Obtaining a VISA

Before you come to study in Australia, you must obtain a student visa from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). (opens in a new window)

Student visas can only be granted for courses that are registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions for Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). (opens in a new window)

You may not require a student visa to study in Australia if you hold another visa (other temporary visas) that allows you to enter and stay in Australia with no restrictions on study.

Information about how to apply for a student visa and options available can be found on DIAC’s student visa pages.(opens in a new window)

Streamlined Visa Processing
The Student Visa Application Process
Bringing Family
Visa Conditions

Streamlined Visa Processing

From 24 March 2012 eligible applicants will have access to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) arrangement. (opens in a new window)

UWS has been approved as an ‘eligible university’ to participate in the Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) arrangement. (opens in a new window) 

Learn more about SVP at:

Genuine student and genuine temporary student requirement and access to funds
To be eligible for streamlined visa processing and to apply to UWS you must be a genuine student and fulfill the genuine temporary entrant requirement (opens in a new window) and have sufficient funds (opens in a new window) to:

Courses eligible for SVP arrangements
Your eligibility for streamlined visa processing will depend on the course you apply to at UWS.  
Eligible courses under SVP arrangements are:

  • Bachelor degrees
  • 2 plus 2 (or 3 plus 1) arrangements with partner universities
  • Masters degrees by coursework
  • Masters degrees by research
  • Doctoral degrees
  • UWSCollege English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and/or UWSCollege University Foundation Studies or Diploma programs and/or TAFENSW Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs which are packaged (opens in a new window) with a UWS eligible degree at the time when the offer of enrolment is made.
  • Semester or year long non-award courses at a university in Australia as part of your home university’s degree course and/or as part of an agreed student exchange between universities.

Courses not eligible for SVP arrangements
Streamlined processing arrangements are not available for:

  • Short courses
  • Associate degrees
  • Graduate diplomas
  • Graduate certificates
  • Diplomas and Advanced Diploma (except as mentioned above)
  • non-award courses (except as mentioned above)
  • courses below Bachelor level delivered by universities which are dual sector (VET and university).

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The Student Visa Application Process

Students often apply for a student visa with the assistance from one of our agent representatives.
On receipt of your Acceptance to Study at UWS <<link to acceptance form>> and fee payment, UWS will create an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) which is recorded with DIAC for student visa application purposes.  A copy of the eCoE will be sent to you or your agent to include with your Australian student visa application.

If you hold a current student visa, UWS will send you your eCoE upon receipt of your course acceptance. You must apply for a new student visa prior to the expiry of your current visa.

Applying for a student visa under Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) arrangements
To apply for a student visa under streamlined visa processing arrangements, you must wait to receive an eCoE for an eligible UWS course before you lodge your student visa application to DIAC.   
You can not apply for a student visa under SVP arrangements if you only supply a letter of offer from UWS.

Applying for a student visa under normal visa processing arrangements
For courses not eligible under SVP arrangements, your student visa application will be based on existing assessment level arrangements. (opens in a new window) 

You may begin the student visa application process on receipt of an offer letter or eCoE from UWS.

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Bringing family

If you wish to bring children and/or your spouse (dependents) for the duration of your study in Australia, please refer to information on bringing family on DIAC’s website. (opens in a new window) 

You will also need to consider financial requirements to cover any family members travelling with you:

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Visa conditions

If you are in Australia on a student visa, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress at all times. The University is obliged to advise DIAC when an International Student Visa holder is not maintaining satisfactory academic progress. This may result in an automatic visa cancellation.


Please also be aware of consequences if you no longer have access to sufficient funds to cover your study in Australia. 

If you experience any difficulties during your studies, please get in contact with your International Student Advisor who can direct you to the relevant support service.


Student visas automatically grant students permission to do paid work while studying (up to 40 hours per fortnight while your course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks).

Further information about student visa conditions for you and any family members travelling with you can be found on DIAC’s visa conditions page. (opens in a new window)

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Further reading