 Image by @iampatrickt NEW!!! Temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holdersAnnounced by the Australian Government 4/2/2022 Due to workforce shortages, there is temporary relaxation of student visa work limits to all sectors of the economy. This takes effect immediately for all ongoing students as well as new student arrivals who wish to commence a job prior to course commencement. This means that international students can work before their course commences and work more than 40 hours a fortnight in any sector of the economy. This also includes secondary applicants. This is a temporary arrangement and will be reviewed by the Government in April 2022. Check regularly on the Department of Home Affairs website for updates. We get asked lots of questions here at Study Online Australia which we love to answer! So in this week’s blog post, we’re going to talk all things international student work rights. When you apply for a student visa, you are committing to the conditions listed - which means making sure you’re not breaching the rules at work. But not everyone’s story is the same so we’ve rounded up the most useful information out there for students and secondary applicants alike. From how many hours you’re allowed to work to temporary relaxation of working hours due to the Covid-19 pandemic, find out everything you need to know about student work rights in Australia below. Are you allowed to work on a student visa in Australia?Yes but you must always refer to your visa grant letter and fulfil the conditions attached to your student visa. How many hours can I work on a student visa?One of the biggest factors to consider when applying for a student visa is the work limitations. Under student visa condition 8105, you must obey the following rules:
When can I work more than 40 hours a fortnight?You can only work over 40 hours a fortnight:
Please refer to the Home Affairs website for the full list of conditions relevant to your visa. You can find further information on work hours and how to get a job in Australia in our dedicated blog post.  Image by @crew Can secondary applicants work on a student visa in Australia?Yes, secondary applicants (family members or de facto partners) can work in Australia but there are limitations depending upon your individual case. Always refer to your visa grant letter and the full list of visa conditions on Home Affairs. Please remember that every case is different so if you’re unsure of your visa work rights, seek legal advice or contact Home Affairs directly. What documents do I need to provide to my employer?As a student holder, you will need to provide evidence of:
 Image by @danielrnorris What are my work rights as an international student in Australia?The Fair Work Ombudsman works as a point of contact for free advice and information on Australian work rights. This is a really helpful corner of the internet when it comes to understanding National Employment Standards (NES) which covers public holidays, types of leave and notice periods if you are fired.
If you're having an issue at work, you can report an issue anonymously to the Fair Work Ombudsman. If you have any questions about your work rights, please contact our expert team for free support and advice.
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 Image by @fleurbrebels One of the most common questions we get asked is if students can add a partner to their student visa. The answer? Yes, it may be possible to add your partner as a secondary applicant depending upon your circumstances. The rules can feel overwhelming so we’ve broken down everything you need to know about applying for a student partner visa in Australia from the documents you’ll need to what constitutes a de facto relationship. Can I add my partner to my student visa?Yes, adding your partner to your student visa is possible if you meet the criteria provided by Home Affairs. What is a de facto relationship?A de facto relationship is one where you and your partner are not legally married to each other but fit the below criteria: • You’re committed to a shared life • Your relationship is genuine and continuing • You live together • You are not related It’s important to note that the period you spent dating or in an online relationship does not count as being in a de facto relationship. It is highly likely that you will be required to provide evidence to support the fact that you have been in a relationship for at least 12 months. How do you prove that you're in a de facto relationship?You will need to provide evidence that you are in a de facto relationship and the necessary evidence may include (but is not limited to) the below:
 Image by @matthardy Can I apply for a partner student visa offshore?Yes, you can apply for a partner student visa both onshore and offshore (providing your current visa does not state ‘no further stay’). How long does it take to get a de facto student visa?Yes, you can apply for a partner student visa both onshore and offshore (providing your current visa does not state ‘no further stay’). Can I work as a secondary applicant?A secondary application must not engage in work until the primary student visa holder has commenced a course of study. You are also not permitted to work for more than 40 hours a fortnight while you are in Australia. If the course of study in which the primary student visa holder undertakes is for a masters or doctoral degree, then you are permitted to work more than 40 hours per fortnight. Please note, this varies from case to case and always refer to a visa grant letter where full student visa conditions are explained. If you’re in doubt, always check with one of our expert team if you lodged your student visa through us or contact directly Home Affairs or seek an independent legal advice.  Image by @contentpixie How much does it cost to add my partner to my student visa?Each case will vary in terms of cost. The overall cost of your student visa application and adding a partner depends on your partner's previous visa history, location of lodgement etc. Please don’t hesitate to contact our expert team for up to date pricing and support. What other documents will I need to apply for a partner student visa?There are several other forms of documentation that are required when adding a partner to your student visa. These may include (but are not limited to) the below:
Please bear in mind that cases differ between applicants and prices and/or evidence required will vary depending upon your personal circumstances.
If you would like to add a partner to your student visa, please contact the Study Online Australia team for free advice and support.  The chances are you’ve heard of ISIC. Behind one of the most recognised student cards, they offer international students discounted access to products, services and experiences from the worlds of fashion and travel to entertainment. So how can you get your hands on one and what are the benefits? Find out everything you need to know about the ISIC card below. What is an ISIC card?ISIC is an internationally accepted proof of student status and is now issued to students in over 130 countries and territories. What are the benefits of an ISIC card?An ISIC card offers international students in Australia discounts and savings on a wide number of products and services. Whether you need new stationery for college or you’re meeting your friends for a trip to the cinema after work, ISIC has partnered up with stores, museums, restaurants and attractions around the country.  Image by @socialcut Offers vary so make sure to change your location when on the move and to keep an eye on your app or the website to stay up to date. You can even save your favourite deals on the app for later. How do I get an ISIC card?Study Online Australia has a longtime partnership with ISIC and every student who enrols through our agency will receive a complimentary student card valued at $30. Our team will process your ISIC on your behalf and you will receive a welcome email from them shortly afterwards which contains your activation details. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team. Who is eligible for an ISIC card?An ISIC card is only available to full time students. In order to use your ISIC app, you will need to provide a passport photograph of yourself. ISIC will ask you for this when you sign up through your confirmation email.  Image by @clemono Is the ISIC card free?As mentioned above, if you enrol through our agency then we will provide you with a complimentary ISIC card worth $30. How long is my ISIC card valid for?A standard digital ISIC is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. The expiry date can be found on your app profile or on the digital card itself.
If you have any questions about ISIC, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team.  Image by @luisadenu One of the biggest advantages to studying in Australia is that it gives international students the opportunity to really experience what the country has to offer. For instance, just because you choose to study in Melbourne doesn’t mean you need to stay put for the duration of your student visa. A large number of colleges boast several campuses across the country, giving students the chance to travel, meet new people and create lifelong memories. So which educational institutions offer students the chance to live in different regions of Australia and how does the process work? Can I change campus on a student visa (Subclass 500)?In most circumstances, yes. Students are able to change campus if they seek permission from their current education provider and there is a spot available in the class of choice. However, if you wish to change education provider or course then a different set of rules apply. To move to a different educational institution, you must speak with your current institution first. If you have completed less than six months of your main course, you can only change education providers in certain situations. That's why it's very important to check the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) National Code for further details.  Image by @yoitsthejourney Before seeking written permission, it’s essential that you 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. For further information on changing courses, please visit our latest blog. How can I change campus on a student visa (Subclass 500)?Changing campus on a student visa depends on your current education provider’s policy. So make sure to check your letter of offer for information on changing campus before reaching a decision. You will then need to speak to the student services team at your college about moving location. They can then see if there is a space available for you in your class and campus of choice. Prices differ between campuses. If your new college has a higher weekly price, then you will need to pay the difference. Sometimes there may even be a small fee to reissue your Confirmation of Enrolment as per the college’s specific term & conditions policy. You can ask your student services team for further details on this before reaching a decision. If you applied for your student visa through Study Online Australia and would like to change campus, speak to a member of our team today for free assistance. Which colleges in Australia have more than one campus to choose from?International HouseInternational House is one of the most recognised international schools in the world and is famed for teaching English. With campuses in Sydney, Bondi, Darwin, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Byron Bay - International House is a great choice for students interested in living and studying in different parts of Australia. The college offers a wide range of courses too including English, Business, Project Management, Diploma of Social Marketing, Leadership and Management and Marketing & Communication. Learn more about International House.  Image by @marbo777 Greenwich CollegeWith three campuses in Sydney and a further two in Melbourne, Greenwich College offers international students the opportunity to live and study in two of Australia’s most famous cities. Greenwich College is largely recognised as an English school with thousands of students flying in from around the world to study the language. Other popular courses include Business, Leadership & Management, Project Management, Event Management, Digital & Data and Marketing & Communication. Learn more about Greenwich College. Australian Learning GroupAustralian Learning Group is a registered training organisation which offers vocational education and training. There are a vast number of accredited certificate and diploma level courses available which explore fitness, yoga, aged care and counselling. Australian Learning Group has campuses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Learn more about the Australian Learning Group.  Image by @photoholgic Lexis TrainingOver 10,000 students join Lexis Training every year and for good reason with a wide range of courses on offer from Beauty Therapy to Leadership Management.
A large presence in Australia, Lexis Training has campuses in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Noosa, Byron Bay and the Sunshine Coast. Learn more about Lexis Training. If you’re interested in changing campus, check out Study Online Australia’s city guides to get a feel for some of the country’s most popular study locations. Study better, choose Study Online Australia.  Image by @studiorepublic So you’ve decided to study in Australia, that’s the first step ticked from the list! Now, it’s important to find the right course for you. But with over 22,000 courses for international students to choose from, it can prove difficult knowing where to start. Thankfully, our expert team were students too so are here to hold your hand through the process. From taking into consideration your interests and past experience to living in a city that represents your lifestyle, discover how to choose the right course for you below. Why is it so important to choose a course carefully?It’s important to remember that in order to apply for your student visa, you must write a Genuine Temporary Entrant Letter. This is a letter which addresses the reasons why you have decided to study a specific course in Australia and not your home country. There is no template for this and must be a truthful statement explaining your genuine interest in studying down under. Therefore, choosing to pursue further education in Australia is not something to be taken lightly. It can also be difficult to change your course later down the line. If you decide that you're not enjoying the subject matter or teaching method, then you may be able to switch courses but it's not an easy road to take. Not everyone is entitled to change course and/or education provider if you do so, it's an expensive decision to make. That's why it's crucial to think carefully before applying for a course. To find out further information on changing courses on a student visa in Australia, visit our handy blog post. Make a list of your favourite interestsStart by making a list of the topics, hobbies and skills which interest you. Perhaps these are subjects you studied at school or always wished to pursue further. Organise the list by placing your biggest passions at the top whether that’s sports, design or marketing. It’s also important to consider what your future career looks like. If you envision yourself as a project manager, what qualifications do you need to get there? If you have always dreamed of studying business, it’s important to consider taking an English course with most colleges requiring intermediate understanding in order for you to apply. Once you’ve written your list, you now have a platform to jump from and can research into courses which delve into these topics. The next step? Determining where you would like to study the course of your choice.  Image by @luna_activefitness Decide where you would like to study in AustraliaThere are so many incredible places in Australia to choose from so make sure to thoroughly research into each state before making a decision. If you’re someone searching for a city-turned-beach lifestyle then Sydney may be the one for you. Or perhaps its Perth, lovingly dubbed Australia’s sunniest city, which takes your fancy. While Byron Bay is world-renowned for its laid back surf culture, community spirit (and a famous face or two). It’s also worth noting that a number of colleges offer the same course at multiple locations across the country, giving students the opportunity to experience living and studying in different cities. For example, International House has campuses in Melbourne, Darwin, the Gold Coast, Sydney and Byron Bay (its most recent venture). You can find helpful guides to some of Australia’s most popular student cities on our website with useful information on everything from cost of living to the cheapest courses available. Take into consideration course cost and lengthIt’s important to consider how long you would like to study in Australia for. Although a number of colleges may offer the same course, they all follow different timetables. Some courses in Australia may last from six months to a year. You can find updates on the cheapest courses in Australia on our website. If you would like to learn more about start dates and prices, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  Image by @mayofi Research into the best courses in AustraliaThe final step is to research into courses which correspond with your list - and that’s where we come in! Our team of qualified education agents and student visa specialists were all international students once too so have a wealth of experience and advice to offer.
If you decide studying in Australia is the right pathway for you, then drop us an email and our expert team will look into courses which match your budget, experience, location of choice and subject matter. We have longtime relationships with colleges across the country so are up to date with the latest prices, enrolment processes and term dates. The best part? Study Online Australia is fully funded by the education sector so our services won’t cost you a penny! Study better, choose Study Online Australia. |
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