Visas
After completing your course, you may choose to stay in Australia for further study, holidays, attending your graduation ceremony, or work. Depending on your plans, you might need to apply for a different visa. Note that international students are not automatically eligible for permanent residence in Australia. To explore options for Australian Permanent Residency, contact the Department of Home Affairs.
Important: Your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is valid only for the duration of your student visa. If your student visa expires, you must switch to an Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) or Medicare.
Visa expiry date
Important: Make sure you remember your student visa expiry date as there are severe penalties for overstaying. If you have overstayed your student visa, please contact the Department of Home Affairs immediately.
The length of your current student visa depends on the length of the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), for more information please refer to student visa grant period information.
Early completion
If you complete your course earlier than the original end date of your CoE due to Advanced Standing, or applied for an Alternative Exit and you completed your course before the original end date of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), you will no longer be compliant with the student visa condition 8202 which requires the visa holder to remain enrolled in a registered course, among other requirements. More information on completing a course early is available from the Department of Home Affairs.
Please note: If you have condition 8534 or 8535 (No Further Stay) you cannot remain in Australia except in very limited circumstances. Contact the Department of Home Affairs for more information.
Further study
If you apply for a new course at La Trobe University or any other institution, you must accept your offer first. Once you receive your new Confirmation of Enrolment (COE), you will have to apply for another student visa before your current visa expires. Allow enough time to submit your application and complete any required medical examinations, x-rays, and/or English Language tests (if required).
Attending a graduation ceremony
If your student visa expires before the next available graduation ceremony and you wish to stay in Australia to attend, you can apply for a visitor visa. For more information, see Visitor Visa Options. To apply, order a Course Completion Letter after your final results are released and the Student Information System shows you have qualified for your degree.
Note: La Trobe University can only confirm that you have completed your course, not that you will attend the graduation ceremony. If inviting people from overseas to your graduation, ask them to confirm with the Department of Home Affairs what documents are required.
Taking a holiday
After you've finished your studies, you might choose to spend some time travelling around Australia before you return home. If your student visa is due to expire before you plan to finish travelling, you should apply for a visitor visa (see 'Attending a Graduation Ceremony' above).
Post Study Work arrangements
If you wish to stay in Australia to work after completing your course, the Department of Home Affairs provides information on staying in Australia after your course.
Permanent residency
International students are not automatically eligible for permanent residence in Australia. To explore options for Australian Permanent Residency, contact the Department of Home Affairs.
More information
Department of Home Affairs
T: 131 881 (general enquiry)
W: www.homeaffairs.gov.au
Need a register migration agent?
W: www.mara.gov.au
Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre
W: www.rilc.org.au