Student Visa (Step by step)

maguero · July 2020

@javi If naka student visa ka you can add your partner as your dependent. Student visa din ang makukuha nya. The partner visa can only be applied if the sponsor is an Australian citizen or PR.

connex7287 · July 2020

May update ba kayo sa mga schools ng NSW? or if ng allow na ba ulit ang Sydney ng SV from pinas? TIA

goku_son · July 2020

@lunarcat said:
Sorry to say this pero di ko nilalahat. Kapwa Pinoy din ang humihila sa atin pababa. Do you have their office address po? Some offices are back to operation naman. Same din ng friend ko di pa na approve yong student visa nila (de facto) dami pa requirements. Sa isang agency din sila nag apply not sure sa name. Hirap naman kase to sort this out if walang help mismo sa involved na tao. Agent ba yan si Ms. Vida? Hope talaga na maging okay na yong case niyo Sir para hindi madeduct yong visitors health insurance niyo po. Delay din kase approval kahit onshore application dahil sa Covid.

Ganun na nga po. Nung July 9 nag email na samin si Ms Vida na i rrefund nalang daw yun single policy ni partner. Pero July 18 na, wala pa rin. Sobrang hassle lang.

goku_son · July 2020

@connex7287 said:
May update ba kayo sa mga schools ng NSW? or if ng allow na ba ulit ang Sydney ng SV from pinas? TIA

Ang huling announcement ng prime minister eh pababalikin daw po ang mga student once na mag open na ulit ang border. Sa ngayon, binabalik ang restrictions sa Sydney. Kung meron mag allow ng student visa, siguro online po muna. May kilala ako na nasa Pinas and andito sa Sydney ang school.

chemron9400 · July 2020

hi. im thinking of student visa kasi medyo matagal ung skilled migration ko.. positive na assessment ng vetasses ko plus proficient na ako sa pte academic with 10 years work experience related sa profession ko. now im thinking to go with student visa then while nag aaral mag process ako ng 491 or 190 skilled migration ko onshore. is it possible?

ayenxxoo · July 2020

@chemron9400 said:
hi. im thinking of student visa kasi medyo matagal ung skilled migration ko.. positive na assessment ng vetasses ko plus proficient na ako sa pte academic with 10 years work experience related sa profession ko. now im thinking to go with student visa then while nag aaral mag process ako ng 491 or 190 skilled migration ko onshore. is it possible?

Hi @chemron im considering the same thing. I have received conflicted advice regarding this and not sure din if possible na malodge mo ung skills visa while on Student visa. saang state ka nag apply?

chemron9400 · July 2020

@ayenxxoo said:

@chemron9400 said:
hi. im thinking of student visa kasi medyo matagal ung skilled migration ko.. positive na assessment ng vetasses ko plus proficient na ako sa pte academic with 10 years work experience related sa profession ko. now im thinking to go with student visa then while nag aaral mag process ako ng 491 or 190 skilled migration ko onshore. is it possible?

Hi @chemron im considering the same thing. I have received conflicted advice regarding this and not sure din if possible na malodge mo ung skills visa while on Student visa. saang state ka nag apply?

nag apply ako sa NSW for 190 and 491 last March 2020. 75+5 points lang ako eh kung superior ung PTE ko plus 10 points pa. Medyo matagal pa ata mainvite kung ma invite man. Im really confused hehe..

athelene · July 2020

@chemron9400 said:
nag apply ako sa NSW for 190 and 491 last March 2020. 75+5 points lang ako eh kung superior ung PTE ko plus 10 points pa. Medyo matagal pa ata mainvite kung ma invite man. Im really confused hehe..

If you haven't maxed out the points for English proficiency, I think it's cheaper to retake the exam until you get the max points instead of going the student visa route (unless wala pa ring invite despite the Superior English)

chemron9400 · July 2020

thanks @athelene for your reply. Yes yan po tinatrabaho ko ngayon ang ma superior sa PTE haha mahirap din kc lol.. Plan B ko n lng yung student visa if ever hindi ko tlga makuha ung superior at walang invite pa din..

@athelene said:

@chemron9400 said:
nag apply ako sa NSW for 190 and 491 last March 2020. 75+5 points lang ako eh kung superior ung PTE ko plus 10 points pa. Medyo matagal pa ata mainvite kung ma invite man. Im really confused hehe..

If you haven't maxed out the points for English proficiency, I think it's cheaper to retake the exam until you get the max points instead of going the student visa route (unless wala pa ring invite despite the Superior English)

miyastart · July 2020

Hi! Meron po ba ditong Student Visa sa Perth? Naghahanap kasi ako ng murang university na nagooffer ng Master of Professional Accounting. Nag-apply ako sa ECU Joondalup Campus kaso ang start pa ng processing ng offer nila for Feb 2021 intake e late August pa daw. Kaya I'm looking for other option sana habang nagaantay.

FUL · August 2020

@miyastart Try nyo po sa Murdoch at Curtin, Perth baka di nyo pa na try. May less na 12000 AUD Murdoch, sa naman Curtin University naka-less 25% for 1 year only ung offer nila ng Master of Professional Accounting. Mabilis din sila magconfirm ng result ng application one day lang.

zedc · August 2020

@goku_son said:

@connex7287 said:
May update ba kayo sa mga schools ng NSW? or if ng allow na ba ulit ang Sydney ng SV from pinas? TIA

Ang huling announcement ng prime minister eh pababalikin daw po ang mga student once na mag open na ulit ang border. Sa ngayon, binabalik ang restrictions sa Sydney. Kung meron mag allow ng student visa, siguro online po muna. May kilala ako na nasa Pinas and andito sa Sydney ang school.

sir goku, may link po kayo ng announcement na yan? katakot po yan ah. thanks

matthewoz · September 2020

Naka received po ako ng offer from a school at binigay din po yung babayaran kong initial fee + OSHC cover.

Sabi po nung school, kung sila ang magpoprocess nung OSHC ay kailangan ko nang bayaran. Nakalagay po dun tatlong klase, single, couple, at family.

Single - $1,194.00
Couple - AUD AUD $4,083.10
Family - AUD $6,148.00

May partner po ako at isang baby.

Ano po ba ang mas ok at mas makaka mura? Base po kasi sa na-research ko, dapat yung main student applicant muna mag apply ng visa then to follow na lang si partner para pag na-deny si partner, hindi madeny kasama si main sponsor. Tama po ba ito?

Kung tama ito, pwede po ba syang mag apply ng hiwalay na insurance kasi parang mas mura pag single cover type base sa binigay na presyo nung school (Medibank).

Ano po ba magandang diskarte dito para makatipid kami?

athelene · September 2020

@matthewoz said:

Naka received po ako ng offer from a school at binigay din po yung babayaran kong initial fee + OSHC cover.

Sabi po nung school, kung sila ang magpoprocess nung OSHC ay kailangan ko nang bayaran. Nakalagay po dun tatlong klase, single, couple, at family.

Single - $1,194.00
Couple - AUD AUD $4,083.10
Family - AUD $6,148.00

May partner po ako at isang baby.

Ano po ba ang mas ok at mas makaka mura? Base po kasi sa na-research ko, dapat yung main student applicant muna mag apply ng visa then to follow na lang si partner para pag na-deny si partner, hindi madeny kasama si main sponsor. Tama po ba ito?

Kung tama ito, pwede po ba syang mag apply ng hiwalay na insurance kasi parang mas mura pag single cover type base sa binigay na presyo nung school (Medibank).

Ano po ba magandang diskarte dito para makatipid kami?

When you said "main sponsor," do you mean that may magssponsor sa family mo to study in Australia? Whether combined or subsequent application, you'd still have to provide adequate proof of financial capacity to support the family while in Australia.

I'm not sure if anyone in this forum was able to apply for separate OSHC for families and not have problems with it when claiming benefits, and if may difference sa visa grant rates kung separate din ang application ng student from the student dependents. In my opinion, the cost of couple and family OSHC coverage is much higher possibly because of the high cost for pregnancy-related procedures (check-up, radiology, delivery, etc), and tendencies of kids to get sick (and therefore have to visit the doctors often).

Kahit makatipid po with separate OSHC, you still have to set aside some funds for upfront medical fees. I don't know if you are aware of how OSHC works, but you have to pay for the medical fees upfront, and then you'll have to lodge a claim online to your OSHC provider (scanning or taking photo of the receipt). The OSHC will only reimburse you up to the value based on your policy's coverage for a particular item. If the medical provider charges beyond the maximum value for an item under the MBS, you will have to pay for the Gap Fee / Co-payment / Out-of-Pocket expenses yourself. For example, if the doctor charges AUD 50 for a consult, and your OSHC only covers up to AUD 38, your OSHC provider will only reimburse you AUD 38. So in the end you've paid for AUD 12 outside of your OSHC coverage. If the specialist charges AUD 250 for initial consult (even if may referral from GP), and the OSHC will reimburse you AUD 75, that's still an AUD 175 out-of-pocket expense.

In my experience, hindi naman ako sakitin, kaya bihira ko magamit ang OSHC ko (swerte ang OSHC provider ko hahaha). In the past year, I've spent about AUD 1400, but was only able to get reimbursement for AUD 711. That's a whopping AUD 689 in out-of-pocket fees (mahal kasi yung magpatingin sa specialist). I've been to several GPs, a specialist (dito ka talaga mapapagastos, they can charge around AUD 250 for a consult), have blood work and radiology tests done (which, thankfully, hindi ako na-charge). OSHC puts a high premium based on the assumption that potential students may require frequent GP visits throughout their stay in Australia.

BTW, confirm if the Medibank OSHC is the comprehensive policy. I'm on that, and so far I really like it kasi mabilis lang ang process for reimbursement and nakocover to some extent yun medical fees. You can also shop around for other OSHC providers and see their coverage. If you feel you don't need to get comprehensive coverage, you can spend less on your OSHC policy by getting basic coverage lang, but yun nga may risk na mas malaki ang babayaran mo kung sakaling kailanganin ang isang procedure na hindi covered ng insurance mo.

Ed510 · September 2020

@athelene said:

@matthewoz said:

Naka received po ako ng offer from a school at binigay din po yung babayaran kong initial fee + OSHC cover.

Sabi po nung school, kung sila ang magpoprocess nung OSHC ay kailangan ko nang bayaran. Nakalagay po dun tatlong klase, single, couple, at family.

Single - $1,194.00
Couple - AUD AUD $4,083.10
Family - AUD $6,148.00

May partner po ako at isang baby.

Ano po ba ang mas ok at mas makaka mura? Base po kasi sa na-research ko, dapat yung main student applicant muna mag apply ng visa then to follow na lang si partner para pag na-deny si partner, hindi madeny kasama si main sponsor. Tama po ba ito?

Kung tama ito, pwede po ba syang mag apply ng hiwalay na insurance kasi parang mas mura pag single cover type base sa binigay na presyo nung school (Medibank).

Ano po ba magandang diskarte dito para makatipid kami?

When you said "main sponsor," do you mean that may magssponsor sa family mo to study in Australia? Whether combined or subsequent application, you'd still have to provide adequate proof of financial capacity to support the family while in Australia.

I'm not sure if anyone in this forum was able to apply for separate OSHC for families and not have problems with it when claiming benefits, and if may difference sa visa grant rates kung separate din ang application ng student from the student dependents. In my opinion, the cost of couple and family OSHC coverage is much higher possibly because of the high cost for pregnancy-related procedures (check-up, radiology, delivery, etc), and tendencies of kids to get sick (and therefore have to visit the doctors often).

Kahit makatipid po with separate OSHC, you still have to set aside some funds for upfront medical fees. I don't know if you are aware of how OSHC works, but you have to pay for the medical fees upfront, and then you'll have to lodge a claim online to your OSHC provider (scanning or taking photo of the receipt). The OSHC will only reimburse you up to the value based on your policy's coverage for a particular item. If the medical provider charges beyond the maximum value for an item under the MBS, you will have to pay for the Gap Fee / Co-payment / Out-of-Pocket expenses yourself. For example, if the doctor charges AUD 50 for a consult, and your OSHC only covers up to AUD 38, your OSHC provider will only reimburse you AUD 38. So in the end you've paid for AUD 12 outside of your OSHC coverage. If the specialist charges AUD 250 for initial consult (even if may referral from GP), and the OSHC will reimburse you AUD 75, that's still an AUD 175 out-of-pocket expense.

In my experience, hindi naman ako sakitin, kaya bihira ko magamit ang OSHC ko (swerte ang OSHC provider ko hahaha). In the past year, I've spent about AUD 1400, but was only able to reimbursement for AUD 711. That's a whopping AUD 689 in out-of-pocket fees (mahal kasi yung magpatingin sa specialist). I've been to several GPs, a specialist (dito ka talaga mapapagastos, they can charge around AUD 250 for a consult), have blood work and radiology tests done (which, thankfully, hindi ako na-charge). OSHC puts a high premium based on the assumption that potential students may require frequent GP visits throughout their stay in Australia.

BTW, confirm if the Medibank OSHC is the comprehensive policy. I'm on that, and so far I really like it kasi mabilis lang ang process for reimbursement and nakocover to some extent yun medical fees. You can also shop around for other OSHC providers and see their coverage. If you feel you don't need to get comprehensive coverage, you can spend less on your OSHC policy by getting basic coverage lang, but yun nga may risk na mas malaki ang babayaran mo kung sakaling kailanganin ang isang procedure na hindi covered ng insurance mo.

@athelene
Ano yung ma-recommend mo na OSHC? I'm also preparing for these things for my SV.
Currently, yung agency ko provided estimate of AUD 1,100 for 2 years.

athelene · September 2020

@athelene
Ano yung ma-recommend mo na OSHC? I'm also preparing for these things for my SV.
Currently, yung agency ko provided estimate of AUD 1,100 for 2 years.

My OSHC has been arranged for me (I didn't have the option of shopping around), so I've been on Medibank OSHC Comprehensive. AUD 1,100 for 2 years seems okay naman. I doubt OSHC for Single Cover would vary very much between providers, unless magkaiba ang coverage nila.

goku_son · September 2020

Hi. Need advice for my case po. Na approve na student visa namin ni partner nung May 7. Unfortunately, nagka problem yun insurance kasi ang inapply namin nun two single policy under the same account katulad lang din ng OVHC namin nun.

Anyway, pinipilit kami ng BUPA na mag couple insurance and pay 6k+ dahil yun daw ang policy at ako lang daw nag aaral. Si partner hindi kahit na dependent ko siya. Ang sabi namin hindi namin need at the moment ng pregnancy cover dahil naka contraceptive pills naman si partner and syempre costly talaga ang couple. Hindi pa kami ready.

Wala ba talaga kami choice nun? Ang sabi pa dapat Overseas Visitor daw ang kunin ni gf at hindi Overseas Student dahil nga hindi siya nagaral. Parang na confuse ako. TIA!

fortdomeng · September 2020

@goku_son said:
Hi. Need advice for my case po. Na approve na student visa namin ni partner nung May 7. Unfortunately, nagka problem yun insurance kasi ang inapply namin nun two single policy under the same account katulad lang din ng OVHC namin nun.

Anyway, pinipilit kami ng BUPA na mag couple insurance and pay 6k+ dahil yun daw ang policy at ako lang daw nag aaral. Si partner hindi kahit na dependent ko siya. Ang sabi namin hindi namin need at the moment ng pregnancy cover dahil naka contraceptive pills naman si partner and syempre costly talaga ang couple. Hindi pa kami ready.

Wala ba talaga kami choice nun? Ang sabi pa dapat Overseas Visitor daw ang kunin ni gf at hindi Overseas Student dahil nga hindi siya nagaral. Parang na confuse ako. TIA!

Dapat ata yung health cover naka ayon sa subclass ng visa. Like if student visa - oshc, pag post grad naman essential visitor cover.

RodSher · September 2020

Hi. Need some help. I had applied my SV together with my dependent and I received an email from home affairs to provide biometrics. However, VFS in the country that I'm living in is temporarily closed. do you guys experience the same situation?

athelene · September 2020

@RodSher said:
Hi. Need some help. I had applied my SV together with my dependent and I received an email from home affairs to provide biometrics. However, VFS in the country that I'm living in is temporarily closed. do you guys experience the same situation?

I believe you still need to provide biometrics, at least for first time applicants. I had to provide biometrics the first time I applied for SV (offshore), but the second time no need (onshore app). Wala pong news kung kelan magbubukas ang local VFS nyo? Consider contacting DHA about your options; baka pwede ka magpunta sa next nearest (and safe) country to provide your biometrics.

RodSher · September 2020

@athelene I have contacted DHA informing the situation and I think they verified the same, at the end they wanted me to put it in the cover letter. although we have provided biometrics the last time we visit Australia but that's TV. I hope they will consider it.

matthewoz · September 2020

Eto po yung calculation dun sa offer ni ECU sakin. Ang question ko po, do we really need to show proof of funds for the entire amount ($118,070)? Medyo malaki laking halaga po kasi, nasa 4M, good for 2 years na including tuition fee, air fare, and living expenses. Balak po namin magwork pareho ni misis if ever pang tustos. Papayag po kaya sila kung 1/3 lang ang maipakita namin na funds?

athelene · September 2020

@matthewoz said:

Eto po yung calculation dun sa offer ni ECU sakin. Ang question ko po, do we really need to show proof of funds for the entire amount ($118,070)? Medyo malaki laking halaga po kasi, nasa 4M, good for 2 years na including tuition fee, air fare, and living expenses. Balak po namin magwork pareho ni misis if ever pang tustos. Papayag po kaya sila kung 1/3 lang ang maipakita namin na funds?

I've never encountered something like this when applying for university studies. But for uni studies, generally it's less stress if you at least can cover your one year tuition from your savings, since income from PT work will only be enough for living expenses. If your wife will travel with you and work full-time, makakatulong yun, but it will take time to save up enough for the succeeding semesters. Perhaps you can have a family member "sponsor" or help with the show money just so you can meet the requirements of ECU?

claireang · November 2020

Hello po! Question po sana. I am eyeing a fairly affordable masters (courswork) as Perth, sa EIT 22,395 per year Masters of Mechanical Engineering (2y total) for June 2021 intake with my husband. Me as student. Nabasa ko po sa Dept of Immi na and funds na dapat meron ay:
1y tuition (22,395 AUD)
1y living expenses (28400 AUD for 2 pax)
Travel cost 2 way (4000 AUD for 2 pax)
2y health insurance (6400 AUD for 2 pax)

Ang total po ay around PHP 2.1M. Dapat po ba may buffer pa po na laman yung bank aside dito para ma approve? If ever mga how much po yung buffer na kailangan? Yung health insurance, travel cost and living expenses is magagamit naman talaga and hindi lang basta show money tama po ba? Although yung travel cost is dapat po 2 way tama po ba?

athelene · November 2020

@claireang said:
Hello po! Question po sana. I am eyeing a fairly affordable masters (courswork) as Perth, sa EIT 22,395 per year Masters of Mechanical Engineering (2y total) for June 2021 intake with my husband. Me as student. Nabasa ko po sa Dept of Immi na and funds na dapat meron ay:
1y tuition (22,395 AUD)
1y living expenses (28400 AUD for 2 pax)
Travel cost 2 way (4000 AUD for 2 pax)
2y health insurance (6400 AUD for 2 pax)

Ang total po ay around PHP 2.1M. Dapat po ba may buffer pa po na laman yung bank aside dito para ma approve? If ever mga how much po yung buffer na kailangan? Yung health insurance, travel cost and living expenses is magagamit naman talaga and hindi lang basta show money tama po ba? Although yung travel cost is dapat po 2 way tama po ba?

How much "buffer" you put in is up to you, as long as you have enough money to cover the costs related to studying/living in Australia. Yes, health insurance, travel cost, and living expenses would likely be used, especially if you can't secure work as soon as your studies start (you can't work until your classes have started). Health insurance will definitely be paid early, because you need to give your policy details when you apply for student visa. The first sem tuition is typically paid before you are issued an eCoE (also required for student visa application), but having the first year tuition is advisable (if you can have enough for the 2 year program, even better para less stress later in case you don't have enough savings/work while you're onshore).

Side note: Is that degree accredited by Engineers Australia? Will that help you get a positive skills assessment later?

xiaoxue · November 2020

@claireang said:
Hello po! Question po sana. I am eyeing a fairly affordable masters (courswork) as Perth, sa EIT 22,395 per year Masters of Mechanical Engineering (2y total) for June 2021 intake with my husband. Me as student. Nabasa ko po sa Dept of Immi na and funds na dapat meron ay:
1y tuition (22,395 AUD)
1y living expenses (28400 AUD for 2 pax)
Travel cost 2 way (4000 AUD for 2 pax)
2y health insurance (6400 AUD for 2 pax)

Ang total po ay around PHP 2.1M. Dapat po ba may buffer pa po na laman yung bank aside dito para ma approve? If ever mga how much po yung buffer na kailangan? Yung health insurance, travel cost and living expenses is magagamit naman talaga and hindi lang basta show money tama po ba? Although yung travel cost is dapat po 2 way tama po ba?

Hello po Ma'am, ang nababasa ko po sa mga forum, kapag raw po sabay kayo ng dependent ninyo na mag-apply ng Student visa, di po required mag-present ng proof of funds. Pero kapag subsequent entry si spouse, required daw po ang show money sa kanya. Try to check with your agent po. Nabasa ko rin na may mga agents na pumapayag na sabay i-apply ang student and dependent.

PittacusLore · November 2020

@xiaoxue said:

@claireang said:
Hello po! Question po sana. I am eyeing a fairly affordable masters (courswork) as Perth, sa EIT 22,395 per year Masters of Mechanical Engineering (2y total) for June 2021 intake with my husband. Me as student. Nabasa ko po sa Dept of Immi na and funds na dapat meron ay:
1y tuition (22,395 AUD)
1y living expenses (28400 AUD for 2 pax)
Travel cost 2 way (4000 AUD for 2 pax)
2y health insurance (6400 AUD for 2 pax)

Ang total po ay around PHP 2.1M. Dapat po ba may buffer pa po na laman yung bank aside dito para ma approve? If ever mga how much po yung buffer na kailangan? Yung health insurance, travel cost and living expenses is magagamit naman talaga and hindi lang basta show money tama po ba? Although yung travel cost is dapat po 2 way tama po ba?

Hello po Ma'am, ang nababasa ko po sa mga forum, kapag raw po sabay kayo ng dependent ninyo na mag-apply ng Student visa, di po required mag-present ng proof of funds. Pero kapag subsequent entry si spouse, required daw po ang show money sa kanya. Try to check with your agent po. Nabasa ko rin na may mga agents na pumapayag na sabay i-apply ang student and dependent.

Agree with xiaoxue. Dependent ko si hubby. Sabay siya sa application ko. Hindi kami nag present ng proof of funds. Sabay din na-grant student visa nung August 19

nutzagi26 · November 2020

@chemron9400 ... ano po skills ang inapply nyo?

pag under po ba as student visa hindi allowed mag apply as skilled migration?

I was thinking po kasi na mag apply for skilled migration then study pero under diploma program, while waiting for result

any advise po?

bakangaroo · November 2020

Hello po sa lahat! Question lang po, may nakakaalam po ba sa ganda ng chances makakuha ng scholarship sa Australia kung off shore/non-visa holder pa ang applicant? Meron po ba ditong may ganung experience na successfully nakakuha ng visa and scholarship straight from PH? Appreciate any response, thank you po!

athelene · November 2020

@bakangaroo said:
Hello po sa lahat! Question lang po, may nakakaalam po ba sa ganda ng chances makakuha ng scholarship sa Australia kung off shore/non-visa holder pa ang applicant? Meron po ba ditong may ganung experience na successfully nakakuha ng visa and scholarship straight from PH? Appreciate any response, thank you po!

The likelihood of getting a scholarship depends on your academic achievements and which scholarship you're applying for. I don't think your current location makes a difference on whether you can get a scholarship or not.

I have received an Endeavour scholarship for my master's degree study, but I applied for it while I was living in Taiwan (my student visa was also granted while in Taiwan). Personally, I had no idea of my chances of getting it, but the only thing I could do was apply anyway and see what happens. I only learned that I was on the waitlist when I was offered a place about 3 weeks after I'd been informed that I didn't get the scholarship.

I did not qualify for Australia Awards because I was living outside PH, and the degree I was planning to pursue was not within their priority fields of study. As far as I know, AAS is the only one that can provide full tuition scholarship + stipends + return flights (Endeavour was the same, but the program was canceled last year). If your profile fits the AAS eligibility, apply for it anyway even though you're not sure of your chances.