Visa Enquiries Telephone: Mon - Thu 1pm to 5pm, Fri 1pm to 4pm - Telephone: +49 (0)30 700 129 129 - Fax: +49(0)30 22 48 92 93
Counter Hours Visa Section: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am and 11am
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Student Visa Options
If you are a medical or law student and you intend to undergo a medical or legal elective in Australia, please see the following information.
See: Medical or Legal Elective (subclass 456)
If you are a student and intend to do a practical training or an internship, please read the following and apply for an occupational trainee visa.
See: Occupational Trainee Visa (subclass 442)
Student Visas (subclasses 570 - 576)
The Australian Government operates an overseas student program, which enables people who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents to study in Australia.
Student Visa or Visitor Visa?
Visitors to Australia who wish to attend a formal or informal course, which lasts for up to 3 months (for example: English language course, diving course, or computer course) can do so using a Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). You should be aware, however, that work is not permitted while holding a tourist visa, and that health formalities still apply.
See: Visitor Visas
See: Health Requirements
If your course of study lasts for more than 3 months, OR you are participating in a Secondary School Exchange (no matter how short) you need to apply for a Student Visa. Secondary School Exchange refers to official exchange programs registered with an Australian State Department of (School) Education.
How long will the visa be valid?
Secondary School Exchange Student visas (for students holding an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Schooling) are always valid for the length of the exchange. Other student visas are usually valid for the duration of the course plus one or two months depending on the total length of the course.
If students wish to stay longer, they will have to apply for an additional visitor visa shortly before the student visa expires.
See: Extending Your Stay - DIAC Website
Will I be permitted to work?
If you were granted a Student visa on or after 26 April 2008, you and your dependent family members will already have Permission to Work automatically included with your visa. Further information on the conditions that apply to working while studying is available.
For more information on visa requirements please visit the Student visa pages on the Department's main website, or continue reading the information on this page.
See: Students - DIAC Website
Electronic or Paper Application
Paper Application
You should apply on paper at the Australian Embassy in Berlin if you are:
a student who is not assessment Level 1; and
See: Download Student Assessment Levels - DIAC Website (PDF)
a Secondary Exchange student who holds an official AASES letter (Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Schooling) and a student who is receiving a Government Approved Scholarship;
a Secondary School student who is under 18 years old and is in possession
of a Confirmation of Enrolment.
Online Application
All other applications for student visas should be made online.
See: Online Student Visas - DIAC Website
Please note: All online visas are processed onshore. No processing is done in Berlin. We do not have any information about your online visa application. For assistance regarding your online student visa application, please contact the student visa helpdesk.
E-Mail: evisa.students.helpdesk@immi.gov.au
Student Visa Application (on paper):
If you are not eligible for an electronic student visa, you must provide the following documents: 1. Confirmation of Enrolment for Overseas Student
or
Acceptance Advice for Secondary Exchange Student
The Confirmation of Enrolment means that you have been accepted as a student at an Australian educational institution which is registered with the Department of Education Training and Youth Affairs. We need an approved Confirmation of Enrolment before we can give you a visa.
To find out about registered organisations and courses, you may visit the following Study in Australia website:
See: Study in Australia Website
It is a requirement that you prove you have arranged the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). A German or Swiss health or travel insurance is not sufficient. Your coverage under OSHC is detailed on your Confirmation of Enrolment.
The Acceptance Advice for Secondary Exchange Student means that you have officially been accepted on an exchange program and given a place at an Australian school. Please sign the declaration on the Acceptance Advice and send it to us. If you are under the age of 18, please ask both your parents to sign. Single parents must provide evidence that they have sole custody.
2. Application Form 157A
Please complete, sign and date Form 157A.
Download form 157A - DIAC Website (PDF)
When completing your form, please ensure that you quote your last name and first name exactly as stated in your PASSPORT and do not use pencil. Please attach to your application one recent passport-size photograph of yourself (and of all family members included in the application).
If you are under 18, both parents must sign the form. We also require a copy of your birth certificate and copies of your parents' passports or identity cards. Single parents must provide evidence that they have sole custody (e.g. a copy of the custody ruling).
If you hold a Confirmation of Enrolment, you must complete question 41 of the application form (financial details). If you are under 18 years old, your parents should complete this question.
3. Visa Application Charge (where applicable)
See: Visa Application Charges
Official Secondary School Exchange students and recipients of certain Australian Government scholarships (such as the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme and Australian European Awards Program) are not required to pay an application charge. Australian Government scholarship holders must provide evidence of their scholarship to show they are fee-exempt.
4. Health Clearance (if applicable)
Please refer to the Health Requirements to see if your nationality and the nature/duration of your visit require you to undergo any health clearance formalities. Anyone located in a pharmaceutical laboratory, hospital or health-care facility (including nursing homes), or at a childcare centre, preschool or crêche, will need to undertake an X-ray as a minimum requirement.
See: Health Requirements - DIAC Website (PDF)
5. Other requirements
Depending on your nationality and Assessment Level, further documents may be required.
See: Other Requirements - DIAC Website
6. Valid Passport and Return Envelope
Your passport must be enclosed with your visa application. It must be valid for the entire period of your stay in Australia and must contain at least one blank page. Please enclose a self-addressed envelope for the return of your passport and add €3 to your fee payment to cover registered return postage. If you are exempted from the fee, please don't forget to enclose your postage charge.
7. Accommodation and welfare arrangements
(only required for applicants under the age of 18)
If you are under 18 years of age, you must have acceptable arrangements for your accommodation, support and general welfare for the duration of your student visa or until you turn 18 (whichever happens first).
You must show that you will either: live in Australia with your parent or legal custodian; or
live in Australia with a relative over 21 years of age who is nominated by your
parent or legal custodian; or live in Australia under a welfare arrangement that has been approved by your
education provider.
Welfare provided by your education provider:
If you will not be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian during your stay in Australia and if you are not intending to stay with an adult relative nominated by your parents/guardians, you will require a confirmation from your education provider that appropriate arrangements have been made for your accommodation, support and general welfare in Australia (along with Questions 57-66 on form 157A). For Secondary School Exchange, this confirmation appears on your Acceptance Advice. For all other studies, the education provider must provide a separate Confirmation. This letter is called a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation/Welfare Arrangements (CAAW) letter and if granted, your visa end date will correspond with the welfare dates on the letter.
If your welfare arrangements are approved by your education provider you cannot travel to Australia until your welfare arrangements commence. Your welfare arrangements commence on the welfare start date that your education provider has nominated on the CAAW.
Welfare provided by a parent or legal custodian or Welfare provided by a relative:
For details, please refer to the following additional information.
See: Additional Requirements (students under 18 years of age) - DIAC Website
Lodging an Application
Please mail your application or deliver personally to the following address:
(Visa Counter Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9.00 - 11.00 hrs)
Australian Embassy
Visa Office
Wallstrasse 76 - 79
D-10179 Berlin
Germany
We regret that we cannot assist you to obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment for Overseas Students or an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student in Australia. Please visit the Study in Australia website.
See: Study in Australia Website
See: Target Processing Times
Student Guardian Visas
The Student Guardian visa is an option for parents or relatives who are applying to stay in Australia as the guardian of a student who is studying in Australia and holds a student visa.
See: Application Details