STUDENT VISA ASSISTANCE :

Student Visas
Being an international student means that you are away from your usual supports, such as family and friends, and it can be difficult to know who to talk to about your concerns.

• You may be worried about your academic progress
• You may be worried about visa or residency requirements.
• You may need time off due to sickness or other exceptional circumstance.

Visa conditions
There are conditions attached to your student visa. Different students will have different conditions. These might include meeting course requirements, needing permission to get paid job or informing Cairns Language Centre of your current address.
 
Whatever, the conditions are, you need to be absolutely certain about what they mean and you need to comply with them or you risk losing your visa. Some of the more common conditions are described in this section.
 
If you need clarification of your visa conditions contact: International services, Cairns Language Centre or Department of Immigration Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs(DIMIA)
 
Important:
On 1 July 2001 the Australian government introduced many changes to student visa regulations for Overseas Students in Australia. Accordingly:

• Academic Performance and Attendance
• You must satisfy the following program requirements (Condition 8202)
- Remain enrolled full time in a registered program.
- Have satisfactory academic results.
- Attend at least 80% of the contact hours scheduled for each semester/term

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Government regulations state that all international students, and their dependants, must maintain OSHC during their stay in Australia. Your OSHC card may take some weeks to be issued but please note that you are covered from the day you arrive in Australia. This is important in case you require medical attention.
 
Work Rights Permit
If you have Condition 8101 listed on your visa, you will not be able to work in Australia unless you apply for permission to work. Applications for a permit to work can only be made in Australia after you have commenced you studies. Once your work permit is approved you will be granted one of these conditions:

1. Condition 8105: allows you to work 20 hours a week, (other than work which is a registered requirement of your program), when your program is in session. When your program is not in session you can work an unrestricted number of hours.

2. Condition 8104: you are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week, regardless of whether your program is in session or not.

No change of Education Institution within the First 12 months:
You must remain enrolled at Cairns Language Centre for the first 12 months of your program or for the duration of your program if it is less than 12 months (Condition 8206).

Leave of Absence
You are not allowed to take Leave of Absence except on these grounds:

• Illness with evidence of medical certificate, or
• Exceptional compassionate circumstances, for example, .bereavement (death in family)
• Cancellation of Enrolment
If you cancel your enrolment you must leave Australia within 4 weeks or contact DIMIA to discuss visa options. Note that cancellation of your enrolment will result in cancellation of your visa.

(Contact Cairns Language Centre administration for more information or help regarding your visa conditions)

Academic Progress
Your visa conditions require that you complete your course of study within 'minimum standard time'. This is usually the period of time issued on your visa. If you are unsure about your progress or are having difficulties with any of your subjects, you should contact the Deputy Principal.
 
The sooner you get help, the more likely you will avoid problems with your visa. You are entitled to appeal against any academic assessment you have received and Cairns Language Centre Administration Officers can help you do so.

Attendance
Attendance records are taken in all courses. You must let your teacher or administration know if you need to miss classes due to sickness or other exceptional circumstances. Cairns Language Centre has health and counselling services if you need them. Contact the Administration for information about what services are on offer.
 
Notification of Address and Change of Address
Notification details are stated in your visa. Check the details to avoid confusion. Condition 8533 requires that you notify your education provider (Cairns Language Centre administration) of your address in Australia within 7 days. You are also required to notify the Department Of Immigration Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) in writing of a new address 2 days before you move, according to Conditions 8506.
 
Also, if there are any problems with your visa the Department will send you a letter, and in some cases you will only have 28 days to respond. If they do not hear from you within 28 days, they can automatically commence cancellation of your visa. Not receiving the information because you have moved is not considered an excuse.
 
If you go home during the semester break make sure you notify Administration office Cairns Language Centre. If you have problems with your visa you need to contact Cairns Language Centre Administration as soon as possible so that you can get legal advice.
 
Employment in Australia
If you would like to work in Australia, you need to apply for a student visa with permission to work. An application for permission to work can only be made once you are in Australia and after you have commenced your studies. This will generally allow you to work 20 hours a week during semester and more hours during holidays.
 
You can apply for permission to work on line on www.immi.gov.au.

Workers in Australia require a Tax File Number. You can apply on-line on www.ato.gov.au.