 Image by @surface “Can I change courses on my student visa?” This is one of the most common questions Study Online Australia receives from students across the country. Even after taking the time to choose the right course for you, it might not work out as you planned for a number of different reasons. From what to do if your request is denied to switching education provider, find out everything you need to know about changing courses on a student visa in Australia. Can I change courses on a student visa (subclass 500)?Yes, international students on a student visa Subclass 500 in Australia may be able to change courses depending upon individual circumstances.  Image by @christopher_burns Do I need to apply for a new student visa if I change courses?If you wish to change to the same or a higher level AQF course then you do not need to apply for a new student visa. Your education provider will inform the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf meaning you won’t need to update your ImmiAccount details. However, if you wish to change courses to a lower Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level course or a non AQF course then you must apply for a new student visa. These rules apply even if you are staying with the same education provider. Can I change my education provider?If you have completed less than six months of your main course, you can only change education providers in some situations. That's why it's very important to check the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) National Code for further details. Before seeking permission, it’s also crucial to read through your education provider’s transfer policy - every institution has one. Before seeking written permission, it’s crucial to read through your education provider’s transfer policy (every institution has one). In most cases, your current education will consider your transfer request and decide if they will let you transfer. Always contact your education provider for more information on their transfer policy before you try to enrol at another institution.  Image by @wildlittlethingsphoto What if my education provider rejects my request to transfer?If your education provider will not let you transfer then you can appeal the decision through your education provider’s appeal process. If you are unhappy with the result given, you can then appeal the decision through the below means:
There may be additional costs involved in order to change courses or education providers so make sure to take this into consideration before making a decision. Will changing courses affect my current student visa length?This may vary based on each applicant’s situation. Therefore, it's important to seek legal advice to make sure that you stay legally in Australia from the below:
If you would like to change courses and require assistance, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team for expert advice. Study better, choose Study Online Australia.
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 Image by @wildlittlethingsphoto “Does Medicare cover international students?” “What does OSHC cover in Australia?” “What’s the difference between Medicare and OSHC?” At Study Online Australia, we get asked lots of questions about Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). As part of Student Visa Subclass 500 conditions, you’re required to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) whilst studying in Australia. This means you need to purchase OSHC and keep your policy up to date.To make things easier, the Study Online Australia team will apply for OSHC on your behalf saving you both time and money. Some exceptions may apply if you are a student from Sweden, Norway, or Belgium. If this applies to you, you may have special arrangements under your own national schemes - check with the Department of Home Affairs to find out if special arrangements apply to you and if you are exempt from the requirement to purchase OSHC. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common student questions about Medicare and OSHC in Australia from costs and coverage to the differences between them. What is OSHC?Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory health insurance for international students living in Australia.  Image by @realkayls Do I need OSHC if I have Medicare?Yes. If you are applying for a temporary student visa in Australia, you must maintain adequate overseas student health cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay. If you meet the criteria to apply for Medicare in Australia (see below), then you may apply for both forms over cover if you wish. Does Medicare cover international students?If you’re in Australia on a student visa from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, New Zealand, Slovenia, the Netherlands or New Zealand, you can apply for Medicare. The process is simple. All you need to do is fill out a Medicare enrolment form online and provide the below certified supporting documents (note: these depend upon your individual circumstances):
You can email these documents and your application to Medicare Enrolment Services or can apply in person by visiting your local Medicare service centre. Your nearest centre can be found on the official Australian Government website.  Image by @lukeyd_w Is OSHC a form of Medicare?No. Having Medicare coverage does not exempt you from needing to take out OSHC. If you are applying for a temporary student visa in Australia, you must maintain adequate overseas student health cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay. What does OSHC cover in Australia?OSHC is designed to help students meet the cost of medical bills, hospital care, ambulance call-outs and limited pharmaceuticals. There are three policies in total to choose from. There is a single policy, a partner policy and a family policy. The last option provides health insurance for you, your partner and any dependent children under 18 (if they live with you in Australia or are listed on your student visa).   Can I still use Medicare if I have private healthcare?Yes. You may wish to purchase additional private health insurance on top of Medicare in order to cover extra services whether that’s seeing an optometrist or dentist. Where can I purchase OSHC?There are six providers who offer the same OSHC cover for international students, all of which can be found on the official Australian Government website. The prices of these range according to the insurance company. At Study Online Australia, we work with nib and our expert team will arrange OSHC on your behalf so you don’t need to worry. How much does OSHC cost in Australia?The cost of OSHC varies year on year and prices range according to the insurance company. At Study Online Australia, we work with nib which offers competitive prices and an instant insurance certificate with your student visa lodgement. You can find up-to-date costs on our website. What is the cheapest health insurance in Australia?OSHC costs vary depending upon the provider. If you apply for a student visa with Study Online Australia, we’ll help organise Nib cover on your behalf. As one of the country’s leading health insurers, you can rest assured it’s money well spent with its easy-to-use online services meaning you can manage your insurance from the comfort of your own home. With nib online services you can manage your health insurance from the comfort of your home.  Image by @goodfacesclub What happens to my OSHC when my student visa expires?When your student visa expires, you are no longer eligible for OSHC. If you move onto a 485 Temporary Graduate Visa, then you will need to apply for Working Visitor Health Cover (OVHC). If you continue studying in Australia, you will need to extend your OSHC policy. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need help extending your OSHC. Does OSHC cover Covid-19 healthcare costs?According to Private Health, OSHC may cover Covid-19 related illnesses such as ‘kidney and bladder’, ‘lung and chest’ and ‘dialysis for chronic kidney failure’.
However, covers will vary depending upon your insurance company. If you purchased OSHC but are no longer able to travel to Australia, you can apply for a refund via the official nib website. You can also change your policy dates here if you have not been able to return to Australia due to current restrictions. Head over to our dedicated page on Covid-19 and OSHC cover for further information. At Study Online Australia, we go above and beyond to make sure that you have the best experience possible during your stay. For free help and advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  Image by @uxventures If you’ve decided to apply for a student visa then you’re in the right place. Study Online Australia is a registered education agency which helps hundreds of students from around the world to find the right course for them every year. Our expert team were international students once upon a time too and will hold your hand every step of the way from providing guidelines for your GTE letter to enrolment at the college of your choice. Before we get down to business, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared. Below, we’ve rounded up our top 7 tips on what you need to do before lodging your student visa application. 1. Prepare your documentsWhy? In order to send your student visa application off in good time, it’s important to gather your documents well in advance. How? To apply for a Student Visa (Subclass 500) in Australia, you must tick the below requirements. Please note: the full list of requirements is individually based on each applicant and the college/university you choose.
 Image by @johnschno 2. Make certified copies of vital documentsAs part of your Student Visa Subclass 500 application, you must provide evidence of your academic transcripts, an educational certificate or a letter from your overseas educational institution. If some of your documents aren't in English, please ensure a translation is done by a NAATI translator. 3. Save upWhy? Before applying for a student visa, it’s important to take into consideration the costs involved. From July 1st 2021, a Student Visa Subclass 500 in Australia costs $630 for a primary applicant (please note: this is subject to change). You must also take into consideration the additional cost of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself and accompanying family members. Additional fees which may occur are listed below:
If you apply for your student visa with Study Online Australia, our expert team will assist you to organise OSHC for you. We work closely with nib which offers competitive prices and an instant insurance certificate with your student visa lodgement. You can find up-to-date OSHC costs on our website.  Image by @pawel_czerwinski How? One of the conditions of a Student Visa Subclass 500 is that you are not permitted to work more than 40 hours per fortnight when you are in Australia when your course of study is in session and you must not engage in any work before your course of study commences. it’s a good idea to save money before lodging your application. Make sure to work out a budget in order to cover the costs of your course. You will be expected to pay in instalments before the beginning of every term. You can find tips on getting a job in Australia alongside example resume templates on our blog. 4. Choose the right course for youWhy? It’s vital that you choose a course which you are genuinely interested in so start researching into prospective colleges and subjects months in advance. This means carefully reading through the syllabus to figure out if the timetable suits your lifestyle and work commitments. Study Online Australia reminder: We also advise that you double-check the length of the course as a number of colleges offer the same program with differing term times.  Image by @youxventures How? The Study Online Australia team has successfully helped hundreds of international students to pursue further education down under. We will try to find the right course for you based upon your location, interests and career goals. We’ll assist with the preparation of your documents, GTE letter and eventual enrolment. The best part? You don’t pay anything for our services. We’re fully funded by Australian education institutions. Check out our latest blog post for the cheapest courses in Australia 2021. 5. Spend time on your GTE statementWhy? As part of your student visa application, you must write a unique GTE statement. The aim is for students to prove they genuinely wish to stay in Australia temporarily so we strongly encourage applicants to include as much information as possible about their circumstances and post-study plans.  Image by @soundtrap What should I include in my GTE statement? We’ve listed important sections which must be included in your GTE statement below. For the full guidelines please refer to GTE guidelines on the Home Affairs website. • Your reasons for choosing to undertake the course(s) of study specified in your application • Your reasons for choosing your education provider(s) • Your reasons for choosing to study in Australia rather than in your home country or usual country of residence • Your planned living arrangements in Australia • The relevance of your course(s) of study to your academic and/or employment background • The relevance of the course(s) of study to your future career and/or educational plans.  Image by @adrigeo_ How? If you apply for your student visa through Study Online Australia, our expert team will be on hand to guide you through the process. In the meantime, you can find further advice on writing your GTE statement on our website. 7. Ask questions!The Study Online Australia team is entirely funded by educational institutions so we don't charge a penny for our services.
If you have any questions about student visas in Australia, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We offer free, friendly advice and are always happy to have a chat. Study smarter, choose Study Online Australia. |
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