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Renewing your student visa

You must hold a valid student visa while studying in Australia. Remember to apply for a further student visa before it expires, if:

Student visa conditions are available on the DIAC website.

On this page:

Continuing your current course of studies

Examination of your thesis

Applying in Australia

You can apply for a further student visa in Australia if your current visa is not subject to a No Further Stay condition. After you have lodged a valid application, you will be granted a bridging visa that comes into effect when your current visa expires and allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while your application is being processed. You must remain in Australia until your visa is granted.

Applying outside Australia

If you lodge an application outside Australia, you should wait until your visa is granted before travelling to Australia. If you travel to Australia on another visa before your application is finalised, you will need to lodge a new application in Australia (if eligible) and pay another visa application charge.

Streamlined Visa Processing

The University of Melbourne participates in the Streamlined Visa Processing arrangements. If you have a COE for an eligible course, DIAC will assess your visa application against a lower assessment level (similar to Assessment Level 1) regardless of your country of passport. You need less supporting documentation but DIAC must be satisfied that you are a genuine temporary entrant and meet health and character requirements.

To learn more about Streamlined Visa Processing, refer to:

Normal visa processing arrangements

If you do not have a COE for a course that is eligible for Streamlined Visa Processing, you should follow the normal visa processing arrangements. For more information, refer to the DIAC Student Visa Chooser.

Student visa applications are assessed according to Assessment Levels. The higher the Assessment Level, the more evidence is required for the grant of visa. The average processing times are:

  • Assessment Level 1 and 2: 3 weeks
  • Assessment Level 3 and 4: 3 months

Your Assessment Level is determined by your student visa subclass and country of passport.

Continuing your current course of study

If your student visa expires before you complete your course, you can renew your visa in Australia.

Step 1

Renew your OSHC coverage until the expected expiry date of your new student visa. If you have OSHC provided by Allianz Global Assistance, extend your coverage on the Allianz Global Assistance OSHC website.

Coursework students

Completing in Expected visa expiry date
Semester 1
 30 August of the same year
Semester 2 15 March of the following year
Other 1 month after your course end date

Research Higher Degree (RHD) students

Completing in Expected visa expiry date
November or December 15 March of the following year
January to October 2 months after your expected submission date
Less than 10 months 1 month after your expected submission date

IMPORTANT: An extra six months will be added to the expiry date indicated above to allow for the marking of thesis period. Please include the OSHC for this period.

Step 2

Obtain a new Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) from International Student Services (ISS). Complete a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) form

Step 3

Download the DIAC document checklist and prepare all required documents.

Step 4

Lodge your application online or by mail. Online applications are a fast and easy way to renew your visa and the application charge must be paid by credit card or BPAY®. You must lodge your application at least 7 days before your current visa expires.

DIAC does not accept student visa applications lodged in person.

When should I renew my visa?

Renew your visa 6 to 8 weeks before your current student visa expires.

After you lodge your application:

  • DIAC will send you an acknowledgement letter and may request further documents.
  • DIAC will inform you of the application outcome.
  • If your student visa is granted, update your student visa status online by clicking 'Update my citizenship and residency details'
  • If your student visa is refused or if you experience any difficulties with the application, contact us.

If you have specific questions that are not answered by the information on this website, contact us via email at iss-visa@unimelb.edu.au or book an appointment online to meet with us.

Examination of your thesis

If you are a research student, you may find that your visa expires during the thesis examination period. You are eligible to renew your 574 Student (Postgraduate Research) visa after you have submitted your thesis, but can only do so inside Australia.

Before lodging a visa application, you will need to:

Step 1

Renew your OSHC coverage 6 months from your thesis submission date. If you have OSHC provided by Allianz Global Assistance, extend your coverage on the Allianz Global Assistance OSHC website

Step 2

Complete a Confirmation of Marking of Thesis (CMT) request form

Step 3

Download the DIAC document checklist and prepare all required documents

Step 4

Download Form 157A: Application for a student visa

Mail your application to the nearest DIAC office in Australia. DIAC only accepts paper applications.

After you lodge your application:

  • DIAC will send you an acknowledgement letter and may request further documents.
  • DIAC will inform you of the application outcome.
  • Once your student visa is granted, update your student visa status online by clicking 'Update my citizenship and residency details'.

If you have specific questions that are not answered by the information on this website, contact us via email at iss-visa@unimelb.edu.au or book an appointment online to meet with us.