How to extend your student visa

International students are required to complete their course within the duration stated in their offer letter. If you need to extend your student visa because of further studies or you need extra time to complete your current program of studies, you have to lodge a new visa application before your current visa expires.

Extending your visa

The below summary of information should be read in conjunction with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

International students are required to complete their course within the duration stated in their offer letter. Under Standard 9, a University may only grant a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) in order to extend study time in the following circumstances; where there are compassionate or compelling circumstances, the University has implemented its intervention strategy or the University has granted a deferment of study under Standard 13. In order to complete your course by the expiry date on your current student visa, you may need to consult with your Course Coordinator. If it appears likely that you are not going to complete your course on time, you must consult your International Student Advisor and Course Coordinator to discuss an intervention plan. A copy of the intervention plan must be attached to your application for a student visa renewal.

If you need to extend your student visa because of further studies or need extra time to complete your current program of studies, you have to prepare a new student visa application. You must lodge your student visa application before your current visa expires.

Lodging your application

You can lodge your visa application either:

• online (preferred channel of lodgement)
• by post using a paper application or
• by appointment

The summary provided below is to assist you in the application process. Visit immi.gov.au/students for a list of the documents you need for a student visa application.

Contact your International Student Advisor in order to apply for a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

• Pay the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to cover the period of your extended stay. Keep the receipt as evidence of payment of the OSHC.
• Undertake the Health checks with Health Services Australia if you are on the Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst or Orange campuses. If you are on Wagga Wagga Campus, please contact either the Wagga Wagga Medical Centre on 6921 4053 or the Kooringal Medical Centre on 6922 6855 for an appointment.
• If you have gone through a medical and a chest X-ray examination associated with the grant of an Australian visa more than 12 months ago, you must undertake these examinations in Australia again for your visa application. All family members included in your application must undertake these examinations. The chest X-ray is only required if the applicant is over 16 years of age.
• Complete DIAC forms 26 and 160 (you can download these from immi.gov.au) and take your passport to your appointment. You will need to pay the fee for medical examinations at the medical centre.

Applying online (preferred option)

• Complete the student application online at www.immi.gov.au/students
• Register for VEVO when you are prompted during your student visa application. Make sure you note your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) and password for future online access.
• Pay the fee of AUD$450using credit card or BPAY. Note the TRN and print out your receipt. If you use BPAY, you MUST lodge your application at least seven days before the end of your current visa to allow for the payment to be processed.

By post

• If you can't lodge online because you have only received a letter of offer (no CoE) or have received an error message while applying online, print out the error message and attach it to a manual form.
• Complete form 157A available at immi.gov.au/allforms/
• Provide payment for the fee of AUD$450 by credit card, money order or bank cheque (made out to DIAC)
• mail the form, payment and all supporting documentation to:

NSW Student Centre
GPO Box 9984
Sydney NSW 2001

by appointment

• Appointments to lodge your student visa application can be made by phoning 13 18 81. There is a six week waiting period for an appointment.

Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)

Australia's electronic visa system does not require you to have a visa label placed in your passport. Your visa is held electronically and can be accessed at any time using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system. Employers and other services can also check your visa entitlements once they have your consent to do so. For information on how to access VEVO visit immi.gov.au/e_visa/evo.htm