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Home>Australia>Public Policy Management (MSPPM)>Admissions>International Citizens
International Citizens
Australia has legal and regulatory requirements that are specific to international students. In order to receive a student visa, you must be enrolled in a full-time course of study; continued validity of your visa is dependent upon making sufficient academic progress in that course. In addition, you should be aware of:
Student Visas
A student visa is required of all overseas students who wish to attend Heinz College, Australia. In order to be eligible for a visa, you must be enrolled in a full-time course of study. Students should apply for a Student Visa (Subclass 573). To be granted a visa, you must satisfy specific visa requirements and comply with visa conditions regarding attendance and academic performance (these conditions are effective once you have entered Australia). Accurate, up-to-date information on student visas is available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Web site.
Note: AusAID-sponsored students will have their student visa (Subclass 576) arranged by the Scholarship Program Office in their home country.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
International students are required to maintain health insurance for themselves, and to maintain adequate arrangements for accompanying dependants. Heinz College Australia has selected OSHC Worldcare as its preferred provider of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Compulsory insurance is available via the OSHC plan, which assists in the payment of medical care during the duration of a student’s stay in Australia. OSHC pays 85% of the fee for consultations with medical practitioners, x-rays and pathology services. Details on the OSHC plan and its requirements are available here.
Permission to Work (Work Rights)
International students are able to work up to 20 hours a week while courses are in session; during vacations there are no hourly limits. Eligible family members are able to work unlimited hours while their visa is valid. Your initial Student Visa does not automatically allow you to work. Students and eligible dependants must obtain Permission to Work (sometimes referred to as "Work Rights") from DIAC in order to work while studying. Additional information can be found here.
Changes to Course of Study
It is a requirement that students seek the prior approval of DIAC or its equivalent for certain course changes, or before commencing a new course, or changing courses.
All student visas in Australia are initially granted for a specific course of study at a specific educational provider. Before changing course, qualification level or provider, students must seek prior approval from DIAC. Such approvals are rare, especially during the first 12 months of an enrolment; in such cases, students must demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would justify such a change. Details on the approval process and its conditions can be found here.
Family Members Accompanying Students
School-aged dependents (5-17 years old) accompanying an international student to Australia must attend school and pay all tuition and administrative fees. Note that in Australia both private and public schools charge tuition and administrative fees, and most schools require the purchase of school uniforms. (Tuition fees are waived for dependents of AusAID students attending government schools.)
Visit the following sites for information about:
Permanent Resident Information
Some students may wish to remain in Australia after graduation Visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and Immigration South Australia for more information.