Visa entitlements and study restrictions for international students

Studying with a visa, subclasses and restrictions

If there are no restrictions to study, students can study part-time. If there are restrictions, students must abide by the conditions of their visa (i.e. not take a reduced study load without approval and only take a leave of absence for compassionate compelling reason to receive a new CoE, not exceed online study limitations.)

• Permanent and protection visas

  Students holding a permanent or protection visa must apply as a domestic student or change their student status to that of a domestic student. Permanent and protection visas do not have study restrictions.

• Temporary visas

  Students holding a temporary visa are considered international full-fee students. Most temporary visas do not have study restrictions, except for the following visas:

  • Tourist visas and Electronic Travel Authorities (ETA) allow study for three months. Coursework students can only enrol in an intensive program or intensive subjects that do not exceed three months in duration. Research students, who are usually undertaking research outside of Australia, may be able to travel to and study in Australia for short periods (not exceeding three months) on a tourist visa or ETA with supporting evidence.
  • Holders of a student visa who undertake their principal course at the University of Melbourne must enrol in a CRICOS-registered course and are subject to ESOS legislation. Student dependants can study for three months only and should apply for a student visa as a primary holder if they wish to study for more than three months.
  • Working holidays visas (subclass 417 and 462) allow study for four months. Students undertaking a course or program (study abroad or exchange) that is not more than one semester (or four months) in duration can study on this visa.
  • Holders of a short stay business visa and ETA equivalent do not have study entitlements and cannot enrol in any course, program or subject.

  The following conditions may be imposed on temporary visas:

  • 8201: while in Australia the holder must not engage in any studies or training of more than three months' duration
  • 8207: the holder must not engage in any studies or training in Australia
  • 8548: the holder must not engage in any studies or training in Australia for more than 4 months.
• Bridging visas

  Bridging visas will contain the same conditions as the visa that’s pending approval. A bridging visa only comes into effect when the last-held substantive visa ceases. A substantive visa is any visa except for a bridging visa, criminal justice visa or enforcement visa.

  Where a substantive visa is still valid, the student must abide by the conditions or requirements imposed on this visa. 'Bridging visa E' may have study restrictions preventing students from enrolling in a course.

  Bridging visa holders can provide evidence of their study rights by forwarding a copy of both their VEVO entitlements as well as a copy of the application acknowledgement letter for the visa they are awaiting approval for to the University.

  * Study entitlement on a bridging visa may vary and depend on the visa subclass applied for. If the visa subclass has no study limitation, the bridging visa will not contain a study limitation either.