• Step 1

Before you apply

Outside Australia – Apply for your Australia Student Visa at least 6 weeks before your course starts.   

In Australia – Allow plenty of time to apply for your next visa, avoid waiting until the last day your current substantive visa expires in case of unexpected complications, as we may not always be able to help you.

• Step 2   

Gather your documents to see what you will need to provide evidence of, use the Document Checklist Tool. Before you use this tool please read the disclaimer. Enter your country of passport and education provider to get an accurate document checklist. Choose the option ‘I have not decided on a provider yet’ in the tool if you have not yet chosen a provider.

e tool will tell you what you will need to provide evidence of. If the tool says you need to provide evidence of a certain thing, select ‘Show steps’ to see what kind of evidence we might accept.

Re-check the document checklist based on the country of passport and education provider just before you submit your application to be sure you have the most current list. The Document Checklist Tool is updated twice a year on 31 March and 30 September. 

• Step 3

Apply for the visa

You must apply for this visa online. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply. 

• Step 4

After you apply

See what you can and must do after you apply.

• Step 5

Visa outcome

We will let you know in writing their decision about your visa application. We will tell you:

1. 1. 1. your visa grant number
      2. the date your visa expires
      3. your visa conditions

Keep a copy of the decision with you when in Australia.

If they refuse your visa we will let you know in writing. We will tell you why they refused and whether you have a right to a review of the decision. They will not refund the application charge if they refuse your application.