VISA INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

You need a student visa if you wish to study in Australia for over 3 months. If your intended stay in Australia is 3 months or less you may apply for a short stay visa. For periods of study greater than 3 months a Student (Temporary) Visa is required by non-Australian residents and is granted only if you enrol in Hope College.Applications for student visa’s are made to the: Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIAC).

Step-by-Step application instructions for International Students applying to Hope College Step One – Submit your Application to Hope College.

Complete the online application form. Click her for a online and printable application forms

Forward the College a $200 registration fee (in Australian dollars). Forward us a copy of a Pastor’s reference & one other character reference. Forward us a short essay (approximately 100 words), giving your reasons for wanting to study.

An IELTS test score of 5.5, this score may also be required for your visa application (for further information go to: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/english-requirements.htm)

• Forward a copy of your current passport.

NOTE: We are unable to complete processing your application until we have all of the above documentation. We will then forward a letter of acceptance to you with your student number, course code number etc., which may then be submitted with your Visa Application form.

Step Two – Apply for a Student Visa

Important: Visa applications requirements differ from one country to another. If you are applying outside Australia, you must contact your nearest departmental office and check exactly how to submit your application and what documents to provide. Go to: http://www.immi.gov.au for further information and to apply on line.

Step Three – Arrange Vocational Placement

Once you have arrived in Australia complete a Vocational Placement agreement. Click here to download the form

NOTE: International Students are required to participate in the Vocational Placement programme, which consists of hours worked as “Ministry on the Job Training” in your church. This is considered an Academic requirement for your course and is compulsory. Please note that Vocational Placement needs to be arranged as soon as possible after your arrival in Australia, preferably in the first week of your term. Hope College can assist you in finding V.P within our Church if you are unable to find Placement at another Church.

Student Visa sub-classes. Australia’s Student visa programme has seven subclasses, mostly linked to the education sector. The following list will help you identify which visa subclass you can apply for.

• Subclass 570 Independent ELICOS sector for international students undertaking ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) as a stand-alone course, and not as a prerequisite to commencing another course (for example, a degree course)

• Subclass 571 Schools sector for international students undertaking a course of study at a primary school or a secondary school, including both junior and senior secondary school.

• Subclass 572 Vocational education and training (VET) sector covers Certificate I, II, III and IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma. (Hope College)

• Subclass 573 Higher education sector covers a Bachelor degree, Graduate Certificate, and Graduate Diploma. • Subclass 574 Masters and doctorate sector covers a Masters degree by coursework or by research, and a

Doctoral degree. • Subclass 575 Non-award foundation studies/other sector covers foundation, bridging or other courses that do

not lead to the award of a degree, diploma or other formal award. • Subclass 576 AusAID or Defence sponsored sector covers full-time study undertaken by AusAID or Defence-

sponsored students for the whole or part of an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider.

Assessment levelsThe criteria by which you are assessed when applying for a particular visa class are dependent on the country of issue of your passport. The assessment levels relate generally to how likely students are to comply with their visa conditions, based on previous students’ behaviour. Assessment level 1 represents the lowest assessment level and assessment level 5 the highest. The higher the assessment level, the more evidence you will need to provide to demonstrate your financial capacity, understanding of the English language and other relevant matters. To determine which assessment level you are depending on which country you are from and which course you are intending to apply for, please refer to DIAC form 1219.

Basic requirements

Whatever your course of study or country of citizenship, you will need to meet the following basic requirements:

• obtain overseas student health cover insurance (OSHC) • no debts to the Commonwealth • good character, and • if you are under 18 years of age – additional requirements • evidence of sound health

• have sufficient funds • evidence of English language ability (Hope College 5.5 IELTS test results)

For further information with respect to the health requirements please refer to DIAC form 1163i

Applying for a visa

Detailed instructions for applying for a student visa can be found in DIAC form 1160i. To apply for a student visa you should complete a visa application form 157A and submit to DIAC with all required documentation, the application fee, and a copy of your letter of offer or Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) which is provided by Hope College. Note that when enrolling on a course with Hope College you should advise as to what qualifications you currently have as credit may be given for prior learning. This may affect the duration of any courses you enroll in and the visa issued by the immigration department.

The Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment

The eCoE is the only accepted evidence of enrolment for processing student visa applications. Depending on your country of nationality and your principal course of study you may have to undergo a Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) before you are issued with an eCoE. A copy of your eCoE must be submitted to your local DIAC office before a student visa can be issued.

Pre-Visa Assessment

A Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) determines a student’s eligibility for a student visa and is necessary if your country is at Assessment Level 3 or 4. This involves obtaining a letter of offer from Hope College and submitting your visa application with all supporting documentation to your local DIAC office for assessment. If the assessment is favourable, you will be issued with a PVA approval letter to give to Hope College authorising us to issue you with an eCoE. You will be also advised to pay the tuition fees and OSHC premium, and undergo medical tests. The student visa will be granted when the Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) and all other requirements are satisfied.

Visa conditions

Students must comply with their visa conditions in order to retain their visa. You may be reported to DIAC and your visa may be cancelled for:

• not meeting course requirements • failure to provide Hope College with your address/change of address details within seven days of arrival or

address change • studying less than a full-time load (except in the finishing stage of course or when repeating failed units) • working without permission, or above the maximim number of hours permitted on a student visa • taking leave of absence without approval • not maintaining your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Visa extensions If you need to extend your visa in order to complete your course or to study other courses in Australia, you must submit your application to DIAC before your visa expires.

Working while studying Working while you are studying in Australia is allowed and many students do a limited amount of paid work. As an international student, you can work a maximum of 20 hours per week while the course is in

session, and full-time in vacations. You will need to apply to DIAC for a visa with ‘permission to work’, (condition 8105) after you commence study.

Dependents You may include in your student visa application your immediate dependants – usually spouse and children.

Work Rights For Your Spouse If you have a spouse (eg husband or wife) who is joining you in Australia and wishes to work, the spouse will also have to obtain a Visa with ‘permission to work’. The work conditions for spouses vary depending on the course that the student is undertaking.

Schooling for children You are welcome to bring your children with you to Australia. If they will be attending school, you will be required to pay school fees for them. Students receiving an Australian Government Scholarship (IPRS or AusAID) may be eligible for an exemption from their children’s school fees.

Health Insurance As an international student it will be compulsory for you to obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) while you are in Australia. This rule also applies to any members of your immediate family who join you here. The health insurance fee must be paid before your visa can be issued, and you will be required to renew the health cover annually. You should contact an Australian health insurance provider for a quote e.g. Mondial, HBF. Hope College can assist you with your MBF application

CAN I USE MY CREDIT CARD FOR PAYING FEES?

We have credit card and eftpos facilities. You can phone your credit card numbers through to our office. You may also wish to save the hassle and use direct debit. We ask all Austudy approved students to use direct debit. Fees can also be paid via cheque or cash.

This qualification provides the knowledge and skills necessary to gain employment in Aged Care residential and day care facilities. Aged Care workers carry out activities related to the maintenance of an individual’s personal care and/or other activities of living. There are many jobs available in this industry.

Free training

Benefits of Studying on Campus

• Accelerated course enables most students to be employed within 14 weeks
• Free training is only available for Study On Campus (some conditions apply – phone Hope College on 07 5501 8000 to see if you meet the criteria)
• Senior First Aid Certificate included in the course
• Practical training that is work based, empowering and supportive. We specifically cater to the needs of those who are of mature years and have not studied since leaving school
• Specialist guest speakers from local industry
• DVD’s on a range of specialist topics

Check out the dates.