International Students

Visas and Health Cover

Conditions of your Student Visa

As an international student studying in Australia you must hold a student visa.  The Australian Government attaches regulations and requirements to holders of student visas and these must be adhered to.
Please note that these following conditions apply to your student visa:

• You must maintain a full-time study load and full attendance in your college program.

• You must provide the college with your current address in Tasmania and advise the college of any changes in your contact details.

• You must advise the College if you plan to leave Tasmania for any period of time.  This includes returning to your home country during a vacation or traveling to other parts of Australia for a holiday, visit to friends or for any other reason.

• You are not permitted to change your education provider or transfer to another institution until you have completed your course at Hobart College.

Overseas Student Health Cover

All students on a Student Visa are required by DIMIA to have current Overseas Student Health Cover. If you do not have health cover, DIMIA may cancel your student visa.
When you paid your first deposit, you also paid your first year of health cover. If your course runs for one year or less, you will not need to renew your cover. If your course runs for more than one year, you are responsible for renewing your cover.
If you are not sure how to do this, please ask the International Student Advisers.

As a member of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), 85% of the government scheduled fees for private doctors, pathology and X-rays are paid.  Treatment by doctors and overnight stays in public hospitals is also covered under the OSHC.  Dental work and private hospital fees are not covered by the OSHC.

Please Note: If you are not on a student visa, please make sure that you have some form of travel insurance.

Working

After you have arrived in Tasmania and have begun your studies, you will be able to apply for Student Visa with Permission to Work. The application fee is $A55.00. This visa will allow you to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full time in holiday periods. Please note that if you work longer than this, DIMIA may cancel your student visa.

Work in Tasmania is sometimes difficult to find. Students usually work in restaurants or bars and the rate of pay is not high. Money earned from working should be seen as a bit extra – it is almost impossible to earn enough money to live on while on a Student Visa, so do not rely on finding work to pay for your living expenses. Working times should fit in with your classes – do not miss classes for work.

It is your responsibility to make sure both your visa and passport are valid while you are in Australia.  Remember that the expiry date on both of these may be different from other students so it is important to keep track of this.