International Students
STUDENT VISA OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER MATTERS

If you are studying in Australia on an international student visa, you are required to comply with the laws that relating to overseas students in Australia.  To assist students in understanding these laws and regulations, the Ashmark Institute of Australia has provided the links below.  Some useful sites and contacts for this purpose are:

International student visa conditions

International students holding a student visa must acknowledge and comply with the conditions imposed on their student visa. Failure to meet such conditions and obligations can result in visa cancellation. A list of the conditions and how they apply to you as an international student can be found at "www.immi.gov.au/students/visa-conditions-students.htm

Remember to always extend your student visa before it expires.

Contacting the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is the Australian government department that handles Student Visa matters for international students who are already in Australia. In Victoria there are two offices, one in the CBD and the other in Dandenong. Should you be required to contact the Department, it is advisable you contact them on 131 881 first to find out what documentation to bring and/or make an appointment before going to either of the offices.

Melbourne CBD Office

Office location:

Ground Floor Casselden Place

2 Lonsdale Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

 Postal Address:

GPO Box 241

Melbourne VIC 3001

Tel: 131 881

Fax: 03 9235 3300

Operating hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600 (Wed 0900-1330)

 Dandenong Office

Office location:

51 Princes Highway

Dandenong VIC 3175

 Postal Address:

Private Mail Bag 5001

Dandenong VIC 3175

Fax: 03 9706 7068

Operating hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600 (Wed 0900-1330)

 Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS)

ESOS Act 2000

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) regulates the education and training sector’s involvement with overseas students studying in Australia on student visas. DEEWR does this through the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) legislative framework. This protects Australia’s reputation for delivering quality education services.

You can view the Act at

http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/ESOS/QuickInfo/ESOS_FrameWork_pdf.pdf

Should you wish to contact the Department of DEEWR, you can do so on:

ESOS Helpline:  (61) (2) 62405069  (61) (2) 62405069

Requirements for working in Australia as an International Student

International students wishing to work in Australia no longer need to apply separately for a ‘student visa with permission to work’ under Australia’s new visa arrangements. Under the new processing arrangements, which came into effect 26th April 2008, all student visas will be granted with work rights attached. This removes the need for you as an international student to make a separate application; thus, enabling you to commence part-time work as soon as the commencement of your course.

Under this new arrangement, students’ visa information will be stored electronically for access through the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service, which will allow you to view your visa details online. Employers, government agencies and education providers are also allowed to check your details with your consent.

To access your visa details, you will need to go to http//www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/vevo.htm, and then select ‘VEVO for visa holders’ link. You will be asked to supply your VEVO password in order to access your visa details. If you have not obtained or wish to reset your VEVO password, you will need to call 131 881 in Australia.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

What is OSHC?

In Australia, The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) requires international students to have continuous Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their stay in Australia as a Student Visa holder. This is a compulsory condition of a student visa, and failure to comply will result in visa cancellation.

OSHC is a private health insurance scheme that allows international students to access appropriate health care in Australia at an affordable rate. There are four Australian health funds registered to provide OSHC. Ashmark’s preferred provider is with Medibank Private. For more information about OSHC with AHM Private, visit their website at www.ahm.com.au/

For detailed information on what is covered by AHM Private OSHC, Ashmark Institute’s preferred OSHC provider, visit:

http://www.ahm.com.au/Overseas-Students/About-OSHC.aspx#whatcovered