Apply for a Student Visa

• Renew a student visa

All international students require a student visa to study at the University of Wollongong (UOW). This must be obtained before travelling to Australia.

Visa application process

The student visa application process can be complicated and can take up to three months, depending on your location. While it is possible to do it yourself, it may be better to do it with the assistance of a UOW international representative. For your closest representative, please contact UniAdvice.

You will need:

• A valid passport
• Your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE)
• Any other documentation required by the Australian Diplomatic Post

You must allow enough time for visa processing as it can be a time-consuming process. Your nearest Australian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission will be able to advise you about visa processing times, how to apply and whether you need to undergo health checks or provide chest x-rays.

If you are granted a student visa, you must abide by certain conditions including (but not limited to):

• Full-time study
• Satisfactory academic progress
• Maintaining approved Overseas Student Health Cover
• Remaining with UOW for at least six months, or the duration of the course if shorter than six months
• Notifying UOW of your address in Australia and any subsequent change of address within seven days.

Working

Working part-time is an avenue for earning extra spending money. However you must have sufficient funds to cover all expenses before you leave your home country. You cannot rely on working in Australia to cover your course fees or living costs. The work conditions on a student visa are:

• Students and their dependants cannot work until the student has started studying in Australia
• Students cannot work more than 20 hours a week while their course is in session (excluding work done as a registered component of the course)
• Dependants cannot work more than 20 hours a week, except dependants of students who have started a Masters or Doctorate course – they can work unlimited hours

If you work in Australia, you will need an Australian tax file number issued by the Australian Taxation Office.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs has comprehensive information about student visa requirements and application procedures.

Apply online.