceptance into an Australian educational institute before applying for the visa. They are advised to apply for the visa early due to the time required for processing. Students can arrive in Australia up to 90 days before their course starts, but they cannot commence working until the course begins.
It is worth noting that certain types of work do not count towards the 20-hour weekly limit. For instance, any work that is a mandatory component of a student's studies or training does not contribute to this restriction. On the other hand, volunteer and unpaid work does count towards the 20-hour limit. Students should carefully track their working hours to ensure they stay within the allowed limits, as exceeding these restrictions may result in visa cancellation.
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Students should carry AUD 1,000 in cash and travellers' cheques for their initial days in Australia
International students intending to study in Australia must obtain a student visa. They are advised to apply for their visa early and ensure they have all the necessary documentation before departing for Australia. Students are also required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and are recommended to purchase travel insurance. Additionally, students should carry some Australian currency with them when they arrive, and AUD 1,000 in cash and travellers' cheques is typically sufficient for the initial days in the country.
While there are no restrictions on the amount of cash that can be brought into Australia, students should be mindful of carrying large sums of money while travelling. If one carries more than AUD 10,000 (or the equivalent in a foreign currency), it must be declared at customs to avoid potential penalties. This declaration includes both cash and non-cash forms of money, such as cheques and travellers' cheques.
Upon arrival in Australia, international students can seek assistance from their institution, which may provide services such as airport pickup, temporary accommodation, and orientation sessions. It is recommended to have prior knowledge of transportation options from the airport to the accommodation and to arrange accommodation for the first few nights before travelling. Additionally, students under 18 must ensure they have adequate welfare arrangements in place prior to their arrival.
International students in Australia are permitted to work alongside their studies, which can provide extra income and valuable cultural experiences. However, work permits are required, and students must comply with work hour restrictions, which vary depending on the type of visa and the time of year. Students should also be aware of their tax obligations when working in Australia.
In summary, international students travelling to Australia should carry AUD 1,000 in a combination of cash and travellers' cheques to cover their initial expenses. This amount ensures they have sufficient funds during their first few days in the country while they settle into their accommodation and become familiar with their new surroundings. Students are advised to have valid visas, necessary documentation, and adequate financial resources to ensure a smooth transition to their student life in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
International students can enter Australia up to 90 days before their course begins, provided they have a valid student visa.
To obtain a student visa, international students must first be accepted into an Australian educational institution. They must also have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and maintain satisfactory attendance and progress in their course.
International students in Australia on a valid student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during their studies and full-time during recognized school vacations. They must apply for a work permit after arriving in Australia and pay a fee of AUD 50.
International students should ensure they have a valid visa and all necessary visa documentation, including Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE). They should also arrange accommodation for their first nights in Australia and research how to get to their accommodation from the airport or train/bus station.
International students should not carry large amounts of cash when entering Australia. AUD 1,000 in cash and travellers' cheques is usually sufficient for the initial days. They should also be aware of electrical plug and socket requirements and carry valid bills for any electrical appliances they bring.











































