Australian Embassy

Russian Federation

Embassy address: 10A/2 Podkolokolny Pereulok, 109028 Moscow - Telephone: 956 6070 - Fax: 956 6170

STUDENT VISAS

A Student visa allows students to study in Australia, including English language courses. Student visa holders may work in Australia for up to 20 hours a week.

Short term study for under three months, with no permission to work, can be undertaken on a Tourist Visa

Document Checklist

See the Student Visa Document Checklist for a summary of documents you must provide when applying for this visa.

How to apply

Assessment of Student Visas

To be granted a visa, you must provide evidence of the following:

Sufficient funds to support your studies and stay in Australia
English language proficiency
Evidence you are a genuine temporary entrant and that you are likely to comply with the conditions of your visa

Assessment Levels

The level of evidence you need to provide depends on your ‘Assessment Level’. Your Assessment Level is determined by the passport you hold and the education sector for which you are seeking a student visa.

For citizens of Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the assessment level is 3 in all education sectors, except for PhD students (subclass 574) which are assessed at assessment level 2.

For citizens of the Russian Federation, the assessment level is 1 for PhD students (subclass 574). Assessment level 2 applies for school age students (subclass 571)), Higher Education Sector (subclass 573) and Non Award studies (subclass 575). Assessment level 3 applies for all other education levels.

For citizens of Kazakhstan, the assessment level is 3 for all education levels, except for subclass 573 (Higher Education Sector) visa applications which are subject to assessment level 2.

For further information on assessment levels, visit the DIAC website.
See: Student Visa Program - Assessment Levels

How to Calculate the Required Evidence of Funds

Assessment Level 2 requires the applicant or a sponsor of the applicant to demonstrate that they have funds in a bank account to cover tuition, living and travel costs for the first 12 months of their stay in Australia and a statement to advise they are able to support their stay in Australia for the remainder of the course.

Assessment Level 3 requires the applicant or a sponsor of the applicant to demonstrate they have held the total required funds in a bank account for 3 months before the date of application (unless they are funded by a Government or they have taken out a loan specifically for their studies in Australia) plus sufficient tuition, living and travel costs for the first 18 months of their stay in Australia and a statement to advise they are able to support their stay in Australia for the remainder of the course.

Example:
Mr X is from Ukraine. He applies for a visa on 7 November 2011 to go to Australia to study English and then a Bachelor Degree in Information Technology. He is therefore applying for a subclass 573 visa, which will be assessed at Assessment Level 3. An example of calculated expenses are as follows:

Tuition = $20 000 (AUD)
Living = $27 000 (AUD) (18 months calculated at $1500 per month)
Travel = $2 500 (AUD) (return flight from Ukraine to Australia)
Total = $ 49 500 (AUD)

Mr X must demonstrate that he has held a minimum balance of $49 500 AUD in a bank account with a proper financial institution for the entire period of 6 August 2011 – 6 November 2011.

If Mr X provides us with a bank statement that shows he held $50 000 AUD in an account on 6 August 2011 but this amount went down to $22 000 AUD on 10 September 2011, and then back up to $50 000 AUD on 5 November 2011, he has not demonstrated sufficient funds.

Confirmation of Enrolment (COE)

For all student visa applications lodged from 5 November 2011, you should provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) from your educational institution with your application, confirming that you are officially enrolled in a registered course and that you have paid both the tuition fees and the health cover charges.

You will also be asked to obtain an official COE for any school-aged children included in your application.

Detailed information about student visas is available from the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website.

See: Student Visas

5 November 2011