Applying for a visa

You’ll need a student visa before entering Australia and prior to the commencement of your program. A student visa is something you must maintain while you’re studying in Australia.

If you have any questions or need help, you can email the International office international@nd.edu.au before you apply, or contact one of our official agents.

  • Obtaining a student visa

    A student visa is required before entering Australia and before the commencement of your program.

    • Once the University has received your signed Acceptance Form, payment of invoiced fees and any outstanding documents, the University will issue a receipt and electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE). You need to have the eCoE to apply for a student visa.
    • Apply online at Department of Home Affairs.
    • You may be requested to attend an interview, provide additional information, update passport details, provide biometric information or provide police certificates.
    • Most student visa applications take about four weeks to process, although they may take longer.

  • How to apply for your student visa

    Step 1: Get ready to apply

    • Apply for your visa at least 8 weeks before your course start date
    • Organise medical examinations
    • Ensure you have a valid passport

    Step 2: Organise the documents you need for your application

    • Department of Immigration Checklist Tool
    • Identity documents
    • Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE), letters of support and acceptance forms
    • Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay
    • Overseas Student Health Cover (receipt)
    • Genuine Temporary Entrant Documents (provide a statement of purpose in English addressing the GTE requirement. This statement is to be 300 words in total (a 2000 character limit applies)
    • Student visa English language requirements
    • In addition to the written statement in the application form, you will also need to attach supporting documents to ImmiAccount.

    Step 3: Apply for a student visa

    Step 4: After you apply

    • Arrange biometrics
    • Organise medical examinations
    • Organise travel after getting an approved visa

  • Maintaining your student visa

    It is important that you are aware of the following conditions while studying on a student visa in Australia:

    • The visa must be valid and not expired.
    • You must have a current Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your visa.
    • Program progress requirements must be maintained.
    • You must notify the university within seven days if your contact details change.

    For more detailed information about student visas and application procedures, please visit Department of Home Affairs website.

  • Your responsibilities as a student visa holder

    International students need a valid student visa. Make sure you’re aware of, and understand, your responsibilities under the conditions of your visa.

    Conditions include:

    • not studying more than 33% of your program online;
    • being enrolled in at least one on-campus course each semester;
    • holding a current student visa while studying in Australia;
    • knowing when your visa expires and to either apply for an extension if required to complete studies, or depart the country;
    • ensuring contact details are always up to date. Advise the university of your contact details within 7 days of arrival in Australia, and immediately if you change your address at any time during your studies.

    Breaching visa conditions may affect your studies at Notre Dame and possibly result in a visa cancellation. For an overview of Australian student visa regulations and application procedures, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

    Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act

    The ESOS Act 2000 protects the interests of international students by setting out standards of operation for education providers.

    Notre Dame is obliged to fulfil the conditions of your letter of offer. This includes ensuring your study program is undertaken in appropriate facilities with resources and support intended to assist you achieve your study goals. You’ll also be offered financial protection for pre-paid fees in the event the University is not able to deliver what it has committed to deliver.

  • Visa extensions

    To extend your visa, you will need to supply the following to the Department of Homes Affairs (DoHA):

    1. Your Overseas Student Health Cover is current with proof of your health cover card and/or receipt of payment
    2. A medical examination in the past twelve months (some countries only)
    3. International students are required to demonstrate and/or declare that they have genuine access to sufficient funds to cover their expenses for their stay in Australia
    4. Amended electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the (DoHA) database which shows an extension to your completion date (provided by Student Administration, International Officer).

    If you have any queries, please email international.students@nd.edu.au.

  • Visa enquiries

    It is always best to speak to an Immigration agent with the Department of Homes Affairs (DoHA) when inquiring about specific visa requirements.

    If you have specific questions, please contact DoHA.

    Phone number: 13 18 81

    For student visas or post-student visa options: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.

  • Visa for permission to work

    Student visa mandatory condition 8105 stipulates that a student cannot work more than 48 hours per fortnight when his/her program is in session (other than work which has been registered as a part of the program). A fortnight means any period of 14 days commencing on a Monday and ending at the end of the second following Sunday.

    Note: No work limits apply during recognised periods of vacation (i.e. between study periods)

    A student cannot undertake work until he/she has commenced his/her program in Australia.

    Only students enrolled in a Masters by research (MPhil) or Doctoral (PhD) research programs have no work limitations. These students are permitted to work unlimited hours once they have commenced their program in Australia.

    Visit the official Australian Government website for international students working while studying in Australia and the Australian Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman’s website for further details.

  • Tax File Number (TFN)

    All students who are currently working, after they have received their permission to work, need to apply for an Australian Tax File Number (TFN).

    A tax file number (TFN) is a unique number issued to individuals and organisations to help the Tax Office administer tax and other Australian Government systems.  It is one of the most important forms of identification in Australia. It is worth keeping secure, as this will assist in preventing identity theft.

    A TFN will help you:

    • lodge a tax return
    • ask the Tax Office about your tax affairs
    • start or change jobs
    • limit the amount of tax you pay on interest or dividends earned if you have savings accounts or investments that earn income.

    Your TFN is valuable. Don’t share it with friends and don’t provide it on the internet when applying for work. Keep it secure.

    Applying for a TFN online

    If you are a permanent migrant or temporary visitor to Australia you can apply for a TFN online after you arrive in Australia if you have a:

    1. visa that allows work rights
    2. visa that allows permanent migration
    3. valid overseas student visa, or
    4. valid visa to stay in Australia indefinitely.

    Complete the Online individual tax file number (TFN) registration. When applying online, you do not have to physically provide proof of your identity.

    Applying for a TFN using false or other people’s identity details, or misusing your TFN, can mean heavy fines or jail.

    If you need more information about TFNs, you can:

    • visit the Tax Office website or
    • phone 13 28 61 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

If you’re currently a student looking for support, we have additional information on our International students support page.