Learn how to obtain a Subclass 500 visa in order to study at UTS.
Getting a student visa
You will need to obtain a student visa to study in Australia unless you hold another type of visa that permits you to study. It can take several weeks for your visa application to be processed, so it is important to begin the application process as soon as you receive your offer from UTS.
If you are applying to UTS through a UTS representative, they will help you prepare your student visa application.
If you are applying directly to UTS, refer to the Department of Home Affairs guide on how to apply for a student visa (opens an external site). If you have questions about the application, contact your nearest Australian immigration office (opens an external site).
Below you will find important information which will help you understand student visas in Australia. Remember, it's your responsibility as the visa applicant or holder to be aware of the conditions and requirements of your student visa (opens an external site).
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
After you have accepted your offer at UTS, we will send you a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). You will need your CoE to apply for your student visa. Contact the International Student Centre if you need another copy of your CoE.
If you have not yet accepted your offer, visit our page on accepting your offer for instructions. The information on the current page is only relevant for students who have accepted their offer.
Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF)
The Department of Home Affairs has a simplified student visa framework (SSVF) (opens external website) in place that applies to all international students.
UTS is an approved SSVF provider and recruits students into its degree courses under the SSVF arrangements of the Department of Home Affairs. SSVF enables students to obtain their student visa quickly and usually with less documentation required.
International students apply for a single student visa (subclass 500) regardless of their chosen course of study. When you are granted a visa under SSVF you must continue to maintain enrolment in an eligible course, and continue to have sufficient financial capacity to support your study and stay in Australia.
All student visa (subclass 500) holders must maintain enrolment at the same level or a higher Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level for which they were granted a visa, unless they are undertaking a doctoral degree (AQF10) and transfer to a master’s degree (AQF9). Transferring to a lower AQF level course or transferring from an AQF level course to a non-AQF Award course is a breach of the student visa condition and might result in the visa being cancelled. If you want to change to a lower AQF level course or a non-AQF course, you will need a new student visa.
To learn more about student visas in Australia, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Biometrics data
Student visa applicants who apply in countries included in the offshore biometric program (opens external site) will be required to provide biometric identifiers (fingerprints and facial images). Biometrics are collected at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) or an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC) (opens external site). You will be notified by the Department of Home Affairs if you need to provide biometrics.
Students under 18
Students under the age of 18 must:
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Live with their parent or legal guardian or with a suitable relative whom the parent or legal guardian nominates (subject to approval by the Department of Home Affairs); or
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Live in accommodation and welfare arrangements approved by the university. You can find more information on the Welfare arrangements for students under 18 page.
In order for the Department of Home Affairs to process your visa application, you must show evidence that you have one of the above living arrangements in place.
If you are under 18 when you apply for a visa but turn 18 before you arrive in Australia you must contact the Department of Home Affairs to seek advice on the appropriate forms required.
Extending your stay in Australia
If your student visa is going to expire before you complete your studies, you will need to apply for a new student visa.
It is very important that you apply for a new visa as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to be aware of your visa expiry date and to apply for a new one in time.
If you are applying for a new student visa because you are extending your current course, you must first apply for a new CoE. To do this, you need to complete the online CoE request form at least two months before your current visa expires. This process is not automatic—you must satisfy certain conditions to be able to extend your course.
For further information on applying for a new student visa please read the information about subclass 500 student visa (opens an external site). Click on the 'Step by step' tab where you will find information about how to submit a new student visa application.
Bringing your family
Students with families who wish to bring their dependants with them to Australia will need to arrange entry through the Department of Home Affairs. Find out if you’re eligible to bring dependants to Australia by reading the Bringing Family webpage (opens an external site) of the Department of Home Affairs website.
If parents, siblings and friends wish to visit you in Australia, they can apply for a short stay (visitor) visa. Information about visitor visas (opens an external site) can also be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.
If you are bringing school-aged dependants to Australia, you will normally be required to pay full fees if they are enrolled in either a government or non-government school. Find out about enrolling your children in school by reading the NSW Department of Education website about study in Australia for temporary residents (opens an external site).
