International Students

International students who have accepted their offer, paid their fees and have received a CoE are now on their way to obtaining a student visa and beginning their journey to Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

Your next step is to:

Step 1: Organise your Student Visa and immigration requirements

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All international students must possess a current student visa while they are studying in Australia. As a QIBT student, you can apply for a single visa to cover the duration of your studies. Under this visa you can package your QIBT program with your degree at Griffith University and your English language program (if required).

How do I apply?

Prospective international students intending to study in Australia must obtain a student visa from an Australian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission in their home country before travelling. Some students can also apply online: to find out if you are eligible, visit www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/students.htm.

QIBT will be glad to help you with any questions in relation to your visa application. Email us at qibt@navitas.com or contact one of our representatives in your home country. For a list of authorised QIBT representatives, click here.

What are the visa requirements?

The main requirements for a visa application may include:

  • A letter of offer from QIBT
  • An electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from QIBT, which is issued after you have paid your tuition fees
  • A medical check-up
  • Proof of academic history and English proficiency
  • Proof of financial support

What are the visa conditions?

To maintain your visa you must:

  • Study full time while in Australia
  • Attend at least 80 percent of all scheduled classes
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Maintain a valid enrolment at QIBT and inform QIBT if you change your student status
  • Advise QIBT within 7 days if you change your Australian address
  • Have enough money to cover tuition fees and living expenses while in Australia
  • Not work more than 20 hours a week during a semester
  • Maintain valid Overseas Student Health Cover (see below)
  • Not transfer between registered education providers within the first six months of the starting date of your program, without a release letter.

For more information about visa conditions and requirements, visit www.immi.gov.au/students.

How long is my visa valid?

Your student visa will be issued for the duration of your QIBT program, as stated in the CoE that you will receive from QIBT. If you plan to continue your studies at Griffith University, you may package your QIBT and Griffith University programs together and receive a CoE for both.

The advantage of this is that you will receive one visa for the entire duration of your studies at QIBT and Griffith University. With your letter of offer, you will receive an Acceptance of Offer form. You should indicate on this form whether you require a CoE for just QIBT or for both QIBT and Griffith University.

Please note: if your QIBT program finishes in September and your university program starts in February of the following year, Australian immigration law may require you to leave Australia between October and February. QIBT takes no responsibility for students who fail to take this into consideration when selecting their program.

Step 2: Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

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As a condition of your student visa, you must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) while in Australia. You must obtain this cover for the proposed duration of your visa. If you have an accident or health problem within Australia, you will be able to redeem some or all of your medical costs.

QIBT can organise OSHC on your behalf. Further details will be provided in your letter of offer. For more information, visit www.oshcallianzassistance.com.au.

Step 3: Organise your Accommodation

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QIBT students who require accommodation have the opportunity of staying at on-campus accommodation, homestay, temporary, hostel or apartment style accommodation or private house/flat rental.

For further information about Accommodation options click here.

Step 4: Book your flight and QIBT's Airport Pickup service

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Many students travel to and from Australia at the beginning and end of each semester, therefore flights can be heavily booked in advance. It is advisable to make a flight booking as soon as you have confirmed your enrolment at QIBT.

Plan to arrive in Brisbane or the Gold Coast at least 14 days prior to Orientation and Enrolment to give yourself time to settle in, find permanent accommodation, open bank accounts and familiarise yourself with your new environment. This adjustment will be a major change to your normal routine and leaving your arrival to the last minute can create unnecessary difficulties.

Airport Reception

If you choose airport reception, a QIBT representative will be available to welcome you when you arrive at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation.

Students who require airport pick-up must complete an Application for Airport Reception and email to accommodation@qibt.qld.edu.au at least 3 working days prior to departure. Airport reception can only be arranged if confirmed flight details and accommodation address are provided at the time of booking.

Airport pick-up fees can be found here.

Please be aware of the following fees which may apply, should your airport reception booking change:

Fee if student does not arrive at Brisbane airport as scheduled Full Fee
Fee if student elects to cancel booking at airport Full Fee
Fee if student does not find and meet driver at airport Full Fee
Fee if student's family/friends wish to accompany them from Brisbane Airport to the pre-arranged/homestay accommodation A$25 per extra person

What to do if your driver has not found you

If the Driver has not found you within 30 minutes (after clearing Customs, for international flights) first check at the Information Desk or telephone (+617) 3735 6900 (QIBT) or the emergency contact.

Step 5: Find out more about living in Brisbane and the Gold Coast

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Climate

Brisbane has a sub-tropical climate of warm humid summers and mild clear winters. Summer months are December to February with typical temperatures of between 20˚-29˚C. Winter months are June to August with typical temperatures between 10˚-21˚C.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Australian dollar ($ or AUD) (100 cents = $1.00). There are six coins: $2 and $1 are gold; and 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c are silver. There are five notes: $100, $50, $20 $10 and $5. Each note has a unique design and a different colour.
For currency conversion see www.xe.com/ucc/.

Electricity

Electricity in Australia is 220-240V AC 50Hz. Australian sockets are three pin so an adaptor is required for international visitors. Universal outlets for 240V or 100V shavers are found in most leading hotels and multi-voltage appliances as well as adaptors are readily available in department stores and luggage shops

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Brisbane depends on individual lifestyles but generally costs are lower in Brisbane than in Australia's other eastern capital cities. Cost of living in Brisbane and Australia is also lower than the United Kingdom and Northern America.

QIBT estimates that a single international student requires approximately A$15,000-18,000 per year for accommodation, food, textbooks and other study materials, as well as your personal expenses including transport, entertainment and recreation costs. This amount does not cover major expenses such as your tuition fees, the purchase of a car, television, stereo or computer.

Tax File Number

If you obtain employment while in Australia it is recommended that you apply for a Tax File Number. You will be asked to provide your Tax File Number when you complete a taxation deduction form at the commencement of employment.

It is not compulsory to have or provide a Tax File Number, however if you do not have one, any income you earn will be taxed at a much higher rate. Students can obtain further information about work permits and Tax File Numbers from QIBT or visit: www.ato.gov.au.

Business Hours

Banks generally open from 0930 to 1600 hours Monday to Friday. General office hours are 0900 to 1700 Monday to Friday. Post offices operate these hours; however stamps are often available from hotels.

Shopping

Shopping hours in the CBD are usually from 0900 to 1700 hours Monday through Thursday, with late night shopping on Friday from 0900 to 2100 hours. Saturday shopping generally trades from 0900 to 1700 hours and Sundays from 1000 to 1600 hours.

Driving

The roads in the Brisbane and Gold Coast region are generally well maintained with clear signage of routes and attractions. Motorways in south-east Queensland provide motorists with quick links, ensuring time-saving travel through 100km/h speed zones and non-stop travel into the central business district.

International students please note, Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Speed limits and distances are expressed in kilometres (km) and a speed limit of 50km/h is enforced in residential and commercial areas, unless otherwise indicated. On highways the speed limit is usually 100km/h, unless otherwise indicated.

Public Transport

Brisbane has an extensive transportation network within the city, as well as connections to regional centres, interstate and to overseas destinations. Public transport is provided by bus, rail and ferry services. For more information on Brisbane and the Gold Coast's public transport network, visit www.translink.com.au/.

Safety

Security is provided on all Griffith University campuses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Located around campus are telephones for contacting Campus Security, who can arrange an escort to take you to your vehicle or on-campus accommodation, particularly on weekends or after dark.