Understanding the Australian international student admissions process

For international students planning to study in Australia, the application process involves a number of steps. These steps are fairly standard whether you are planning to study English or at Masters level.

Applying for a course normally requires the following documents:

  • Certified copies of your academic history to date, including high school results/certificates and any studies undertaken after high- school (often called post secondary studies). If you have undertaken any post secondary studies, you will need to provide your academic transcripts of subjects studied and any completion or graduation certificates with your application
  • Certified copies of your English language proficiency (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL or evidence that the medium of instruction in your past studies has been English). All institutions have individual, specific English language proficiency requirements for entry into their courses – these standards vary greatly depending on the course you choose
  • A certified copy of your passport and any Australian visa label (if currently in Australia)
  • For research applications, a copy of your research proposal will also be required

Once your application has been received by the institution, it will be assessed by the admissions office to determine if you meet both the academic and English Language requirements for your chosen course. The possible outcomes of your application are:

  • A full Letter of offer confirming that you are eligible for direct entry into your chosen course
  • A conditional letter of offer confirming that you are eligible for entry to your chosen course, pending the provision of further information to the admissions office. For example, you may be required to provide your completion/graduation certificate if you were finishing your current studies when you applied for your course or provide evidence of your IELTS or TOEFL test if you are sitting your English test after you have applied for your course. Once you have provided the additional documentation and, if it meets the stated conditions, you will be issued with a full letter of offer
  • A package letter of offer confirming that you have a full letter of offer to one course and an additional conditional letter of offer to a following course. For example, you may receive both a full letter of offer to a Diploma course, with a conditional letter of offer to the following Bachelor’s degree (conditional upon successfully completing the Diploma course)
  • A rejection letter confirming that you have not met the entry requirements for your chosen course

If you have been successful in your application, the next step is to accept your offer formally by:

  • Signing and returning the offer acceptance form included in your offer
  • Paying the tuition fees outlined in your letter of offer – this is generally the amount of one full semester’s tuition fees at your institution
  • Paying the overseas student health cover (OSHC) outlined in your letter of offer – unless you have been studying in Australia and have current OSHC accepted by your institution

Once your acceptance and payment are received and confirmed by your institution, they will issue an Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (ECoE) which is required for your student visa application. Please note that if you are from an Assessment Level 3 or 4 country, you do not accept your letter of offer until you have completed a Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) in your home country.

PVA is the policy of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), whereby students from these countries applying for a student visa offshore have their genuineness as a student assessed on the basis of a letter of offer before obtaining an ECoE from their institution.

Application step-by-step process model:

Duncan, M & Spolc, P (In Press) Education Agent’s Manual

STEP 1: Student enquiry and application
via agent, exhibition, email, web portal, phone or fax
STEP 2: International admissions assessment
Assessment of application for academic eligibility and English
STEP 3: Student acceptance
return signed acceptance of offer forms and pay relevant fees
STEP 4: International admissions action acceptance
create Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE); schedule compulsory health insurance (OSHC) and forward pre-departure and orientation information
STEP 5: Student applies for student visa
with Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
STEP 6: Student makes travel and accommodation arrangements
STEP 7: Student arrives in Australia
uses post-arrival advice provided by education provider
STEP 8: International student orientation
receives vital information and completes enrolment
STEP 9: Student establishes basic services
including: banks, OSHC, phones, etc.
STEP 10: Academic orientation
STEP 11: Classes begin!

-Written by Melanie Duncan, Acacia Immigration Australia

Melanie is the Business Development Manager at Acacia Education Australia, and the immediate past president of the NSW Branch of ISANA: International Education Association. She was a member of the ISANA NSW Executive for three years, providing professional development opportunities to staff members who deal directly with international student matters on a daily basis. Melanie continues to represent ISANA at state government level. She is a member of both the NSW Department of Immigration and Citizenship Client Reference Group and the current NSW Ministerial Taskforce on International Education, as well as a qualified education agent counsellor.