Australian Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) for details on student visas and DIAC posts around the world. Information is also available from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs including a list of Australian Consulates and Embassies around the world.

Student visas are issued for the duration of the course and only for full-time study; students cannot choose to study part-time. However, if you have a temporary resident visa, you can study part-time and you will still have to pay international student tuition fees.

Employment

Under the terms of the student visa, international students must apply for a work rights visa (application charge of AU$60) after commencing studies. This allows students to work up to 20 hours a week during academic semesters and full-time during vacation periods.

Please note that part-time and vacation work are not always readily available, and that the Australian Department of Immigration & Citizenship may decline applications for work rights visas if they suspect the student is depending on this income for support.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

It is an Australian Government visa regulation that all international students pay and be registered for OSHC for the duration of their student visa. Payments can be made on a yearly basis or for the full length of the visa. The initial payment for cover is to be paid together with the first semester tuition fees. Currently, the preferred health provider for international students in UWA is OSHC WORLDCARE and the fee for 2008 is AU$370 per year (single cover) and AU$740 per year (family cover).

This is not applicable to students from Sweden and Norway who are covered under a separate arrangement. Please note it is the student's responsibility to ensure that their health cover is renewed (payment and registration) every year, or as required. For more information visit the OSHC WORLDCARE website.