Go for it! I'm about to lodge my student visa. They said borders will re-open early next year just in time for my 2nd semester. I'm starting my course remotely next month (so I get to keep my job here in PH for a couple of months) but I will be continuing on campus in Au next year for about 18-20 months so I will still meet the required 16 months physically present in Australia to get that AU study points.
I think the online component will only be counted towards post-graduate visa calculation. This is what the school told me so I guess you still have to be in AU for the Australian Study requirement for a PR visa application (e.g., 189/190)
"The Department of Home Affairs has announced that the online component of your studies will be recognised in your Post-Study Work Rights calculation."
I'm already at 85 points at the moment but the way things are going with the pandemic, AU recession/rebuilding, and the accumulation of EOI submissions that were not processed (lot's of higher-pointers for sure ahead of me now), there's a good chance that I won't be invited before my EOI expires in Dec 2021 so I decided to take an action (albeit an expensive one) just to increase my chances of getting a PR. To each his own, your situation may be different but for me, I'm 37 yrs old now so I have to get invited before my age points go down, 3 years from now, otherwise it will all be for nothing. I'm not taking any chances.
@shewolf30 said:
Anyone who plans to study and/or will pursue their studies on 2021?
Given the current situation and the high probability that borders will still be closed early next year, is distance learning worth it?
The only reason that we’re considering temporary online study is to increase our points for PR.
Feel free to share your thoughts.