Visas
It is your responsibility to make sure you obtain and keep a valid student visa to enter Australia for study and work purposes.
The process for obtaining a student visa is different in each country. Please contact your Australian diplomatic post, Australian Education Centre or RMIT International for more information.
Permanent Residence in Australia
Students wishing to apply for permanent residence in Australia should consult the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) web site www.immi.gov.au for up-to-date information on requirements and procedures.
Many international students apply for residency under the General Skills Migration Program . From September 1st 2007 the Australian government will introduce changes to this program.
The changes give additional points to:
- High English language level
- Work experience in Australia in the graduate's field of study
- Additional professional qualifications
Applicants must also have the required IELTS score before making an application for General Skilled migration.
An IELTS score is also required for applicants for the new temporary Graduate – Skilled visa which will become available from September 1st.
Students seeking detailed information on the changes to the General Skilled Migration Program should follow the links from the DIAC web page What's new? box to Changes to the General Skilled Migration program .
International students who are not confident of:
- Obtaining the score they require in the IELTS test
- Obtaining work and successfully interacting with native speakers in an Australian work place
can access these part time English language programs at RMIT English Worldwide.
Click on the web addresses below for information.
Permission to Work on a Student Visa
You are not automatically granted the right to work on a student visa. If you are planning to get a part-time job while you are in Australia, you must first wait until you have started your course. You can apply online or in person to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship(DIAC) for permission to work (condition 8105) to be put on your student visa.
If permission to work is granted you may work for up to 20 hours per week and for unlimited hours during holiday periods.
For more information visit the DIAC website.
