International Student FAQs

You are considered to be an international student if you are NOT:

• an Australian citizen, or
• a New Zealand citizen, or
• a dual citizen of any country with Australia or New Zealand, or
• a permanent resident of Australia.

If you meet any of these criteria you are considered to be a domestic student.

You are an international student if you hold a permit for temporary entry to Australia. For example, if your status is: overseas student, permanent resident of New Zealand, diplomat, temporary resident holding a work permit, refugee, a dependent of any of the above, etc.

Nothing beats the experience of being part of our community and participating in our classroom discussions! If you decide you want to study in Australia, it is important to realise that you will need to apply for a Study Visa and are legally obliged to enrol for full-time study. If you are not an Australian citizen or holder of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa and you decide to come to Australia to study you will need to apply for a Study Visa.

For students who decide to study from their home country, AC brings education to you by offering many subjects and degrees by distance education allowing you to study from anywhere in the world. AC offers a flexible delivery option for a large number of subjects without compromising the quality of your education. Flexible delivery means that you will have access to our e-Learning platform which provides resources, podcasts, online forums and tutor assistance that allows you to complete your studies from your home country.

What is it?

Distance education aims to deliver a quality university education to students who are not able to be physically present on campus. With flexible study options, you can study from home, work, or anywhere in the world, at a time that suits you and your lifestyle.

How does distance education work?

When you're a distance education student with AC, your learning experience is enhanced through our flexible study delivery options. Distance education combines course materials with a comprehensive online learning environment.

Distance education key benefits

• receive the same top-level education as studying on campus
• upgrade your qualifications whenever you choose
• balance study with work, family or financial commitments
• your degree testamur does not indicate that you studied by distance education

English Language Support

Students looking for additional help to improve their English should explore the ABC IELTS preparation programs by following the link to the ABC Website.

Travel, Tuition, & Living Expenses

Alphacrucis University College (AC) must be satisfied that you have definite access to the funds you claim to possess to cover the travel, tuition, living expenses, and health insurance costs, for yourself and your family members.

Declaration of Financial Capacity
You must declare that you have enough money to pay for travel, tuition, living expenses, and health insurance for yourself, your partner and your dependent children (if applicable), for the duration of your stay in Australia.

The table below outlines the minimum amounts in Australian dollars (AUD) that you will need in order to be eligible to obtain a visa, and must therefore prove access to these funds. These amounts do not necessarily represent the cost of living in Australia.

Overseas Health Cover

International students undertaking formal studies in Australia, and their dependents, must obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of studies. You are required to arrange health coverage yourself before you apply for your visa. You can find more information, including a list of the providers and average costs, on the Department of Health website. You can also use OSHC Australia to compare prices at www.oshcaustralia.com.au

International Student Application Process

Application Deadlines

Complete applications must be received a minimum of 15 business days before the enrolment date of the first course in the applicant’s package. Applications received less than 15 days before the enrolment date will not be considered for the intended start date and will be required to defer their studies to the next practicable start date.

Step 1 - Submit your application

Apply Now by completing the International Student Application Form.

Your application will be assessed by the International Student Office (ISO) according to the academic entry requirements for your chosen award.

Step 2 - Offer Letter and Student Agreement

If the ISO is satisfied that you have met the entry requirements and are a Genuine Temporary Entrant, you will be issued an Offer Letter and International Student Written Agreement. You will need to sign and return this agreement and pay the first semester’s fees to accept this offer. You will also need to declare that you have arranged Overseas Healthcare Cover (OSHC)

Step 3 - Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) Certificate

Once you have accepted your offer, you will be issued with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This is the document required by the Australian Government (Department of Home Affairs) to apply for a student visa. Along with a CoE certificate, you will also be provided with more information on how to enrol and when to attend Orientation Day.

Student Visas

Overseas students must have a visa to participate in an eligible course of study in Australia. Your type of visa will depend on what country you are coming from and what course you intend to study. Information about student visas, including the conditions of your student visa, is available on the Department of Home Affairs Visa Finder website.

AC CRICOS Provider Code: 00958A

Advice about Applying for Visas
While our International Student Office (ISO) can give you general advice about your student visa, we are not recognised migration agents. If you have further questions, you need to speak directly with the Department of Home Affairs: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/contact-us/overview

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)

Applicants for student visas must show they are coming to Australia temporarily to study. The GTE requirement is used to make sure the student visa program is accessed as intended. AC also complete a GTE assessment of international student applicants. Our process and assessment criterion is similar to the Department of Home Affair's Immigration and Citizenship criterion for conducting a GTE assessment. This assessment will include evidence and information about:

• your previous study
• any gaps in your previous study
• your current employment
• ties to your home country or country of residence
• economic situations in your home country or country of residence
• the value of your chosen course to your future
• your planned living arrangements and financial stability in Australia

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
AC's higher education courses are recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). AC is accredited by TEQSA - Australia's independent national regulator of the higher education sector - as a partial self-accrediting authority. AC's Applied Social Science courses are accredited by TEQSA directly. AC's higher education courses will be recognised in most countries.

Australian Skills and Quality Authority (ASQA)

Our Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are nationally recognised and accredited by the ASQA - Australia's independent national regulator of the VET sector. AC's VET courses will be recognised in most countries.

Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)

The CRICOS Register lists all Australian education providers that offer courses to people studying in Australia on student visas and the courses offered.

• CRICOS Provider Name: Alphacrucis University College Limited
• CRICOS Provider Code: 00958A.

For further information regarding CRICOS, including access to Alphacrucis University College's CRICOS Registration, please click here.

For further information regarding accreditation and international recognition, please click here.

Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS Act)

The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000, or ESOS Act, establishes legislative requirements and standards for the quality assurance of education and training institutions offering courses to international students who are in Australia on a student visa. ESOS also provides tuition fee protection for international students.

Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs

The Department of Home Affairs website provides you with all information for individuals and travellers entering and leaving Australia, including details on obtaining a visa to study in Australia.

Study Australia

This is the official Australian Government website for international students. Search for courses, institutions and scholarships, read about studying and living in Australia, watch stories from other students, and learn about Australian education.

Tuition Protection Services

The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is an initiative of the Australian Government to assist international students whose education providers are unable to fully deliver their course of study. In the unlikely event AC is unable to deliver a course you have paid for and cannot meet our obligations to either offer you an alternative course that you accept or pay you a refund of your unspent prepaid tuition fees (this is called a provider's 'default obligations'), the TPS will assist you in finding an alternative course or to get a refund if a suitable alternative is not found.

Who handles my application?

The International Student Office (ISO) is responsible for overseeing the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) program at Alphacrucis University College (AC) and will assess your application. Agents can assist their clients in completing successful applications by referring to this application information.

What criteria do I have to meet to be eligible for a VET package course?

Information about the admission criteria requirements for entry into a course is available here. For entry into a package of courses, you must be able to meet the requirements of the first course in the package.

What is a complete application?

A complete application is comprised of an online application with every question answered and the following documents (minimum) uploaded to the application: a certified (notarized) copy of your passport, evidence of your English language proficiency (such as a valid IELTS Test Report Form), and academic transcripts. Some courses require additional documentation, such as an audition tape or professional reference, and this will be requested on the online application form.

What is an incomplete application?

Incomplete applications are those that do not provide responses to every question online or are missing the necessary supporting documents for Stage 1 in the International Student Application Process page. These application will not be accepted as valid applications due to their incomplete nature. The ISO will request a Study Intention Statement if questions in the GTE section has not been completed in full. Repeated failure to supply completed application may result in the applicant being deemed non-GTE and the application being rejected. Failure to complete multiple applications may result in no new applications being accepted.

What are ‘certified' (notarized) documents?

All supporting documents should be certified. A ‘certified copy’ is a copy of an original document that has been authorised (or notarized) as being a true copy of an original. A list of people who can Certify Documents can be found here.

How do I know if my documents are current?

The following documents must meet these restrictions to be considered current:

• Passports: 6 months validity beyond the start date of the applicant’s course. (in compliance with Australian Immigration Law)
• IELTS (or equivalent documents used as evidence of English Proficiency): no more than 2 years old.

Documents must meet these requirements on the day they are received by the ISO. Please contact the ISO if you are unsure if your document is current: iso@ac.edu.au.

What should I write in my application?

Always complete your application in your own words. You should give clear, specific and personal information in your application. The information you provide in the GTE section of the application form help us understand the reasons you have chosen to study in Australia and at AC, and demonstrate that you are a genuine student. Do not copy reasons for choosing to study from another person or from other sources (such as the internet).

What is a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)?

A CoE is the document required to apply for - or extend - a student visa. You are encouraged to check over your personal and course details on your CoE before you apply for a Student Visa and advise the ISO immediately if you notice any errors in your details.

What do I do if I notice an error on my Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)?

Contact the International Student Office (ISO) immediately if you notice any errors in your details: iso@ac.edu.au or (02) 8893 9000.

When should I expect to receive a response to my application?

AC aims to respond to initial applications within 2 business days during non-peak periods. Applicants who submit complete applications, and who return signed offers and fees promptly can expect to receive a CoE within 2 business days from the time of confirmed receipt of funds. Incomplete applicants will result in a delay in issuing a CoE.

Can I defer the start date of my studies?

Applicants wishing to defer the commencement of their studies to the following semester may do so by contacting the ISO and completing a Deferral of Studies Form. If you have a package with a partner institution, an updated offer letter from the partner must be supplied. An amended offer letter from AC will also be provided, which must be signed and returned to the ISO before a new CoE Certificate is issued. Applicants may only defer the commencement of their course for a maximum of one year.

When do I need to submit my application by?

Applications must be received a minimum of 15 business days before the start date or enrolment date of the first course in the applicant’s package. Applications received less than 15 days before the start date or enrolment date will not be considered for the intended start date and will be required to defer their studies to the next practicable start date. Application validity length will still apply.

Why was my application deemed non-GTE?

Applications may be deemed non-GTE for a number of reasons, including but not limited to:

• You did not meet the entry requirements for your chosen course
• Some or all of your application did not appear to be your own words
• The application did not demonstrate a clear reason for studying the chosen course in Australia
• The application suggests you are not likely to complete your chosen course
• The application suggests you are not primarily coming to Australia for the purpose of study
• The application suggests your stay in Australia is not temporary

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism occurs when phrases and sentences are copied from other sources without credit. As applicants are required to supply their own personal reasons for choosing their course of study, information from other sources is not acceptable. Applications that contain identical answers for more than one applicant will be considered plagiarised. All applicants are given the same opportunity to submit genuine statements in the first instance, therefore applications found to be containing plagiarism will be deemed non-GTE.

What payments must I make to get a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)?

You will need to pay a non-refundable $200 enrolment fee when you first apply. Upon receiving your Offer Letter and Student Agreement, you will need to pay your first semester fees before receiving your CoE. Indicative fees can be found here.

What kind of financial assistance does AC offer?

AC does not accept unsolicited scholarship applications or payment plans for initial tuition fee payments. All fees must be paid upfront and in full before studies can commence. It is recommended that you do not apply before you have access to the full fee payment. Applicants must also be confident they can continue to meet the fee payments each semester, as payment plans are not available at any time during a student’s course.

What do I do if I require a refund?

The AC refund policy is available here. If you believe you are eligible for a refund, you will need to complete the online Refund Request Form.

What happens if my course ceases to be offered?

In the unlikely event that AC defaults, you will be covered by the Tuition Protection Service (TPS). The TPS is an initiative of the Australian government that ensures international students can either:

• complete their studies in another course.
• complete their studies with another education provider; or
• receive a refund of their unspent tuition fees.

For more information, please see https://tps.gov.au/.

What do I do if I have further questions?

Please ensure you have read this FAQ page thoroughly. If you still have further questions, please contact iso@ac.edu.au. We will attempt to respond to your query as soon as possible.