Visa:
All students need to apply for a student VISA, issued by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection. The application process is done online and you will be assessed on a range of criteria, including health, character, English language proficiency and financial capabilities
Currently, the cost for a student visa is A$710. Students must demonstrate that they have an IELTS score of at least 5.5. However, they’re exempted from this if they come from a country that has English as a first language.
Students must also show that they have adequate financial capabilities to cover his/her travel to Australia, tuition fees and living expenses for 12 months. Currently, this figure stands at AUD $19,830 (conversion at the time of writing) for 12 months. Another option is to show that your parents have a combined income of at least AUD$60,000 a year. This can be done through tax assessments.
The VISA will allow you to stay in Australia for the entire duration of your course.
Students in Australia are allowed to work a maximum of 48 hours every two weeks while studying. During semester breaks, students are able to work unlimited hours. Penalty rates in Australia mean that a 19-year-old will earn about $19/hour.
To read more about working part-time while studying in Australia here.
Flying Chalks' Tip:
The VISA application process is quite easy, and processing times are relatively quick, especially considering the amount of applications the department gets, as long you provide all necessary documentation. You do not need an agent but you can opt for one if you wish for the convenience.