Pre-enrolment Information

We are excited that you have decided to study at Shafston. We understand that traveling to a new country can be a challenging experience, so we have put together some information that will help you to plan for your time studying at Shafston.

Before you start, it is important to review the pre-enrolment information below. These documents will help to ensure that you have addressed all the criteria and you understand your responsibilities.

For more information, please view our Policies and Procedures.
 

Visa Application

Student Visa Applicants: When all COE's have been received, you may submit an application for a student visa at the nearest Australian Embassy, Consulate or DIAC Office (Department of Immigration). See http://www.immi.gov.au for detailed information about what is needed to be successful in an application for a student visa to study in Australia.

Please Note: Students enrolling into a University pathway program as part of the same application process, also need to receive and submit the CoE received from the University. Following the issue of an offer letter from the University, in some cases an initial payment to the University will be required (depending on the pathway arrangement) to receive the necessary Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) from the University. It is important that you understand the Visa you have or are choosing to study with in Australia. This will depend on the Country on your passport and where you are currently located and where you will be when applying for your Visa.

You will also need to check the time that you will need to allow for your Visa to be granted which will depend on your personal circumstances. Please make sure your nominated course start date allows enough time for your Visa to be granted and your travel to Australia.

For information on the Visa's offered for travel to Australia please visit: http://www.immi.gov.au
 

Health & Travel Insurance

Student Visa Holders

Australia has a special system of health cover for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). You will need to buy OSHC before you come to Australia and in most cases before you apply for your Student Visa. Your OSHC policy must cover you from when you arrive until your Student Visa End date. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires you to maintain OSHC for the duration of your time on a student visa in Australia.

Shafston has an agreement with a preferred OSHC provider known as Worldcare and you may choose at point of application with Shafston or at anytime before your Visa is granted to request OSHC through Shafston. You can choose to take out OSHC with Shafston, or with another Australian OSHC provider of your choice. If you request OSHC with Shafston, we will provide you with a quote for the fee payable. Upon arrival Shafston will arrange your OSHC with Worldcare and you can simply collect your Worldcare health card from Shafston Reception.

Your OSHC will help you pay for any medical or hospital care you may need while you're studying in Australia, and it will contribute towards the cost of most prescription medicines, and an ambulance in an emergency.

OSHC does not cover dental, optical or physiotherapy. If you want to be covered for these treatments you will need to buy additional private health insurance, such as:

  • Extra OSHC provided by some OSHC providers;
  • International travel insurance; or
  • General treatment cover with any Australian private health insurer. You can find a list of these providers and search for the one that suits you best at www.privatehealth.gov.au or www.iselect.com.au

For more information from DIAC regarding Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and exceptions please visit: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/health-insurance.htm

Tourist & Visitor Visa Holders

Medical treatment in Australia can be very expensive. As a tourist, you are not covered by Australia's national health scheme, unless there is a reciprocal health care agreement between Australia and your country. Health care for visitors to Australia is explained on the Medicare Australia website.

It is recommended that you take out health and/or travel insurance for yourself and your family for the duration of your stay in Australia. You may be asked to provide evidence that you have health/travel insurance or adequate funds to pay for emergency medical treatment while in Australia to satisfy the financial requirements for this visa.

Working Holiday Visa Holders

Medical treatment in Australia can be very expensive. As a tourist, you are not covered by Australia's national health scheme, unless there is a reciprocal health care agreement between Australia and your country. Health care for visitors to Australia is explained on the Medicare Australia website.

It is recommended that you take out health insurance for yourself and your family for the duration of your stay in Australia. You can obtain health insurance through a health insurance provider or travel agent in your country of residence.

Other Forms of Insurance

Chances are pretty good that your trip will go smoothly and you won't encounter any problems. Even so, you should plan for the unexpected. Cancelled flights, lost luggage and wallets can end up costing you a lot of time and money, so you may like to take out travel insurance before you leave. It won't guard against bad things happening, but it will protect you against having to cover unexpected costs.

Don't forget to take your travel insurance documents (and copies) with you when you travel. This documentation provides you with information and emergency contact numbers to use if you need to make an insurance claim. You might also like to leave a copy of your travel insurance documents with your family in your home country incase they are also lost on your travels.

You must make arrangements specifically for travel insurance – it will not be covered by your basic OSHC health policy.

Students in Australia are responsible for their own accident and property insurance.

If you plan on buying a car in Australia, you must take out Compulsory Third Party insurance to cover any damage you may do to other vehicles. It is recommended that you also purchase insurance to cover accidental damage to your own car.