How to Extend Australian Student Visa?: Steps & Top Reasons
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Are you studying in Australia and for some reason have to extend your Australian student visa? Check out this article to understand why you need a student visa extension in Australia, steps to apply for an extension and criteria to fulfil in case of new student visa applications.
Australia is one of the leading countries when it comes to higher education and admits over 40% of the total international students applying for admissions annually. Up to March 2024 alone, Australia admitted 440,000+ international students. Since 35% of the students head back to their home countries or work across different countries across the globe, there are still 5-10% of the students who stay back in Australia and enrol for research-level courses or pursue courses which are relevant for upskilling in the professional realm.
Thus, there is a need for students to either re-apply or request a student visa extension in Australia. Student visa extension in Australia or requesting a new student visa in Australia is a common process that students complete in order to continue with their course of study in Australia. Renewing a student visa comes with exceptions, strict rules and serious scrutiny in Australia for international students. The article throws light on Australia student visa extension and its related details required.
- Reasons for student visa extension Australia
- Student Visa Extension Fee Australia 2025
- How to apply for a student visa extension in Australia?
- Applying for a new student visa in Australia
- Student visa extension requirements in Australia
- Australian Student Visa Extension FAQs
Reasons for student visa extension Australia
There are certain reasons why existing international students enrolled at any of the Australian universities or institutions might be required to apply for a student visa extension. The reasons can vary from student to student and of course the situation. Following is a list of reasons why international students might have to extend their visas:
- The student’s current visa is about to expire and they need an official document to live in Australia legally.
- If the student changes his or her course of study, they may need a new CoE and will have to apply for either a new visa or request for an extension since the duration would change based on the Australian University.
- The course duration of the applicant has been extended due to some circumstances and before completing the visa expires.
- Australia student visa extension can also be requested if a graduate’s research period has been extended.
- Lastly, if the research students are yet to appear for their final examination or presentation and before marking is complete their student visa expires, they can apply for an extension too in this case.
Student Visa Extension Fee Australia 2025
The student visa extension fee for Australia 2025 for visa subclass 485 is AUD 650 along with additional costs if the applicants are under or above the age of 18. The visa fee goes in two instalments - one is while applying for a visa the base charges are levied and the second instalment is charged when the application process is completed and the visa is ready to be released.
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Note: The second instalment may or may not be charged, the reason being that if the visa is cancelled then the second instalment won’t be charged. This, in turn, will be informed by the Immigration office of Australia to the concerned students.
Read more: Types of Student Visas in Australia
How to apply for a student visa extension in Australia?
There are three different situations under which students can apply for a visa extension while studying in Australia. These are as follows:
- Step 1: Request for a new CoE before applying for a student visa extension in Australia.
- Step 2: Applicants must ensure to extend their OHSC so that it fits with the visa application duration.
- Step 3: Keep a record of the documents that are needed to be submitted for the student visa extension in Australia. Check: Documents required for Australia student visa application
- Step 4: Check the mail for biometric requirements, and take action within 14 days of notification release to avoid missing out on submissions.
- Step 5: A health check-up is mandatory for those applicants applying for a student visa extension in Australia. This is possible through a HAP Id generated against each applicant on ImmiPortal which is to be handed where the health check-up takes place. The medical reports are shared directly with the Home Affairs Department.
- Step 6: Ensure to apply before travelling to Australia for the visa (either request a new one if eligible or request for an extension). The applicants holding bridging visas would also be allowed to enter Australia.
- Step 7: Submit a completed application for a student visa extension in Australia and remain alert for further updates. Avoid these mistakes for student visa rejection in Australia.
Applying for a new student visa in Australia
This option is available for those students who fulfil the criteria of being eligible to receive a new student visa while staying in Australia. In this case, applicants would be eligible to stay or must apply for new students while in Australia. Applicants may or may not choose to stay in Australia till the time their new visa request is processed. Till they await for the release of their new visas, students will be given two bridging visa options, they are:
- Bridging visa A (subclass 010): This BVA is offered to only those applicants whose student visas have expired and who can continue to stay in Australia with this bridging visa legally. There is no cost incurred for this visa and should be submitted just like the temporary visa either in paper or online application version.
- Bridging visa B (subclass 020): In circumstances where applicants are required to leave Australia, they can apply for this visa before leaving Australia. The applicant must be able to show the reason for leaving Australia for the time being and why they would like to come back if applying for this BVB visa.
There are two more bridging visas offered in Australia but they are not applicable here because these are relevant in the context of student visa extension in Australia for international students.
Student visa extension requirements in Australia
In order to apply for a student visa extension in Australia, applicants will have to request a new CoE if the course of study and duration changes, additionally they must check how are there visa conditions at present and how much time they should have in hand while applying for a student visa extension in Australia and waiting for its confirmation. Along with these, there are certain documents required to extend a student visa in Australia, they are mostly personal documents which include the applicant's:
- Birth Certificate
- Passport identity page (i.e. every page with visa sample & immigration stamp)
- A valid national identity Card like an Aadhar Card, PAN card or Voter ID for Indian nationals.
- Household registration proofs
- An updated CV which is certified by any local authority in the domicile country
- Marriage certificate (applicable only for married applicants)
- OSHC Policy Number
- Evidence of enough financial capacity to live and study in Australia
- New issuance for Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Read more about: Why do students choose to study in Australia?
Australian Student Visa Extension FAQs
Q. Can international students apply for Australia 485 visa extension?
A. Yes, international students are eligible to apply for Australia 485 visa extension unless their visa is imposed with ‘no further stay condition 8534’.
Q. How much time should be needed to extend a student visa in Australia?
A. Applicants must know about their existing student visas and their expiration dates and must act accordingly so that they are not deported by filing for student visa extension or a new student visa through bridging visa options.
Q. Can student visa extension in Melbourne University be easier?
A. There is no ease or difficulty rate based on the Australian universities in which international students are enrolled in order to apply for a student visa extension.
Q. How to extend student visa in Australia?
A. The applications for Australia student visa extension are available online, applicants can apply within the stipulated time to avoid confusions and last minute hassles.
Q. Are student visa extensions in Australia applicable for those outside Australia?
A. Yes, those students who had to leave Australia amidst the existing student visa which tends to expire before the student returns, he or she can apply from out of Australia so that they are legally allowed to enter the country with either a BVB visa or an extended student visa.
Q. For how many days can students legally live in Australia before they can apply or wait for student visa renewal?
A. Officially students who have already applied for a student visa extension while studying in Australia, can live legally in Australia with a BVA for 28 days till the new or extended visa is offered.
The University of Notre Dame Australia opens its applications on May 1 2024 and closes their applications by Sep 30 for the 2024 academic year. These dates allow students apply comfortably as the applications can be given till september. Applicants must remember to submit their application forms within this timeframe to be considered for admission at the University of Notre Dame Australia.
Level of Study | Application deadlines |
|---|---|
Undergraduate | May 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2024 (tentative) |
Postgradute | Opened throughout the year |
No, the University of Notre Dame doesn’t have any admission interviews. The university strictly only checks the application forms filled by its applicants. However, it is suggested that applicants have a strong SOP, LOR, and grades before applying to the university.
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Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia (MITA) is largely regarded as one of Australia's top institutions. It has a solid reputation in engineering, business, and science.
To begin with, Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia provides a world-class education with an emphasis on hands-on learning. You will be able to gain practical knowledge and abilities in a range of disciplines. Furthermore, the institution provides a wide range of courses and programmes that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required for a successful profession.
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