Visas

In order to come to Australia you will need to obtain a visa in one of a number of categories. As long as you satisfy the financial requirements a student visa may allow you to stay up to two years and in some cases longer. Because there are other visas that might apply in your case you will need to seek advice on your options. Visa information can be readily obtained through Hays International College.According to the Dept of Immigration and Citizenship, to be granted a student visa, you must provide evidence that satisfies the assessment factors applicable to you. Assessment factors include your financial ability, English proficiency, likely compliance with the conditions of your visa and any other matters considered relevant to assessing your application. Additional information on student visa issues is available on the DIAC Internet site at http://www.immi.gov.au

Service and General Fees

Service and General Fees	Cost
Enrolment Fee	$250
Materials Fee	$500
Overseas Student Health Cover (12 months)	$380
Text books per year	$200
Airport Transfer Fee	$150

This is a list of service and general fees only. For course and accommodation fees, please view the relevant pages below.
Courses Overview
Accommodation Fees
Cost of Living in Australia

Deferral, Suspension or Cancellation of Studies

Once you have enrolled in a course, you will only be allowed to defer commencement of your studies or suspend your studies in exceptional cases under compassionate and compelling circumstances (eg illness in which a medical certificate must be produced to substantiate the necessity). HIC may also cancel or suspend your enrolment if you have broken the Student Code of conduct and because of inappropriate behaviour. If HIC intends to do so the student will be notified in writing and will have 20 working days to appeal. The cancellation or suspension will take effect after the internal process is completed, unless there is any extenuating circumstances. We will then notify DIAC of the deferment, suspension or cancellation of enrolment and this may affect your visa status and you may have to return to your home country.

Dispute resolution procedure

Hays International College has a dispute resolution procedure to provide students with a fair and equitable process for resolving any disputes or complaints they may have. The dispute resolution procedure includes a requirement that an independent mediator will be appointed at no expense to the student if the student is dissatisfied with the resolution proposed by the College. The independent mediator will be provided by ACPET (phone +613 9416 1355).

Recognition of prior learning

Students who believe they already have some of the competencies in the course may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Application may only be made after enrolment and payment of fees and must be made using the RPL Application Form that will be provided during orientation.
Student visa regulations require that if you are granted exemption or RPL, you should enrol in substitute modules to maintain your full-time enrolment.

Credit transfer

Students who have completed units from their course at other institutions will be given recognition on presentation of a verified transcript, Award or Statement of Attainment.

Full Time Study

Australian law requires International students to study at a full time study load. The only reason why you may undertake a reduced study load is because you need to undertake a part-time enrolment to complete a course of study where you need to repeat one or more failed units for the first time.

International students are not entitled to undertake a reduced study load because of credit transfer, exemptions or to repeat failed units more than once. Students in this situation will be guided by their course coordinator on what alternative subjects may be available or which subjects they can undertake from later years to ensure they have a 100% full time study load. Please be aware that if your attendance drops below 80% over any 20-week period Hays International College is required to review your involvement and to counsel you if poor attendance persists.

Delivery to students holding a student visa via distance education is specifically not permitted.

Academic Dates

The academic year, in Australia is broken into two semesters beginning in February and ending in December. Semester 1 finishes in June and the second semester begins in July. The main holiday break is over the summer period Mid-December to the beginning of February. These arrangements may vary depending on the course in which you are enrolled.

Overseas Student Health Cover

Overseas student health cover (OSHC) is insurance that provides cover on the costs for medical and hospital care which international students may need while in Australia. OSHC will also pay for most prescription drugs and emergency ambulance transport.

If you are an international student studying in Australia, you must purchase an approved OSHC policy from a registered health benefits organisation - commonly referred to as health funds before applying for your visa. To cover you from when you arrive, you will need to buy OSHC before you come to Australia. You will also need to maintain OSHC throughout your stay in Australia.

You can find out more about purchasing OSHC here

Student Support Services

The Director of Studies & Education, teaching staff and administrative staff of Hays International College are available to provide general advice and assistance with matter such as studying, homework, accommodation, English language problems and counselling. Students requiring special or intensive assistance must contact the Director of Student Welfare who may refer them to external support services if required.

Further Study

Graduates of Hays International College courses may seek credits to relevant degree programs in Australian Universities. There is no guaranteed entry into University programs however as a general rule students with high marks will have the best chance of being accepted by a University.

Working in Australia

Students with a student visa has permission to work in Australia after commencement of their course of study. Immigration laws allow students to work for a limited number of hours, currently 20 hours per week. However, work is not easy to find and under no circumstances can students rely on income earned in Australia to pay tuition fees. Students are not permitted to work if it interferes with their study.

Dependents of persons holding a student visa are required to pay full fees in any school, college or university that they enrol in whilst in Australia.

Student Orientation

Orientation is conducted on the first day of commencement. Its purpose is to fully inform new students of most aspects of life at Hays International College and provide an introduction to studying, Melbourne’s costs of living, transportation, facilities and accommodation. In addition Hays International College staff will be introduced, a tour of Hays International College and the local area will take place and an opportunity to ask questions will be given