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“Wondering if you need to speak English to apply for a student visa in Australia? You may need to provide evidence of English language proficiency,” says Mario Amor, Principal Lawyer at PAX Law and a solicitor member of the Law Society of New South Wales. “This requires achieving a minimum test score in a selected approved English language test (unless you are exempt).”

“Yes, a student visa holder can work in Australia for up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, and for unlimited hours outside of session times,” says Mario Amor, Principal Lawyer at PAX Law and a solicitor member of the Law Society of New South Wales.

“You cannot work before your course commences, and the same applies to dependent visa holders. Students completing a masters degree by research or doctoral degree can work unlimited hours once their studies have commenced, and the same applies to dependent visa holders,” says Mario.

“Yes, if you’re on an Australian student visa, eligible family members can accompany you to Australia as dependent visa holders,” says Mario Amor, Principal Lawyer at PAX Law and a solicitor member of the Law Society of New South Wales.

“You can include a family member in your student visa application, or they can apply to join you later as a subsequent applicant if you declared existing family members at the time you lodged your application; or they became your family member after you were granted the visa,” says Mario.

“Yes, student visa holders can travel to and from Australia on an unrestricted basis over the student visa period,” says Mario Amor, Principal Lawyer at PAX Law and a solicitor member of the Law Society of New South Wales.

“You can apply for a student visa either onshore or outside Australia, but if you are applying while living in Australia, you must hold an eligible visa (exceptions apply). If you’re not sure what an eligible visa is, contact our team at PAX Law,” says Mario Amor, Principal Lawyer at PAX Law and a solicitor member of the Law Society of New South Wales.

Provisions have also been introduced to prevent visa hopping – this restricts certain temporary visa holders from applying for a student visa while in Australia. If you hold a visitor visa, you are unable to apply for a student visa onshore in Australia. If you want to study in Australia, you will need to apply for a student visa from offshore. Temporary graduate visa holders are also restricted from applying for a student visa onshore. You must depart Australia, or find an alternative visa option (if eligible) to remain onshore.

Yes, you can package two or more courses on one student visa. Doing this provides flexibility for students to apply for one student visa for several courses in situations where there is a progression from one course to another, without added visa processing times and costs. An example of a series of packaged courses would be a Certificate 4, Diploma and Advanced Diploma.

Packaged courses should be related and show reasonable course progression. When packaging courses, a student visa may be granted through to the end of the last course, up to six years.

“If you’d like to stay in Australia after your student visa has ended, you may be eligible to apply for Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa, which allows you to continue your stay in Australia and work and/or study further,” says Mario Amor, Principal Lawyer at PAX Law and a solicitor member of the Law Society of New South Wales.

“You may then potentially qualify for a skilled visa (including permanent residency). Our immigration lawyers can discuss your best options with you for subsequent visas,” says Mario.

Provided that you meet the eligibility criteria to qualify for a student visa, and you submit all required documents when lodging your application, you will be granted a student visa. Some requirements, like the Genuine Student requirement, are judged by various factors, and your application will be assessed based on your individual circumstances.

“No, there is no age restriction for an Australian student visa, however it may be a relevant consideration when assessing whether you meet the Genuine Student visa requirement,” says Mario Amor, Principal Lawyer at PAX Law and a solicitor member of the Law Society of New South Wales.

“To be eligible for a student guardian visa, the applicant must be either the student’s parent or legal guardian or a relative who is at least 21 years old; they must be able to provide accommodation, general welfare and support to the student; genuinely intend to reside in Australia with the student; not have any dependent children under six years old (exceptions apply); have health insurance for the duration of their stay in Australia; and have sufficient funds,” says Mario.