Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I get admission to your school?
- How can I extend my student visa?
- How can I arrange my medical examination?
- What is the cost of living in Australia while I study?
- Do I need to have overseas student health cover (OSHC)?
- Can I work while I study in Australia?
- Can I work in Australia if I am an international student?
- What is IELTS?
- Whom do I notify when I change my address?
- What happens if my attendance falls below 80%?
To view our Student Selection Process please click here.
Once you are in Australia and your student visa is about to expire, you can extend your visa depending on your circumstances. If you have a reason to continue studying and you have at least 80% attendance in your previous courses, you can apply for an extension. To extend your visa you will need to fill out Form157P and make your application in Australia before your current student visa expires.
For any students (and dependants) about to renew/extend student visas, it is essential to provide to DIAC with the results of a new medical examination. This medical exam CANNOT be done by your regular GP, and very specific steps must be followed.
DIAC advises that you should start the process for the medical examinations at least 2 months before the expiry of your student visa.
Students should do the following in the order shown:
- Complete your details on DIAC Forms 160a and 26a and attach a passport-sized photo of yourself as shown on the forms.
- Make an appointment for your medical examination and chest X-ray by phoning Health Services Australia (HSA) office in Sydney, (02) 8396 0600.
- Attend your medical examination at one of the HSA offices. You must also take with you your passport for identification purposes and also your completed DIAC Forms 26a & 160a.
- When the medical report is returned to you in the sealed envelope, take it to DIAC with your application and other paperwork required for the student visa renewal. Do not open the sealed envelope(s) or you may need to get a new medical check!
Note that the cost of the medical examination is not covered by OSHC.
Australia is cheaper to live in compared to other study destinations such as England and America. Assume a cost of living $12000 per annum for applicants who have no family unit members. The cost of living could be expected to increase by:
http://www.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm- At least 35% if student has a spouse.
- A further 20% (plus $8000 p/a cost of schooling) if the student has at least one child.
Yes, Government regulations state that it is compulsory for international students and their dependants to maintain adequate health insurance arrangements for the duration of their program. You are responsible for ensuring you have valid OSHC cover at all times.
Most students take part-time or casual jobs at some time during their studies whether during the semester, on their vacations or throughout the year. Some jobs are closely tied to courses of study (such as formal cadetships and informal arrangements such as part-time work by law students in solicitors' offices). Some students get jobs on campus in the canteen, the bookshop, in the institution's offices and as laboratory assistants. Some jobs are entirely outside the education community such as bartending, babysitting, gardening, customer service work or fruit picking.
Dependents of students studying at VET (Vocational Education & Training) colleges, such as SSBT, are permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week. Click here for more information.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the is the world’s proven English language test and it continues to set the standard for English language testing today. SSBT trust and recognise IELTS as secure, valid and reliable indicator of true to life ability to communicate in English for education, immigration and professional accreditation. For more information on the defined entry requirements for SSBT Courses, read relevant SSBT Course Outlines for individual courses.
You must notify SSBT within 7 days of arrival. If you change address you must notify SSBT within 7 days of moving to the new address.
A student will be in breach of visa conditions where they have attendance less than 80% of the scheduled contact hours for the course. Contact hours is the period for which students are enrolled in the course and scheduled to attend classes for teaching purposes, such as course related information sessions, self study, supervised study sessions and examinations. Where the course runs for a semester or longer, the student must attend at least 80% of the contact hours for each term or semester. The student must attend at least 80% of the contact hours for the course as a whole. If a student fails to comply with the visa attendance requirement, SSBT is obliged to notify DIAC. The notice is generated through PRISMS and the details are electronically transmitted to DIAC. Notice will be sent to student's last known address.
